A treasured pastime in the Great Plains
In Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first musical that debuted in 1943, Oklahoma! tells the tale of a rancher-versus-farmer conflict that culminates in a love triangle. The lyrics of the classic overture read, “where the wavin’ wheat, can sure smell sweet, when the wind comes right behind the rain.” Interspersed amid wheat, Native American heritage, cowboy culture, and Route 66 lies a strong, yet diverse, community of tea fanatics that seek experiences at traditional tearooms, modern venues, and even a mobile tea bar. The following five businesses across the Sooner State bring the splendor of the beverage to the center of the country.
Inspirations Tea Room
2118 W. Edmond Road #300 • Edmond, OK 73003
Turning pain into purpose through the tradition of teatime is how Tamara Rhoads coped with the untimely passing of her sister, April Chumley McWhorter. “My mom always loved hospitality and tea,” Allison Rhoads, Tamara’s daughter, explains. “The last time she saw her sister was at a tea party event for Mother’s Day. Mom helped with it, and after that, she didn’t want anything to do with tea; however, the Lord had other plans.”
After a move to Oklahoma in 1999 for her husband’s career, Tamara felt an unrelenting nudge to open a tea business in honor of her late sister. In 2004, Inspirations Tea Room came to fruition in Edmond. “My mom has always loved hospitality and tea,” Allison states. “I’ve worked here my whole life; I remember being old enough to carry a teapot and serve customers, learning the cash register, and standing up on a little box to reach the register. It was always a bright spot growing up.”
Since the start, Tamara—alongside her husband, Larry, and their daughters, Abbie and Allison—has successfully run not only the flourishing and well-established tearoom, but also the charming bed-and-breakfast, Two Hearts Inn, and an extensive boutique on the five-acre property. The Mediterranean stone building that houses the eatery often sees 1,500 to 1,800 people per week. Tea can be taken in one of three dining rooms, the sunroom, or on the back deck overlooking a serene creek. In addition to the aforementioned ventures, the ever-growing operation also manages Teaoli, which is the company’s business for tea blending and artisanal olive oil and balsamic vinegar production. It is safe to say that the Rhoads family wears many hats!
Inspirations began modestly with only 25 to 30 chairs in the restaurant, which has since expanded to 140 seats and 30 employees. The establishment offers a lovely selection for breakfast and lunch, with delicious quiches, salads, soups, sandwiches, and more available for those who visit during morning hours or don’t have time to take tea. For those who wish to partake in the treasured ritual, order a Tea Party for One tray at the counter to satisfy all English cravings. The tray boasts a starter of soup or a garden salad, various tea sandwiches and other savories, a delectable scone, a plethora of petite desserts, and iced or hot tea of the guest’s choice.
Baby and bridal showers, birthdays, and other special occasions for groups of 12 to 30 people can be celebrated in grand style when reserved ahead of time. These affairs boast a tantalizing three-tiered tray replete with picturesque scones, savories, and sweets. The food is all made in-house by the Inspirations team, including scratch-made scones with homemade lemon curd, requisite chicken salad, and chocolate and coconut cake to finish. “While our core menu items remain the same, we love to keep things interesting by rotating the Tea Party for One offerings and a few select menu items seasonally,” Tamara notes. “It’s our way of adding a bit of surprise and delight to every visit!” To pair with the luxurious bites, regardless of whether one is enjoying a solitary meal or feasting with a large group, choose from Teaoli’s list of fine teas, of which 70% are made on the premises. There is something to suit all tastes, from Blue Sapphire (a popular iced black tea with strawberry, coconut, kiwi, and blue cornflower) to French Caramel Crème Brulée (a decadent hot tea mixed with caramel sweet cream.)
Themed tea events, scheduled three to four times per year, bring in patrons and new customers to experience Inspirations. Pumpkin parties in the fall, Downton Abbey, circus, Phantom of the Opera, Valentine’s Day, and Alice in Wonderland, just to name a few, lure crowds in droves from around the city and beyond. Earlier this year, their annual Mother’s Day tea remarkably drew in 800 people over three days. Be sure to make a reservation early for these highly coveted events, as most book out three to four months ahead of time.
Tamara’s sister, April, would undoubtedly be beaming with pride about the achievements of Inspirations Tea Room. Not only does it provide a joyous nod to the impact of her life well lived, but it furthermore presents the community with a fun and inspiring place to gather, shop, eat, sip, and make lasting memories.
