PEAKLIFE

If you are a chai lover, New York City is ready to welcome you with open arms, as it has a distinctive array of teas on offer.

Savor this: as temperatures dip in New York City, travelers and locals alike can traverse the City streets in search of a steaming cup of tea (served with a stir of sugar and a touch of spice), to counteract the frigid blast we’re currently facing. Below, select establishments are highlighted, including hotels, traditional high tea parlors, specialty leaf purveyors, and modern venues with colorful aesthetics, ideal for those looking to showcase their visit online.

From the hottest hotels

The Plaza Hotel and the Downton Abbey Exhibition have a new tea collaboration in NYC, being served in the Palm Court while afternoon tea at the Lowell Hotel is steeped in elegance and rooted in ritual. Firmdale Hotels’ the Crosby Street Hotel and the Whitby Hotel offer afternoon tea with gluten-free, sugar-free and Vegan options, ideal for travelers with dietary restrictions. Two E, at The Pierre, a Taj Hotel, offers legendary traditional afternoon tea service, paired with scones and petit fours baked fresh in-house each morning.

Tradition & Specialty

Chic décor and exclusivity meet at Lady Mendl’s Tea Parlour (which can be discovered thanks to a teacup-engraved plaque on the brownstone’s façade) while Tea and Sympathy NYC serves up British comfort food and traditional high tea. McNulty’s Tea & Coffee Co. Inc has offered locals and visitors alike a taste of specialty tea in Greenwich Village since 1895. 

Instagram Worthy

For visitors seeking colorful whimsy and fantasy-inspiration, Alice’s Tea Cup Chapters I, II and III are can’t-miss! Cha ChaMatcha is an Instagram-darling’s delight, with vibrant neon signage and the matcha to match the hype.