7 Amazing Afternoon Tea Experiences Around the World

Diverse, delicious and unique high tea options create memorable encounters

a person's hands holding a teacup while another person pours from a teapot

Afternoon tea experiences are decadent rituals that offer a moment to pause, reflect and create cherished memories.

Courtesy Halekulani

Published December 19, 2025

There’s something timeless and deeply comforting about the clink of fine china and the feel of soft linen napkins while sipping a fragrant cup of Darjeeling or orange pekoe tea. Afternoon tea experiences are decadent rituals that offer a moment to pause and reflect, either alone or with loved ones, to create cherished memories.

Though referred to as afternoon tea, these often elaborate tea services are meals in and of themselves. Fine loose-leaf teas are paired with elegant bite-sized sandwiches, scones, eclairs, macaroons and other finger foods ranging from sweet to savory. From fine and fancy to accessible indulgences, afternoon tea often provides a way to experience an over-the-top treat at a high-end hotel without having to foot the bill for a room.

Not only is afternoon tea delicious and fun, but the white, green and black leaves that serve as the star of the show also could have many surprising health benefits, such as helping to strengthen bones, prevent obesity and decrease cancer risk. Enjoying it with friends can also boost your health and well-being.

Whether you’re seeking understated, classic or quirky, here are some incredible afternoon tea experiences to look out for around the world. Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and may change depending on exchange rates.

1. London

Imagine clambering aboard a vintage 1960s London double-decker bus perched high above the streets as the city rolls by. That’s exactly the charm of the Great British Tea Bus, one of several mobile tea salons offering afternoon tea on a refurbished heritage vehicle. While sipping and snacking, you’ll roll past London’s landmarks like the Tower of London, Trafalgar Square and Westminster Abbey. Menus are available in advance (including a separate vegetarian menu), so it’s an especially good option for groups with dietary restrictions and preferences. Cost: Prices vary by day of the week, but they start at $63 for adults, $59 for adults 61 and over and $48 for children.

2. Madeira, Portugal

High on a cliff above the Atlantic, Belmond Reid’s Palace delivers afternoon tea with a sense of island serenity. It sits where Madeira’s warm breeze carries the soft scent of citrus and salty air. Afternoon tea here isn’t just about pastries and sandwiches, it’s about place. Thirty-eight teas (and champagne and cocktails) are served with a side of spectacular views from a veranda overlooking plunging cliffs and the shimmering sea. Finger sandwiches and homemade pastries are prepared with local meat, dairy and produce, while the coffees and teas are organic and fair trade-certified, making for an unhurried experience that’s both elegant and ethical. Cost: Prices start at $76 per person ($88 through Dec. 31), more for champagne and cocktails.

tea cups on a table along with a three tiered serving plater with desserts

Grand Brasserie serves afternoon tea inside an active transit hub. Here, savory bites and delicate pastries arrive on three-tier towers.

Courtesy Jovanie Demetrie

3. New York

The Big Apple is the city that never sleeps, and there’s no better example of its nonstop hustle and bustle than Grand Central Terminal. Nestled inside the terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall is a nostalgic nod to New York elegance, the 400-seat Grand Brasserie, which serves one of the world’s only afternoon tea experiences inside an active transit hub. Here, soaring ceilings and early 20th-century architectural details provide the perfect backdrop for gilded chandelier-lit afternoon tea. Savory bites and delicate pastries arrive on three-tier towers topped with a miniature replica of Grand Central’s iconic clock, which adds a uniquely local touch. Cost: $55 per food tower, beverages extra.

tea cups on a table where people are reaching for desserts

During tea at the Pfister Hotel, a tea butler explains the origin of the tea offerings and makes pairing suggestions.

Courtesy the Pfister Hotel

4. Milwaukee

Downtown Milwaukee’s Pfister Hotel, which originally opened in 1893 and recently underwent a major renovation, perfectly pairs old-world grandeur with modern trends. Boasting the largest Victorian art collection of any hotel in the world, the Pfister oozes elegance, from its famous lobby piano performances to its lavish afternoon tea service. As guests settle in on the 23rd floor overlooking panoramic views of Lake Michigan, a tea butler comes around to explain the origin of the tea offerings and to make pairing suggestions. The Pfister serves organic, sustainably sourced tea from Milwaukee-based Rishi Tea, alongside traditional, Victorian, vegetarian, vegan, luxe and “all grown-up” kids menus. Cost: Pricing starts at $68 for adults ($40 for kids); $98 for the luxe menu. Note: A 20-percent gratuity and tax will be added to all reservations.

people stirring tea in cups next to desserts

Afternoon tea at Halekulani features locally grown teas.

Courtesy Halekulani

5. Honolulu

Afternoon tea at Halekulani, one of O‘ahu’s most storied and elegant hotels, is a graceful nod to tradition served with island soul. Guests can sip their way through a thoughtfully curated menu featuring locally grown varieties such as Pure Māmaki, which has long been used in traditional Hawaiian healing practices. It’s a caffeine-free, polyphenol-packed herbal tea with earthy, nutty undertones and a naturally sweet finish that grows on a 400-year-old forest bed of volcanic ash.

Another unique option is the A‘a Black Tea, laced with subtle notes of ‘ōhi‘a (a flowering tree in the myrtle family), Hawaiian vanilla, dried banana and honey. It’s a languid, luxurious pause in the day, where the only interruption might be a gentle Waikīkī breeze. Cost: $72 per person, $80 with champagne.

6. Los Angeles

At the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, afternoon tea unfolds as a weekend indulgence steeped in elegance. Each Saturday and Sunday, the hotel’s Lobby Lounge transforms into a high tea haven featuring a seasonal spread curated by the hotel’s executive chef. Here, black truffle egg salad finger sandwiches and mini quiches laced with spinach and feta are paired with a selection of bespoke tea leaf blends. Should you want something stronger than tea, Veuve Clicquot comes with the service — or you can add Dom Pérignon — as a sparkling ode to Beverly Hills glamour. Cost: $135 per person with Veuve Clicquot or $180 per person with Dom Pérignon.

tea and desserts on a table with musicians playing in the background

Musicians provide a relaxing background for afternoon tea service on Viking ships.

Courtesy Viking

7. At sea

Several cruise ships offer “tea at sea” experiences where high tea is further elevated by the rhythmic sway of the sea and panoramic ocean views. On all Oceania Cruises ships, a string quartet serenades guests while white-gloved staff serve delicate pastries and perfectly cut sandwiches on fine china. During elaborate daily afternoon tea service on Viking expedition cruises and ocean voyages (which can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free diets), guests also enjoy live piano and violin music, albeit in a more relaxed setting. True tea lovers may also want to seek out Viking’s tea-themed excursions, such as tea plantation tours in Sri Lanka, tea at a Victorian-era hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan, and afternoon tea along the Nile River in a hotel that has hosted Winston Churchill and Princess Diana. Cost: There is no additional fee for afternoon tea, though tea-themed excursions incur an extra charge.

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