Inspirations Tea Room is open Tuesday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The National, Autograph Collection
120 N. Robinson Avenue • Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Originally a stately bank in downtown Oklahoma City from 1931 until 1986, The National has weathered the test of time. After years of extensive renovations, the restored skyscraper reopened in 2022, debuting its second act as a historic hotel and welcome spot for afternoon tea. The Great Hall, where tea is served, is equal parts elegant and cozy, embracing the building’s rich history in an open and accessible space. The intricate ceilings, teller stations, and a restaurant named “The Vault” have been preserved from the building’s former life. It beckons adults and children alike to sit and stay awhile in the warm and unique atmosphere.
With the renewed energy at The National, Stacey Gribble, Director of Outlets, decided that adding teatime to the dining repertoire of the hotel would infuse sophistication and fun into the environs. “We started with doing it for the holiday season, and it just took off,” Stacey explains. “Whenever we went back to it that second year, the guests really enjoyed it.” The Christmas teas were such a big hit that afternoon tea is now served year-round every Friday through Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. In addition to the service available on the weekends, special themed teas—think Alice in Wonderland, ballerinas, Bridgerton, and Harry Potter (coming this fall)—bring well-deserved attention to this storied venue. Though the creative events that the team dreams up each year are all spectacular, it’s hard to go wrong with their classic holiday tea—running from November through early January—which highlights The Great Hall aglow in festive décor and carolers singing familiar tunes at every turn.
For $50 per adult and $25 per child, with prices fluctuating during holiday dates, attendees can indulge in the art of tea. The marvelous tiered stand, filled to the brim with tasty sandwiches on the bottom tier, scones with clotted cream in the middle, and decadent sweets perching on top, is truly a feast for the eyes and palate. Stacey gladly gives her executive chefs artistic liberty when designing the menus for each event. “It’s time for them to get creative as well,” she says. The tea list, which typically offers eight selections from La Colombe, is meticulously curated to be on par with the theme at hand.
“You don’t feel like you’re in Oklahoma,” Stacey replies when asked what makes The National’s offerings unique. “It feels like New York; providing an experience and the level of experience, there generally is nothing else like it. It’s a unique opportunity.” Whether visiting for the historical value or simply to delight in a chocolate madeleine, taking tea in The Great Hall is sublime.
The National’s tea service is available every Friday through Sunday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Reservations are mandatory and need to be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The Pink House
121 N. Chickasaw Avenue • Claremore, OK 74017
The universality and timelessness of tea often bridges the gap between generations and cultures. In this case, found in the small town of Claremore, Oklahoma, a mother’s penchant for the beverage has been passed down to her daughter for a younger group to engage in the delights of the pastime. In 2024, Shari Beguin bought The Pink House from her mother after helping with the business since 2007. The establishment originally opened decades prior but switched ownership a time or two.
When asked if Shari’s vision had always been to take over the tearoom, she replies, “There were times that I thought absolutely not, but most of the time, yes. I was 39 when I started at Pink House; my mom was 60. She’s now 78. She’s technically retired but still makes a grocery run in the morning.” Her mother always cherished every aspect of tea, from collecting teacups and teapots over time to avidly reading Emilie Barnes’s books. She truly loved it all and was more than happy to pass the ownership baton within the family. Currently, Shari’s daughter, son, and daughter-in-law are all part of the hardworking team.
The Pink House is a self-declared, old-fashioned “lunchroom” inside the historic, three-story Belvidere Mansion, which the Rogers County Historical Society restored and maintains. In this Victorian venue, garden salads, quiches, signature sandwiches, casseroles, and pies and cakes exist tenfold. Open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for lunch, guests can appreciate tasty, tea-like bites without the commitment of a full tea experience. However, two or three times a year, the eatery hosts a classic tea service ($34.99 per person) with finger sandwiches, crostini, scones, desserts, and tea, of course. These special events can be found listed online on Eventbrite. In addition, the charming venue is a fantastic place for celebrating unique occasions.
Come September and October, guests would be remiss to not visit The Pink House for their sumptuous maple scones and other apple-filled and pumpkin-laden goodies. The menu typically consists of new creations amid old faithfuls. The teas are sourced from The Metropolitan Tea Company in Canada, with an herbal Peach Ice Cream and Cream Earl Grey being the front-runners on the list.
“Our motto is ‘homemade reasons to gather together,’” Shari says. “Our mission is to have a place where people can come and spend time away from the outside world, connect, and eat homemade, delicious food.” Whether cruising through town on Route 66 and feeling a bit famished or seeking memorable experiences centered around tea, Shari Beguin—and her entire family—will be waiting with warm scones and hospitable smiles.
The Pink House is open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Afternoon tea is served occasionally on select dates.
Wabi-Sabi Tea House
Jerry and Jia Liu, founders of Wabi-Sabi Tea House, naturally fell into the tea world. The husband-and-wife team hail from Taiwan, where family members work as tea farmers. The couple didn’t meet until they each separately found a home in Oklahoma, but they obviously had plenty in common. During the global pandemic in 2020, the duo decided that life was too short not to make their dream into a reality. So, in late 2022, with a newly purchased trailer, Wabi-Sabi came to life and was ready to hit the road after substantial renovations.
