Discover the best afternoon tea in Boston. From historic hotels to cozy tea rooms, find the top spots for fine tea and scones..
Boston may be the city that famously dumped its tea into the harbor, but these days it more than makes up for that rebellious moment with some of the most charming afternoon tea experiences in the country. Whether you’re looking for a grand hotel splurge, a literary hideaway, a historically inspired sip, or a sweet neighborhood nook, Boston has a tea room to suit your mood.
Let’s explore the best places to enjoy afternoon tea in Boston, a city famous for its historical connect to tea.
Afternoon Tea Tip: Menu options, open hours, and prices are subject to change. Be sure to verify with your preferred destination to avoid disappointment. And always reserve in advance. Afternoon tea is popular!
Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace
Address: 306 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts
There is no more fitting place for afternoon tea in Boston than Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace, located in the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Named in honor of Abigail Adams, the tearoom leans into the 18th century with costumed staff and colonial atmosphere.
The signature experience is a tasting flight of the five historic tea varieties that were thrown overboard on the night of December 16, 1773. You can also order a tea platter with tea, scones, and topping or choose something from the cafe menus (soups, salads, sandwiches, etc. No museum ticket is required to visit (but definitely recommended!, making it an easy and affordable stop for any itinerary.
Cardamon Magazine contributing photographer Elaine Chen recently visited the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum and loved it. Fortunately, she brought home teas for the rest of the team to try. You can enjoy some of her photos on this page.
Tea Tip: Even if you’re not in Boston, you can purchase teas from their online tea shop.
Highlights:
- The amazing views of the Boston Harbor and Boston skyline.
- Sampling the modern equivalents of the historic teas of the Boston Tea Party. My personal favorite is young hyson.
- A flexible menu ranging from traditional afternoon tea to typical cafe dishes, sure to suit all tastes and budgets.
Related Post: 3 Delicious Teas Inspired by Abigail Adams
The Courtyard Tea Room at the Boston Public Library
Address: 700 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Hidden inside the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, the Courtyard Tea Room is one of Boston’s most elegant dining experiences. Operated by The Catered Affair, the room overlooks the library’s stunning Italianate courtyard and is decorated in white linens, silver chandeliers, and fine cutlery.
The Courtyard Tea Room offers a prix fixe luxury afternoon tea experience with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available if requested in advance. The menu includes savory sandwiches, scones, desserts, and of course many tea selections. Cocktails are also available at an additional charge.
Highlights:
- A luxury tea experience in a beautiful setting.
- An extensive tea selection with options including Blue Flower Earl Grey (personal favorite), Decaf English Breakfast, Jasmine Pearls, Blood Orange Hibiscus, and Darjeeling 2nd Flush, Oaks Estate.
Silver Dove Afternoon Tea
Address: 24 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Silver Dove is a small, independently owned tearoom near Government Center.
Silver Dove offers a fixed price menu that changes with the season including tea sandwiches, canapés, scones, and desserts. The menu is completely gluten- and oat-free. You can also request vegan or dairy-free options.
Highlights:
- The gluten-free menu suitable for people who might not be able to enjoy traditional tea fare.
- A good selection of premium teas including Darjeeling 2nd Flush: Jungpana Estate, Builder’s Tea (a British favorite), Jade Nantou, Emperor’s Golden Ripe Pu-Erh, Wild Greek Sage, and Hibiscus Lime.
Trifecta at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street
Address: 1 Dalton Street, Boston, Massachusetts
For a special-occasion splurge, Trifecta at the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street delivers a luxury afternoon tea weekend experience.
The seasonal menu offers upscale, gourmet options with teas from local favorite Jenway Tea Co.
Highlights:
- A true luxury afternoon tea experience for gourmet tastes.
- An optional caviar service.
Jolie Tea Company
Address: 316 Derby Street, Salem, Massachusetts
If you’re looking to add a little adventure to your afternoon tea, consider an excursion to nearby Salem for tea at Jolie Tea Company (there’s also a location in Beverly). Salem is of course famous for the witch trials, but it’s also an interesting, historic place to visit and makes for a great day trip from Boston.
At Jolie, you can enjoy a full tea service with several different high teach options including a new Paris-themed tea. Another option is the Jolie Luncheon High Tea which combines a pot of tea with a traditional luncheon selection (such as quiche or salad) with a mini tier of scones and desserts. There is also a special menu for young tea enthusiasts under age 12.
Highlights:
- An extensive tea bar offering more than 300 different tea blends. Even if you’re not in Boston, you can purchase teas from Jolie and have them shipped to your home.
- The day trip to Salem, Massachusetts
Travel Tip: From Boston, you can drive to Salem in about 45 minutes, take the train (Newburyport/Rockport Line from North Station to Salem Station), or take the ferry from Boston Harbor. In my opinion, the ferry makes it a real adventure!
Visiting Boston: What to See and Do
In between enjoying tea and scones, there are a lot of other things to see and do in Boston. Here are a few favorites:
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum
Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers an immersive, live-action experience featuring costumed historical interpreters, holographic technology, and full-scale replicas of 18th-century sailing vessels where visitors can actively throw tea crates into the harbor. It’s also the home to Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace, mentioned previously.
The Freedom Trail
The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile red-brick walking path connecting 16 of the city’s most significant Revolutionary-era sites, from the Boston Common to Paul Revere’s house to the USS Constitution in Charlestown. This is one of my best memories of Boston and well worth your time.
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is a Venetian-style palazzo filled with a breathtaking personal art collection assembled by Boston socialite Isabella Stewart Gardner in the early 1900s. The stunning interior courtyard blooms year-round, and the museum’s famously unsolved 1990 art heist adds an extra layer of intrigue to every visit.
📖 Recommended Read: The story of Isabella Stewart Gardner is a fascinating one. If you’re a fan of well-written historical fiction, art, and Boston, check out The Lioness of Boston by Emily Franklin.
Final Thoughts on Afternoon Tea in Boston
Boston features a diverse afternoon tea scene that connects the city’s revolutionary past with modern luxury. From tasting historic tea blends on the waterfront at Abigail’s Tea Room & Terrace to enjoying a traditional, elegant service inside the Courtyard Tea Room at the Boston Public Library, the city’s top destinations offer something for everyone.
And now over to you: Have you enjoyed afternoon tea in Boston? Let us know in the comments!
