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Sipping Perfection: A Guide to the 5 Best Afternoon Tea Spots in Denver

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Ambiance and Atmosphere. The setting heavily dictates the mood of your meal. We looked for inviting dining rooms with unique visual appeal to make your visit memorable.

Tea Quality and Selection. A stellar drink menu is non-negotiable for proper service. We prioritized establishments offering premium loose-leaf brews and robust steeping options.

Dietary Accommodations. Finding great pastries shouldn't be difficult for those with food sensitivities. We checked for flexible kitchens that happily provide gluten-free and vegan alternatives.

Value and Offerings. The price must align with the quality and quantity of the treats provided. We assessed the balance of savory bites and sweet cakes, as well as the overall portion sizes.

Finding the best afternoon tea in Denver is a delicious journey through buttery pastries, warm scones, and fragrant loose-leaf brews. Luckily, the Mile High City offers a surprising variety of steeping spots. 

If you crave clotted cream melting over freshly baked goods or prefer vibrant herbal blends, a tier of treats awaits you. 

So, pull up a chair, unfold your napkin, and let us explore these delightful destinations guaranteed to satisfy your mid-day sugar cravings and steep your afternoon in flavor!

How much does afternoon tea cost in Denver?

Afternoon tea in Denver typically costs between $40 and $65 per person for standard packages, though luxury options can easily exceed $100.

CategoryCost RangeExample Spots
Mid-Range$35 – $50Babe’s Tea Room ($48), TeaLee’s Teahouse ($42.95), The Lumber Baron Inn ($40)
Upscale/Luxury$65 – $100+Four Seasons ($65-$90), The Brown Palace ($70-$100+)
Best ValueUnder $40D Bar Restaurant ($38)

1. The Grand Atrium at The Brown Palace

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Website: https://www.brownpalace.com/

Address: 321 17th St

Contact: (303) 297-3111 | [email protected]

Hours: Monday – Friday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Stepping under the soaring stained-glass ceiling of a luxurious 1892 hotel atrium gives you an iconic, elegant Afternoon Tea Denver experience steeped in rich history. 

The Grand Atrium at The Brown Palace delivers a spectacular visual feast right out of a period film. For starters, you’ll hear live piano or harp notes floating through the lobby as you dig into delicate pastries. 

They even honor English traditions strictly by serving their freshly baked scones alongside authentic Devonshire cream shipped directly from the UK. 

The kitchen is surprisingly flexible for such a historic venue, willingly accommodating vegetarian and Gluten-Free (GF) diets upon request. 

The biggest hurdle, however, is simply getting a table, as reservations are highly competitive and regularly book up months in advance. 

Once you finally secure a spot, you will discover a sprawling menu of expertly brewed teas perfectly paired with those decadent, melt-in-your-mouth finger sandwiches.

Pros

  • Authentic Devonshire cream imported from the UK
  • Live piano or harp music sets the mood
  • Special vegetarian and gluten-free menus available
  • Sprawling selection of premium loose-leaf teas

Cons

  • Highly competitive reservation process
  • Waitlists often stretch for several weeks

The afternoon tea was perfect.

My husband and I stayed here on Halloween and it was amazing!! The afternoon tea was perfect, Joel was a great host & his pancakes the next morning were to die for! The rooms are very clean & unique. We definitely want to come back!

It is a must try!

Stopped by the Lumber Baron Inn for afternoon tea and had an incredible time! The inn was beautiful with vintage pieces and a welcoming atmosphere. The tea was delicious but the food stole the show. Everything was freshly made or baked with the best ingredients. Their “better than brownie” cookies may be the best dessert I’ve ever had. If you haven’t booked an afternoon tea with them yet it is a must try!

2. Babe’s Tea Room

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Website: https://babestearoom.com/

Address: 2401 15th St Suite 170

Contact: (303) 455-4832 | [email protected]

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday-Sunday: By Reservation Only

Ditching the stuffiness of traditional parlors, Babe’s Tea Room boasts a massive curated collection of over 70 loose-leaf teas, served in a vibrant, modern cafe setting. The bright aesthetic creates a highly photogenic backdrop for an afternoon of snacking. 

You can even conveniently purchase their loose-leaf varieties in bulk here. If you’re tired of standard coffee shops, this spot provides a refreshing alternative.

Also, unlike many older spots, they feature a breezy outdoor patio so you can enjoy your brew in the fresh air. 

Their kitchen stands out for effortlessly providing completely vegan and gluten-free tiers without sacrificing visual appeal. When I visited last weekend, sipping their vibrant matcha alongside a tower of delicate vegan cakes was a delightful revelation. 

Keep in mind that management automatically applies a mandatory 20% gratuity to all services, removing your discretion on tipping.

Pros

  • Completely vegan and gluten-free tier options
  • Relaxed contemporary aesthetic and vibe
  • Outdoor patio seating for sunny days
  • Loose-leaf teas available for retail purchase

Cons

  • Mandatory 20% service charge applied

A nice experience for afternoon tea.

We had a nice experience for afternoon tea. There is a regular menu to order from as well. They also have coffee/espresso drinks. The traditional tea service is $60 per person which includes unlimited tea from a large selection and a tower of sandwiches, biscuits and desserts. We didn’t get to try the regular menu this time but the plates we saw coming out looked very good!

Worth the splurge. We recommend it!

