Whether you're new to Austin or have been here for years, there's something special about taking a break from the Texas heat to enjoy a proper afternoon tea. The city's tea scene has grown significantly over the past few years, offering everything from traditional British experiences complete with clotted cream and finger sandwiches to unique Austin twists like plant-based bakeries and mobile tea parties on double-decker buses.

If you've been wanting to explore some afternoon tea options near our Austin apartments, you're in for a treat. The city offers venues for every occasion and budget, from casual neighborhood cafes where you can drop in with friends to luxury hotels requiring reservations weeks in advance. Let's take a tour through Austin's best afternoon tea spots, organized by style and atmosphere to help you find the perfect match for your next tea adventure.

9 places to enjoy afternoon tea in Austin

Traditional British tea experiences

For those who want an authentic British afternoon tea experience, Austin delivers with several spots that would make any Londoner feel at home.

Austin English Tea Company

The Austin English Tea Company offers what might be the most authentic English tea experience in the whole city! Bonus points for being down the street from our Lakeline apartments.

The menu includes a variety of classic teatime treats: tea sandwiches, a selection of pastries including scones with jam and clotted cream, tea cookies and fruit tartlets. Plus, everything is served on antique floral tea cups that add to the authentic experience! The whimsically decorated space can accommodate private parties of 15 to 30 guests for events lasting about two and a half hours, making it perfect for bridal showers or birthday celebrations. They also offer special seasonal events throughout the year, including their Sparkling Holiday Tea dates which book up quickly during the winter season!

Brentwood Social House

This stunning European-style cafe hosts a multi-course afternoon tea every other Sunday for four. The menu includes premium Zhi Tea, curried chicken finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and vanilla shortbread cake. You can also visit this quaint neighborhood cafe whenever they’re open for a cup of tea and an authentic British or French pastry.

Luxury hotel tea services

When you want to treat yourself or celebrate a special occasion, Austin's luxury hotels offer afternoon tea experiences that go beyond just the food and drink.

The Driskill

The Driskill, Austin’s oldest operating hotel, hosts an exquisite afternoon tea experience in which guests enjoy a three-course meal paired with tea and champagne. Afternoon tea at The Driskill takes place one Sunday most months, with several additional holiday seatings offered in December. This historic Austin hotel is a 10-minute walk from our Downtown Austin apartments and our on 2nd Street District apartments.

Hotel Ella

Tucked near the UT Austin campus, Hotel Ella’s afternoon tea service provides a peaceful, sophisticated escape from the daily bustle of university life. This stylish hotel serves afternoon tea featuring a wide selection of teas paired with traditional tea sandwiches, confections and scones, all housed in a gorgeous historic building that adds to the elegant atmosphere. 

Four Seasons Hotel Austin

The Four Seasons takes afternoon tea and gives it a distinctly Austin twist with their "A-Tea-X" service. Taking place in their stylish Live Oak Bar, the experience includes unlimited tea, an assortment of savory and sweet bites and even a tea-infused specialty cocktail. They also offer seasonal themes like their "Roses and Rosé" service, which features floral-inspired presentations that are perfect for spring celebrations. This downtown afternoon tea destination is a 10-minute walk from our downtown Austin apartments.

Goldie's at Austin Proper Hotel

Out of all the places on this list, Goldie's might be the most Instagram-worthy afternoon tea spot in Austin!

This posh cocktail bar transforms into a tea room on weekends, complete with plush sofas, gorgeously upholstered chairs and chic garden-inspired decor that makes you feel like you've stepped into a design magazine.

The menu at Goldie's goes beyond the typical tea service, with items like caviar canapés alongside the more traditional scones with mascarpone cream, strawberry shortcake tarts and French macarons. They offer seven specialty teas, and uniquely, they also provide a vegan afternoon tea menu — something that's surprisingly rare among Austin's afternoon tea venues. This makes Goldie's a great choice if you have dietary restrictions but still want the full afternoon tea experience!

Unique and themed experiences

Austin wouldn't be Austin without some quirky, creative takes on traditional afternoon tea.

Unicorniverse Bakery

Up north in Round Rock, Unicorniverse Bakery has created something truly magical. This 100% plant-based European bakery offers their Magical Afternoon Tea Monday through Friday, featuring seasonal finger foods and desserts served on a traditional 3-tier tower that feels straight out of a palace dining room. 

But it's the atmosphere that really sets this place apart. With a Beauty and the Beast theme complete with teal flowers cascading from the ceiling and gold chandeliers, the space feels like stepping into a fairytale, and it's become incredibly popular for children's parties and anyone who appreciates a bit of whimsy with their tea. The fact that everything is plant-based means it's also accessible to vegans and those with dairy allergies, without sacrificing any of the traditional afternoon tea experience!

Tea Around Town Bus

Perhaps the most unique afternoon tea experience in Austin is Tea Around Town, a 90-minute mobile tea service that takes place on a pink double-decker bus! 

This experience combines traditional tea service with a scenic tour of the city, allowing you to enjoy panoramic views of Austin landmarks like the Texas Capitol, Lady Bird Lake and the South Congress Bridge while sipping tea and nibbling on treats.

The bus features fine teas served with three-tiered trays of finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, plus live entertainment onboard! It's become super popular for bachelorette parties, birthday celebrations and tourists who want to see the city in a unique way. .

Zhi Tea

With their brand found and served at many of the above mentioned locations, this award-winning local company has been designing, blending and steeping tea in Austin since 2006. They offer table service featuring black, green, white, herbal, oolong and traditional pu-erh teas in a cozy exposed brick teahouse.

While Zhi Tea is more about the tea itself than the full afternoon tea experience, they do offer light snacks and provide a peaceful atmosphere for those who want to focus on exploring different tea varieties without all the pomp and circumstance of a formal tea service.

Making the most of your afternoon tea experience

With so many options available, Austin's afternoon tea scene offers something for every taste, occasion and budget! 

Whether you're looking for a traditional British experience, a luxurious hotel setting, a quirky themed adventure or just a casual cup of tea with friends, Austin's diverse tea venues ensure you'll find exactly what you're looking for.

Whatever you choose, taking time for afternoon tea offers a welcome break from Austin's fast-paced lifestyle, a chance to slow down, connect with friends and enjoy one of civilization's most pleasant traditions – even if it comes with a distinctly Austin twist.

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Featured photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash
Second Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash