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Put your pinkies out and visit local tea rooms for English breakfast and more paired with dainty pastries and bite-sized sandwiches.
By Jonathan Ortiz, Sabrina Sucato, and Barbara Reina
Hudson Valley recommendations are objective, unbiased, and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you.
Tea, in its many forms, seems to be a miraculous, almost supernatural substance. Its ambrosial qualities are known to allay ailment, lower health risks, promote sound snoozing, and—in rare cases—incite political revolution.
Yet its oldest and most widely accepted function is a social one, with elaborate afternoon tea parties becoming a popular occasion among the affluent in the 17th century. And while caffeinated beverages becoming accessible to lower classes turned it into a daily tradition in most homes, you can still have the cordial, upscale experience of afternoon cup right here in the Hudson Valley.
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The many tea rooms scattered across the region offer a unique experience, complete with delicious finger foods, delicate china, and loose-leaf varieties from all over the globe. Purists can sample loose-leaf imports alongside small plates, while fans of the bubble tea craze will find plenty of colorful options across the region.
Charlotte’s Tea Room
Warwick
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With her favorite board game in mind, owner Joanne Graney created the Clue-inspired shabby-chic Garden Room; The Library, complete with hardwood tables and a gas fireplace; and The Blue Willow Room, featuring a 1780 Thomas Minton pattern. Recipes from England, Ireland, and Graney’s grandmother introduce guests to a proper cup. The Tea for Two comes with 12 assorted sandwiches, scones with butter, a fresh pot, and two desserts for $55. There’s also a Wee Tea for children under 10, complete with sandwiches, a beverage, and a vanilla ice cream or brownie sundae.
Florrie Kaye’s Tea Room and Gifts
Carmel
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“We wanted to create a space where people could step back in time,” says owner Samantha Ramos. Fresh flowers and antiques create a warm, relaxing atmosphere to enjoy an afternoon of assorted sandwiches, scones, miniature cakes, pastries, and a choice from 95 different varieties of loose-leaf tea. House-made desserts, using recipes that have been handed down from generation to generation, are baked daily.
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Florrie Kaye’s is a welcoming Victorian shop staffed by family and friends with a love for the herbal beverage. It serves loose-leaf varieties from all over the world, including India, Africa, China, and Japan. Expect classic sandwiches that vary daily, like the signature coronation chicken salad on zucchini nut bread, ham and brie on a croissant, plus scones, jam and cream, and even prosecco. Florrie Kaye’s is also a popular venue for bridal or baby showers, birthday parties, and anniversaries.
Harney & Sons
Millerton
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No Hudson Valley tea tour is complete without a trip to the OG. In fact, Harney & Sons sachets are what many of the region’s tea rooms choose to serve in their pots. A longtime local favorite, Harney is known for its beautiful flavors sourced from across the globe. In Millerton, the tasting bar and lounge stocks 250 varietals to pair with an elegant brunch or lunch.
Expect all the brand’s signature sips, including Elyse’s Blend, Hot Cinnamon Spice, Tower of London, and more. They’re just the thing to wash down prosciutto sandwiches or salads tossed with smoked salmon and capers. The Millerton space is cozy and quaint, making it a dream for afternoon dates and classy brunches with friends in Dutchess County. While Harney’s black and greens are understandably popular, its fermented pu’er blends are like the champagnes of the tea world.
Hastings Tea & Coffee
White Plains
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At this cozy shop, co-owners Joan Jia and Robert Peirce offer only organic and natural loose-leaf tea. The complex, earthy aroma of oolong partners well with pastries like vanilla pound cake and biscotti. Pair Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and English breakfast with lemon cookies or something rich and decadent like New York-style cheesecake or chocolate mousse. Chinese jasmine and Japanese greens bring out the fruity flavors of dark chocolate. The Dragonwell blend pairs well with freshly baked alfajores—those are silky smooth dulce de leche sandwiched between two shortbread-like cookies.
Miss Tea
Beacon
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Miss Tea carries all the staples, but its wellness teas take the cake. Lavender calms before bed, turmeric and ginger boosts your health and mood, Mediterranean mint soothes your digestive system, and elderberry warms your body in the colder months. Miss Tea not only has a selection for all occasions, but it also carries quite the collection of tea wares for sale.
The Maker
Hudson
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“A refined Mad Hatter’s Tea Party” is how executive chef Michael Poiarkoff describes his afternoon tea. This Columbia County staple needs no introduction, but you may not have noticed the wealth of tea options at The Maker. With black teas like earl grey and oolong jade, green teas like jasmine and jade, a white peony variety, and a slew of herbal blends, this Hudson restaurant is an essential stop for tea tours in our region.
Short and Stout Tea Company
Albany
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A sweet and cozy shop in the Capital Region, Short and Stout began as an online business and gained a reputation at craft fairs before moving into its own brick-and-mortar in Albany circa 2013. It also runs a matcha bar and retail storefront inside the Crossgates Mall in Guilderland.
With more than 130 loose teas, the shop is a paradise for sippers in the Hudson Valley. Pair a matcha with a savory chicken curry puff or a sweet macaron for an ideal afternoon nibble. Along with standard cups of hot and iced sips, the shop is known for its vast array of inventive bubble tea flavors, including cherry blossom, taro, berries and cream, and more.
Tea Talk
Poughkeepsie
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Tea Talk features more than 100 loose teas, bags, and sachets, as well as more than 35 flavors of bubble tea that can be further customized with assorted tea bases and flavored boba. The Poughkeepsie spot crafts themed flavors around movies and TV shows. Everything from Disney to Pokémon to Sailor Moon is immortalized in flavorful sips. On the house menu, inventive creations like Fruit Loops combine Indian Nimbu with taro, almond, and strawberry milk for a delicious concoction. Purists can sample specialty blends straight up or indulge in basics like green matcha lattes or healthy kale smoothies.
Related: The Ridge Tea & Spice Shop Serves up Sips in New Paltz