A Cup of Tea in Philly

November 19, 2025

Independence Hall — Photograph Courtesy of G. Widman for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Text by Katherine Ellis

Teatime in “The City of Brotherly Love”

In the beautiful state of Pennsylvania lies the notable city of Philadelphia—known for its rich history, famous landmarks, and iconic cuisine. A visit to the well-known destination might include a stop at the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed, and, perhaps, a taste of a local delicacy, a Philly cheesesteak. Amid all the historical locales and must-see hot spots exists a tea scene that is worthy of adding to your travel itinerary. Four diverse venues—from terrific restaurants and a distinguished hotel to a quirky tearoom—are waiting to be discovered by tea lovers and tourists alike.

1. The Dandelion

124 South 18th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-558-2500 • thedandelionpub.com

In the center of the city, merely steps from Philadelphia’s bustling Rittenhouse Square, The Dandelion holds its own as a sophisticated take on the classic British pub. This esteemed establishment, opened on New Year’s Eve in 2010, offers all sorts of scrumptious English fare for lunch, brunch, dinner, and, of course, afternoon tea.

The beautiful Victorian-style dining room exudes a sense of home away from home. *Photograph Courtesy of STARR Restaurants*

Mark Crookston, the general manager of The Dandelion, has worked for myriad successful restaurants in his career. “My first experience with tea was sometime around the age of 12,” Mark recalls. “My stepdad was running a small teahouse in Cape May [New Jersey], and I would prep and dishwash for him.” This fond memory of his has stayed with him for years and continues to serve as a beautiful connection between his past experiences with tea in childhood and his current role in managing the restaurant’s afternoon-tea service.

A tiered stand brims with tea fare. *Photograph Courtesy of STARR Restaurants*

When visiting The Dandelion for teatime, one will approach a lovely, Victorian-style dining room that truly feels like a home away from home. Petite tables, pretty patterned banquettes, an elegant fireplace, and delightful natural light fashion the space into a marvelous place in which to take tea. Tiered stands carrying dainty morsels are brought to each minimalistic table, bridging the gap between traditional and modern aesthetics. With definitive nods to the past and present day, the restaurant’s afternoon tea is refined but not stuffy. The experience is available in three levels. “Down the Rabbit Hole,” for $30, affords two tiers of six different delectable tea sandwiches. For $20, “Who Stole the Tarts” includes eight pastries (two pieces of each) and is perfect for those with an intense sweet tooth. Lastly, “A Royal Occasion,” a typical tea service, costs $60 and features tasty sandwiches, pastries, scones, and a large pot of tea.

Charcuterie is also available for teatime. *Photograph Courtesy of STARR Restaurants*

Crowd-pleasing favorites at the pub include, but are not limited to, the flavorful Cheddar and piccalilli sandwich and the sumptuous lemon bar dessert. And if you happen to still be a bit peckish after consuming the tea level of your choice, consider ordering one of these beloved British staples off the à la carte menu: Welsh rarebit, fish and chips, or shepherd’s pie. When it comes to the beverage of tea, the blends patrons love most are the Darjeeling Earl Grey, “full-bodied and robust, with a subtle muscatel taste;” and English Breakfast, “full-bodied and smooth, with hints of sweet caramel and spice.” The teas served at The Dandelion are from United Kingdom–based Teapigs.

Afternoon tea is refined but not stuffy. *Photograph Courtesy of STARR Restaurants*

“Our afternoon tea is casual and not fussy,” Mark explains. “The design of our space feels just right for the experience we offer. Our menu allows the guests to order exactly what they are looking for without feeling committed to the entire experience.” Whether you are wanting to pop in for a quick refreshment, to indulge in a full afternoon tea, or simply are wishing for a British meal, The Dandelion is here to meet and exceed your expectations.

The Dandelion’s afternoon-tea service is offered Monday through Friday year-round from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Afternoon tea on the weekends is occasionally offered around select holidays. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome.

2. The Random Tea Room

713 North 4th Street • Philadelphia, PA 19123

267-639-2442 • therandomtearoom.com

In 2008, The Random Tea Room was born out of Rebecca Goldschmidt’s deep desire to create a healthier lifestyle for herself while building a loyal community around it. With a college degree in sculpture and 10 years of business under her belt, the female entrepreneur had an immense amount of creativity, drive, and dedication to apply to her new venture.

The Random Tea Room resides on North 4th Street. *Photograph by Richard Gretzinger*

“I didn’t know anything about tea when I started,” Rebecca divulges. “I wanted to do something that I wouldn’t feel guilty about sharing with others and that brought positive frequency back to me.” And so, she landed on the idea of a tea business that would be aptly named The Random Tea Room—a playful nod to Rebecca’s recent diagnosis with ADHD and her aspiration “to want to do everything.”

