Tea Around Town in Atlanta: Where to Sip, Relax, and Explore

Tea in Atlanta is more than a drink—it’s afternoon tea services, modern tea bars, quiet study spots, and neighborhood cafés spread from Downtown to the suburbs. Whether you live in the city, are visiting for a weekend, or just want to explore tea around town in Atlanta, you have plenty of options.

Below is a practical guide to where and how to enjoy tea in Atlanta, organized by experience and neighborhood.

Afternoon Tea in Atlanta: Classic & Special-Occasion Spots

If you’re looking for a more formal afternoon tea in Atlanta—tiered trays, finger sandwiches, and pastries—there are a few go‑to options that locals often use for birthdays, showers, or “just because” outings.

Hotel & Special-Occasion Tea

These venues generally require reservations and may have limited seatings, especially on weekends:

• Downtown & Midtown

  • Larger hotels and historic properties in and around Downtown and Midtown periodically offer afternoon tea services in their lounges or restaurants. These are typically:
    • Set menus with tea, sandwiches, scones, and sweets
    • Seatings at fixed times (for example, mid-afternoon)
    • Dress codes that lean more “smart casual” than everyday coffee shop

  If you’re planning a special outing:

  • ☎️ Call the hotel restaurant directly and ask if they currently offer afternoon tea.
  • Ask about price per person, dress expectations, and parking options (valet vs. self-park).

• Neighborhood Restaurants & Event Spaces

  • Some restaurants across Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, West Midtown, and Buckhead periodically host afternoon tea pop-ups or themed teas (holiday tea, Mother’s Day tea, etc.).
  • These are usually:
    • Reservation-only
    • Advertised as limited-time events
    • Great for groups who want a one-time experience instead of a standing tradition

👉 For any afternoon tea in Atlanta, it’s a good idea to:

• Reserve at least 1–2 weeks in advance for weekends.
• Confirm whether children are welcome, and if there’s a fixed menu or dietary accommodations.

Casual Tea Cafés & Coffee Shops with Great Tea

Tea in Atlanta often shows up in spaces that also serve coffee, pastries, or light meals. These are your everyday tea stops—perfect for working remotely, meeting friends, or reading a book.

What to Expect at Most Atlanta Tea-Friendly Cafés

Across neighborhoods like Midtown, Decatur, Old Fourth Ward, Edgewood, and West Midtown, tea menus commonly include:

• Hot teas:
  • Black teas (Earl Grey, breakfast blends)
  • Green teas (sencha, jasmine)
  • Herbal blends (chamomile, peppermint, rooibos)
• Iced teas:
  • House-brewed black or green iced tea
  • Sweet tea or lightly sweetened options
• Tea lattes:
  • Matcha lattes
  • Chai lattes (traditional or spiced concentrates)
• Non-dairy options:
  • Many places offer oat, almond, or soy milk for tea lattes.

A lot of Atlanta’s tea-friendly cafés are near MARTA stations or along major streets like Peachtree Street, Ponce de Leon Avenue, and Moreland Avenue, making them easy to add into your daily errands or commute.

Bubble Tea (Boba) Around Atlanta

If you search for tea around town Atlanta, bubble tea (boba) comes up quickly. These shops are especially common near campuses, malls, and busy retail corridors.

Where You’ll Commonly Find Boba Shops

• Doraville & Chamblee (Buford Highway area):

  • Known for a wide range of Asian eateries and tea shops.
  • Expect:
    • Milk teas, fruit teas, cheese foam teas
    • Toppings like boba, jelly, and pudding
    • Snack add-ons (egg waffles, pastries, light bites)

• Midtown & Downtown:

  • Close to Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and office towers.
  • Popular with students and office workers needing a mid-day drink.

• Suburban Hubs (Alpharetta, Duluth, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs):

  • Many shopping centers and plazas in these areas include several bubble tea concepts.
  • Typically car-oriented, with plenty of parking.

What to Know Before You Go

Most Atlanta boba shops:

• Offer customization: sugar level, ice level, toppings.
• Are casual and walk-in friendly.
• May offer online or app ordering for pickup.

If you are new to bubble tea in Atlanta:

• Start with a classic milk tea with boba at “regular” sweetness.
• Try a fruit tea with jelly if you prefer something lighter and non-dairy.

Tea with a Cultural Focus

Atlanta’s diversity shows up clearly in its tea options. If you want to explore global tea traditions without leaving the city, there are several directions to go.

Chinese, Taiwanese, and East Asian Tea

Along Buford Highway and into Duluth and Doraville, you’ll find:

• Tea houses and cafés that focus on:
  • Oolong, jasmine green, pu-erh, and other traditional teas.
  • Gongfu-style or pot-brewed service in some spots.
• Grocery stores and markets with:
  • Pre-packaged loose-leaf teas and tea sets.
  • Ready-to-drink bottled teas in coolers.

