I Had Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel in NYC
Updated Feb 19, 2025
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The Plaza is what comes to mind when anyone mentions afternoon tea in New York City. Is it worth the hype? Read on for my review of the service, the tea, and the food.
The Palm Court at The Plaza
The Plaza is the one place most people think of when they think of afternoon tea in New York City. Situated directly across from Central Park, the luxury hotel’s location can’t be beat. Looking majestic and regal, The Plaza is a sight to behold for tourists and locals alike.
The hotel is iconic and the afternoon tea served inside The Palm Court is considered a quintessential New York experience.
Because The Plaza is well aware how popular their afternoon tea is, they can charge a lot more than most afternoon tea places, and they do.
Note from Jee
First thing to know is that an 18% tip is included in the bill no matter how small your party so be aware of that.
I don’t recommend getting tea that has a supplement (ranging from $10 – $15) since I don’t think it’s worth it.
Afternoon tea is served until 4 PM but don’t make too late of a reservation since the vibe changes to more of a lounge for cocktails the closer it gets to 5PM.
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The Plaza Reservations
It’s always a good idea to make a reservation for afternoon tea. Call 212-546-5300 or email [email protected] to book a reservation.
Dress Code
The suggested dress code is smart casual and you’re encouraged to dress for the occasion. Avoid wearing shorts, men’s sleeveless shirts, casual hats, ripped jeans, and workout clothes. They can refuse entry if you don’t look presentable.
The Plaza Afternoon Tea Hours
Tea service is every day from 11 AM until 4 PM.
How Afternoon Tea Works at The Plaza
The food listed in each afternoon tea comes out together on a three-tiered tray and you don’t pick and choose. The only thing you need to pick with your order is tea, which is listed on a tea menu.
You don’t pick the food items because afternoon tea is a set menu, which means you get what everyone else gets. All food items can usually be eaten in two bites with your fingers, from the tea sandwiches to the sweets.
Afternoon tea usually lasts about two hours. It’s a very relaxed and civilized way to spend an afternoon and should not be rushed.
The Plaza Afternoon Tea Menu
The Plaza has three afternoon tea options. Throughout the year, they’ll offer specially themed teas.
Central Park Tea
$118 per person
This is the classic and what I always order. Tea sandwiches, scones, and a variety of bite-sized sweets. Champagne can be added for an additional fee.
Grand Imperial Tea
$599 for two people
Yup, you read that right, it’s a whopping $600 for this tea service for two that comes with caviar and champagne.
Children’s Eloise Tea
$118 per child under 12 years old
For kids, they offer fruity herbal teas along with lemonade as drink options. This tea service is very kid-friendly with peanut butter and jelly tea sandwiches and cotton candy.
Menu and prices may change at any time.
RELATED: 21 Afternoon Tea Etiquette Rules
Setting: ★★★☆☆
The Palm Court is located on the first floor of The Plaza. The dining area has more of a lounge look with a giant circular bar in the center of the room, which I don’t love.
There is a huge stained glass skylight on the ceiling, which gives the feel of opulence but due to the lack of white tablecloths, the room feels more casual than formal.
The tables are a little too close together for my liking and the bar gives the space too much of a casual vibe.
Service: ★★★★★
The service was friendly and our server explained all the items on the tray when he brought it over.
Tea & Tea Selection: ★★★☆☆
The Plaza serves tea from French tea company Palais des Thes. I usually order oolong tea or black tea with afternoon tea since it goes well with everything from savories to sweets.
The tea menu consists mostly of blends but if you want to get any higher-end teas, you have to pay a supplement that ranges from $10 to $15.
WHY WOULD YOU CHARGE ME $10-15 MORE WHEN I’M ALREADY PAYING OVER $110 FOR AFTERNOON TEA??? UGH.
Savories: ★★★★★
I ordered the Central Park Tea and it came out on a circular three-tiered tray and the presentation was pretty and elegant.
The sweets are on the top tray, savories in the middle, and scones on the bottom. Each person gets 5 savories per order, which includes a classic cucumber tea sandwich.
The last time I had tea at The Plaza (you can see my previous visits at the bottom of this post), I gave the sandwiches 3 stars out of 5 since I thought they were sloppy and boring. This time though, I was pleasantly surprised and I enjoyed all the savories.
RELATED: Afternoon Tea 101: Course Order
Scones: ★★★★☆
The scones are wrapped in a cloth napkin, to keep them warm. Each person gets 2 scones. They’re served with Devonshire cream, lemon curd, and a preserve.
I’m knocking off a star since they give you just one set of condiments, which is definitely not enough. We did ask for more Devonshire cream.
RELATED: How to Eat a Scone Properly
Sweets: ★★★☆☆
The sweets, which are all mini pastries, were just ok. They all tasted a little too sweet and dense. I didn’t end up eating all of them. Each person gets 5 sweets per order.
Overall: ★★★★☆
Is it overpriced? YES.
Is it worth going to at least once? YES.
