Afternoon Tea at Crosby Street Hotel
on Jun 30, 2016, Updated Aug 08, 2022
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A thorough review of the afternoon tea at Crosby Street Hotel in Downtown, NYC. Take a look at the lounge, the tea, and the food.
Crosby Street Hotel
On the first floor of the Crosby Street Hotel is The Crosby Bar where afternoon tea is served.
The bar is open all day and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner so it’s more of a restaurant than a bar.
There is seating with low tables for cocktails, dining tables with plush seats, and outdoor seating in the terrace during the warmer months.
Crosby Street Hotel is a sister hotel of The Whitby Hotel in Midtown, NY. Both hotels have gorgeous interiors — it’s bright, airy, and the color combinations are perfection.
RELATED: Complete List of Places in New York City for Afternoon Tea
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Afternoon Tea at Crosby Street Hotel
Afternoon tea is a set menu which comes with tea and food in three courses. You don’t choose the food but you do choose your tea.
The three courses consist of tea sandwiches followed by scones with clotted cream and jam, and finally, the sweets.
To get a comprehensive look at afternoon tea, I recommend this book.
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Menu
There are two options for afternoon tea at Crosby Street Hotel.
Afternoon Tea
$55 per person
The classic afternoon tea service with three courses. Add Champagne for an extra cost.
Gluten Free Afternoon Tea
$55 per person
The same as the regular afternoon tea but all food items are gluten-free. You can upgrade with a glass of Champagne for an additional cost.
Included in the tea service are a list of teas but they do have “specialty teas” that cost $3 more.
The menu and prices may change at any time so please contact The Crosby Bar or check their site for latest info.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation for Afternoon Tea at The Crosby Street Hotel?
Reservations aren’t required but I would recommend making one.
Call 212.226.6400 or email [email protected] to make a reservation.
What Do I Wear for Tea at Crosby Street Hotel?
There isn’t a dress code so I would default to smart casual. Look put together and neatly dressed.
How Long is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea usually lasts about two hours. No need to rush, it’s a leisurely affair so enjoy each and every bite.
RELATED: Is High Tea the Same Thing as Afternoon Tea?
What Time is Afternoon Tea at Crosby Street Hotel?
Unlike most places, The Crosby Street Bar serves afternoon tea all day. (The Whitby Hotel does too.)
So if you’re in the mood for tea sandwiches and scones at 11AM, you know where to go.
Good for Large Parties?
Yes, The Crosby Bar can accommodate a large group. Note that there is an automatic 20% tip added to your bill if there are 5 people in your party.
How Does Afternoon Tea at the Crosby Hotel Street Work?
On the menu, pick one of the two afternoon teas listed. Next, pick a tea from the tea menu on the right column.
The tea in a teapot will arrive first and you can start drinking a bit before the food arrives.
The food will come out all at once on a three-tiered stand. Eat the tea sandwiches first, then the scones with clotted cream and jam, then finally, the sweets.
RELATED: 21 Afternoon Tea Etiquette Rules
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Tips
- If you’re looking for a place that serves afternoon tea all day, this is a great option, along with The Whitby Hotel.
- I consider the $3 additional charge for specialty teas to be a bit ridiculous when you’re already paying so much for tea service. Stick with the non-specialty teas.
- I like the banquette seating along the front of the restaurant since there’s more room. The low tables toward the back are too small for afternoon tea.
Staying at the Crosby Street Hotel
If you’re looking for a great, stylish downtown location, stay at the Crosby Street Hotel located in Soho.
Like the Crosby Street Bar, all rooms are fabulously decorated using a brilliant combination of colors and prints.
Check rates: booking.com
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Setting: ★★★★☆
I like to request the booth seating at the front section of the restaurant instead of the middle area with the low tables. I find it’s usually emptier and there’s more room, which I prefer.
It’s a full service restaurant but I like how quiet it is in the middle of the afternoon so the place feels like yours.
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Service: ★★★★☆
Service is very good. The staff was friendly and accommodating.
Crosby Street Hotel Tea & Tea Selection: ★☆☆☆☆
I’m giving Crosby Street Hotel just one star for their tea and tea selection.
The cost of afternoon tea comes with a pot of tea but Crosby Street Hotel nickel and dimes by only giving you two choices for tea and if you want any other type of tea, it’ll cost you an extra $3.
Seriously? Completely ridiculous. Way to nickel and dime.
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Savories: ★★★☆☆
Uniformly cut and neatly arranged, these basic tea sandwiches were good, but not memorable. I wish there was a little more effort put into them.
RELATED: Afternoon Tea 101: Course Order
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Scones: ★★★★☆
I enjoyed the scones since they were served warm and they were pretty tasty. Since two are served per person, it would have been nicer if the portion size was a little smaller. I do love that they come wrapped in a napkin to keep them warm.
RELATED: How to Eat a Scone Properly
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Sweets: ★★★☆☆
Just eh, but I do appreciate the variety.
Crosby Street Hotel Afternoon Tea Overall: ★★★☆☆
Sorry, can’t get over the supplemental on the tea. If they didn’t have an extra cost and the afternoon tea was $51, I would give Crosby Street Hotel’s tea service four stars instead of three.
LOCATION:
The Crosby Bar, Crosby Street Hotel
79 Crosby Street
New York, NY 10012
AFTERNOON TEA HOURS:
Daily, all day
COST:
Afternoon Tea, $55 per person (as of 2019)
RESERVATIONS:
Call 212.226.6400 or email [email protected] to make a reservation.
Afternoon Tea at Crosby Street Hotel in 2012
When I came for afternoon tea in 2012, I sat outside in their courtyard.
Crosby Street Hotel always served tea in Wedgwood teaware.
The afternoon tea back in 2012 was $34 per person.
They’ve since upped their afternoon tea game. Back then, the tea sandwiches were served cold and tasted bland. Plus, look how sad and sloppy they used to look.
I liked the scones back then too. They were served warm with clotted cream and jam.
Sweets were good but not amazing.
In 2012, I gave Crosby Street Hotel four stars but now with the the supplemental tea cost, I brought it down to a three.
Thanks for the honest review. Bummer since I live so close!
Hi Pam, give it a try to see if you like it especially since you live so close.