There is only one rule for an afternoon tea experience in Chicago; it should feel like royalty. Fancy finger sandwiches, scones, sweet pastries and cakes served in a bygone era ambiance is a socially acceptable excuse to consume a meal at 4 pm, served on a three-tiered tray.
Traditional sandwich fillings, with smoked salmon and egg mayonnaise, stuffed between bread (and this is important) “with its crusts cut off!” is an excuse to keep that pinky in the air as you pour Earl Grey from bone China teapots into dainty cups.
Anna Russell, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, indeed had a point when she invented afternoon tea as a cure to her “sinking feeling” that comes in late afternoon.
The very best afternoon teas in Chicago have something for everyone. If you want to have a full and fancy afternoon tea with raspberry jams, petits-fours, and clotted cream, then head over to these superb places in Chicago that are both posh and Instagramable.
Let’s have polite conversations and feel like a character from a 19th-century novel, with these places serving the best afternoon tea and high tea in Chicago.
Fabulous Places For The Best Afternoon Tea and High Tea In Chicago
Russian Tea Time Restaurant
Scones and sandwiches dance among delicate teapots, steaming and aromatic, in a dark and ambient Russian-style décor.
You can imagine Dostoevsky himself or one of his Russian novel characters reclining leisurely in these dark, wood-accented dining rooms and pondering over repentance and philosophical dilemmas while sipping on a cup of strong black tea.
Russian Tea Time Restaurant is where afternoon tea in Chicago is served in a cozy ambiance while teacups clink in the background and warm balalaika music bounces off the rich mahogany furniture.
The afternoon tea service at Russian Tea Time Restaurant is available from 11 am to 5 pm every day of the week. There are delicate scones, an assortment of sandwiches, mini sweets, crepes, and an elegant pot of Tea available in their Classic and Queen Tea Service.
The tea menu included in these services has black teas, decaffeinated tisanes, and green and white teas, all available at only $8 per pot.
Address: 77 E Adams Street, Chicago, IL 60603, United States
Phone: +1 312-360-0000
Palm Court
Live harpists play soft and gentle tunes in a Regency-inspired atmosphere worth a visit from the royalty.
If you are fond of Regency Era-inspired dramas and movies, you will find this one to be the best afternoon tea in Chicago. The opulence oozes from the gilded décor, sparkling chandeliers, complex flowers and foliage, fluted columns, and rich woods and mirrors of the Palm Court at Drake Hotel.
And on the menu? Gourmet tea sandwiches, piled with fire roasted chicken, chimichurri shrimp and tender spinach; desserts such as macarons filled with blackberry and chestnut whiskey and dulce de leche, and Earl Grey infused panna cotta; served while a live harpist plays in the background (but only on Saturdays and Sundays.)
The Palm Court has been serving the best tea in Chicago for nearly a century, and even the royalty, the Queen and Princess Diana have stopped by for this refined afternoon tea experience.
The Spring Blossom Afternoon tea is served every Thursday to Sunday, from 12:00 pm till 4:30 pm. It is priced at $71 per adult, and $35 for the Little Prince and Princess afternoon tea for children between 3 and 12 years of age.
Address: 140 East Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-932-4619
The Lobby
Time slows down in this understated ambiance with a delightful menu served with the afternoon tea.
Peninsula Hotels is a sign of recognition among those looking for the best high tea or afternoon tea in Chicago. Inside the elegant lounge of this dignified hotel, you will find yourself comfortably seated in high-back chairs and sipping on a glass of Champagne while glancing at a menu with tea pastries and savory bites that are almost too pretty to eat.
There is the blackberry macaron with Chantilly cream, raspberry swan choux pastry, mint mousse, followed by smoked salmon sandwiches and tomato-dried quiche, along with special menu items for little tea connoisseurs and those with dietary restrictions.
The service is impeccable, and the changing menu according to every season will keep you coming back for more.
The afternoon tea at The Peninsula Chicago’s Lobby is priced at $140 per adult (which includes a Champagne glass) and $65 for children between ages 5 and 12 years, available Fridays through Sundays from 2:30 pm till 4:30 pm.
Address: 108 E Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-573-6760
The Allis
A social space where you can swap your quiet and formal tea etiquettes for a free-spirited and casual conversation.
For a French-inflected afternoon tea in Chicago with Mediterranean fare, look no further than the opulent ground-floor space at Soho House, where each sitting begins with hot tea or bubbles before proceeding to an afternoon tea sweet and savory selection that reinterprets classic staples with house-made bites.
The Allis is by far the most welcoming and relaxing place to enjoy an afternoon or high tea in Chicago. The expansive art collection, velvet armchairs, vintage and custom pieces, and exposed brick feature is a good case in point.
You’ll find seasonal scones, Earl Grey Supreme, ginger snap cookies, homemade egg salads, Ruby Oolong, and cucumber, shallots, and veganese spread. What else? Champagne and sparkling wine – Cuvee Rose, Moët & Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot Rosé. And a generous selection of fancy cakes to finish.
You can choose either the basic afternoon tea ($63 per person) or the Sparkling afternoon tea ($76 per person). This pleasant afternoon tea experience in Chicago is available from 2 pm to 4:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Address: 113-125 North Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-521-8000
Vanille Patisserie
Top-tier afternoon tea experience in private dining rooms at Chicago’s most beloved patisserie.