INFO:
The Palm Court, The Plaza
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
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Afternoon Tea at The Plaza in 2019
The Palm Court in 2019 served the afternoon tea in a circular shaped 3-tier tray. Sweets on the top, savories in the middle, and scones at the bottom.
The New Yorker Tea, which was their basic tea service, was $95 per person. This was at that point, the most expensive afternoon tea in NYC.
I gave the savories 3 stars out of 5 back in 2019 since they were so lackluster and looked sloppy.
This was my favorite course and I gave this 5 stars out of 5.
Afternoon Tea at The Plaza in 2013
The Palm Court back in 2013.
Blue velvet high-back chairs on the outer tables and armchairs in the middle tables.
Their three-tier stand when the afternoon tea was just $50 in 2013.
We are traveling to NYC with 2 of my granddaughters, Eloise and her sister, to the Eloise Tea next week….just so she can say, “My name is Eloise and I’m six years old!”
Hi Jane, love that!! Have a great time!
I will be coming in May for tea and was wondering I have to have decaf and my daughter would like regular can we order each our own without an extra charge
Hi Debbie, each order of afternoon tea comes with a pot of tea. If you and your daughter each order afternoon tea, you’ll each get to choose a tea of your choice. The Plaza doesn’t have any decaf teas on their tea menu but they do have caffeine free herbal teas (infusions) so you can order that instead without an extra charge.
My friend and I took our young daughters for tea at the Plaza. We wanted to do something fancy and fun over christmas. We decided to do the Eliose Tea as it was more expensive and thought it would a complete splurge and treat. It is about 100$ each, even for kids.
This tea was terrible. It was crowded and cheaply done. I had a tea birthday party in my home for my daughter and it was 100 times better than this.
For 200$ would you expect paper plates and plastic cups? I wanted regular black tea but they only had terrible fake taking flavored tea. The food was very basic- i think 3 different basic sandwiches and 1 type of cupcake that could have been bought at grocery store. I was also about 6 months pregnant and the only seating was in a kids size chair which was a preschool wooden chair. The whole experience was cheap and tasteless. The area of the plaza was crowded and it was not at all relaxed or fancy. The food and tea was minimal and absolutely nothing special. When I asked for sparkling water- no go. Very bare bones. Nothing fancy or special.
I called to complain, i wanted my 200$ back for this 5$ tea. I got the run around and was directed to call STEVEN MILLER. I left him about 3 different messages and he never called me back. Seems like the service is equivalent to the tea. How has this place lasted so long???
Terrible service, terrible, cheap tea. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY AND TIME!!!!
Hi Jamie, thanks for this review of your experience!
Sounds silly but my husband doesn’t drink tea only coffee but we want to bring our daughter for this tea on her birthday. Can he order something else while we get the tea? Can you get coffee instead of the tea for a drink? Ty
Hi Liz, not silly at all! I think most places should be able to replace his tea with coffee if you ask. You can also call ahead of time to put in the request.
Hi, thank you for your review. I planing to take a family member next year. Would it be best to share a tea set or order one for each of us. Thank you
When in Hong Kong try the chocolate library for high tea at the ritz carlton , on the 105 th floor !
Devine. An open mini bookshelf offers 6 chocolate delights !!!! Sandwichs /scones and lovely tea choices! About $50 U.S. so worth every penny . Stop by the spa , loved their gift shop. This tea is a must . High tea around the world is my hobby . Ritz carlton Singapore high tea has 8 courses, about $5o us. So much food, Chuhuly glass chandeliers , orchids everywhere ,grand piano , great service, a little table/stool to place your purse … Heaven . Don’t miss these two world class teas.
Hi! I am planning to go with 3 of my friends for my 19th birthday and I wanted to ask what the price range would look like? Thank you!
Hi Sangay, what a great way to celebrate a birthday! The Plaza only does three afternoon teas: The New Yorker Tea ($75 per person), The Champagne Tea ($95 per person), and The Children’s Eloise Tea. For the four of you, it would be $300 without tip or tax total.
Thank you for the excellent review. I am bringing my 2 daughters and 2 granddaughters to NYC in a few weeks. Questions:: Are the New Yorker Tea and the Eloise Tea served at the same time in the Palm Room? Is it possible for adults to order New Yorker Tea and teens to order Eloise Tea while seated at the same table?
Hi Carolyn, yes, the adults can order the New Yorker Tea and the granddaughters can get the Eloise Tea at the same table. Have a wonderful afternoon!
We had afternoon tea at the Plaza today. It was $75/adult and the Eloise tea for the kids was $55. I tried my daughter’s candy floss but it was mint flavored so kind of disgusting though it did look super cute on the pretzel rod.
Hi Mrs. Habu, wow, $75 — that’s a little steep but I guess they can get away with it since it seems like such a NYC institution to have afternoon tea at The Plaza. Thanks for the update — I’ll need to go back to update my review.
Wow this tea looks amazing, I guess it’s not that much considering it is The Plaza. The Empress in Victoria is also expensive
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
Hi Laura, it was worth going at least once!