Teatime in Chicago is always delightful. You don’t necessarily need to be a ‘tea lover’ to have this pleasure. Afternoon tea in Chicago is indeed the best alternative to your favorite coffee. There are numerous restaurants, bars, cafes and of course, the tea shops that offer this lovely afternoon meal composed of tea, cakes, pastries, buns, and sandwiches. In some countries like Britain, afternoon tea is not only a meal but also a ritual. In Chicago, it is simply lovely and pleasing for everyone.

Just in case you’re new to this city, I wanted to make it really easy for you to enjoy the best tea the city has to offer, so I’ve put together a unique list of best afternoon tea places in Chicago, that’ll make your afternoons memorable. My best wishes are with you!

What you’ll adore at the table in The Lobby is the mouth-watering presentation. If anyone wants both comfort and taste, The Lobby inside the Peninsula Hotel is your best choice. Afternoon tea seating at The Lobby begins at 2:30pm (3:30pm on Sundays). The timing is perfect for throwing an awesome party right? You can make your birthday celebration incredibly unique and memorable with The Lobby’s afternoon tea menu.

They serve a variety of teas along with the delicious Hazelnut Cream Puff, Exotic Petit Four, Chocolate Citrus Lollipop, Caramel Tart and Walnut Cookie. For the tea lovers, you can have traditional English, Chinese, Indian, African and Japanese tastes, all on one table. This is truly one of the best afternoon tea places in Chicago, and all you need to enjoy its luxury is a reservation.

The Lobby: 108 East Superior Street, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-573-6695; or http://chicago.peninsula.com/en/fine-dining/the-lobby-afternoon-tea

Are you looking to enjoy traditional afternoon tea with live music? You’ve landed at the right place. Pavilion at The Langham Chicago offers proprietary Langham teas starting at 3:00 pm on Mondays-Fridays and at 1:00 pm on weekends. You can enjoy live music Friday through Sunday so make sure you attend these days if you’re wanting a really special afternoon.

The stunning environment inside the Pavilion makes it one of the best afternoon tea spots in Chicago. The décor and art are simply breathtaking! You and your loved one will undoubtedly make some lovely memories, spending an afternoon here. I personally recommend it to anybody who wants to spend quality time in Chicago.

Pavilion: 330 North Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-923-7710; or http://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/chicago/dining/pavilion/

At the Palm Court, I know you’ll enjoy every second of your visit. It’s a delightful and extraordinarily charming place. Dominated by the calming neutral colors, the décor and design are a virtual feast for the eyes. The beautiful environment and relaxing atmosphere at the Palm Court is supported by a very professional customer service that makes for a superb hour here.

Different types of tea at the Palm Court are famous but their finger food is also worth praising. The sandwiches, scones, lemon curd and the English Devon Cream are just yum. Secondly, the afternoon tea menu here is not very extensive and confusing. You’ll be able to have your favorites quickly with the help of a friendly, professional host.

Before making a reservation at the Palm Court, I suggest checking out the History Tour & Tea package of $65. The Drake Hotel’s past visitors include the likes of Queen Elizabeth and Marilyn Monroe. The $65 per person includes afternoon tea and an interesting tour of the Hotel’s history. This really is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon and part of the reason I’m including it on this list of the best afternoon tea places in Chicago.

Palm Court: 140 East Walton Pl, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-932-4307; or http://www.thedrakehotel.com/dining/palm-court

The Allis offers afternoon tea daily from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. It’s another spot worthy of being included as one of the best afternoon tea places in Chicago. They’ve truly mastered the art of presenting delicious sandwiches and tea. The Allis is a cheery place overall and you’ll find an extra comfy environment when you go upstairs, which is where they serve afternoon tea.

Inside The Allis you’re treated to unforgettable mid-century modern décor. I love this place and I’m sure you will too. If you have visitors, friends or family members from out of town, you can’t go wrong choosing this trendy tea spot on North Green Street. Trust me, your friends will adore this place!

The Allis: 113-125 North Green St, Chicago, IL 60607, 312-521-8000; or http://www.theallis.com/

Extraordinary seating + Delicious Food = Three Arts Club of Chicago. The menu of salads, plates, and teas (Please don’t ignore the meadow chamomile!) will make your mouth water right away. Three Arts Cafe is located inside the RH store in Gold Coast. Guests can enjoy the garden courtyard with an amazing decor that includes a grandiose fountain and opulent chandelier. I love this place for the tasty foods and healthy tea. You won’t find the traditional afternoon tea in Three Arts however, I’m 100% certain this wonderful place deserves to be on the list of best afternoon tea places in Chicago.

Besides tea and the eatables, the service at Three Arts is very attentive and highly commendable. It’s actually even more commendable when compared to other tea places. The waiters come to your service immediately even when the restaurant is crowded or have parties going on. It is a wonderful chance to take your loved ones here and impress them with a most memorable afternoon! Keep in mind that Three Arts Club Cafe don’t take reservation and sometimes the wait to be seated could be more than 45 min.

Three Arts Club of Chicago: 1300 N Dearborn Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60610, 312-475-9116; or http://3artsclubcafe.com/

Vanille Patisserie on North Clark Street gives you the opportunity to sip French-inspired tea and eat their Vanille signature pastries, scones and sandwiches all for the affordable price of $35. This afternoon tea place also provides gluten free and vegetarian options for their guests with dietary restrictions. The presentation of tea is simple yet stunning on a beautiful tray of highly polished silver. If you’re a green tea lover, this place was made for you!

Although Vanille is renowned in Chicago for the French macarons, people also recommend it for an exceptional afternoon tea experience. That’s why it makes my list of best afternoon tea places in Chicago. Here is some helpful information to know before making your reservation:

• Afternoon tea is only offered at Vanille’s Lincoln Park branch.
• Reservation times are 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm or 4:00 pm, Thursdays-Sundays only.
• They require at least a 48-hour notice on all afternoon tea reservations.
• All afternoon tea reservations are for 1-1.5 hours.

Vanille Patisseri: 2108 N Clark St, Lincoln Park, Chicago, IL 60614, 773-868-4574; or http://www.vanillepatisserie.com/

Have you been to any of those afternoon tea places in Chicago? 
Which are some of your favorite Chicago afternoon tea places? Comment below!