The Black Lantern Tea Room & Bakery
137 Sunset Avenue
Asheboro, NC 27203
336-610-2582
theblacklanterntearoomandbakery.com
Walking into The Black Lantern Tea Room & Bakery is as if you have been transported to another era filled with antique charm, moody lighting and décor—think lots of lanterns, of course, and dark furniture set against golden walls—and luxurious velvet on stately chairs. There is a sense that something is delightfully different here. Perhaps, it is the captivating atmosphere, or maybe it’s the scrumptious fragrance of freshly prepared baked goods tickling the senses. Better yet, the difference is most likely found in the congenial and welcoming energy of the employees. Though the aesthetic might seem alluringly dramatic, the staff and the owner, especially, are anything but that and are quick to offer helpful recommendations, a smile, and certainly a cup of tea.
After working as a hairstylist for 11 years and concluding that she wanted to venture down a different path in life, proprietress Chelsea Wray decided to put her knack for cooking to the test and apply to culinary school. Following graduation, Chelsea had the desire to open her own restaurant but wasn’t sure which type. “My dad’s side of the family is from Ireland, so tea is huge,” Chelsea notes. “I would go to my great-aunt Mary for everything, and nothing couldn’t be solved over a cup of tea.” Opening a tearoom seemed like a natural fit for her, so she did just that in October 2021 to honor her heritage and to provide something unique for the town she loves. While there are other tea businesses in Asheboro, The Black Lantern is the only place in the area that is strictly devoted to serving tea and delectable bites associated with the tradition.
When the friendly tearoom owner asked a stranger, “How are you doing?” when passing each other on a street corner in Indiana, little did she know that this common exchange would turn into a serendipitous meeting. Once pleasantries were swapped, it came to light that this man, Lalith Pravanavitana, was a very successful tea blender with tea farms located all over the world and founder of Empire Tea Services. Chelsea was extremely intrigued and decided to hold onto his contact information for when she was ready to collaborate on custom tea blends. Fast forward to present day, and every tea served at The Black Lantern is now blended and thoughtfully designed by the pair specifically for the tearoom. Chelsea will present ideas for blends to Lalith, he will experiment with ingredients, and then the two will taste various iterations and ultimately land on the perfect infusion. “Inspiration comes from things that I cook with,” explains Chelsea. “I’ve learned what flavors go well together so that when we blend our teas it makes sense to the palate.”
A visit to The Black Lantern is nothing short of magical, decadent, and memorable. When picking which tea to try from an assortment of 44 choices, consider selecting Night Blooming Jasmine Tea, a bestseller that combines black and green teas with jasmine flowers, resulting in a light and phenomenally aromatic brew; Caramel Rooibos, a caffeine-free red infusion with tasty caramel bits; and Fruit and Berry Tisane, a lovely herbal blend of papaya, apple, currants, strawberry, and hibiscus that is particularly wonderful when served chilled over ice. Tea is presented in beautiful teacups with matching wares all made by local Seagrove potter Matthew Kelly. Once your preferred tea has been determined, a fun decision of electing which sweet or savory treats from the tantalizing display to pair with your calming beverage is at hand. For lunch, chicken salad sandwiches and fresh salads are hard to beat, and for a satisfying dessert, a creamy cheesecake slice or a tea-infused Lavender–Earl Grey Cookie are terrific options. Everything is made completely in-house, and it’s truly difficult to go wrong with any tea or food item served at this tearoom-bakery hybrid.
“Everyone tries to support each other in Asheboro,” Chelsea remarks. “I remember when I first started, Mary Murkin at Carriage House Tea said, ‘If you need anything, let me know.’ Everyone is very welcoming, helpful, and provides open arms.”
If you happen to be in North Carolina, you must take the time to experience The Black Lantern for not only their tempting offerings but to understand how kind- ness can be extended to a greater community through people that are even sweeter than their pastries.
The Black Lantern Tea Room & Bakery is open Wednesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
