Harlem Tea Room

I really really miss this place. I know its been closed for a couple years now but we had my niece’s tea party there for her birthday and the staff set it up so beautifully for us. I took one of my coworkers there after doing the breast cancer run/​walk in central park and it debunked her fears of harlem and its ability to serve good scones.
I still get cravings for the mango tart & the coconut/​oriental tea that I always ordered and feel a little sad when I walk by the corner of Madison & 118^th. *le sigh*
I hope the owner (s) are reading this and the Tea Room comes back eventually in a different location. If Im not mistaken, Make my Cake offers tea parties in their «pink room» but the space is cramped and its just not the same.

I was dying to try this place because I am always trying to find things closer to home and there aren’t many tea rooms in the boogie down. I finally went on Saturday with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in a while and we had a lovely time. We made reservations and they gave us the back window seating which was really quite nice. The crushed velvet chairs and dark curtains added lots of atmosphere. The food was a little cheap looking, the tea was just o.k. and my plates were chipped but the staff was really nice and friendly and we lingered without getting hurried out the door. I wouldn’t spend the money on the high tea, not enough value for your money, but I would definitely stop in and have a scone if I was in the neighborhood.
Update: I was rereading this review because I thought, hmmm, why only two stars and I remembered that my gripe with the high tea was that I had noticed that the table next to us had high tea also and she was alone and couldn’t finish her tea sandwiches… we went right through ours… and that’s because, we had the same amount but we were two people. Soooo, they charged me and my girlfriend EACH for high tea ($ 25 a pop) but gave us the food they would give one person. I knew something was wrong then but couldn’t pinpoint it because I was too busy catching up with my friend. Geez, I’m getting old. Definitely deserved only two stars.

Two good words: Great Teamosphere!
Two bad words: Begginner’s service.
So this tea room is three blocks from my house, so I decide, why not? This may be my new tea corner to write and get inspired, and the décor is adorable! So I go in, and the tea is amazing, but I asked for honey, and they charged me fifty cents for it without telling me, and it wasn’t even fresh, it was in those little packets of honey that you get in little mini packets that were stale. Also, I ordered a ham and cheese sandwich which tasted good but the bread looked cheap for what I was paying for (I expected a foccacia or at least a good rye for 8 dollars) and the salad was dirty, I saw one leaf with black spots on it, so I didn’t touch it. I would go back for the tea and definitely use this place for writing, because it is close, but I would not reccomend it otherwise. Plus, I watched my sandwich sit on the counter for five minutes before it was served to me. I hope this place gets more of it’s act together, because it is a new place and I think it could do well, but definitely needs work.

I never physically been here before but they cater for our special event one night.
I must say their HUMMUS is HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMING and HUMILICIOUS!

I love this spot. If tea is your thing, this is heaven. The Harlem Tea Rooms offers an extrordinary variety of delicious teas. You’re sure to find one that will fit whatever mood you might be in. The décor is lovely, and the music is always soothing. Although the windows are from floor to ceiling, they are tinted and flanked by luxurious wine colored velvet curtains, which give the joint a swank, cozy feeling.
They offer High Tea on the weekends. The menu includes an assortment of 4 delicious teas, scones with jam and clotted cream, a variety of tea sandwiches, and dessert.
The service isn’t the best, but once you get lost in the aroma of your tantalizing cup of tea, and bite into your yummy pound cake, it won’t matter. The other food, (sandwiches made with exotic breads, salads, etc.) are quite tasty too.
Check this one out, people. It’s definately worth the trip!

Fine place to pop in and relax in Harlem. This is a loungy, cushioned setting for exotic fresh teas, including the iced tea (get a carafe), and dainty eats. Or have lunch. Or bring your laptop (I couldn’t get WiFi access here) and work on something so you can justify going to the great wine shop next door. In fact, go ahead and order a bottle of wine at the Harlem Tea Room and leave the laptop at home. They are open at night, too. I once walked in on a Pam Grier lookalike contest. I did not win.
Careful not to show up at 4pm because they’re serious about afternoon tea reservations. The tables are usually booked at this time and they will turn you away or make you move. Curry chicken salad is good and so is the homemade quiche. Music could use some work. I believe I heard Kenny G’s horn find its way into the atmosphere. Check please.
–douglas schubert/​NY Press