The aesthetic of the space is influenced by owner Rebecca Goldschmidt’s artistic background. Photograph by Richard Gretzinger — The aesthetic of the space is influenced by owner Rebecca Goldschmidt’s artistic background. *Photograph by Richard Gretzinger*

The tearoom owner’s first experience with teatime was a transformative one. Her tea “sensei” showed her how to grind up chai spices to make a homemade masala chai. “The first time I drank it, I was like ‘Oh, my gosh, we are going to have this everyday—this is amazing!’” Rebecca recalls. “I realized that cardamom is a mood lifter. As long as I drink my chai every day, I can smile every day.” The healing aromatherapy of blending the chai introduced Rebecca to the wonderful healthy properties of tisanes and medicinal herbs. Since then, and with much practice, she has mastered the art of tea blending and loves to share her creations with others. “I put together an herbal manual for our staff,” Rebecca explains. “If people have certain ailments, they reference herbs that might assist them with an issue and incorporate the ingredient into a blend.”

Inside, the venue is intimate, original, homey, and inviting. It has a sort of self-described “deco floral essence” to the décor that is heavily influenced by Rebecca’s art background. Wooden benches line the walls, eclectic pillows add color and comfort to the atmosphere, and a plethora of plants help make the environment feel natural and cozy. It’s the type of safe space where you can overhear fascinating conversations and be encouraged to join in. The tearoom’s focus is solely on tea, centered around an interactive tea bar in which one can order countless brews of choice. The Random Tea Room believes that half the fun of taking tea is in selecting a tea to try and talking about it with others. “We have a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ style of tea experience,” Rebecca states. “We try to meet people where they are in their tea journey. They might have a negative association with tea from a past experience in life, whether it be from a time of sickness or from an ill-prepared brew. They can now create a new association in a positive way.”

Trios of teas can be purchased as gift set bundles as well as individually. Photograph by Richard Gretzinger

One of the most popular blends at the tearoom is their Chai Masala, naturally—the tea that completely changed the trajectory of Rebecca’s life. Other favorites include “Arnold Balmer,” a refreshing play on the half-tea/half-lemonade beverage (Ceylon black tea blended with an herbal lemonade consisting of lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, and sugared lemon peel); “Earl Grey Royale,” made with extra bergamot, whole-leaf Indian black tea, and blue cornflowers; and “Sol Glo,” a triple ginger tonic with licorice, turmeric, ginger, galangal, lemon juice, honey, and cayenne (anti-inflammatory sunshine in a cup, she says). The blends are all made in-house, with most of the tea sourced from Metropolitan Tea Company as well as farms around the globe. Many herbs used in the blends are foraged from different gardens.

Regardless of the elixir chosen while visiting The Random Tea Room, the experience will be meaningful, cathartic, and anything but random. “The ritual of tea isn’t going to rush for anyone,” Rebecca says. “I give people the information that they need to create the ritual in their own lives.”

The Random Tea Room is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

3. Mary Cassatt Tea Room at The Rittenhouse

210 West Rittenhouse Square • Philadelphia, PA 19103

215-546-9000 • rittenhousehotel.com

The Rittenhouse, recognized as one of the few five-star hotels in Philadelphia according to Forbes, perfectly balances timeless sophistication with modern appeal by presenting well-appointed rooms and culinary excellence to the masses. This historic hotel was incepted in 1989 and has reinvented itself countless times throughout the years. Inside this grand building, the remarkable Mary Cassatt Tea Room shines as both a semblance of days gone by and the wave of the hotel’s future. The tea venue resides where a gorgeous mansion once stood at the turn of the 20th century. The stately home belonged to A. J. and Lois Buchanan Cassatt. A. J. was the president of the Pennsylvania Railroad and engineered its extension to New York City, including the creation of Penn Station. A. J.’s sister, Mary, was a celebrated painter and printmaker, whose art was exhibited by the Paris Salon. In honor of the storied past of the location and the people who made it into what it is today, the eponymous tearoom is an ode to the Cassatts. Mary’s original drypoints are displayed outside her namesake tearoom.

The tearoom is modern, yet elegant. Photograph Courtesy of Gab Bonghi

Afternoon tea at The Rittenhouse is nothing short of exquisite. The inventory for the tea list is provided by five vendors from around the world: Palais des Thés in France, Tea Leaves in Vancouver, In Pursuit of Tea in Massachusetts, Tay Tea in New York, and Amoni Teas—a local tea company founded by the tearoom’s general manager, AJ Memmo. AJ began working in the tearoom in 2014, thanks to a friend’s recommendation, and the rest is history. He quickly fell in love with the world of tea and started experimenting with blending teas to add to the menu. The offerings change frequently, 10 times a year to be exact; however, the blends are always the most coveted. “We keep high-end standards on the menu as well as classics, Earl Grey and English Breakfast,” AJ states. “We treat tea blending here like mixology.” During the holidays, two blends reign supreme: “The Coffee Lover’s Tea” (a pu’erh with notes of almond, vanilla, and chocolate to produce a delicious mocha flavor) and “Queen’s Garden” (a warming herbal blend made of apples, caramelized almonds, and cinnamon).

