Between sandwiches, scones and sweet pastries, afternoon tea is easy to love.
We can thank Duchess of Bedford Anna Maria Russell for kicking off the ritual around 1840, when hunger pangs hit in the middle of the day. Back then, dinner was served much later in the evening, so her grace called upon the only logical solution — she countered the midday slump with an afternoon snack of bread, butter and tea.
That modest delivery has since evolved into an ornate, multicourse spread that proves to be an indulgence worthy of special occasions and everyday sugar cravings alike — and thankfully, our city is brimming with options.
From lavish pastry towers to lessons in tea steeping, here are some of Chicago’s best afternoon tea spots.
Vanille Patisserie
This Lincoln Park cafe serves afternoon tea Tuesdays through Sundays in its private tea room, where guests can sample three rounds of treats inspired by an afternoon tea owner Sophie Evanoff experienced in Dubai. Sample the summer menu, which features seasonal macarons, lemon cheesecake, s’mores bars and summer pavlova. Book well in advance: The time slots (three per day) are limited to one party each.
2108 N. Clark St., 773-868-4574, vanillepatisserie.com
The Pavilion at The Langham
The team at this five-star hotel takes inspiration from its sister property across the pond, the Langham London, which in 1865, became known as the first grand hotel in the city to serve afternoon tea. Settle into the second-floor Pavilion lounge with a grand piano, fireplace and striking artwork (including an aerial installation of Czechoslovakian blown glass pebbles) as you await an order that is equally impressive — one comprising potato leek panna cotta, barbecue chicken salad sliders and shrimp rolls; then, cherry blossom macarons, blackberry lemon-basil eclairs, and grapefruit Earl Grey mousse tarts. Tea is served Fridays through Sundays, but go on a weekend for live pianist and harpist performances.
330 N. Wabash Ave., second floor; 312-923-9988; langhamhotels.com
Russian Tea Time
Born in Ukraine, owner Klara Muchnik moved to Chicago in 1990 with the dream of opening a restaurant celebrating her passion for food and hospitality. Within a few years, that vision was realized with this downtown location, where the team specializes in Eastern European and Central Asian cuisine along with a venerated afternoon tea service.
Choose from one of three experiences — Regular, Brunch and Queen — with the Queen proving the most filling, with additions like crepes and extra sandwiches and sweets. For the tea itself, guests can choose from more than 25 kinds, and are encouraged to lean on the staff’s expertise for guidance in their selection.
77 E. Adams St., 312-360-0000, russianteatime.com
Bar Pendry at Pendry Chicago
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Housed in the tony Pendry Chicago hotel, Bar Pendry boasts everything one might want in a lobby level hangout: comfy leather sofas, cool yet cozy vibes, and a show-stopping selection of food and drinks.
Tea takes on a boozy twist here, as evidenced by cocktail accompaniments like the Emerald Petal (with green tea, vodka and ginger beer) or the large-format Convivial Punch (blackberry-infused bourbon, Granny Smith apple tea syrup and raspberry vanilla rooibos ice). Pair them with bites like truffle egg quiche or prime beef tartar (elevated by ingredients like Osetra caviar or aged balsamic glaze, respectively). Save room for the finales: Tahitian vanilla bean scones, blueberry-lemon macarons and carrot cake entremets.
230 N. Michigan Ave., 312-777-9000, pendry.com/chicago
Palm Court at The Drake
The queen of England, Princess Diana and the empress of Japan are just a few of the renowned names who have enjoyed afternoon tea at the Palm Court, situated within the century-old Drake Hotel.
Credit that reputation to the room’s timeless grandeur, made possible by towering floral arrangements, fountain sounds and melodies by a harpist, who plays throughout the afternoon. Those who frequent the venue can look forward to a different experience upon nearly every visit. The team changes the menu for a handful of holidays and special events, from Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day to Halloween and Valentine’s Day.
Through July, they’re serving a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Tea, featuring options like coronation chicken, peppered beef loin and smoked Scottish salmon alongside sweets and three types of scones (including black currant and butterscotch). Don’t miss a glass of the rosé — it was specially secured by the British Consulate of Chicago just for the occasion.
140 E. Walton Place, 312-787-2200, thedrakehotel.com
Bridges Lobby Bar at LondonHouse
Guests can take in floor-to-ceiling water views with this hotel’s aptly titled River Vista Afternoon Tea, served year-round. The summer menu features a selection of raspberry-lychee macarons, peach melba profiteroles and tropical cakes (caramelized banana cake met with passion fruit cream and milk chocolate mousse). Bring the kids: A children’s menu features favorites like pigs in a blanket and red berry doughnuts.
85 E. Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, londonhousechicago.com
Hugo Tea Space
Amp up your tea IQ at this Bucktown day bar, where the team’s version of afternoon tea comes in the form of patience and plenty of welcomed questions. That’s because they specialize in small-format tea steeping, incorporating more weight, less water and less time across multiple steepings (sometimes upward of a dozen). The Chinese term for the process is “gong fu cha,” or “tea with effort,” and guests can book “gongfu sessions” to learn about a tea’s origins and many nuances — while also enjoying bites like matcha-rose cookies, homemade wonton chips and Taiwanese pineapple tarts.
1816 N. Milwaukee Ave., 872-802-4499, hugotea.com
Nicole Schnitzler is a freelance writer.
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