The mobile tea business frequents farmers’ markets weekly in the wider Oklahoma City area, along with select pop-up events where a refreshing beverage is most welcome. The tea-loving pair fantasizes about one day opening a brick-and-mortar location, but for now, appearing at local events is providing sufficient business. The brand unsurprisingly specializes in oolong, native to their home country; they additionally offer a few black teas and green teas worthy of a taste. High Mountain Oolong and Charcoal Roasted Oolong are stronger elixirs, while Taiwan Black Milk Tea features Chinese herbs with a subtle sweetness. Customers like to purchase a delicious cup of tea (typically around $7), whether sipped plain or in a latte style, to savor while perusing the miscellaneous booths at various markets.
To accompany the pick-me-up, Wabi-Sabi serves wagashi, traditional Japanese confections with delicate flavors made from bean paste. In appearance, they are extraordinarily beautiful, and in taste, the desserts are supremely sweet. Jerry carefully makes each artful treat by hand, with one taking approximately 20 to 30 minutes to produce. “Here, people normally drink Southern-style sweet tea,” Jia states. “We are bringing very high-quality tea paired with Japanese culture.”
Beyond making a profit and delivering wonderful tea to the public, the Lius are passionate about sharing their Asian heritage with Oklahomans. The business owners have recently enrolled in the Japanese Tea Ceremony School in a small town near them. They have just received their beginner’s certificate after attending three classes a month for a year. While there is still a lot to learn, they enjoy deepening their skills and knowledge to share chado (way of tea) with others.
Growing up across the world, Jerry and Jia had no idea where their love of teatime would take them. It’s questionable whether Oklahoma was on their radar back then, but little did they know that a tea trailer and a dream would plant them exactly where they were meant to be.
Wabi-Sabi Tea House appears at Norman Farm Market every Saturday morning.
Stonehorse Café
1748 Utica Square • Tulsa, OK 74114
Growing up on a dairy farm in Upstate New York, Chef Tim Inman can’t remember a time when he wasn’t working with or surrounded by food. In-between his East Coast upbringing and his relocation to Oklahoma, Tim worked and trained at fabulous restaurants in Miami, San Francisco, and France. In 1986, he moved to Tulsa, and in 2000, he created Stonehorse Café in the city’s bustling Utica Square—serving lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, cocktails, and wine. “I wanted to be a big fish in a small pond,” Tim quips.
For the eager and talented chef, tea has always been near, providing comfort and rejuvenation for times of exhaustion, joy, and even hardship. “I’ve always been a tea drinker,” Tim recalls. “I now start my day with China black and have Darjeeling in the afternoon. One of my favorites is from The Metropolitan Tea Company.” The brand supplies the tea inventory for the café, including a dozen whole-leaf options, with half being tisanes and a few decaffeinated varieties sprinkled in. Among the most popular choices, chai, jasmine, English Breakfast Tea, Earl Grey, and the highly caffeinated “Jet Lag” reign supreme. Every cup of tea served at Stonehorse is prepared via French press, which Tim believes makes a better brew for what is needed at the restaurant.
Stonehorse is a multifaceted modern business consisting of not only the aforementioned meals and beverages, but also full pastry and chocolate departments as well as a curated market with artisan cheeses, frozen meals, and take-home quiches. Everything served to the customers is made entirely on site. Teatime here respects tradition with the obligatory fare but presents it with a bit of local flair, earning the nickname “Tulsa Tea.” It’s a lovely appearance with familiar hallmarks but without a tiered stand in sight.
The service, for $35 per person, affords toothsome scones with homemade fruity jams (strawberry, raspberry, and blood orange marmalade) and whipped and clotted cream; delectable tea sandwiches, savory tarts, and unique items, such as dates stuffed with chorizo; and finally, an assortment of madeleines, entremets, and more. Bubbly is available for an extra charge for those who wish to partake. During autumn, particularly scrumptious desserts—Apple & Salted Caramel Tarts and Mini Pumpkin Pies—are crowd favorites. Tim’s six-month sabbatical in 2008, spent at a French pastry school, is reflected in the attention to detail in the excellent pâtisseries.
For individuals looking for a fun activity adjacent to happy hour, sans the loud environment and potential headaches, afternoon tea at Stonehorse Café is certainly worth a try. Through organic growth and word of mouth, the restaurant has prospered for 25 years. Young Tim, on that dairy farm in New York, would be so proud.
Stonehorse Café offers afternoon tea Tuesday through Friday from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Reservations are required. Special diets can be accommodated if mentioned when booking.