These areas are good if you’re:

• Looking to buy loose-leaf tea or tea accessories.
• Interested in traditional brewing styles.

Indian Chai & South Asian Cafés

In and around Decatur, Tucker, Norcross, and other East and Northeast Atlanta suburbs, you’ll find:

• Indian restaurants and cafés that serve:
  • Masala chai (spiced milk tea)
  • Cardamom, ginger, and other regional variations
• Often ordered:
  • With snacks like samosas, pakoras, or sweets.
  • As a warm end to a meal.

If you enjoy spiced, milky tea, asking for “authentic masala chai” at these places can give you a more traditional take than a standard chai latte.

British & European-Style Tearooms

A handful of Atlanta-area tea rooms lean into British-inspired afternoon tea or European café styles:

• You may see services with:
  • Tiered trays
  • Clotted cream-style spreads
  • Loose-leaf black teas served in pots

These are often located in quieter intown neighborhoods or nearby suburbs, and many operate with limited hours, so checking days and times in advance is important.

Buying Loose-Leaf Tea in Atlanta

If your main goal is to brew tea at home, Atlanta has options ranging from grocery staples to specialized tea counters.

Grocery Stores & Markets

Across the metro area—including Publix, Kroger, Whole Foods, Sprouts, H Mart, and local co-ops—you’ll commonly find:

• Boxed teas (black, green, herbal, decaf)
• Loose-leaf sections at some natural food stores
• International aisles with teas specific to:
  • East Asia (green and oolong teas)
  • South Asia (chai blends, Assam, Darjeeling)
  • The Caribbean, Middle East, and Africa (herbal, hibiscus, and black teas)

These are easy options if you’re already grocery shopping and want to try new teas incrementally.

Specialty Tea & Spice Shops

In shopping districts like Poncey-Highland, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, and West Midtown, you’ll sometimes find:

• Tea counters or spice shops that:
  • Sell bulk loose-leaf tea by weight
  • Offer custom blends or seasonal flavors
  • Provide basic guidance on brewing times and temperatures

When visiting these shops, it helps to:

• Mention what you usually drink (e.g., “I like Earl Grey” or “I prefer herbal and caffeine-free”).
• Ask for:
  • A small sample size before committing to a large tin.
  • Basic instructions on water temperature and steep time.

Tea Near Atlanta Landmarks & Transit

If you’re sightseeing or commuting, it helps to know where tea fits into your route.

Downtown Atlanta

Popular destinations like the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca‑Cola, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium are all near Downtown.

For tea around these spots:

• Look to:
  • Hotel cafés and lobby bars, which often have basic tea service.
  • Nearby coffee shops within walking distance of Peachtree Center or Five Points.
• You’ll generally find:
  • Standard tea bags (black, green, herbal).
  • Some specialty lattes (chai, matcha) at more modern cafés.

Midtown & the Arts District

Near Atlanta Symphony Hall, the High Museum of Art, and Colony Square, Midtown offers:

• Cafés and restaurants that:
  • Cater to office workers and students.
  • Often include tea lattes, iced teas, and simple loose-leaf options.
• Walkable access from:
  • Arts Center and Midtown MARTA stations.

This is a solid area if you want to pair museum visits with a sit-down tea break.

BeltLine & Intown Neighborhoods

The Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail (near Ponce City Market, Krog Street Market, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park) is one of the most tea-friendly corridors in the city:

• Many cafés and stalls along or near the trail:
  • Offer iced tea, kombucha, herbal infusions, and tea lattes.
  • Are walk-up friendly if you’re biking or walking.
• Great for:
  • To-go tea while you explore.
  • Casual meetups after a walk or run.

Planning a Tea Day in Atlanta: Sample Ideas

Here are some simple ways to build a “tea day” into your Atlanta plans.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Tea Around Atlanta

• Check hours before heading out.
  Many tea-focused places—especially dedicated tea rooms—have shorter or irregular hours, and some only open on certain days.

• Ask about parking and transit.

  • Intown neighborhoods may have limited street parking or paid decks.
  • Areas near MARTA stations (Midtown, Five Points, Decatur) are often easiest to reach by train or bus.

• Adjust for Atlanta’s weather.

  • In summer, iced tea, sweet tea, and fruit teas are everywhere.
  • In cooler months, chai, matcha, and herbal blends are widely available as hot drinks.

• Consider dietary needs.
  Many cafés can accommodate non-dairy milks and less-sweet drinks; just ask for:

  • “Lightly sweet” or “no added sugar”
  • Oat, almond, or soy milk with your tea latte

• Call ahead for groups.
  If you’re planning a birthday, shower, or large meet-up:

  • Contact the venue to confirm group size limits, reservation policies, and minimum spends, especially for afternoon tea services.

Whether you want a formal tiered afternoon tea, a late-night bubble tea on Buford Highway, or a quiet corner with a pot of loose-leaf in Decatur, you can find tea around town in Atlanta that fits your style, schedule, and neighborhood.