Lady Mendl's Tea Salon: A Refined Afternoon Tea Experience in NYC

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Introduce

In the heart of bustling New York, where every moment is a race against time, there exists a tranquil and elegant escape that feels like a world away. Lady Mendl's Tea Salon is that sanctuary. Tucked inside a beautifully restored Georgian brownstone in the historic Gramercy Park area, this tea house is a destination that offers an experience, not just a meal. It's a place that redefines the concept of afternoon tea, elevating it from a simple service to a refined, multi-course culinary journey. The moment you step inside, you are transported to a bygone era of gracious living, with plush armchairs, fine porcelain, and a romantic atmosphere that invites you to slow down and savor the moment. This is a perfect spot for those seeking a unique and luxurious experience, a place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a quiet, indulgent afternoon. The commitment to providing an authentic and opulent tea service makes Lady Mendl's a standout in the city's crowded food scene.

The atmosphere at Lady Mendl's is a key component of its charm. The interior is meticulously decorated to evoke a sense of Victorian elegance and sophistication, making you feel as if you are a guest in a private, aristocratic home. The cozy and intimate setting, complete with scented candles and ambient lighting, is perfect for a romantic outing or a relaxed get-together with friends. While the main seating area is a picture of classic beauty, the salon also has a smaller, more intimate back room, offering a different vibe. Lady Mendl's is renowned for its five-course afternoon tea service, which is not served on a typical three-tiered stand. Instead, each course is brought out separately, allowing guests to fully appreciate and savor the flavors. This thoughtful approach, combined with the option to sample a different tea with each course, creates a truly dynamic and engaging experience. While the price point is on the higher side, it is a reflection of the quality of the food, the excellent tea selection, and the unparalleled atmosphere that you won't find anywhere else in the city.

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon is conveniently located at 56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA. This prime address places it in the historic Gramercy Park neighborhood, a picturesque area known for its beautiful brownstones and serene, tree-lined streets. The location is easily accessible for both locals and tourists. It's just a short walk from the bustling Union Square area, which is a major hub for various subway lines and bus routes, making it a straightforward destination from almost anywhere in Manhattan. This ease of access allows you to seamlessly transition from a busy day of work or sightseeing to a quiet, elegant afternoon retreat. While there is no dedicated parking lot, there are paid street parking options available in the vicinity. As for pets, the tea salon does not permit them inside, as it is a formal indoor dining establishment, a policy that helps maintain the pristine and elegant atmosphere. The discreet entrance, marked by a small teacup plaque, adds to the feeling of discovering a hidden gem, making your arrival feel like a special event.

Services offered by Lady Mendl's Tea Salon include:

A dedicated dine-in experience with a fixed, multi-course menu.
The option to choose your tea for the entire sitting or sample different teas with each course.
Private events for special occasions, such as bridal showers and small gatherings.
Table service that is attentive and knowledgeable about the tea and food offerings.

Features and highlights of Lady Mendl's Tea Salon include:

A truly exceptional and extensive tea selection, which is a major highlight.
A unique, multi-course afternoon tea service that differs from the traditional single-tower presentation.
An elegant, romantic, and cozy atmosphere set within a beautifully restored brownstone.
An impressive beverage menu that includes cocktails, a selection of wines (rosé, white, and red), and sparkling options.
Accepts credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments for convenience.
The food and drink menu includes healthy and organic options, though the tea salon cannot accommodate all dietary restrictions like vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free requests.

For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Lady Mendl's Tea Salon at the following address and phone number. Note that reservations are essential as this is an experience-based, reservation-only establishment.

Address: 56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA

Phone: (212) 533-4600

What is truly worth choosing about Lady Mendl's Tea Salon is its commitment to authenticity and a high-quality, refined experience. The food, while not a la carte, is a highlight in itself. Guests are treated to a menu that typically includes a seasonal soup or salad, a selection of fresh finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, and a variety of decadent desserts. The freshness of the sandwiches, which can be a challenge for many tea salons, is a point of pride and a great benefit. The tea selection, with options ranging from classic **Earl Grey** and **English Breakfast** to unique blends like **Creamy Toasted Coconut Oolong** and **Wonderland Rooibos**, is thoughtfully curated to satisfy both traditionalists and those with an adventurous palate. The ability to sample different teas with each course is a fun and delicious way to explore their offerings.

Beyond the food and drink, the atmosphere is the most significant draw. The tea salon's decor and multi-course service create a more intimate and special feeling than the typical three-tiered tray model. It's a place where you're encouraged to slow down, talk to your companions, and truly immerse yourself in the moment. The staff is often praised for being knowledgeable and attentive, guiding you through the menu and ensuring your experience is seamless. While the lack of a la carte options and the inability to accommodate certain dietary restrictions might be a drawback for some, for those seeking a classic, high-end afternoon tea experience, Lady Mendl's is unmatched. Its unique charm, rich history, and dedication to a refined, multi-course service make it a top contender for the best afternoon tea in New York City and a truly worthwhile choice for any special occasion.

