One of the Best Afternoon Tea Rooms in Greenwich, CT
Are you looking for an afternoon tea room in downtown Greenwich, Connecticut?
Picture this:
Relax and enjoy a casual tête-à-tête with your friends while enjoying finger sandwiches and other dainties prepared at our downtown Greenwich, CT, inn.
In warmer months, you can remark on the flowers and butterflies fluttering by your bistro table. And in the colder months, enjoy the warmth of the fire in our bed and breakfast dining room as you catch-up with your closest friends.
Sound good to you? Read on.
Or fill out our form to schedule your upcoming tea party
The start of Afternoon Tea in CT
Around the turn of the nineteenth century, legend has it that the Duchess of Bedford started ordering tea and a light snack mid-day to keep her energy up between meals. She soon started inviting her friends to tea in the afternoon, followed by a walk around her grounds.
High Tea versus Afternoon Tea
What Americans call “high tea” is actually not the aristocratic experience we think of in the United Kingdom!
High tea referred to the tables used to serve tea, in this case, the high tables families typically ate dinner. In Britain, high tea was traditionally a lower-class affair. Upper-class Britain, meanwhile, enjoyed tea in the afternoon.
After World War I, the Ritz Hotel in London began serving a formal afternoon tea to tourists, which it called, “high tea”. British hotels serving what they called high tea to tourists is likely the source of the name confusion in the rest of the world, including the States.
Afternoon Tea in Connecticut
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the area known as New England has long had an affinity for all things British.
And traditionally British and Victorian style have long had a presence in Connecticut. Case in point, bed and breakfasts and afternoon tea.
Opening the newest of the Tea Rooms in Greenwich, CT, to celebrate a few anniversaries
The year 2020 marked a few major anniversaries we celebrated at Stanton House Inn.
Women’s Suffrage and Tea Rooms in CT
About a century ago, in 1920, women won the right to vote in America.
But the push for independence didn’t end there. In fact, many women opened female-only tea rooms across the United States. They were among the first entirely women-owned and women-staffed businesses in America.
While some tea rooms opened in outbuildings at gas stations, or free-standing buildings; many women opened their tea rooms right in their homes. Dining rooms and living rooms of American middle class women became tea rooms during the Prohibition era.
Continuing the Tradition at Stanton House Inn
2020 also marked the 35th anniversary of our bed and breakfast inn, named after suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton.
Over the last 35 years, our bed and breakfast inn has been solely focused on serving visitors to Greenwich, Connecticut.
Since taking the inn over in 2019, Innkeeper Colin wanted to provide an amenity to his entire neighborhood.
And what better way to open our doors than following in the footsteps of the great women that sparked such major social change in the early 1900s?
We hope to continue to contribute to Greenwich’s history for many decades to come!
Afternoon Tea Menu at Our Tea Room
The traditional full afternoon tea menu consists of:
- Tea sandwiches or other small savories
- Scones served with jam and a clotted cream
- Sweets such as cookies, shortbread, cake slices, or small cakes or pastries
Click here to see menu options and schedule your next tea party with us
Host Afternoon Tea Events at Stanton House Inn
Afternoon tea is perfect for a casual meeting with friends and family.
And an afternoon tea party can also be a great choice for hosting:
- Bridal showers
- Baby showers
- Birthday celebrations
We are currently hosting tea parties between 1 pm and 3 pm on the third Saturday of every month.
Contact us for more details if you’d like us to host your next tea party gathering!
Breakfast at our Tea Room
Cady’s Tea Room is where our guests enjoy breakfast (in the dining room or patio on the same grounds). It’s a top spot to enjoy breakfast in Greenwich, CT (though we may be biased).
Want to learn more about our Greenwich, Connecticut, Tea Room?
Sign-up below to get on our invitational list for updates on tea parties:
When you sign-up below, we’ll also send you a free copy of our Foodie guide to Greenwich, Connecticut.
Our Foodie guide to Greenwich includes all of the top dining picks in downtown Greenwich and Old Greenwich, including:
- The Granola Bar
- The Ginger Man
- Doppio
And much more.
We can’t wait to see you!
You can also fill-out our form to contact us regarding scheduling your tea party event on a particular date.
Or keep exploring our dining guides, including:
What other places serve afternoon tea in Connecticut?
Tea rooms are a rare breed anywhere. That said, they haven’t quite disappeared in Connecticut. A few more options throughout the state include:
The Drawing Room | Cos Cob
The art gallery and cafe in Cos Cob, CT had a calming atmosphere with old-fashioned, Victorian, and bohemian decorations. They offered Lapsang souchong, mango black tea, and herbal teas. For breakfast, you could choose clotted cream tea, à la carte dishes, or healthy options like flaxseed granola. Lunch options included salads, finger sandwiches, and desserts. Unfortunately, the Drawing Room in Cos Cob recently closed.
Elm Restaurant | New Canaan
Elm in New Canaan provides a contemporary afternoon tea experience. The menu includes such unique offerings as wasabi lobster roll.
Old Mill English Tea Room | Somers
Nancy Knorr opened the Old Mill English Tea Room in a historic home in Somers. The tearoom has beautiful china, flowers, and cozy lighting. It also has space for private parties and outdoor seating. Knorr likes to dress up and make memories with friends. The Old Mill English Tea Room offers tea, sandwiches, scones, salads, and soups. Guests can rent hats, including the queen’s, and take photos with the queen.
Tea with Tracy | Seymour
Tea With Tracy is a delightful tea room in Seymour, Connecticut. It is famous for its special menu and cozy ambiance. Tea With Tracy serves afternoon tea, which includes scones, tea sandwiches, desserts, and a pot of tea. On weekends, the restaurant becomes a busy breakfast spot. They serve omelets, waffles, pancakes, and delicious banana bread French toast. Visitors can also purchase some unique tea varieties to take home with them. Reservations are strongly advised for a delectable meal in a whimsical setting.
Open Door Tea | Stratford
Open Door Tea is a warm cafe in Connecticut that offers more than 100 tasty drinks and pastries. The family-run business has been serving drinks in Stratford since 2016. The cozy vibe is enhanced by a variety of teas from different places. Custom tea blends and herbal wellness blends are also available from Open Door Tea. The cafe also offers tasty pastries like organic muffins, bars, and treats. Try their quiche for a relaxing outing. Open Door Tea is an excellent choice for a relaxing outing.