High Tea in Atlanta: Where to Go for Afternoon Tea, Southern Style

High tea in Atlanta blends classic afternoon tea traditions with the city’s Southern hospitality, historic architecture, and creative food scene. Whether you want a special-occasion tea with tiered trays and white tablecloths, a fun outing with friends, or a kid-friendly princess-style tea, Atlanta has options across the city and suburbs.

This guide focuses on where to enjoy high tea in Atlanta, what to expect, typical price ranges, and how to choose the right spot for your occasion.

High Tea vs. Afternoon Tea in Atlanta

Most Atlanta venues that say “high tea” are actually offering traditional afternoon tea:

• Afternoon tea: Light meal with tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries, usually mid-afternoon.
• High tea (historically): Heavier, early evening meal for working families in Britain.

In Atlanta, the term “high tea” is commonly used in marketing, but when you book, you’re usually getting:

• A pot of premium loose-leaf tea
• Three-tier stand with sandwiches, scones, and desserts
• Optional champagne or sparkling wine at some locations

When you call or reserve, you can simply ask, “Do you offer afternoon tea service? What’s included?”

Classic & Upscale High Tea Experiences in Atlanta

These spots are well-known for formal or upscale afternoon tea that feels special enough for birthdays, showers, and out-of-town guests.

Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

The St. Regis Atlanta – Afternoon Tea Experience

• Area: Buckhead (a short drive from Midtown and Downtown)
• Vibe: Luxurious, polished, traditional
• Expect:
  • White-tablecloth service in an elegant lobby or tea lounge setting
  • Fine china, multiple tea selections, and tiered trays of bites
  • Savories (tea sandwiches, mini quiches), fresh-baked scones, and pastries
  • Often a holiday or seasonal tea that books up fast

This is one of the city’s most formal afternoon tea options, so it’s popular for anniversaries, bridal showers, and visitors wanting a “big city” experience.

Tips

• ☎️ Always call ahead to confirm days, seating times, and dress expectations.
• 🎟️ Reserve well in advance for December holiday teas and Mother’s Day.

The Ritz-Carlton, Atlanta – Afternoon Tea

• Area: Downtown
• Vibe: Elegant, business-district luxury, polished but not stuffy
• Expect:
  • Afternoon tea offered on select days, usually in the lobby lounge or restaurant
  • Multiple tea blends, with sweet and savory tiers
  • Quiet space compared to many downtown restaurants, making it good for client meetings or special family visits

Downtown workers and convention attendees sometimes choose this for a refined break that doesn’t require leaving the central business district.

Buckhead & North Atlanta

The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead – Afternoon Tea

• Area: Buckhead
• Vibe: Relaxed luxury, modern Southern
• Expect:
  • Afternoon tea service on specific days
  • Menu highlighting regional ingredients with traditional tea elements
  • Option to upgrade with sparkling wine at many services

Good option if you’re shopping at Lenox Square or Phipps Plaza and want to turn the day into a full outing.

Historic & Boutique-Style Tea Experiences

The Swan Coach House

• Area: Buckhead
• Vibe: Historic, “Old Atlanta,” Southern ladies’ lunch feel
• Expect:
  • Not always branded as “high tea,” but offers elegant luncheons and tea-friendly menus
  • Charming historic setting on the Atlanta History Center campus
  • Light bites, desserts, and a Southern twist on refined dining

Call ahead to confirm whether they’re currently offering formal afternoon tea or tea-focused events, as offerings can change.

Charming Tearooms in the Atlanta Metro Area

If you’re willing to drive slightly outside the city center, you’ll find classic tearooms with a cozy, often more affordable take on afternoon tea.

Tea Rooms North and East of Atlanta

Tea Leaves & Thyme

• Location: Near downtown Woodstock (northwest of Atlanta)
• Vibe: Cottage-like tearoom, very traditional afternoon tea
• Expect:
  • Set afternoon tea menus with teapots for the table, towers of savories and sweets
  • A mix of locals, bridal showers, and birthday parties
  • Often decor that leans into the “English tearoom” aesthetic

Reservations are typically required for full afternoon tea, especially on weekends.

The Ginger Room

• Location: Historic downtown Alpharetta
• Vibe: Cozy, historic house, modern-meets-classic tea service
• Expect:
  • Tiered trays, a wide tea selection, and seasonal treats
  • Popular with groups celebrating birthdays, baby showers, and bridal showers
  • Walkable area, so you can pair tea with shopping and strolling in downtown Alpharetta

Again, reservations for afternoon tea service are strongly recommended.

South & West of Atlanta

Options south and west of the city change more frequently. Some cafés, bakeries, and inns in areas like Fayetteville, Peachtree City, and Marietta occasionally offer high-tea-style events or special afternoon tea days.

