Looking for afternoon tea in Seattle?
It can be a little hard to find, but it does exist! We rounded up the best options for afternoon tea in Seattle as well as the nearby region (don’t worry: you won’t have to drive further than 30 minutes!). The list includes historic hotels, charming teahouses, and even an Edwardian houseboat on Lake Union.
Note: Most tea rooms don’t have a strict dress code but you may want to dress up for the occasion regardless—it’s part of the fun!
Here are our favorite places for the best afternoon tea in Seattle and the surrounding region:
1. Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Downtown Seattle
A sophisticated afternoon tea is served every Saturday and Sunday in the Olympic Bar at the historic Fairmont Olympic Hotel in downtown Seattle. You can make your reservation on the Fairmont website.
Planning to go for afternoon tea in December? The Fairmont serves a festive Holiday Tea on Fridays through Sundays during December 1 to 14 in the Olympic Bar Lounge and daily with live music during December 15 to 30 in The George. Make your Holiday Tea reservation here.
📍411 University St, Seattle, WA
2. Queen Mary Tea Room, Ravenna
This tea house in Seattle’s Ravenna neighborhood is the oldest independently-owned tea room in America. They serve lunch, brunch, and afternoon tea for all ages. There is no dress code. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make a reservation on the Queen Mary Tea Room website.
📍2912 NE 55th St, Seattle, WA
3. M/V Lotus, South Lake Union
The M/V Lotus is a 1909 Edwardian houseboat that serves afternoon tea on the second Sunday of every month. There is no dress code but hats are encouraged! Reservations are required via the MV Lotus website.
📍Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA
4. Trophy Cupcakes, Bellevue
Seattle’s favorite cupcake shop is now offering fancy afternoon tea at its Bellevue location on Saturdays and Sundays. You’ll enjoy tea, champagne, and savory and sweet bites (including cupcakes of course!) under dazzling disco balls. They offer a vegetarian option and welcome ages 12 and up. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
📍700 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA
5. Paisley’s Tea Room, Issaquah
Located a 20-minute drive from Seattle in nearby Issaquah, Paisley Parlour is a cozy tea cottage is open daily for afternoon tea service. You can make a reservation on the Paisley Parlour website at least one day in advance or walk in if they have availability. They also offer the space for private parties.
📍317 NW Gilman Blvd #49, Issaquah, WA
6. Cedar + Elm, Kenmore
Located within The Lodge at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore, the afternoon tea at Cedar + Elm is worth the half-hour drive from Seattle. The Lodge is a landmark hotel inside a 326-acre forest: a lovely destination for a weekend getaway. Cedar + Elm serves afternoon tea along with live music on Thursdays and Fridays from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $72 per person. There is no mention of a dress code but they do say the occasion is “worthy of dressing up.” You can make a reservation on The Lodge’s website.
📍14477 Juanita Dr NE, Kenmore, WA
7. Graham’s RoyalTea, Bothell
This whimsical tea house in Bothell takes about half an hour to drive to from Seattle. They serve English-style afternoon teas and host private events. You can even pick up an afternoon tea to-go box for a picnic or tea at home! There is no dress code, although they have vintage hats available to borrow. They recommend no kids under the age of 5. You can make a reservation for afternoon high tea on the Graham’s RoyalTea website.
📍10035 Main St, Bothell, WA
Bonus: Seattle Japanese Garden, Madison Park
If you love tea and want to experience it in a different way, you can visit the Seattle Japanese Garden to partake in their traditional tea ceremony. Tickets for this 40-minute tea ceremony are $15 per person and can be purchased on the Seattle Japanese Garden website.
📍1075 E Lk Washington Blvd, Seattle