The 5 Best Afternoon Tea Experiences In The South

Do you want to make new friends and connect with other fun and fabulous women? Then join our feel-good closed Facebook group, The Girlfriend Social Club, today. You'll love it!


It’s no secret that Southerners love a good cup of tea. It’s a timeless tradition, whether served hot in fragile china with dainty sandwiches or iced — a refreshing, bold Southern plot twist on the British tradition. In England, it’s a refined, multi-course affair. For example, London’s Conrad St. James hotel has three courses with tiny Coronation chicken sandwiches, Earl Grey dark chocolate mousse and Jersey butter scones and an expansive tea selection with an attentive tea sommelier.

Channeling the storied custom, Southern afternoon tea will likewise include savory and sweet treats — as well as fancy flourishes like fresh flowers, a finely laid table, and possibly even hats, gloves and delicately raised pinkies. The elegant experience evokes nostalgia, transporting you into simpler, unhurried times.

From small towns to urban landscapes, find your perfect cup of tea at these destinations across the South.

The Driskill (Austin, Texas) 

Experience a lovely tea service at Austin’s oldest hotel, founded in 1886. Offered every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, tables have white linens, rosebuds and tiny bowls of clotted cream, mango marmalade and lemon curd. The reservation name in beautiful cursive is prominently propped up on a decorative easel, adding a personal touch.

Indulge in three courses, with pastries, savory selections and, finally, a decadent dessert platter. Scones, lemon poppy seed cake, chicken salad sandwiches and tiramisu are just some of the tea-time delicacies, so it’s best to arrive hungry.

Their tea is sourced from Austin-based Zhi Tea, and sparkling wine comes with your booking. Both are bottomless, so linger and while away the afternoon.

Copper Kettle Tea Bar (Foley, Alabama)

This popular restaurant, which occupies a quaint bungalow, serves unforgettable experiences and hearty tea fare. The cozy and adorable structure resembles J.R.R. Tolkien's Hobbit Hole. Local artists once transformed it into a Hobbit Hole, complete with a rounded door frame, for a special “Hobbit Tea” event. It was so successful that today, The Shire Tea is on the menu.

You can reserve Star Wars, Mad Hatter, Pirates & Mermaids tea parties, where you are encouraged to wear a costume reflecting the theme. There are also kids-oriented tea experiences involving fairies and queens.

Tea is sourced from near and far including, Scotland, Taiwan and Fairhope, Alabama. The menu changes regularly, but is consistently seasonal and creative, with a variety of sauces made daily. Expect to find delicious offerings such as cucumber finger sandwiches, tomato bisque and tea-infused puff pastry for dessert.

Waldorf Astoria (Washington, D.C.)

Anchoring a noteworthy part of Pennsylvania Avenue, this regal structure is the Old Post Office and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its proximity to the White House and Capitol makes it a natural setting for VIP soirées, sensitive gatherings and glitzy parties.

Book reservations for afternoon tea in the hotel’s soaring grand atrium at Peacock Alley. Choose between two seatings: noon or 3:30 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. The menu comprises savory and sweet items and changes seasonally. Savory bites include vegetarian options, and sweet treats are offered on a decadent platter of five choices. Your tea concludes with a finale of two types of scones and a selection of toppings.

Sip tea from TEALEAVES, the revered Canadian purveyors of fresh bespoke tea. Live harp music fills the air and heightens the ambiance, enticing you to linger for a couple of hours.

Camellias at Hotel Bennett (Charleston, South Carolina) 

Adorned with a mirrored ceiling and glittering chandelier, this tea lounge's stylish interior draws artistic inspiration from Fabergé jewels. Afternoon tea is served Thursday through Sunday, with designated seating every two hours. The elevated affair comes with dress code expectations, so it’s a perfect excuse to paint your nails and don a flowy summer dress.

Four courses commence with chilled canapés, followed by a selection of sandwiches that include blue crab and sweet corn salad, and deviled egg. Scones arrive with clotted cream and jam, and lastly, pastries like the mini fig and apple tart.

You can choose your tea to accompany each course. From the wide selection, you can find organic green tea with antioxidants, Imperial English Breakfast, or the featured tea—Color of Biodiversity “pink” tea, which is berry-forward and caffeine-free.

The Queen’s Library Tea Room (Richmond, Virginia)

Helmed by a husband-wife team, this charming English-styled tea room is in Richmond’s historic footprint and beloved for its warm, welcoming aura. Guests rave about the intentional and personable service — a reflection of the friendly owners.

In a personality-rich, 100-year-old house, the inviting setting has wood floors and cozy furnishings, with sitting areas spread across different rooms. Furniture pieces are from old Virginia families, passed down through generations, and during your visit, many of these stories will be shared with you.

Book your spot of tea for a relaxing two-hour experience. Indulge in a tea flight featuring selections from London’s premier Fortnum & Mason. As for victuals, enjoy a three-tiered tea tower brimming with freshly baked seasonal delicacies courtesy of Richmond’s finest bakers and chefs.

Have you ever enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea? Where was it? Let us know in the comments below.