The best afternoon teas in Los Angeles

Price: $135–$190 per person

Hours/days: Mon–Thu 11am, 1:30pm seatings; Fri–Sun 11am, 1:30pm, 4pm seatings

Why we love it: Against the posh backdrop of the Peninsula’s Living Room—complete with plush sofas, two fireplaces and the music of a classical harpist—this afternoon tea experience engages all five senses. Given the price point, it’s one of the most luxurious afternoon teas in town, but the Peninsula makes the splurge feel worth it with attentive service and a first-rate seasonal menu that might include a petite carrot cupcake and blooming lavender tartlet in the spring.The standard offering includes strawberries and whipped cream, a selection of over 20 loose-leaf teas and a glass of Laurent-Perrier (add $10 for the Royal Tea, which makes it Brut Rosé). The $190 Imperial Tea swaps the regular bubbly out for a flute of Dom Perignon. It’s also one of the only afternoon tea options in town available seven days a week. Over the years, I’ve returned time and time again to this swanky Beverly Hills hotel whenever I’m in the mood for a splurge-y afternoon tea service that includes sandwiches, sweets and scones buttered with plenty of seasonal jam and Devonshire cream; these days, you can also add bottomless champagne for $50 or $65 per person. 

Time Out tip: If you’re hoping to visit the Living Room during the winter holidays, know that the hotel offers a special holiday service that typically books out weeks in advance. 

Address: 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Price: $64–$77 per person (plus $29 admission to the Huntington)

Hours/days: Mon, Wed–Fri 11am–4pm; Sat, Sun 10:30am–5pm

Why we love it: When the Huntington’s famous tea room reopened in 2023, online reservations promptly booked out completely. These days, the Rose Garden Tea Room is still one of L.A.’s hottest reservations, at least on the weekends, though walk-in guests have found more luck as of late. My advice? Arrive when the teahouse opens around 10am and ask the host to find out what’s available later in the day. Even with the price of admission to the Huntington itself, the beautiful setting and high-quality fare easily make this one of the best afternoon tea experiences in greater Los Angeles. The regular tea offering includes a lamb sandwich with pomegranate cranberry chutney and pistachio dukkah, plus a miso caramel madeleine and a surprisingly tasty fruit tart. (For those with dietary restrictions, the restaurant also offers vegan and gluten-free menus.) The more premium Huntington Tea adds on sparkling wine, a lobster roll and a housemade bonbon. Touches like marmalade and a signature rose tea blend made with citrus and flowers grown on the premises, plus all-around delicious sweets and scones, make the Rose Garden Tea Room a destination-worthy afternoon tea. 

Time Out tip: Note that reservations can be made up to three months in advance—so if you have your eye on a particular date and time, plan far ahead. 

Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

Price: $165 per adult ($65 per child 12 and under)

Hours/days: Fri–Sun 2pm, 3pm seatings

Why we love it: The price might be high, but the fashion’s even higher at the Maybourne’s Prêt-à-Portea: Red Carpet Collection, which ends with a multilevel tier of desserts inspired by iconic celebrity award show looks. This Beverly Hills hotel leans into the haute couture theme with a red carpet photo-op for every tea service guest upon entrance. Held in the dining room of the Terrace (the hotel’s ground floor eatery), each afternoon tea service kicks off with a glass of champagne and a warm cheese gougére. Then come the requisite sandwiches and scones, but you’ll want to save room for executive pastry chef Brooke Martin’s grand finale confectioneries, which come with their own zine and pictures of the outfits that inspired each one. Each has their own merits, but I loved the hand-piped strawberry mousse roses and lychee gelée on top of a lemon shortbread inspired by the flower-studded pink Valentino gown Zendaya wore at the 2023 SAG Awards and the cherry-red chocolate recreation of the Judith Leiber clutch that Angela Bassett carried at the 2019 Emmys. Sure, the red carpet entrance might be a little cheesy, but even those who are unfamiliar with afternoon tea can appreciate the white-glove approach to service and high-quality pastry skills on display here. 

