Best Holiday Afternoon Teas in NYC (2026)
The Plaza's last holiday tea for years, plus 16 more festive teas with 2026 dates, prices and booking tips.
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This is the last Christmas to have tea at The Plaza for at least four years. The hotel closes in January 2027 for a façade restoration, and the Palm Court is expected to close with it. If tea under that stained-glass dome has been on your list, book it now.
It's far from the only good option. We've picked 17 holiday and winter-worthy teas, from grand Fifth Avenue rooms to a decorated house in the Bronx and a skyline view from Williamsburg. A first Christmas in New York calls for something different from an afternoon with small children, a dressed-up date, or a catch-up with friends who'd rather stay under $100 each.
The eight dedicated holiday teas come first. After those are nine year-round favorites that make a great December outing, even without a Christmas menu.
NYC holiday afternoon teas at a glance
Prices are per person before tax and gratuity unless noted.
| Tea | Neighborhood | 2026 dates | Price | Why book it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Palm Court at The Plaza | Central Park South | Nov 11–Jan 12 | $165; Christmas Day $150–$275 | The last Plaza Christmas for at least four years |
| Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula | Midtown | Nov 18–Jan 3, Wed–Sun | $130, all ages | A properly festive menu after Fifth Avenue shopping |
| The Gallery at The Carlyle | Upper East Side | Holiday season, daily | From $175 | Angelina pastries in a grown-up jewel box of a room |
| Madeline's Tea at Bemelmans Bar | Upper East Side | Holiday weekends | From $145 | A family tradition with live piano under the murals |
| MO Lounge at Mandarin Oriental | Columbus Circle | Holiday season | Regular tea $135 | Central Park views from the 35th floor |
| Yoshoku at Waldorf Astoria | Midtown East | Dec 1–31 | Regular tea $135 | A Japanese-inspired festive tea |
| Bar Blondeau at Wythe Hotel | Williamsburg | Sundays, Nov 29–Dec 27 | $98; children up to 10 $35 | Holiday pastries with a Manhattan skyline view |
| Wave Hill Holiday Tea | Riverdale, Bronx | 16 dates, Nov 21–Dec 30 | $65; under 12 $40 | A decorated house and garden admission at a gentler price |
| The Russian Tea Room | Midtown | Daily, plus Christmas Day | $145 | Red-and-green rooms that always look like Christmas |
| Baccarat Hotel Grand Salon | Midtown | Daily | $149 | Crystal-filled glamour |
| The Whitby | Midtown | Daily | $95 | A colorful hotel tea with the widest dietary options |
| The Crosby Bar | SoHo | Daily | $85 | A stylish downtown shopping break |
| Majorelle at The Lowell | Upper East Side | Wed–Sun | $125 | Dior tableware for a small celebration |
| Lady Mendl's Tea Salon | Gramercy | Tue–Sun | $117 | A cozy five-course tea in a brownstone |
| Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter I | Upper West Side | Daily | $55 for one; $96 for two | A relaxed family outing |
| Brooklyn High Low and The Parlour | Prospect Heights, Park Slope | Fri–Sun | From $55 | A neighborhood tea with vintage charm |
| Lillie's Victorian Establishment | Times Square, Union Square | Times Square daily; Union Square Fri–Sun | About $59 | Over-the-top Christmas decorations |
Holiday teas in NYC for 2026
These eight are running a dedicated holiday tea this season, so you're getting a seasonal menu or program and not just a decorated room.
The Palm Court at The Plaza
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019, USA
This is the last Christmas to sit under the Palm Court's stained-glass dome for at least four years. At $165, you're paying for the room and the occasion more than the pastries, and this year that's a fair trade. Details: Holiday tea runs November 11 to January 12, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Christmas Day is the Grand Imperial Nutcracker Tea, $150–$275, prepaid. Public reservations open 60 days out.
Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula
700 5th Ave Lobby, New York, NY 10019, USA
Peppermint cheesecake with candy cane, a cranberry verrine and a snowflake-topped pistachio tart make this one of the more seasonal menus in Midtown. It's an easy reward after an afternoon of Fifth Avenue shopping. Details: Festive tea runs Wednesday–Sunday, 3–6 p.m., November 18 to January 3. $130 for every guest, plus $25 with Champagne. Prepaid; 18% gratuity added. No strict vegan or celiac service.
The Gallery at The Carlyle
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10075, USA
A small, richly patterned room inspired by Istanbul's Topkapi Palace, and a long way from the shopping crowds. Angelina's winter pastries join the tea sandwiches and scones for the holidays, and Angelina's hot chocolate and Mont-Blanc are on offer too. Details: From $175. Book through Resy and choose The Gallery.
Madeline's Tea at Bemelmans Bar
35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, USA
Ludwig Bemelmans wrote the Madeline books and painted the murals on these walls, so this one has a real connection to the stories. Kids get treats, live piano and storytelling. It's a splurge, so save it for a grandparent outing or a big family tradition. Details: From $145 per person. Holiday weekends, booked through Bemelmans on Resy. Last season's sittings were at 9:45 a.m. and noon.
MO Lounge at Mandarin Oriental
80 Columbus Cir Fl 35, New York, NY 10023, USA
The view is the reason to come. Floor-to-ceiling windows look over Central Park and the skyline from the 35th floor, and the hotel's 2026 festive program includes a holiday afternoon tea. Details: Regular tea is $135, or $165 with Champagne; check the holiday price when you pick a date. Vegan and children's teas available. Tea runs noon–4:30 p.m. Guaranteed window tables cost extra, Friday–Sunday.
Yoshoku at Waldorf Astoria
301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022, USA
Book this one if you love the ritual but could do without another cucumber sandwich. The festive tea brings Japanese-inspired seasonal sweets and savories, and teas come from Brooklyn's Kettl. Details: Festive tea runs December 1–31. Regular tea is $135; confirm the festive price when you reserve. Wednesday–Friday, noon–2:30 p.m., and weekends, 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Book on Resy.
Bar Blondeau at Wythe Hotel
80 Wythe Ave 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
A rooftop bar looking at Manhattan is a nice change from an old-world hotel lounge. The holiday tower has a maple macaron, pumpkin custard flan, Mont Blanc tartlet and gingerbread shortbread, plus coronation chicken and country pâté. Details: $98 for adults, including tea, the tower and a glass of Champagne or a seasonal cocktail. Children up to 10 are $35. Sundays, 1–4 p.m., November 29 to December 27. Book on Resy.
Wave Hill Holiday Tea
4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10471, USA
The best value of the holiday teas, and the only one that comes with a garden. Tea is served in historic Wave Hill House, decorated for the season. Details: $65 for adults, $40 for children under 12, grounds admission included. 16 dates, November 21 to December 30. Seatings at noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Choose noon for a real walk, since last admission is 4 p.m.
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Year-round afternoon teas worth booking for the holidays
These nine are about the room, the ritual or the neighborhood. None has announced a Christmas-themed tea for 2026, so book them for the setting. Prices are for the regular tea.
The Russian Tea Room
150 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Red leather banquettes, emerald walls and gold details make this room look like Christmas all year. The tea is built for appetite, with ten savories including caviar on blini, plus sweets and a glass of bubbly. Come hungry. Details: $145. Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and weekends, 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Vegetarian, gluten-free and children's menus. Tea is also available on Christmas Day, 11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Baccarat Hotel Grand Salon
28 W 53rd St Fl 2, New York, NY 10019, USA
Nothing here is subtle, and that's the appeal. The Grand Salon is all chandeliers and crystal, so even an ordinary Tuesday feels like a celebration. Details: The Prince of Wales is $149 for the full spread. The Princess of Monaco is $125, with no savories. Le Petit Prince for kids is $85. Daily, noon–5 p.m. Reservations open 30 days out on SevenRooms; no walk-ins.
