Fancy some afternoon tea in
Paris? The French capital is better known for its prolific cafe society than afternoon tea. Some of the cafes in Paris are truly idyllic and dreamy, after all, many of which offer a peek into the classic beauty and romance of the past. But if you prefer to drink tea instead of coffee while you're in this city, don't worry! There are many great tea rooms in Paris, including the Rococ-inspired Nina's Vendôme, the utterly charming Le Jardin de Mademoiselle, and the world-famous Ladurée. Enjoy a delightful afternoon in any of them!
High Societhé
High Societhé is arguably everything you'd ever want in a tea room in Paris. Located on Avenue Denfert Rochereau in the Montparnasse district, it's a cozy little hotspot that will charm your pants off. It's the kind of place that'll just let you sit back, relax, and enjoy a hot cup of tea alongside some freshly baked biscuits and other sweets. Though the place is admittedly tiny, it's a perfect escape amidst the bustling French capital. You'll also can't help but smile at the quaint English countryside decor. It's as if you were whisked away to the Cotswolds the moment you stepped inside here.
Source: High Societhé
Le Jardin de Mademoiselle
Imagine if the French invented the tradition of having afternoon tea. What do you think that would look like? While the English stay humble with their cups of Earl Grey and jam-filled scones, the French would probably make every tea time look more like a feast. Such is the practice here at Le Jardin de Mademoiselle on Rue Saint-Dominique in the
7th arrondissement. This pretty pastel-painted tea house serves (and sells) the most fragrant teas paired with the most delectable French pastries. It still has an English tinge to it, but its overall presentation is frivolously French all the way!
Source: Le Jardin de Mademoiselle
Ladurée
Ladurée is perhaps the most famous tea room in Paris. Best known for its pastel macarons and other delectable desserts, this charming sweet-filled escape is a prominent institution in the city's culinary scene. Perhaps this is why Ladurée has managed to open various locations throughout different
neighborhoods in Paris. The one along Avenue des Champs-Élysées may be the most famous, but those on Rue Royale and Rue Bonaparte have become just as beloved. They provide the perfect spaces to enjoy an elegant afternoon tea, after all. And let's not forget that Ladurée is arguably the most iconic place to get
macarons in Paris too!
Source: Ladurée Facebook Page
La Cour Jardin
Imagine running through well-cut hedges a'la Alice and Wonderland and ending up in an elegant courtyard. Instead of the Red Queen's army of card soldiers, you see a sophisticated spot for afternoon tea, far more refined than the craziness of the Mad Hatter's table. Does such a place exist outside of fairy tales? Well, you can say that La Cour Jardin at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one such place. This green-filled courtyard serves as the luxury hotel's best dining area, complete with lush greenery to freshen up the air and big red umbrellas to shade you from the bright sun. Having afternoon tea here would feel like a dream!
Source: Hotel Plaza Athenee Facebook Page
Salon Proust
From one beloved five-star hotel in Paris to another, Salon Proust in the Ritz Paris is also perfect for enjoying an elegant afternoon of tea. The tea room itself evokes the austerity and refinement of historical England, looking more like a library in an English manor than a typical in-house restaurant of a hotel. With rich chocolates and sweet cakes to look forward to, this is perfect for celebrating a milestone with afternoon tea. Perhaps you want to commemorate your birthday with friends or your tenth wedding anniversary. Salon Proust is more for simple but important celebrations than anything else!
Source: Ritz Paris.com
Nina's Vendôme
Did you know that you can enjoy the very same cup of tea that the infamous Marie Antoinette did? Nina's Vendôme, located right by the famous plaza of the same name in the
1st arrondissement, still sells and serves the same fragrant tea that the former French Queen once loved. It's a rose-scented beverage that's just as tasty when served hot in a pot as it is when cooled in an ice-filled glass. If she were alive today and would let you eat cake, she'd surely suggest doing it in this beautiful, Rococo-style hotspot complete with her favorite pastries too!
Source: Nina's Vendôme
Taårtt
What's the best dessert to pair with a hot cup of tea? Some delectable tarts, of course! While the English may prefer freshly baked scones or soft sponge cakes, the French, specifically Parisians, would likely gravitate towards fruit tarts. You would too if you have afternoon tea at Taårtt, a fabulous tea room on Avenue Félix Faure in the
15th arrondissement. True to its name, the place is all about the baked treats, offering both savory and sweet ones that will knock your taste buds out at first bite. Tarts can also be pretty heavy to eat, so don't forget to wash them all with some warm tea!
Source: Taårtt Instagram Page
The Tea Caddy
Much like many of the other tea rooms on this list, The Tea Caddy is heavily inspired by the English tradition of enjoying afternoon tea. The place alone, located on Rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre in the
Latin Quarter, evokes a Victorian-style tea room you'd expect to see in London or even in an English countryside town. Its dark brown wooden decor gives it an austere elegance, offering the perfect ambiance for a warm and soothing cup of tea. What's also great about it is that it's fairly hard to spot, guaranteeing that there are very few people to spoil your relaxing afternoon.
Source: The Tea Caddy/ Picasa
The Tea House
The Tea House on Rue Alexandre Dumas in the
20th arrondissement is perhaps the most modern out of all the best tea rooms in Paris. While the other spots on this list evoke nostalgia with their Victorian-style decor or pastel-hued throwbacks to Rococo glamour, this place is decidedly more contemporary in its minimal decor. With hanged paintings decorating plain white walls, The Tea House looks more like an art gallery than a typical tea room. Don't you think it'd feel more relaxing to have afternoon tea in such a simple spot?
Source: The Tea House
The cafes in Paris are well and good, but it's worth exploring the city's dreamy tea rooms room. They're some of the best places to keep warm and relax, especially during the colder times of the year.
