Tea’s great year-round, but nothing is as comforting as a cuppa when the temperatures drop. Fortunately, Chicago delivers these cozy feels with both casual and fancy spots for you to enjoy everything from greens to blacks. Below are eight of our picks for a nice spot of tea.
TeaPotBrew Bakery
1802 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
TeaPotBrew Bakery is “where flavor and love meet.” The team puts all their love and passion into their food and service. This Near South Side bakery serves freshly baked desserts in small batches and has a big selection of teas outside the standards, like Chocolate Chai, Cinnamon Plum, and White Peony.
The bakery has a hip aesthetic with wide-open doors and an outside seating area in front of their mural of delectable drinks and treats.
Living Water Tea House
1453 W Taylor St, Chicago, IL 60607
Living Water Tea House is a contemporary East Asian tea parlor in Little Italy. More than just a tea house, Living Water also offers one-hour tea ceremony classes.
This spot sources all tea leaves from East Asia, bringing authentic flavors and recipes to Chicago. The open and calming space also serves East Asian style pastries like cotton cheesecakes that pair perfectly with your choice of tea.
Mango Pickle
5842 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
This casual, modern Indian bistro in Edgewater serves a seasonal menu combining American cuisine with Indian heritage. Mango Pickle’s offerings include supper events, cooking classes, at-home catering, and weekend cafe fare.
Mango Pickle has occasional High Chai events with tea-time snacks and Bombay Masala Chai, a great way to relax in the middle of the day.
Kumiko
630 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60661
Located in the West Loop, Kumiko is a Japanese dining bar specializing in creative bites and beverages. The bar has a hip and modern aesthetic that matches its offerings, like Japan’s finest saké or the Uni Toast.
Kumiko’s café menu offers a variety of Japanese and herbal teas as well as specialty serves, like the Hibiscus Matcha Latte. Enjoy in a warm and welcoming space!
Hugo Tea Space
1816 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
For an elevated tea experience, visit Hugo Tea Space in Bucktown. The spot has limited seating reserved for in-house gongfu sessions and private tastings, but offers to-go signature drinks as well.
A gongfu session is Hugo’s take on modern tea service, inspired by the team’s time in the tea houses of Kunming and Kyoto. You can book individual or shared tea sessions led by a teatender.
Peninsula Hotel
108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611
Before you take on the Magnificent Mile for some retail therapy, stop by the Peninsula Hotel for its signature Afternoon Tea service. Served in the heart of the hotel, The Lobby, this Chicago favorite is the perfect way to treat yourself.
Afternoon Tea is available Fridays through Sundays, with reservation slots at 2:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Indulge in a seasonal menu of tea, tea sandwiches, and desserts in a luxurious space—reservations for adults also include one glass of champagne! Afternoon Tea is $125 per adult and $55 per child.
Russian Tea Time
77 E Adams St, Chicago, IL 60603
Located in the Loop, Russian Tea Time offers Afternoon Tea and Samovar Service all day from Tuesdays to Sundays. Choose from Regular Tea ($34.95) or Queen Tea ($54.95) tiers, both including a pot of tea and assorted tea sandwiches, mini sweets, and other delicacies.
Desserts like eclairs and medovik, or honey cake, can also be ordered as add-ons. If you’re looking for more unique tea blends not included in the service, Russian Tea Time boasts a wide selection of premium teas, like Caramel Apple, Luscious Lychee, and Cream Oolong.
Virgin Hotels
203 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
Sip, sip, hooray! Leave it to Virgin Hotels to bring a little party to tea time. The Loop hotel offers two approaches to high tea: $35 for regular and $45 for the hard stuff, with a choice between Warm Boozy Tea or Chilled Champagne Tea. Sweet and elegant tea bites accompany all tea services.
Located at the Commons Club, the second-floor bar and restaurant inside the hotel, Upside Down Tea Party is open for reservations Saturdays 2-5 p.m.
Featured Image Credit: Hugo Tea Space
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