The Adolphus
1321 Commerce Street • Dallas, TX 75202
214-651-3615 • adolphus.com
When thinking about indulging in afternoon tea at iconic locations, a visit to The Adolphus in Dallas is a must. Anchored as an incontrovertible beacon of rich culture and history, the stunning 1912 hotel has withstood the test of time and continues to uphold its storied reputation.
Constructed by a European craftsman in the early 20th century, the famous hotel was the passion project of German immigrant and Anheuser-Busch cofounder, Adolphus Busch. After making a fortune in the beer business in St. Louis, Missouri, the mogul saw great potential in Dallas’s being the city of the future. In 1912, the brilliantly built property—resembling a Germanic castle—debuted as the state’s tallest building and held the title for a decade. Since the grand opening, revered guests, such as Presidents Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush, along with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, have visited the establishment.
A recent renovation has restored the hotel to its original grandeur while incorporating luxurious contemporary touches to celebrate the magic of the Dallas institution. Afternoon tea, an admired tradition at The Adolphus, is held in the well-known French Room, which marvelously sets the scene—spectacular chandeliers, gilded accents, and feminine sophistication—for savoring exquisite cuisine. “Our afternoon tea is very classic in style,” notes Anna Warren, Director of Food and Beverage. “The room itself is beautiful and opulent with white tablecloths preset with Champagne flutes. Servers are in crisp-white uniforms with blush-pink aprons. It feels like London.”
What sets apart this venue from other similar locales is the “warmth and graciousness from the staff that makes all the difference,” says Anna. Impeccable service, from the moment you walk through the doors, makes the event feel even more exceptional. If you are lucky, you will get the opportunity to have Connie Forbin as your server. She has worked for The Adolphus for more than 38 years and is described as “the light in that room.” She makes every guest, whether a frequent patron or a first-timer, feel as if he or she has been there a million times before.
Upon entering The French Room, a welcoming glass of Champagne or a nonalcoholic cider is offered to greet guests with a bit of lavishness. The tea service, for $75 per person, with opportunity for additional glasses of Champagne and delicious caviar for an upcharge, boasts the three courses to which tea lovers look forward: savories, scones, and sweets. (Tea service for children is $35.) The tea sandwiches arrive first, with a pot of tea, of course. A favorite among the assortment is the to-die-for cucumber sandwich presented on sourdough bread from a local bakery and tastily layered with a delectable mint cream cheese. Next, the toothsome scones come with the obligatory condiments, which are not to be missed, and a decadent selection of tea cakes to devour. To make the decision of which teas to try a little less overwhelming, each course is accompanied with a tea of the staff’s choosing. A green tea is typically paired with the savories, and a black tea or Masala chai tends to complement the sweets quite well. “Moonlight Beauty,” a pu-erh green tea out of China, is rather popular in the springtime for its refreshing quality. The teas are produced by Zakti, a female-owned company in Dallas.
Reservations are highly recommended for those who wish to partake of tea at The Adolphus. In 2023, the hotel booked an astonishing 5,200 spots for the months of November and December. Anna urges that “you don’t go to tea to sit there and have lunch. You go to have an experience, and we deliver that.” If the vibrant hotel’s history brings you curiosity, the tea menu excites you, and taking in the elegant scenery—as the late Queen Elizabeth II once did—with a teacup in hand causes a smile to appear on your face, then reserving your spot at The Adolphus’s French Room for tea seems to be the next logical step.
The Adolphus’s tea service is available from 11:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily by reservation.
