Unless you’ve spent some time in the U.K., chances are you think of those small British meals with teas and scones as High Tea. In fact, that U.K delicacy is actually called Afternoon Tea. High Tea is now just called Tea, e.g., the equivalent of dinner for Americans.
No matter what you call it (and undoubtedly, most places in America offer it as High Tea), if you’ve never celebrated this delicious treat, then drop everything and make a reservation at one of these nine Portland places that pull out all the Afternoon Tea stops just for you.
Eat, Drink and Tea 🤗 Merry
A tower fairly toppling with scones and clotted cream and all the other fixings of a classic afternoon tea wait for you at Abigail Hall. And of course, the tea! Vintage cups will be filled with Smith Tea steeped at your table, specially crafted tea-themed cocktails, and a variety of additions available to bring your tea a little higher – pairable tipples of booze, tinctures to boost your mood, and more.
Abigail Hall
813 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (971) 978-0148
abigailhallpdx.com
Steampunked ⚙️ the Tea
Clock Rose Tea Emporium, offers an eclectic, steampunk tea room vibe while serving traditional afternoon tea. In fact, they are the first and only steampunk tea room in the world! Assorted tea sandwiches, hot savories, mini quiches, pot pies and Cornish pastries – along with some of the cutest little tasty sweet treats (look for the Alice in Wonderland-influenced “Eat Me” petit fours). Champagne? Check. Mimosas? Check? Tea? You betcha!
Clock Rose Tea Emporium
2412 SW Broadway St, Beaverton, OR 97005
Phone: (503) 739-5120
clockworkrosetea.com
You 🗣️Talking to Tea?
Delectable finger sandwiches, baked scones with Cornish clotted cream, shortbreads, sparkling Ribena, and, oh yes, tea are served at Elka Bee’s Coffee Shop & Tea Haus. All the main ingredients come from England, but customers come to converse with friends, and the chat is Portland-centric and fun!
Elka Bee’s Coffee Shop & Tea Haus
12330 SE Sunnyside Rd, Clackamas, OR 97015
Phone: (503) 381-6585 or (503) 855-3132
elkabeescoffee.com
Get “Teated” 👑 Like Royalty
Imbibe like the Queen of England and enjoy the thoroughly British affair of Afternoon Tea at Gracie’s. This is a mid-afternoon treat fit for royalty, with savory tea sandwiches, cakes, scones with clotted cream, and, (if you’re like the Queen) add a gin and tonic or two for good measure. The lavish menu also offers a selection of tea-inspired cocktails.
Hotel deLuxe – Gracie’s
729 SW 15th Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Phone: (503) 222-2171
graciesdining.com
The Bee’s 🐝 Teas
Warm scones, toasted crumpets, tasty tea sandwiches and more are served on mismatched china, surrounded by mismatched furniture, with bottomless pots of tea at Lovejoy’s Tea Room of Portland. (That might be a lot to say, but there’s a lot to eat!) There’s also a Smaller Royal Tea service for children.
Lovejoy’s Tea Room of Portland
3286 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
Phone: (503) 567-7888
lovejoysportland.com
Tea ⏰ Time and Crumpets
Scrumptious scones fresh baked when you order, handmade Lemon Curd, real imported English clotted cream (no whipping cream here), fresh made finger sandwiches and a selection of mini desserts are offered at Tea’s Me afternoon tea. Plus, hand-made crumpets straight from their homemade crumpet company: The Crumpany
Tea’s Me Specialty Tea and Gifts
1601B SE River Rd, Hillsboro, OR 97123
Phone: (503) 547-8617
www.teasme.com
Je “Tea” 🥰 Aime
Dine on Victorian velvet seats, with lace covered tables at The Victorian Belle Mansion A first course of salad followed by a sandwich trio, scones, and pastries for dessert and a selection of loose leaf teas from locally owned Smith Teamaker. Especially noted, the lovely, little romantic-themed petit fours.
The Victorian Belle Mansion
1441 N McClellan St, Portland, OR 97217
Phone: (971) 236-8410
victorianbelle.com
And Zen 🙏 there was tea!
Mooncakes, Almond Cookies, Chinese Bao Buns, Vegetable Dumplings, teas and wines and Sake (did somebody say Asian Pear Sake?!). The teahouse in the Tower of Cosmic Reflections at Lan Su Chinese Garden offers a different type of afternoon tea, which you can enjoy while you look out into the beautiful garden. Learn about Chinese tea culture, and to enjoy the serenity, beauty, and symbolism of Lan Su.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
239 NW Everett St Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (503) 224-8455
taooftea.com
Members receive 10% off
A 🧳 Tea-Caytion
Okay, Newberg is a wee bit outside the Portland comfort zone, but they have a tea room! Come to Wildwood Cottage Tea Room for the freshly-baked cream scone with lemon curd, strawberry jam, and cottage cream (our version of clotted cream), five tea sandwiches and savories, a teacup-size salad, five small handmade desserts, chocolate (of course) and bottomless Harney & Sons tea.
Wildwood Cottage Tea Room
24085 Wildwood Rd, Newberg, OR 97132
Phone: (503) 538-6645
wildwoodcottagenewberg.com
P.S. Oh! Want to know how to drink tea without raising your pinky? Hold a small Afternoon Tea treat with it when you pick up your tea cup 😜.
Photo credit: Sebastian Coman