Where to Go for a Guided Tea Tasting in NYC
Updated Nov 30, 2025
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You learn so much watching the steeping process and tasting each carefully selected tea at a guided tea tasting. Here are the places in NYC to experience it yourself.
I fondly remember my very first guided tea tasting many years ago after I saw this video in the New York Times. A guided tea tasting is a treat and an experience unlike any other. An experienced tea expert will walk you through the process of properly brewing and tasting loose leaf tea.
The whole process of looking at the dry leaves, steeping the teas, tasting each steep, and examining the wet leaves is fascinating.
When booking a tea tasting, make sure you eat something before and after since all that tea can make you quite jittery.
Guided Tea Tastings in NYC
Tea Epicure: Savor + Learn
This was the very first tea tasting I went to. It’s by Tim, who does a 3-seat limit private session that lasts
Floating Mountain
A recent addition to the tea scene, Floating Mountain is located on the Upper West Side. Any three teas from their menu for $45 gets you two steepings of each in a traditional gaiwan.
Just a note that you’re required to take off your shoes before sitting down for tea.
Jin Yun Fu Tea Shop
A gong fu cha tea tasting in Flatiron. They specialize in Chinese teas.
Liquid Gold Tea
I went to a private tea tasting with Liquid Gold Tea and Korean tea expert Yoon Hee of TeaClassics and it was one of the best tea tastings I’ve ever experienced. You can book your own with Corinne of Liquid Gold Tea.
T Shop
Walk down the hallway past a psychic shop and you’ll spot T Shop in Soho. At your tea tasting, watch Theresa or someone on her staff expertly brew and tell you about their premium teas. If you’re looking for a puerh tea tasting, this is the place.
Té Company
Te Company offers an hour and a half intro to Taiwanese tea. Small bites are offered to accompany the tasting but I’m usually looking for something to eat after drinking all that tea. I highly recommend getting a savory or sweet dish at Té after the tea tasting.
Read about my experience when Té first started offering their tastings. (Prices and format has changed a bit since I first went.)
Tea Tasting at Home
If you want to start getting into tea and want to have tea tasting at home, here’s a guide on how to brew oolong tea in a clay teapot properly.
Good evening, I would like to know if what is under the gaiwan in the main photo of the post is a ceramic strainer ?, and where could I get it, because it is beautiful, thanks.
Hi Jonathan, it’s a tea strainer with it’s own holder that looks like a small cup (not a gaiwan). You can get it here: https://tecompanytea.com/collections/tea-accessories/products/porcelain-tea-strainer
Seriously loving this blog – I thought I was into tea, but I am clearly just a beginner! Happy that I’m in NYC and can check these places out. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Randalle, thank you! With tea, I feel like most of us are beginners. There’s just so much to learn.
I interest in information about Tea Course.
Hi Nancy, my tea course was from ITEI, a tea school based in Canada. You can read more about it here: https://www.ohhowcivilized.com/certified-tea-sommelier/
I love this post! Wish I would’ve read it 3 months ago when I went to NY, but I’m sure it will be useful next time I’m there!
Hi Daniela, make sure you refer to this the next time you’re in NY!
I went to that Tea Drunk tasting with you, right? The lobster roll lunch was delicious. Great post, Jee! Clever way to write a round-up.
Hi Georgia, yes! We went to Tea Drunk together and then went to get lobster roll after!