Best Places in L.A. for Festive Afternoon Tea on Christmas Day
What classier way to spend Christmas than by indulging in Christmas afternoon tea? This indulgent treat is the perfect excuse for a pre-Christmas get-together with friends or a delightful seasonal celebration. It’s a special occasion with tiered trays, porcelain pots, adorable miniature sandwiches, freshly baked scones topped with lemon curd, tiers of decadent delicacies and endless assortment of tea. You don’t have to live in England to enjoy a proper tea! In Los Angeles, there are a surprising number of local spots that offer excellent afternoon tea! So I’ve curated a list of 10 best afternoon tea places in Los Angeles just in time for Christmas Day!
1.The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Enjoy the sounds of a live harp being played while lounging on comfortable couches in the Living Room at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. It’s like sitting in the comfort of your own home, plus a harpist. Opt for the Royal Tea, with highlights such as a glass of champagne, strawberries and whipped cream, and a menu of 19 loose-leaf teas; or the more extravagant Imperial Tea, which includes a serving of caviar cake and a take-home sponge and passion-fruit mousse Cap cake.
The price per person is $65 for the Traditional Tea, $70 for the Royal Tea, and $83 for the Imperial Tea.
Address: 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills
2.Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
The Hotel Bel Air has grounds that are beyond stunning with their signature swans, lush foliage and romantic wooden bridge which provides the most magical venue to host an afternoon tea! Afternoon tea at the Hotel Bel-Air may seem pricey at $60, it actually delivers a relatively fair value with one of the most exquisite teas in town. Highlights include a blue crab roll, house-cured smoked salmon on brioche, and a beautiful plate of sweets. Tea Service: $60 per adult, $36 per child
Adress: 701 Stone Canyon Road
Los Angeles, CA 90077
Phone: (310) 472-1211
3.Millennium Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles – Rendezvous Court
At the Millennium Biltmore, afternoon tea is served in the Rendezvous Court, one of the city’s most spectacular rooms. Have your afternoon tea in the most Victorian surroundings: elaborately carved wood ceilings, gold-leaf accents, a rose marble fountain, and an enormous Baroque stairwell. Guests can enjoy the Victorian Tea, which includes a pot of tea from their selection of finely blended custom teas, an assortment of elegant tea sandwiches, freshly baked Pistachio and Currant Scones and a selection of French Macaroons, Caramel Tart and Chocolate Ganache, Madeleines and Cream Puffs.
Address: 506 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90071
4.Madeline Garden Bistro & Venue
Located inside the old Caltech French building, this European restaurant offers tea service in the morning, afternoon, and evening. With detailed décor that includes brightly painted walls, chandeliers, and murals Madeline Garden is a hidden gem in Pasadena. In addition to high tea, they also serve French-Italian cuisine, small tapas, and offer wine pairings.
Address: 1030 E. Green St, Pasadena
5.Montage Beverly Hills
Tea comes with the bonus of gorgeous views of adjacent Beverly Canon Gardens. Sip a variety of hand-selected artisanal choices out of delicate, hand-painted china by porcelain artist Lissi Kaplan while munching on those dainty little finger sandwiches, lemon poppy seed scones, lemon raspberry bars, and toasted coconut cupcakes.
Address:225 North Canon Drive, Beverly Hills CA 90210
“Another novelty is the tea-party, an extraordinary meal in that, being offered to persons that have already dined well, it supposes neither appetite nor thirst, and has no object but distraction, no basis but delicate enjoyment.”
-The Physiology of Taste
RELATED POSTS:
–> Afternoon Tea and Travel