12 Afternoon and Holiday Tea Spots Near DC for Families

Don your fancy hat and head to an afternoon or holiday tea! Photo courtesy of The Tea Cart, Facebook
Don your fancy hat and head to an afternoon or holiday tea! Photo courtesy of The Tea Cart, Facebook
12/12/21 - By Jamie Radoescu

With all that needs to be done during the holiday season, it's not always at the top of the list to take some time to relax. But a little break can go a long way in helping you power through that shopping and to-do list. What better way to slow down and recharge than by enjoying some holiday tea with family and friends?

We've rounded up 12 kid-friendly places to get afternoon tea or holiday tea in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia this holiday season. All of these places offer an assortment of savory and sweet treats and traditional tea fare such as scones along with tea. And if tea isn't to your liking, several of these places offer other beverages, including adult choices!

We've checked with all 12 afternoon and holiday tea spots to ensure they have availability, but they're likely to fill up quickly. So, make your reservations early to be sure you get a spot—fancy hats optional!

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Where to Get Afternoon and Holiday Tea in DC

Holiday Tea at the Henley Park Hotel

Welcome the holiday season with the the Tavern at the Henley Park Hotel's holiday tea. This quiet setting will help you relax as you nibble on holiday-inspired savories and seasonally-inspired treats. Scones are served fresh out of the oven, accompanied by traditional Devonshire cream and preserves. If you decide that an adult drink is more your style, there are also seasonal cocktails available for purchase. Children have the same choices of fare as the adults.This holiday tea is offered on Fridays from 12-5pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 12-4pm through January 2, 2022.

Afternoon Tea at Ching Ching CHA

While afternoon tea at this Chinese tea room is not considered a holiday tea, it doesn't make it any less of a fun experience! Afternoon tea at Ching Ching CHA means you can choose sweet or savory items from the Tea Snacks a-la-carte menu, or you can have more of a meal from the Tea Menu, which includes soup, three vegetables, and an entree. As far as the tea goes, Ching Ching CHA has a very extensive collection to choose from. Tea is served Thursdays through Mondays from 11:30am - 6:15pm, and reservations are not required.

Tea Time at Ladurée

With its pastel decor and sparkling chandeliers, tea time at Ladurée DC will make you believe you are at a bakery in Paris. It's a perfect way to relax from the flurry of the holiday season! Ladurée's tea time includes a choice of beverage, the bakery's famous French macarons, house-made Guimauves (marshmallows), savory Madeleine, and an assortment of finger sandwiches. Tea time is available every day from 2-5pm, but make sure to book a reservation, as this quaint tea room has limited seating indoors (it also offers outdoor seating).

Where to Get Holiday and Afternoon Tea in Maryland

Afternoon Tea at the Kate Pearl Tea Room — Westminster

Whether you want a light bite or a more substantial tea, you are covered at this quaint English-style team room. Choose from seven different menus and price points for afternoon tea, including a children's tea that comes with kid-friendly tea sandwiches, fruit, a scone, and desserts. (The tea room requests that kids be 5 or older to attend tea.) Guests are encouraged to dress up, so feel free to don your fancy hat, pearls, and gloves for an afternoon of relaxation, bottomless pots of fine tea, and top-notch foods. Afternoon tea is served daily from 11am - 3pm, and reservations are required.


The children's tea at Emma's Tea Spot includes kid-sized tea favorites. Photo courtesy of Emma's Tea Spot, Facebook

Afternoon Tea at Emma's Tea Spot — Baltimore

Afternoon tea at Emma's Tea Spot is sure to be a wonderful respite from the busy holiday season. With its offerings of five different set tea menus, including a children's tea with kid-sized tea favorites and sweets, this modern and casual take on a tea room is perfect for families. You can pop over to Emma's Tea Spot for a light "in-between" bite or enjoy a more substantial tea after running holiday errands. Emma's Tea Spot is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 10am - 4pm. Reservations fare required for set tea menus, while all other services are walk-in.

Holiday Tea at Sweet Simplici-Tea — Sykesville

The holiday tea at this Victorian tea room is sure to be a memorable one, as the theme is "The Wizard of Oz: Somewhere Over the Rainbow". This special holiday tea includes so many tasty nibbles, including soups, appetizers, salads, scones, savories, and assorted desserts. Be sure to book reservations early, as this is a very popular activity. Seatings are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from December 3-17 at 11am and 2:30pm. (You may see a "Candlelight Tea" offered on the website, but we have been informed it is fully booked.)