My daughter wanted afternoon tea for her birthday and was curious about Babe’s. We went with her sister today and it was really amazing- the finger sandwiches and pastries were soooo good, and got to try several teas. A little pricey on the weekend but worth the splurge. We recommend!

3. D Bar Bakery & Cafe – Central Park

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Website: https://www.dbardenver.com/

Address: 7302 E 29th Ave

Contact: (720) 639-2489

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM

If your priority is sweet treats, this award-winning bakery, led by a renowned Food Network pastry chef, guarantees that the petit fours on your tier are of exceptional quality. 

D Bar Bakery & Cafe completely strips away the rigid formalities of traditional houses, placing you in a casual, modern American cafe environment. The relaxed vibe makes it a fantastic destination for a spontaneous mid-day sugar rush.

They pour high-end Spirit Tea to ensure a highly aromatic steeping experience for every single guest. 

The menu strikes a careful balance between artistic desserts and savory bites, keeping your palate guessing. They even accommodate dietary needs by offering a fully gluten-free option for a small surcharge. 

You do have to be mindful of your schedule, as they require a credit card to hold your spot and enforce a strict 24-hour cancellation policy that triggers a hefty no-show fee. 

Pros

  • High-end Spirit Tea sourcing
  • Fully gluten-free menu available for a surcharge
  • Balanced mix of sweet desserts and savory bites
  • Bustling modern American cafe environment

Cons

  • Strict 24-hour cancellation policy
  • Automatic 50% fee for missed reservations

Great place for a cup of tea and a sweet.

They’ve only soft opened so far, but this was a delightful surprise when I was in Central Park Town Center — the perfect additional to the area. Great place for a cup of tea and a sweet.

4. Local Jones

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Website: https://www.localjones.com/

Address: 249 Columbine St

Contact: (720) 772-5022

Hours: Thursday-Sunday: By Reservation Only

Nestled in the upscale Cherry Creek neighborhood, Local Jones offers a highly seasonal and vibrant Afternoon Tea Denver service that reimagines classic traditions with bright flavors and delicate pastries. 

The dining room sits within the stylish Halcyon Hotel, offering a chic, highly photogenic bistro setting. Their in-house pastry chef designs a perfectly portioned menu featuring tender scones and savory sandwiches.

If you want a break from ordering the same meals at local Japanese restaurants, this culinary experience adds a fun twist by letting you add specially crafted floral tea cocktails or champagne. 

They feature a curated array of premium organic Rishi teas to ensure robust flavor profiles in your cup. 

Just remember that this isn’t a permanent menu fixture. It operates as a limited seasonal event restricted to specific months, which can make planning a visit slightly tricky.

Pros

  • Premium organic Rishi tea offerings
  • Floral tea cocktails and champagne add-ons
  • Chic and highly photogenic hotel setting
  • Custom menu crafted by an in-house pastry chef

Cons

  • Limited to specific seasonal months
  • Restricted to Thursday through Sunday schedules

The teas, food and service were beyond compare.

Our family enjoyed a fantastic Christmas Tea at Local Jones at the Halcyon.  The teas, food and service were beyond compare. I noticed that everyone working at the restaurant and hotel seemed truly happy to be there and wanted to make our experience special.  My husband and I went back to brunch with friends the next week. Also, a great experience and a creative menu. Thanks to everyone!

It was such a wonderful experience!

My family came in for a ladies holiday tea day, and it was such a wonderful experience!  We were a larger group with 9 + a baby, and we were so well taken care of.  The food was amazing (favorites were the scones and the roast beef tea sandwiches!), and we loved the community style tea pots so we could all try a few different teas. Love that it feels more modern than most 🙂

5. The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens

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Website: https://lumberbaron.com/afternoon-tea/

Address: 2555 W 37th Ave

Contact: (303) 477-8205 | [email protected]

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday: By Reservation Only

History buffs will adore this immersive time-capsule experience, serving traditional English afternoon tea in the opulent, restored parlors of a historic 1890s mansion. 

The Lumber Baron Inn & Gardens bakes all their buttery scones and specialty cookies from scratch the morning of your service to ensure peak texture. 

A friend of mine who went for her birthday told me the fresh crumpets were a complete revelation and tasted entirely authentic. 

They also serve premium small-batch blends from Teakoe, a local craft company, to support the artisan economy. 

Just a heads up: The kitchen requires all reservations to be made at least 24 hours in advance to prepare the required food quantities, so walk-ins aren’t possible. They can provide entirely vegan or gluten-free services upon advance notice. 

For a memorable twist, you can even book a magical package that pairs your culinary service with a professional Victorian-style card reading.

Pros

  • All pastries baked fresh the morning of service
  • Flexible vegan and gluten-free accommodations
  • Features local Teakoe small-batch blends
  • Unique card reading entertainment option

Cons

  • Strict 24-hour pre-booking requirement
  • Unable to accommodate spontaneous walk-ins

The afternoon tea was perfect.

My husband and I stayed here on Halloween and it was amazing!! The afternoon tea was perfect, Joel was a great host & his pancakes the next morning were to die for! The rooms are very clean & unique. We definitely want to come back!

It is a must try!

Stopped by the Lumber Baron Inn for afternoon tea and had an incredible time! The inn was beautiful with vintage pieces and a welcoming atmosphere. The tea was delicious but the food stole the show. Everything was freshly made or baked with the best ingredients. Their “better than brownie” cookies may be the best dessert I’ve ever had. If you haven’t booked an afternoon tea with them yet it is a must try!