My review of afternoon tea at The Russian Tea Room in New York City. Below I describe the setting, the food, the tea selection, and the service based on a recent visit and a look back at a 2015 experience.
The Russian Tea Room
The Russian Tea Room feels like stepping into a well-preserved era. My first visit was when I was a senior in high school, and I’ve returned several times since. While there have been updates and renovations over the years, the overall look and atmosphere remain true to the original design. It’s an elegant, slightly theatrical space that lends itself well to an indulgent afternoon tea.
Note from Jee
The Russian Tea Room frequently appears in conversations about afternoon tea in NYC, which makes sense given its name and reputation. I revisited after more than a decade since my prior review. I usually go with my cousin, and on this visit we enjoyed the tea with non-alcoholic sparkling wine.
Reservations
The website doesn’t explicitly require reservations for afternoon tea, but I recommend booking ahead to secure a table. Because reservations aren’t mandatory, the venue can also accommodate spontaneous visits, which is convenient for last-minute plans.
Dress Code
There is no strict dress code. Aim for smart casual—look put together and comfortable. Avoid athletic wear such as sweatpants.
Afternoon Tea Hours
Afternoon tea is available daily. On weekdays it runs from 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM, and on weekends from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dinner service begins at 4:00 PM, so if you prefer a quieter tea experience away from the dinner transition, consider a reservation before or at 2:00 PM.
How Afternoon Tea Works at The Russian Tea Room
The menu offers several distinct afternoon tea options. Guests choose from the set menus and then select a tea. The courses are served in a particular order: the tea arrives first, followed by the savories, and later the scones and sweets. Each person’s order includes a pot of tea and three courses: tea sandwiches/savories, scones, and sweets. Be sure to inform staff of any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Afternoon Tea Menu
The Russian Tea Room offers five afternoon tea options, a broader selection than many other NYC spots.
Afternoon Tea
$145 per person
Includes a glass of Champagne, prosecco, or non-alcoholic sparkling wine, plus 10 savories, scones, and sweets. The savories include two different caviars on blinis.
Royal Afternoon Tea
$160 per person
Same as the regular option but featuring four different caviars on blinis.
Vegetarian Afternoon Tea
$145 per person
Same format as the regular afternoon tea but with vegetarian savories.
Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea
$145 per person
All items are prepared gluten-free.
Children’s Afternoon Tea
$75 per child (under 12)
Includes seven savories such as a mini BLT, grilled cheese, and peanut butter and jelly on a blini. Drinks are kid-friendly, with options like hot chocolate and caffeine-free teas.
Menu items and prices may change, so expect occasional updates.
Setting: ★★★★☆
The dining room is rich with vibrant greens and reds and an opulent, decorative style. Seating is well spaced, and I was comfortable in a roomy banquette. The contrast between the luxurious dining room and the downstairs restrooms is noticeable; the restrooms could use an update to match the dining room’s quality.
Service: ★★★★☆
Service was polite and professional, and the staff uniforms add to the formal ambiance. Occasionally server conversations were audible nearby, which slightly diminished the sense of an intimate, upscale experience, but overall the service was attentive and friendly.
Before the food arrives, guests are offered a sparkling option: House Champagne, House Prosecco, or non-alcoholic sparkling wine. I chose the non-alcoholic sparkling wine for this visit.
Tea & Tea Selection: ★★★★☆
The tea selection is concise, with seven loose-leaf teas available. Tea is served with a small bowl of sour cherry syrup that guests can stir into their cup to sweeten it, a traditional touch that remains consistent over multiple visits.
Savories: ★★★☆☆
The first course consists of savories presented on individual three-tiered trays. Each person receives around 10 savories, starting with a tasting of two caviars on blinis. The flavors were generally good, but some sandwiches were dense and difficult to bite into. The portion size is generous—perhaps overly so—for an afternoon tea format.
Given the price point, the abundance of food — including Champagne and a large number of savories — seems intended to justify the cost. In practice, the volume made it difficult to fully enjoy the later courses, as the savories were filling.
Scones: ★★★☆☆
After the savories are cleared, a second tray arrives with scones on the bottom and sweets on the top, accompanied by butter and jars of preserves. Clotted cream is available upon request rather than automatically provided, which struck me as unusual. The scones were served warm, but three per person felt like too many after a large savory course.
Sweets: ★★☆☆☆
The sweets, presented on the top two tiers, total six items. They were acceptable but not especially memorable—fine for finishing the meal but not a standout component of the experience.
Overall: ★★★☆☆
The Russian Tea Room delivers a classic, visually rich afternoon tea in a historic setting with polite service and a concise tea list. The main downside is the sheer quantity of food: the large portion sizes make it difficult to enjoy all courses and feel excessive for a traditional afternoon tea. For some diners the value will match the indulgent experience; others may prefer a scaled-back menu or a lower price point in exchange for smaller portions. Leftovers are offered to-go upon request.
LOCATION:
The Russian Tea Room
150 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Afternoon Tea at the Russian Tea Room in 2015
Below is a brief look back at my 2015 visit, when the afternoon tea was priced much lower. The impression then was similar in some ways: classic decor and generous portions, but not all elements stood out as exceptional.
The interior has long kept its original character. On that visit the teapot had been updated, but the teacups and the presentation of the tea with sour cherry syrup remained familiar. Savories were served on individual three-tiered trays, starting with caviar on blinis. Presentation felt straightforward and portions were ample.
After the savories, a tray with scones and sweets followed. I would have preferred a greater variety of smaller sweets rather than larger portions. Some items, like a small cupcake, were simply okay, while truffles were enjoyable but not outstanding.