Afternoon Tea at Reynolds Tavern — Annapolis

Enjoy the beauty and history of the Georgian home that is Reynolds Tavern at its afternoon tea. Reynolds Tavern offers eight different set tea menus and price points to choose from. All menus include your choice of tea and sweet and/or savory pastries, and can also include a cheese plate, quiche, or salad. The cozy, antique-filled tea room is the perfect place to come together with friends and family to relax during the holiday season with a warm cuppa and tasty nosh. Afternoon tea at Reynolds Tavern is offered seven days a week from 11am - 5pm, and reservations are required.

Where to Get Afternoon and Holiday Tea in Northern Virginia

Holiday Tea Service at Santé (Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City) — Arlington

Amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays, take some time out at Santé at the Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City for its holiday tea! Santé offers a two-hour afternoon tea experience for adults with a choice of loose-leaf teas, homemade scones, sandwiches, and pastries, as well as champagne  for an extra charge if you'd like to toast to the season. Santé didn't forget the little ones, as it also offers a Teddy Bear Tea for children 12 and under with their choice of tea or hot chocolate and kid-sized treats. Your child can even choose a new teddy bear friend to take home. There are seats available between 12 and 3pm from Saturday, December 18 through Thursday, December 23.


Hurry and reserve your family's spot at the Tea Cart's Nutcracker Holiday Tea. Photo Courtesy of the Tea Cart's Facebook Page

Nutcracker Holiday Tea at The Tea Cart — Berryville

The Nutcracker Holiday Tea at the Tea Cart is a great way to get into the holiday spirit! This traditional British-style tea room will have holiday music playing while you sip a special Holiday Winter Spice tea and nibble your way through a three-course menu. The menu includes soup, a savory course, and a three-tier stack of delectable desserts and warm scones served with the traditional accompaniments. There are several seatings available for the Nutcracker Holiday Tea, including early seatings for younger children and later afternoon time slots for children 11 years and older and adults. This is a very popular event that is offered from December 1-31, so make reservations early, as it's sure to fill up quickly!

Holiday Tea at Crest Hill Antiques and Tea Room — The Plains

Set in a wonderful antique store, this holiday tea will be a step back in time as you partake in your choice of beverages that include tea, coffee, cocoa, and apple cider. The food menu includes a holiday salad, an assortment of tea savories, and gourmet desserts. Patrons that attend the holiday tea will receive a 15-percent discount on any purchase in the store, which is a wonderful plus for gift shopping! If that isn't enough of an enticement to visit, each tea attendee also receives a complimentary gift from Crest Hill. Reservations are required to attend the holiday tea, and it runs through December 23 from 11am - 4pm.

Christmas Tea at Gateau Bakery Café and Tea Room — Warrenton

Offered from December 1-30, the Christmas tea at Gateau is sure to get families in the holiday spirit. Paired with a pot of tea of your choice is a carefully curated menu of seasonal tastes—scones, tea sandwiches and savories, and petit desserts. Each patron receives a fun Christmas cracker to add to the festive air. Gateau didn't forget its littlest patrons, as it offers a Reindeer Tea for children age 10 and younger that includes a pot of tea, a seasonal scone, kid-approved strawberry and cream cheese sandwich, and a pretzel cheese wand. Kids will also delight in three petit desserts made just for their palate. Feel free to wear your fancy hats, as Gateau loves to see them. Reservations are required for the Christmas and Reindeer Teas, and Gateau is open Wednesdays through Fridays from 10am - 4pm and Saturdays from 9am - 3pm.

An afternoon tea is a fancy and festive way to enjoy the holiday season. Photo courtesy of Emma's Tea Spot, Facebook

Afternoon Tea at Entyse at the Ritz-Carlton, Tyson's Corner — McLean

This afternoon tea is an upscale way to ring in the holidays. The chefs at Entyse have carefully curated unique offerings of savories and sweets to accompany your choice of teas from their extensive tea menu. Entyse also offers special extras for that truly delectable experience, including fresh strawberries with whipped cream and Grand Marnier drizzle, champagne, and seasonal cocktails. The smallest patrons (ages 12 and younger) have their own tea menu that includes an assortment of three kid-approved tea sandwiches and six delicious desserts. Kids can choose hot chocolate or hibiscus tea to drink. Afternoon tea is offered every Saturday and Sunday with seatings at 12 and 3:30pm, and reservations are required.

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