Time Out tip: The amount of food included in this afternoon tea service is extremely generous—so hold back on the sandwiches and scones if you want to try all of the desserts. Most people take at least a few of the sweets home.

Address: 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Price: $84 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun 12:30–3:30pm seatings

Why we love it: Hosted in the hotel’s sleek, marble-adorned Sitting Room, the venue runs a touch too modern for my liking, but the pastries, sweets and savories at the London more than make up for this. Another bonus? The London also offers a fairly large assortment of iced teas, including a delightful tangerine tea flavored with mint and cucumber-ginger syrup. Each afternoon tea service includes a glass of sparkling (you can upgrade to Moet for $22 extra); blackcurrant and plain scones served with preserves, lemon curd and clotted cream; plus savories and sweets. Compared to other hotels, the kitchen puts a refreshing contemporary twist on the usual afternoon tea bites. The smoked salmon comes atop a matcha green tea crepe, and there’s a vegan-friendly avocado spring roll with peanut sauce. I’m not a huge fan of marzipan, but I loved the battenburg cake, which rotates flavors on a seasonal basis. The chamomile madeleines and jasmine silver-tip shortbread provide a nice counterbalance to the other sugary delights. On holidays like Easter and Mother’s Day, guests can look forward to special menus tailored to each celebration.

Time Out tip: This is a great (and slightly more affordable) place to take the kids—guests under 12 run $42 a head.

Address: 1020 N San Vicente Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Price: $85 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun 1pm, 4pm seatings

Why we love it: For a kitschy, distinctly English afternoon tea, look to this beloved, longtime Pasadena establishment. Each tea service at Rose Tree Cottage includes a glass of sparkling elderflower cordial, a pot of house blend tea and a three-course set that includes the tea room’s famously delicious scones—and the entire service is overseen by a butler in full traditional uniform. Given the overall Britishness of the place, expect warm savory bites like beef Wellington, toad-in-the-hole and Welsh rarebit alongside sweets like sticky toffee pudding. 

Time Out tip: Note that Rose Tree Cottage requires a proper dress code and only takes afternoon tea reservations a week in advance—and strictly over the phone.

Address: 801 S Pasadena Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105

Price: $70–$95 per person

Hours/days: Fri–Sun 11am–4pm

Why we love it: Served within a stunning Spanish, Mexican and Moroccan-inspired space designed by Kelly Wearstler, the Downtown L.A. Proper’s cocktail lounge offers a modern, ultra-stylish version of afternoon tea, and the best afternoon tea in the area, by far. Walk through Caldo Verde and you’ll find an intimate, terracotta-hued hideaway and a delicious, filling array of seasonal sweets crafted by pastry chef Irene Widjaya, plus savory bites by A.O.C.’s Suzanne Goin. On my visit, I loved the yuzu meringue tart and mint chocolate madeleine, plus the excellent artisanal tea brewed in individually sized tetsubin. If you’re in a drinking mood, upgrade with a seasonal non-alcoholic cocktail ($80), glass of Drappier Carte d’Or champagne ($75) or Laurent-Perrier rosé champagne ($90). For vegans, Dahlia also offers a completely plant-based menu—just make sure to make a note in your reservation.

Time Out tip: Dahlia offers a $65 caviar supplement for the cucumber and scallion creme fraiche sandwich if you really want to indulge.

Address: 1100 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Price: $85–$105 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun noon–4pm

Why we love it: Santa Monica isn’t exactly known for its upscale afternoon tea offerings, but this design-forward hotel is changing that with a modern afternoon tea service ($85) inside Palma, the Proper’s lobby restaurant. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the impossibly chic space features unique floral arrangements and plenty of seating arrangements to choose from. While the tables that border the elongated booth by the window catch the most light, larger parties can opt for the secluded alcoves or one of the lower-slung coffee tables. Each service includes a glass of sparkling wine (or a non-alcoholic option), plus scones, sandwiches and a rotating array of sweets that put a California spin on classic flavors. (In particular, I found the aged goat cheese and chive scone to be outstanding.) For $20 more, guests can also indulge in bottomless champagne. 