The Whitby
18 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
If grand hotel rooms feel a little serious, try The Whitby. Kit Kemp's design is bright and playful, and the pastries get in on it. Details: $95, or $125 with Champagne. Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian teas. Weekdays, 1:30–5 p.m., and weekends, noon–5 p.m. Book the afternoon tea experience on OpenTable. Christmas Day is a separate $215 meal.
The Crosby Bar
79 Crosby St, New York, NY 10012, USA
The Whitby's downtown sibling, and the natural stop on a SoHo shopping day. The room is bright and art-filled, and tea comes on Kit Kemp's patterned china. Details: $85; Champagne versions are $105, or $115 with rosé. Gluten-free and vegetarian teas, but no dairy-free or vegan option. Daily, noon–5 p.m. Christmas Day is a separate $150 meal.
Majorelle at The Lowell
28 E 63rd St, New York, NY 10065, USA
The Lily of the Valley tea is served on Dior Maison porcelain in Majorelle's flower-filled room, and the details are the point. It's a lovely choice for a date or a small celebration. Details: $125, or $155 with Champagne. Children's tea available; gluten-free and vegan options on request. Wednesday–Saturday, noon–4:30 p.m., and Sunday, 1–6 p.m. Check holiday dates.
Lady Mendl's Tea Salon
56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA
Lady Mendl's feels like someone's beautifully overdone parlor, not a hotel. The five-course prix fixe includes a crêpe cake that regulars come back for. Details: $117. Tuesday–Friday, 1–4 p.m., and weekends, noon–5 p.m. Guests must be 12 or older. 10 entrance steps and no elevator. Reservations open 30 days out at midnight.
Alice's Tea Cup, Chapter I
102 W 73rd St, New York, NY 10023, USA
You get the fun of a tea stand here without the formality of a hotel. The Alice in Wonderland theme and flexible menu suit kids and mixed appetites. Details: The Nibble is $55 for one, the Madhatter is $96 for two, and the Wee Tea for kids is $39. Weekdays, 11 a.m.–6 p.m., and weekends, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Last seating 5:30 p.m.
Brooklyn High Low and The Parlour
611 Vanderbilt Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238, USA
Two vintage, unfussy tea rooms, and a good choice when you'd rather spend time together than check off a famous hotel. The original is at 611 Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, and The Parlour is at 69 Seventh Avenue in Park Slope. Reserve an indoor table in winter. Details: Classic $55, Grand Vanderbilt $65, Grand Heights $70. Friday–Sunday, with timed sittings of about 75 minutes. Gluten-free and vegetarian options need 48 hours' notice, and there's no full vegan or dairy-free service.
Lillie's Victorian Establishment
249 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019, USA
Come to Lillie's for the decorations more than the tea. The Victorian rooms are already a lot, and they go all out for Christmas starting around mid-November, with Union Square the bigger showpiece. Details: About $59. Times Square (249 West 49th Street) serves tea daily until 2:45 p.m., which suits a matinee; book on Resy. Union Square (13 East 17th Street) serves it Friday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–3:30 p.m.; book on SevenRooms.
How to choose a holiday tea in NYC
- A first Christmas in New York: Book The Plaza while you can. If you want a more seasonal menu, go with The Peninsula.
- A family outing: Madeline's Tea is the big occasion, Alice's is the easy one, and Wave Hill adds time outdoors.
- A holiday date: Pick The Lowell for the details, Baccarat for glamour, or MO Lounge for the view. Bar Blondeau is the Brooklyn answer.
- Under $100: Wave Hill leads the holiday teas, and Bar Blondeau comes in just under $100 with a drink. For year-round teas, try The Whitby, The Crosby Bar, Alice's or Brooklyn High Low.
- A show or a matinee: The Russian Tea Room sits next to Carnegie Hall, and Lillie's is steps from Broadway.
Planning the rest of the day? See our guides to festive Christmas restaurants, NYC Christmas hotels and Christmas markets.
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