There’s something undeniably soothing about a pot of hot tea and a plate of dainty sweets—a caffeine fix that’s all dressed up. Afternoon tea may be an international import, but here in the Bay Area, we’ve made it our own: equal parts ritual and indulgence.
Whether you prefer your Assam served with scones and clotted cream in a gilded hotel, or a cup of matcha in a serene garden, there’s a tea experience to suit every mood. From quirky neighborhood tearooms to champagne-soaked dining rooms, these spots invite you to pause, sip, and savor the city’s most civilized afternoon pick-me-up.
Filoli
With its historic manor house and 16 acres of formal gardens, Filoli makes afternoon tea feel like something out of a storybook. Seven days a week, guests can linger over “tea for two” in the airy Quail Café or on its sunlit terrace, where tiers of finger sandwiches, sweets, and teas pair with views of the expansive estate. For a more elevated experience, book one of Filoli’s seasonal themed teas in the elegant Garden House. These limited occasions are complete with fresh floral arrangements cut from the gardens, seasonal décor, Moët & Chandon Champagne, and indulgent bites like smoked salmon blinis, butternut squash tarts, and Earl Grey panna cotta. Estate-made hard cider adds a local touch, and every 90-minute service ends with a small gift to take home—a charming nod to Filoli’s tradition of hospitality. // Tea for Two is held Monday through Sunday year-round from 11am to 3pm for $69 per couple, Holiday Tea is held seasonally Monday through Friday at 11am, 1pm, and 3:30pm for $185 per person; 86 Cañada Rd. (Woodside), filoli.org
Afternoon tea at the Palace Hotel(Courtesy of Palace Hotel)
Palace Hotel
Nestled under the stunning chandeliers and glass-domed atrium of the Garden Court, the Palace has been serving afternoon tea to generations of local and international guests since 1910. This weekend event, accompanied by live music, invites you to slow down and savor a seasonally curated menu of elevated tea sandwiches—think Dungeness crab and smoked salmon roulade—warm scones, and full trays of artful pastries alongside a thoughtful selection of refined loose-leaf teas. Surrounded by grand columns and lush plants, the experience evokes a gracious era while still feeling refreshingly alive. // Saturday from 12pm to 2pm, $125 per person with optional add-ons; 2 New Montgomery St. (SoMa), gardencourtsf.com
Sip Tearoom
Just steps from Golden Gate Park, this sun-drenched room infuses the tradition of afternoon English tea with a fresh, West Coast twist. You’ll find two menus: the pared-down Lighter Fare (Thursday and Friday) and the full Afternoon Tea experience, served Thursday through Sunday by reservation. Each tiered tray brings rotating selections of delicate sandwiches, bakery-fresh scones with clotted cream and lemon curd, and seasonal sweets—all crafted with local ingredients. Sip boasts a vast loose-leaf tea library (including inventive blends like Blue Malva Flower Earl Grey) and offers a cozy vibe that welcomes weekday walk-ins. // Thursday through Sunday from 10am to 3pm, full tea is $49 per person, lighter fare is $10-27 per person; 721 Lincoln Way (Inner Sunset), siptearoom.com
Claremont Resort & Club
Perched atop the Berkeley Hills with sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay, the Claremont Resort & Club offers a seasonal afternoon tea November through December that blends resort grandeur with scenic calm. Enjoy all of the classic high-tea accompaniments, including delightful desserts and dainty sandwiches, in the refined Lobby Lounge. On Halloween Eve, they have an extra bit of spirited fun with a special themed tea in the Hilary Tenzing Room. // Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 2pm, $135 per person, $85 for children ages 4 to 13; Tea with Spirits is $159 per person; 41 Tunnel Rd. (Berkeley), claremontresortandclub.com
Lovejoy’s Tea Room in Noe Valley(Courtesy of @lovejoys_tearoom)
Lovejoy’s Tea Room
Tucked into a corner of Noe Valley, Lovejoy’s Tea Room feels like stepping into your grandmother’s parlor—if your grandmother had a flair for whimsy. Mismatched china, antique furniture, and handmade tea cozies set the scene, while shelves of curiosities and broken-china mosaics make every table a conversation starter. The menu scales from a simple Cream Tea to the full Queen’s Tea, complete with finger sandwiches, crisp salads, warm scones with preserves and cream, petit fours, and a buttery tea biscuit. Pots of tea are bottomless, conversation is encouraged, and both indoor and garden seating invite a leisurely pace. Little ones can join the fun with a Wee Tea of their own. Before you go, wander across the street to Lovejoy’s Attic for vintage teacups, aprons, hats, and loose-leaf blends to recreate the magic at home. Reservations are recommended. // Thursday through Sunday from 11am to 3pm, prices range from $26 per person for the Cream Tea to $40 per person for the Queen’s Tea; 1351 Church St. (Noe Valley), lovejoystearoom.com