If you live in these areas, it can be useful to:

• Check local inns and historic homes that host events
• Look for “afternoon tea” brunch events at independent restaurants
• Call ahead to confirm if the service is ongoing or seasonal

What High Tea in Atlanta Typically Includes

While menus vary, most Atlanta afternoon tea or “high tea” services include:

1. Tea Service

• Choice of black, green, herbal, or specialty blends
• Individual pots or shared pots for the table
• Honey, sugar, milk, and lemon provided on the side
• Sometimes the staff will guide you on pairing teas with courses

2. Savory Bites
Common items:

• Finger sandwiches (cucumber, smoked salmon, egg salad, chicken salad)
• Mini quiches or tarts
• Small savory pastries

3. Scones & Spreads

• Classic or flavored scones
• Clotted cream, butter, and jam or preserves

4. Sweets & Pastries

• Mini cakes, tartlets, macarons, shortbread cookies, or petit fours
• Often decorated to match seasonal themes (spring flowers, winter holidays, etc.)

Price Ranges and What Affects Cost

Costs vary widely, but for Atlanta-area afternoon tea, you can generally expect:

*Actual pricing can change; always confirm current menus and costs when booking.

Costs go up with:

• Champagne or cocktail add-ons
• Holiday or themed events
• Specialty dietary menus that require extra prep

When to Make Reservations (And Why It Matters)

In Atlanta, most high tea and afternoon tea experiences are reservation-only or strongly reservation-preferred, especially at:

• Hotels (St. Regis, Ritz-Carlton, The Whitley)
• Smaller tearooms (Tea Leaves & Thyme, The Ginger Room)
• Holiday teas (Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s, Mother’s Day, Easter)

When you reserve, it helps to mention:

• Number of guests and any children
• Dietary needs (vegetarian, nut-free, gluten-sensitive, etc.)
• If you’re recognizing an occasion (birthday, bridal shower), so they know whether to group you in a quieter or more festive section.

Dress Code & Etiquette for Atlanta High Tea

Dress codes vary, but a few patterns hold across the city:

Common Dress Guidelines

• Smart casual is usually safe: dresses, blouses, nice jeans or slacks, button-downs.
• Many guests use high tea as a chance to dress up a bit—sundresses, hats, and blazers are common in Buckhead and downtown hotels.
• Very casual items like gym clothes, flip-flops, or beachwear may feel out of place at upscale venues.

Basic Etiquette Tips

• Arrive a few minutes early; tea often runs on set seating times.
• Let the staff handle tea steeping if they offer; they know their blends.
• Turn your phone to vibrate and keep calls outside, especially in quieter tea lounges.

If you’re unsure, you can always ask:

Kid-Friendly and Group-Friendly Tea in Atlanta

Many Atlantans like to use afternoon tea for children’s birthdays, mother–daughter outings, or multi-generational family gatherings.

Kid-Friendly Considerations

• Ask if the venue offers a children’s tea menu (smaller portions, simpler flavors).
• Confirm whether there is a minimum age for children.
• Check if they can provide high chairs or boosters if you’re bringing younger kids.

Group Tips

• For groups of 6–8 or more, ask about:
  • Fixed-price group menus
  • Private or semi-private rooms
  • Policies on decorations, gifts, or cakes brought from outside

Boutique tearooms in the suburbs tend to be especially used to bridal showers and birthday groups, while hotels often host corporate or family celebrations.

Dietary Requests: What’s Common in Atlanta

Many Atlanta tea venues are familiar with common dietary requests, but flexibility varies.

You can often request:

• Vegetarian selections
• No pork or shellfish
• Nut-conscious (though complete nut-free kitchens are rare)
• Gluten-conscious alternatives at some places, especially hotels

When you book, be as specific as possible:

Give venues as much notice as possible, especially for strict needs.

How to Choose the Right High Tea in Atlanta

When deciding where to go, consider:

1. Location & Transportation

   • Staying downtown or near the stadiums? A Downtown or Midtown hotel tea minimizes travel.
   • Live in the northern suburbs? A Woodstock or Alpharetta tearoom may be more convenient and relaxed.

2. Formality Level

   • Want a “big city” luxury experience? Look at Buckhead and Downtown hotels.
   • Prefer something cozy and homey? Try a suburban tearoom.

3. Budget

   • Set your per-person range first, then narrow options.
   • Factor in parking, especially at hotels and in busy districts.

4. Occasion

   • Romantic or special-occasion date: upscale hotels are often ideal.
   • Casual catch-up with friends or book club outing: suburban tearoom or smaller café-style setting.
   • Bridal or baby shower: look for places that regularly host groups and offer private spaces.

Practical Next Steps for Enjoying High Tea in Atlanta

To plan your outing:

1. Decide your general area (Downtown/Midtown, Buckhead, or a specific suburb).
2. Call or check menus to confirm:
   • Days and times for afternoon tea
   • Pricing and what’s included
   • Reservation requirements
   • Parking details (valet, self-park, nearby decks)
3. Reserve early for weekends and holidays.
4. Communicate dietary needs and group size clearly when booking.
5. Plan to arrive a bit early and treat it as a slow, social experience—afternoon tea is meant to be savored, not rushed.

With options ranging from high-end hotel lounges to charming historic tearooms, Atlanta offers plenty of ways to enjoy high tea that fit different budgets, tastes, and neighborhoods.