Best Tea Rooms in San Francisco

1. Samovar Tea Lounge

View Full-Size © Ingrid Taylar Castro/Mission - Yerba Buena Gardens Samovar has two locations in San Francisco, the original in the Castro/Mission area, and one at Yerba Buena Gardens, overlooking the Esplanade. The tea menu is satisfying, with white, green, oolong, black, Jingmai, yerba mate and daily chilled varieties. Samovar has wicker and cushions, Buddha statues, and an excellent presentation of cultural tea services with select platters of region-specific foods. South of Market: Yerba Buena Gardens – Upper Terrace - (415) 227-9400 Castro/Mission: 498 Sanchez Street (at 18th) - (415) 626-4700 Samovar Website

2. Imperial Tea Court

Chinatown – Ferry Building – North Berkeley

The Imperial Tea Court, a traditional tea house in Chinatown, now has three locations in the Bay Area. The tea experience at Imperial Tea Court can be as simple as engaging a pot of Jasmine pearls as the leaves unfurl . . . or as involved as learning about premium Pu-erh, or gaiwan tea preparation. Snacks are available as accompaniment.

Chinatown: 1411 Powell Street (at Broadway)
Ferry Building: 1 Ferry Building Plaza, #27
North Berkeley: In the Epicurious Garden, 1511 Shattuck Avenue(between Cedar & Vine)

3. Lovejoy's Tea Room

Noe Valley

Lovejoy's began as an antique shop that served tea, and is now a tea room decorated with antique detail. If you've spent any time in England and miss your Devon cream, Lovejoy's has your number. There's Cream Tea service, High Tea, Queen's Tea, and even Wee Tea for young tea drinkers. The concept is traditional but the ambiance is cozy and comfortable.

1351 Church Street (at Clipper)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Telephone: (415) 648-5895

4. Secret Garden Tea House

Inner Sunset

The Secret Garden's decor may be too floral for the testosterone-driven. But its location, across Lincoln from Golden Gate Park, makes it a natural stop for tea and scones after roaming the Botanical Gardens. You can get both hot and iced tea, as well as light lunch items. The tea-party setting is a great outing for the little ones, too.

721 Lincoln Way (between 8th & 9th))
San Francisco, CA 94122
Telephone: (415) 566-8834

5. Modern Tea

Hayes Valley

The sleek, bright, wooden and glass atmosphere of Modern Tea cheers you up the minute you walk in. If you don't need cheering, just enjoy their attention to perfect tea and locally-based food selections. Large windows look out onto both Hayes and Laguna Streets, providing ample natural light by which to imbibe.

602 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 626-5406

6. Tal-Y-Tara Tea & Polo Shoppe

Outer Richmond

Tal-Y-Tara wins the award for most unusual tea room on this list. As its name suggests, Tal-Y-Tara is an English equestrian supply, as well as a tea room. The tea part of the shop is known for its unique "motorloaf" bread, with nested sandwiches (designed for easy travel while motoring). Tal-Y-Tara also serves a selection of English teas, crumpets, scones and trifle. It might be the only place in San Francisco where you can steep a pot of Fortnum & Mason tea while trying on paddock boots.

6439 California St. (at 27th Avenue)
San Francisco, CA 94121
Telephone: (415) 751-9275

7. L'Amyx Tea Bar

Oakland (Piedmont & Lake Merritt)

The name "Tea Bar" suggests L'Amyx isn't a traditional sort of tea house. It's a modern space, conducive to plopping in a chair with your book and your Gunpowder . . . tea, that is. It's also popular with laptop users and bubble-tea drinkers. L'Amyx has two locations in Oakland, is open late, and serves light fare and desserts.

Piedmont: 4179 Piedmont Avenue - (510) 594-TEA2 (8322)
Lakeshore: 3437 Lakeshore Avenue – (510) 835-8322