Sophie Evanoff’s luxe pastries, cakes, and macarons are legendary – and rightly so. The combination of European traditional and modern flavors with the authentic art of French pastry is the perfect excuse to sample them all with one of the best afternoon teas in Chicago.
The stylish private dining rooms can accommodate between 4 and 10 guests at a time, where the special three-course afternoon tea is served. Once you have settled, start with the savory bites – Dijon Shallot aioli Pain de Mie, Herbed Creme Fraiche, and Gruyere Cheese. Then work your way through the traditional scones, raspberry jam, Madeleines with passion fruit curd, and English Double Devon Cream.
BYOB and wash it down, however, a $10 corkage fee applies to every bottle. However, the finest Benjamin’s Tea is available alongside the afternoon tea fare. You have to reserve the afternoon tea service for your party, priced at $75 per person. The afternoon tea is available the whole week (except for Mondays) at 11:30 am, 2:00 pm, and 4:30 pm.
Address: 2108 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Phone: +1 773-868-4574
Pavilion
A stylish tea house in Chicago with sweeping city views and delectable afternoon tea sweet and savory bites.
If you are searching for the best afternoon tea in Chicago with a view – Pavilion, on the second floor of The Langham – is the perfect place with soaring ceilings and jaw-dropping city views. Sink into an upholstered chair and admire the views of Downtown Chicago, while choosing from signature Langham teas and the finest menu of The Chocolate Factory afternoon tea experience.
Among the delicious offerings served at this tea house in Chicago are Dill Smoked Salmon Blinis, Roasted Pepper Cream Cheese, Brioche Caged free Egg Salad, Assorted homemade marshmallows, Yuzu Cream, Coconut Mousse, and much more.
Make sure you also appreciate the classical live music, which adds serenity to your afternoon tea experience. The Execute Chef, Damion Henry, make sure that your dietary restrictions are not compromised. Besides arranging a specialty menu for such guests, the chef also offers sweet and savory delights for the children.
The afternoon tea is available on Saturdays and Sundays, at multiple time slots between 12 pm and 4 pm, and the expected price range is from $60 to $150 per person.
Address: US, 330 N Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312-923-7710
Sofitel Chicago Magnificent Mile
French-inspired afternoon tea treats served alongside sparkling or champagne but in teacups instead.
The dynamic vantage point with beautiful views of Magnificent Mile is a sight to behold. The Un-Tea Afternoon Apéro, is your traditional afternoon tea in Chicago, but has an angle (in a good, French way of course.) Despite being an afternoon tea service, they won’t give you a steaming cup of Earl Grey or English Breakfast. Rather, your cups will be filled with champagne instead (how un-tea of them!)
Begin with the choux puffs filled with truffle cream, mini lemon tarts, Sofitel Éclair, and Chocolate Earl Grey Gateau, but there are still Jambon Beurre, Quiche Lorraine Tartlet and Dill Madeleine to come.
Despite the unconventional approach, this is one of the best afternoon teas in Chicago, that can either cost you $55 for the fare, or even an additional $500 if you choose a bottle of Dom Pérignon champagne. Available Saturdays and Sundays on prepaid reservations.
Address: 20 East Chestnut Street, Downtown, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
Phone: +1 312 324 4000
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe
Monthly themed afternoon tea service with a thoughtfully curated menu and limited available seating.
Behind a quaint pastry shop persona lies the magic of Chef Katsuji Tanabe, who presents carefully crafted afternoon tea menus every month, named after special events like Mother’s Day Special or the Fall Afternoon Tea service.
The former’s offering consists of white linen tea service, with delicate sandwiches, mini sweets and classic scones on the menu. The rotating dishes accompanying other sweet and savory delights in the tower of snacks, can be followed by unlimited boozy or bubbly cocktails, but for an extra fee.
However, many people love the seasonal afternoon tea recipes and rare tea blends, which is why they have limited seating which gets reserved quite fast. So, keep an eye out for the next afternoon tea of the month, if you have missed it this time.
The afternoon tea seatings are available between 11 am and 4 pm, and just to give you an idea about the price range, the package for Mother’s Day Special is $105 per person.
Address: 1114 W Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657, United States
Phone: +1 773 929 1100
LondonHouse Chicago
Summer-inspired afternoon tea service with a Rare Tea selection, served on the second floor of the hotel with unforgettable Chicago river views.
The Summer Afternoon Tea Service at LondonHouse Chicago cannot get any more magical. Setting for this afternoon tea in Chicago is arranged on the second floor of the hotel, in the Bridges Lobby Bar, from where you will find the picturesque Chicago River and the glorious bridge views.
Fittingly, you will find the hand-picked tea selection to complement the summer season, and then the food arrives in a basket filled with bread and baked scones. Alongside the classic delights, the treats are also flavored with seasonal ingredients, like raspberry truffle, fresh blueberry tart, Peaches and Crème, and tuna tostada.
Up next is the kid’s menu, with its cucumber sushi, bagel pizza bites, and Homer D’ohnut with pink strawberry glaze that your little ones will definitely enjoy.
The Basket, with its sweet and savory items, clotted cream, lemon curd, and strawberry rose preserves, costs $85. The kid’s menu is priced at $45, and you can add your choice of rare teas or libations to your order as well.
Address: 85 East Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-357-1200
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