Time Out tip: If you’re willing to hunt for parking, there’s usually a good chance of at least one available metered spot nearby.

Address: 700 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Price: $29.50–$34.50 per person

Hours/days: Mon, Thu–Sun 10am–4pm

Why we love it: Less than a mile away from some of Altadena’s most scenic hiking trails (most of which are sadly closed following the Eaton Fire), this casual teahouse serves an excellent afternoon tea on the weekends. Each set includes a fully plant-based array of delicious toasts, scones and pastries, including Asian-inspired sweets baked by South Pasadena’s Cookie Chaos. Our favorite afternoon tea set at Callisto, however, is the gong fu tea service for two ($69), which comes with the regular sweets and savories plus a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Brewed tableside on a wooden tray, each gong fu service also comes with an adorable color-changing tea pet. On my visit, it was a pair of metallic pink-gold carp. Guests are meant to pour hot water over the small pottery figure while blooming their tea leaves, and the tiny figures are associated with good luck. 

Time Out tip: While you can drop into Callisto for a casual pastry and a cuppa any day of the week, advance reservations are highly recommended for the weekend tea offerings.

Address: 359 N Altadena Dr, Pasadena, CA 91107

Price: $43 per person (plus 18% service gratuity)

Hours/days: Mon, Thu–Sun 8:30am–4pm

Why we love it: Classically trained pastry chef Kei Okumura bakes some of the best scones in Los Angeles, which naturally translates to a stellar afternoon tea service at her pint-sized café near Montrose. While seating is scant and almost entirely outdoors, the quaintly decorated patio set-up and excellent baked goods make Sugarbird Sweets one of the best, most affordable ways to enjoy afternoon tea—at least on days with fair weather. Choose from an array of scone flavors including lemon blueberry, ube coconut and feta chive, plus four seasonal tea sandwiches and a selection of small sweets including pâtes de fruits, shortbread, meringues and brownie bites. 

Time Out tip: This afternoon tea is generally only available by prepaid advance reservation on OpenTable—but the excellent baked goods and affordable pricing makes all that planning worth it.

Address: 3405 Ocean View Blvd, Glendale, CA 91208

Price: $34 per person

Hours/days: Daily 10am–3pm

Why we love it: Tucked away in the foothills of Glendale is this longtime tea room with frilly, quaint interiors straight out of grandma’s house and a back patio perfect for baby showers, birthdays and other daytime special occasions. Offered daily from 10am to 3pm (phone reservations required), each modestly priced tea set includes sandwiches, scones, fruit and a few sweets and comes with your choice of tea. While they aren’t the best I’ve ever had, I can’t argue with the price, and the quality of the T Room’s sandwiches and sweets far surpasses those offered at many of L.A.’s more expensive afternoon tea options. I should also mention the Montrose teahouse offers a robust tea selection, including specialty blends like Russian Samovar, which combines black tea with mint and cloves. If you’re cutting down or skipping caffeine altogether, there’s lighter green and white blends and herbal options like peach rooibos and the tulsi-based “Holy T-Tox Detox.” 

Time Out tip: In more temperate months, you can also request a table on the T Room’s charming outdoor patio.

Address: 2405 Honolulu Ave, Montrose, CA 91020

Price: $45 per person

Hours/days: Sat, Sun noon–4pm

Why we love it: For those closer to Hollywood, this beloved 40-plus year old neighborhood pub offers a no-frills afternoon tea on weekend afternoons—advance reservations required. Each filling set includes three tea sandwiches—minty cucumber and mascarpone, roast beef and curried chicken salad—plus a sausage roll and a quiche on the savory side, then raisin scones with marmalade, plus seasonal berries, shortbread cookies and Victoria sponge cake to cap it all off. In terms of tea, choose from Britain’s very own PG Tips or earl grey, chamomile and peppermint.

Time Out tip: If you’re still hungry, I recommend ordering the Scotch egg. 

Address: 742 Highland Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038