Lovey’s Tea Shoppe
Just off Highway 1 in Pacifica, Lovey’s Tea Shoppe brings Lovejoy’s beloved charm to the coast—with ocean air and a laid-back, seaside spirit. The cozy, cottage-style tearoom offers all the classics: flaky scones, dainty sandwiches, and bottomless pots of tea served with friendly, unhurried warmth on select Thursdays through Sundays (check the website for times and make a reservation for the full experience). When formal service isn’t on, stop by for “coastside casual” tea and treats, offered walk-in style on a first-come basis. Prefer to sip by the sea or at home? Lovey’s makes it easy to take the ritual with you, with everything from cream-topped scones and housemade jam to full “tea for two” boxes ready to go. // Thursday from 12pm to 3pm and Friday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm, Afternoon Tea is $60 per person; 4430 Coast Hwy (Pacifica), loveysteashoppe.com
Japanese Tea Garden
Originally created as part of the 1894 California Midwinter International Exposition, the Japanese Tea Garden began as a one-acre “Japanese Village” transformed by landscape architect Makoto Hagiwara into the five-acre sanctuary it is today. At the heart of Golden Gate Park, the garden’s Tea House offers a meditative cup of green tea and traditional Japanese refreshments in a refurbished space featuring a custom irori, or farmhouse-style table. Overlooking koi ponds and flowering cherry trees, guests can still enjoy Mr. Hagiwara’s original tradition: a fortune cookie tucked beside a bowl of rice crackers—a sweet reminder of history preserved in every sip. // Open Monday through Sunday from 9am to 4pm; 75 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, japaneseteagardensf.com
Afternoon tea at The Tasting House in Los Gatos(Carly Hackbarth)
Tasting House
In the heart of downtown Los Gatos, The Tasting House serves up afternoon tea with a dash of European sophistication. Inside the elegant space, tiered trays arrive with delicate sandwiches on house-made milk bread, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, and jewel-box pastries like cream puffs, financiers, and petit fours—each crafted in house daily. Guests can choose between the Traditional Afternoon Tea or the Royal, which adds a sparkling glass of Champagne for a celebratory touch (you can also elevate the experience with caviar service). Refined but not stuffy, The Tasting House blends timeless ritual with modern ease, making it the perfect spot for special occasions or an afternoon spent savoring. // Fridays and Saturdays from 11:30am to 1:30pm, $75 per person with optional add-ons of Champagne and caviar; 368 Village Lane (Los Gatos), tastinghouse.com
Blue Willow Teaspot
Tucked along a quiet street in Berkeley, Blue Willow is the kind of place where time slows down—just enough for a perfectly steeped cup. Part neighborhood hangout, part modern tea house, it offers more than 50 loose-leaf teas, each sustainably grown and directly sourced from trusted small growers around the world. Sip your way through rare single-origin finds, fragrant blends, or creamy matcha lattes, paired with fresh local pastries. The vibe is cozy and communal: low tables with cushions in the Japanese tatami room, window seats made for people-watching, and a tea bar where solo sippers strike up easy conversation. Whether you’re here for quiet reflection or a long chat over oolong, Blue Willow brings intention and warmth to every pour—and yes, you can take your favorites home by the bag. Reservations recommended on weekends. // Saturday through Thursday from 11am to 6pm, and Friday from 11am to 8pm; 1200 Tenth St. (Berkeley), bluewillowtea.com
Fairmont San Francisco Hotel
At the historic Fairmont, afternoon tea is a century-old ritual that’s been staged in the Old-World elegance of Laurel Court since 1907. Expect polished silver and fine china set beneath soaring ceilings and Tuscan-style frescoes. Steaming pots of loose-leaf tea arrive alongside housemade scones, artisanal sandwiches, and tiers of dainty pastries and French sweets—accompanied by the requisite lemon curd, Devonshire cream, and fruit compote. Tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays by reservation, with live music adding to the atmosphere. During the holiday season (late November through early January), the Fairmont elevates the experience with festive décor, a giant gingerbread house, and holiday menus with seasonal savories and sweets—plus a visit from Santa’s elves. // Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 3pm, $78-$114 per person; 950 Mason St. (Nob Hill), fairmont.com
Holiday high tea at Fairmont San Francisco(Courtesy of @fairmontsanfrancisco)