Courtyard Tea Room at The Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street • Boston, MA 02116
librarytea.com/courtyard
The magnificent Boston Public Library welcomes 2 million visitors annually to its central Boylston Square location. For teaists, an out-of-the-way treasure awaits in the Courtyard Restaurant, located just to the right of the main entrance. Afternoon tea, by reservation only, unfolds in this handsome barrel-vaulted room, lit by brilliant palladium windows, Tuesday through Sunday afternoons.
This literary tea—detailed with a printed menu presented in an antique book—begins with a seasonal soup and salad course before moving on to a bountiful assortment of teatime sandwiches. Savory New England favorites feature chilled Maine lobster on brioche, roast beef, and deviled egg mousse on sourdough bread. Warm scones, original and blueberry, are accompanied by Devonshire cream, lemon curd, and raspberry pre- serves. You will want to save room for a menagerie of petit fours highlighted by French macarons and Straw- berry Matcha Cupcakes, to name a few.
Of course, a tearoom is only as good as its tea service, and you won’t be disappointed here. The extensive loose-tea list includes all the classic and herbal blends you might expect. And your teapot will be refreshed with hot water at your request.
There is something very gratifying about celebrating afternoon tea in this century-old building. Like tea, it is both stimulating and quieting.