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Food & drink

Cocktails
Spiked Ginger Recharge $14.00
Lemon Verbena Fresca $14.00
Rose Petal Fizz $14.00
Classic Mimosa $14.00
Peach Bellini $14.00

Rosé
Sparkling Leo Hillenger Pinot Noir Rosé
Out East Rosé, Provence France 2017

White
Cava Blanc De Blanc, Spain Nv
Dom De La Tonnellerie Sancerre 2018
Borgogravo Pinot Grigio, Italy 2017

Red
River's Edge Pinot Noir, Oregon 2014
Enkidu Cabernet, Argentina 2016

Others
Earl Grey
Floral notes of bergamot, exceptional combination of darjeeling, assam, chinese, and sri lankan teas, sprayed with the oil of bergamot has been satisfying our customers for generations.
English Breakfast
These medium sized leaves produce a copper liquid that has a bright and fragrant cup. The tea is smooth and full-bodied with a malty aftertaste that stands up to a splash of milk or lemon.
Moroccan Mint Green
Transport yourself to a land of desert sands, caravans and palm tree filled oasis, with moroccan mint a delicious blend of spearmint and green tea. The green tea unfurls into large leaves, with a pale ecru cup and a strong minty flavor.
Creamy Toasted Coconut – Oolong
This delightfully light tea brews to an ecru color and has the taste of baked goodies with an undertone of an earthly oolong, the rich exotic aroma is accompanied by the smooth, delicious taste of coconut macaroon with vanilla accents.
Lemon Verbena
(Decaf) made from the leaves of the verbena flower, this tea is outstandingly refreshing, with an invigorating aroma. Verbena is known to have medicinal elements and helps ease aches and pains.
Wonderland Rooibos
(Decaf) a wonderful blend of green rooibos with cacao and cinnamon and flavored with bavarian chocolate, cinnamon and hazelnuts. It brews to a golden cup with the delicious aroma and taste of cinnamon baked goodies.

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Details

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery

Highlights
Great tea selection

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot

Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Photos

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Location

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon

New York New York County New York Irving Place

56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003, USA

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon Reviews

An average rating of ★4.4 from 329 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

I've done many lovely afternoon teas around the city, but Lady Mendl's ranks as one of the top places for Afternoon Teas in my book.Aside from the ambience and choice morsels they offered, I really liked the way they served the tea offerings in courses rather than simply bringing out the one-and-done tower of treats every other place seems to do. We were given the option to choose our preferred tea for the entirety of the set, or sample different teas at each course. We chose the latter, and very glad we did so, as it allowed us to try their excellent teas. Tasting the food in courses allowed us to savor everything, and provide a refined experience. They started us off with a choice of soup or salad. I chose the soup, as it was my favorite - potato leek. It was hot and delicious. One of the better potato leek soups I've had in a while. My friend's arugula salad with parmesan shavings was simple, but fresh. Next, I was really happy with how fresh the tea sandwiches were, as freshness seemed to be a challenge in many of the afternoon tea establishments I tried. I liked the flavor combinations of the sandwiches, as well. The scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, and marmalade, were not the best I've tried, but they were perfectly fine. Next, we were offered a choice of chocolate cheesecake or vanilla crepe cake. We got one of each and they were both delicious and light. The last course had petit fours, macarons, and chocolate covered strawberries, which were the perfect endings to this perfect afternoon tea. Overall, highly recommend!
April 26 · Wendy F.
I had high expectations given the price tag of $100 per person ($89+ tax+tip)But it was quite underwhelming experience in terms of overall presentation, quality and quantity of food.1. We had a prior reservation for 4 people but we got the table quite late because they were full. Portion size should be mentioned in the menu.2. We were given table in a small dimly lit room on the other side (looked like extra room).3. We were started with seasonal soup which was basically Cilantro chutney in a very tiny glass (green chutney that we get with samosa)4. You will get 5 finger sandwiches per person. Since 3 of us were non meat eaters, we requested replacement with vegetarian options but were denied. Honestly the sandwiches were quite boring and worst quality of all food.5. They brought 4-5 types of teas. They were okay.6. Then they served scones with jam and clotted cream. You get 2 per person. Scones were good and everyone enjoyed them.7. You will get one chocolate covered strawberry, one macaron and one petit square dessert per person.I wouldn’t pay more than $20-$30 for such food. There are so many better places in New York City for high tea with better experience for same or much less price tag.Later we did take few pictures in the main sitting area which had much better ambience. Avoid back room.
July 14 · Meenu Jandra
Fabulous afternoon tea in a brownstone at Irving Place. Beautiful, eclectic decor with lovely mismatched furniture and tea services. Mostly vegetarian options to indulge in sharing with your friends. One of my go to places to bring out of towners for this tea experience. I love the course tea pairings. The server, Valeria, is amazing. Their Lady M later crepe cake is divine.
July 27 · Patricia Beja
A lovely 5 course afternoon tea. Favorites were the butternut squash and boursin cheese, goat cheese and fig sandwiches, the scones were delicious and the spicy watermelon soup was outrageous. the vanilla crepe cake was one of the best desserts we ever had.
July 09 · Ames “TheGoogleReviewer” PA
We had an absolutely wonderful experience at Lady Mendl's Tea Salon. We were treated so My appetite is coming back yeah my lady felt like a princess with all the delicious food and great teas. The decor is so beautiful in every room, the staff was knowledgeable and so very courteous, and the atmosphere was incredible. Definitely a place to go if you want English tea time with a date or some close friends.
March 15 · Adam Mahmoud