Craft cocktails are available for teatime. Photograph Courtesy of Gab Bonghi

Upon gracing the tearoom, one will hear the harmonious sounds of a live harpist, and one will see the pristinely white china and tablecloths setting the scene for an elegant affair. The tea service boasts enticing sandwiches, scones, petit fours, and a pot of tea. It is designed to be a slowly savored meal. The food is a hybrid of French influence anchored by a touch of Philadelphia flavor. Additionally, a luxurious caviar service, wine, cocktails, and iced teas are available. Tickets for teatime can be bought through the website Tock, a restaurant reservation software, for $70 per person.

Afternoon tea features teas from a variety of purveyors. Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince

In early December, the well-known hotel hosts the much-anticipated Teddy Bear Tea. It’s the biggest event that the hotel offers with a wait list of approximately 1,300 people. The occasion is designed to be kid-friendly but also appeals to adults accompanying the minors. Tiered stands, brimming with decadent cupcakes, decorated cookies, and petite sandwiches cut into the shapes of teddy bears, are brought to the tables. Hot tea and hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows are presented with the festive fare. Members of the team across all departments of the hotel read to the little ones during a special story time in the lobby, and each attendee receives a brand-new, precious teddy bear as a keepsake.

Tearoom general manager AJ Memmo prepares matcha tableside. Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince

Throughout the decades, afternoon tea has continued to be an enormous draw for The Rittenhouse. “Post-COVID, we realized that the most in-demand thing that we had was the tea program,” AJ shares. “Tea is the most consumed beverage in the world outside of water. We treat tea with a lot of respect here.” If indulging in a time-honored tradition at a well-established venue steeped in history speaks to you, then a trip to The Mary Cassatt Tea Room is the ticket.

Seatings at The Mary Cassatt Tea Room are available Thursday through Sunday at 12:30 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 p.m.

4. Elwood

1007 Frankford Avenue • Philadelphia, PA 19125

215-279-7427 • elwoodrestaurant.com

In 2019, chef Adam Diltz opened Elwood restaurant in honor of his grandfather Elwood Andreas. Adam grew up around the Pennsylvania Dutch influence of generations preceding him. He enjoyed tea from the get-go and always knew he would someday open a restaurant to share his heritage with others. “My great-grandmother would send my mom to the pasture, where the spicebush grew, every spring to get the newly formed buds, and then they would make a tea with it,” Adam recalls. Good food and great tea are in his blood.

The restaurant serves as an ode to chef Adam Diltz’s grandfather Elwood Andreas. *Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince*

Today, Elwood provides a haven for those who are seeking a tranquil ambiance and locally inspired meals for dinner and teatime on the weekends. Whether you choose to dine indoors or alfresco when the weather is pleasant, the mismatched china will be pretty, the table will be tidily set, and the service will be impeccable.

Pennsylvania-Dutch influence is evident in the venue’s tea service. *Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince*

For the first course of afternoon tea, a seasonal salad is served, followed by toothsome biscuits accompanied by apple butter, clotted cream, and strawberry jelly. A delectable datch, a Pennsylvania quick bread made with porridge traditionally leftover from breakfast, will also enter the equation. Next, savories—such as smoked trout on a cracker topped with sour cream and caviar, chicken salad on a croissant, venison scrapple, and paté en croute with mustard and pickled onion—are served. Lastly, snicker-doodle cookies, macarons, miniature cheesecakes, and traditional Shoofly Cake (a Pennsylvania Dutch molasses cake with a crumb topping) are sure to delight.

Elwood customers can dine inside or outside, weather permitting. *Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince*

For $35 per person, guests can experience the aforementioned goodies along with a pleasing pot of tea. The tea offerings come from Premium Steap in Philadelphia and Oma Herbal Teas in Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. Premium Steap supplies five-year puerhs, a delightful Earl Grey, and Korakundah Nilgiri (a mild, yet bright, black tea). Oma stocks a variety of tantalizing tisanes, including fall and spring blends and chamomile, as well as the ever-popular Elwood Blend—a bespoke concoction of spicebush, goldenrod, bee balm, and stinging nettle like Adam’s great-grandmother used to make.

In lieu of scones, biscuits and datch are offered with delicious condiments. *Photograph Courtesy of Mike Prince*

When asked how he would describe Elwood, Adam chuckles and says, “It’s as if a Pennsylvania Dutch person was into Jane Austen novels.” It’s an ideal amalgamation of English classicism infused with the historic flavor of the Pennsylvania countryside. It’s something deliciously different for afternoon tea that can only be found in this unique location. A tea afficionado’s Philadelphia itinerary is simply beckoning for this exceptional spot to be added.

Elwood restaurant’s tea service is available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.