3-tiers of treats

Explore these 9 Austin afternoon tea experiences for the perfect bridal party

The Driskill Hotel, 1886 Cafe and Bakery, afternoon tea in Austin.

1886 Cafe and Bakery at the Driskill Hotel offers a premium afternoon tea service.

Photo by Jane Yun

Finding a restaurant or bakery that offers a traditional English tea experience mixed with Texas' hospitality can be tough, especially for someone like this writer, who has been on the hunt for a friend's bridal party.

Austin brides (or anyone else in the wedding) planning a whimsical party should look no further than one of these nine unique afternoon tea party experiences our great city has to offer. For this type of event, we considered restaurants or bakeries throughout the Austin area that can accommodate reservations for a minimum of six guests.

Readers will find popular destinations like Tillie's or the Driskill Hotel on this list, but consider looking into some of the hidden gem locations like Rose Haven.

Afternoon tea to-go

Julie Myrtille
Julie Myrtille's "High Tea for six" package is the ideal option for bridal party planners who want to host a stress-free, intimate afternoon tea party at home. Each person will receive a three-piece tea sandwich, a scone, jam and butter, two madeleines, and two cups of their choice of tea or coffee. Julie Myrtille's afternoon tea offering is the most affordable one on the list, at $22.50 per person ($135 total). Orders for free local pickup or delivery (with an added fee) can be placed at juliemyrtille.us .

Greater Austin afternoon tea experiences

Rivery Coffeehouse
This picturesque coffeeshop in Georgetown enables reservations for groups up to 10 people, and serves its afternoon tea daily with a 24-hour notice (which is perfect for any last-minute plans). Guests will get to choose their own loose leaf tea to accompany their three-course menu of tea sandwiches, pastries, and delectable cakes. Rivery's afternoon tea service is $39 per person, with a $10 deposit that will be applied to the check. Reserve via Tock.

Tillie's
Located in Dripping Springs, this prominent restaurant's afternoon tea is inspired by its cousin property, the Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, England. The menu features classic English scones with clotted cream and jam; a mini beef Wellington with a shrimp roll and deviled egg; bread pudding and an orange ricotta olive oil torte; and nine varieties of tea to choose from. Guests can also order tea-infused cocktails or sparkling wine at an additional cost. Tillie's serves its afternoon tea on weekdays from 11 am to 3 pm, and it costs $65 per person. Reserve via OpenTable.

Tillie's, afternoon tea, Camp Lucy, Dripping Springs The mini beef Wellington at Tillie's is a modern take on its afternoon tea menu.Photo courtesy of Camp Lucy

Austin afternoon tea

Austin English Tea Company
Austin English Tea Company's whimsically decorated space is perfect for unique, small bridal parties. The Instagram-ready space inside Michelle's Patisserie in Northwest Austin can be reserved for 2.5-hour-long private parties hosting between 15-30 guests. Tearoom tables are decorated in beautiful chinaware, and its three-tiered serving stands are packed to the edge with delicious sandwiches, large scones, and tasty treats like French macarons and millionaire's shortbread. Private party rentals are $55 per person, and inquires can be made via the Austin English Tea Company website.

Brentwood Social House
For a cozy and laid back afternoon tea service with all the classic fixins', Brentwood Social House will allow guests to rent its Quiet Room for intimate parties of up to eight guests. The counter service cafe only serves afternoon tea Thursdays through Sundays, and prices start at $40 per person, not including a room rental fee (if applicable). Reservations can be made via Tock, and inquires for parties greater than nine guests can be made on its website.

1886 Cafe and Bakery at the Driskill Hotel
Austin's famous Driskill Hotel has everything you need for an upscale afternoon tea in the heart of the city: A mouthwatering spread of classic dishes, endless tea from Zhi Tea (or sparkling wine), and a beautiful setting in the 1886 Cafe and Bakery. This service also offers a children's afternoon tea menu for a bridal party's little ones that would like to tag along. The Driskill's afternoon tea begins at 4 pm on select dates, and costs $45 per child and $90 per adult. Reservations can be made via hyattexperiences.com.

The Driskill Hotel, 1886 Cafe and Bakery, afternoon tea in Austin This historic hotel's afternoon tea uses flowers in its plating for extra eye-catching elegance.Photo by Jane Yun

Four Seasons Hotel Austin
The Four Seasons Hotel is taking spring seriously with its fanciful Roses and Rosé A-Tea-X service, offering a floral-inspired take on its classic afternoon tea every day from 1-3 pm. Guests can enjoy savory and sweet bites alongside a special-tea infused cocktail, or stick with a classic hot tea beverage. The Roses and Rosé A-Tea-X experience is $65 per person. Reserve via OpenTable.

Hidden gems around Austin

Goldie's at Austin Proper Hotel
We'd be remiss to exclude one of Austin's best afternoon teas, but Goldie's experience can only be reserved on Saturdays and Sundays for parties for up to four people. In addition to seven specialty teas, Goldie's menu promises delicious scones with Devonshire cream and housemade preserves, lavish caviar canapés, bright strawberry shortcake tarts, French macarons, and more. Sparkling wine can be ordered at an added cost. The restaurant also offers a vegan afternoon tea menu, a rarity among other restaurants in Austin. Afternoon Tea at Goldie's is $65 per person, and can be reserved via OpenTable.

The Tea Room at Rose Haven
This bakery and event venue in Southwest Austin recently debuted an afternoon tea service in early spring 2024, according to its Instagram. The Tea Room emphasizes that connecting with friends and family is the core of its tea service, which is a crucial element for any bridal party planning (besides serving tea to one another in a darling teapot with a bunny on it). Rose Haven's tea service is available on select dates for $65 per person. Reservations can be made via Tock.

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Near and Deer

Vespaio-trained chef serves venison from trailer at Austin's Sign Bar

Photo courtesy of Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, is now open at Sign Bar.

Born and Braised, a food trailer specializing in native ingredients and braised meats, has just opened for business at Sign Bar. Chef and owner William Woodland, a.k.a. Woody, says so far things are going great.

"They're doing a great job promoting us at Sign Bar. I feel really special," says Woodland.

This is a big change from several years ago when sign bar first opened and Woodland says he "pestered" the folks behind the cool new space.

"I think at that time they wanted to see a couple of years of good experience," says Woodland. "And now my reviews are insanely good — so I think that helped!"

Born and Braised started out at Lustre Pearl back in 2022, and then quickly moved over to Sage Brush where it stayed for more than a year. More recently, Woodland has been operating out of Bastrop and is happy to be closer to town again at Sign Bar, which is located in East Austin. It's still a bit of a drive for many, but not as far south.

Some of the menu items include birria tacos, homemade birria ramen, and multiple venison-based dishes: chili, a smash burger, and bratwurst. There's also grilled cheese, street corn, and other sides.

"I think it's one of only a couple of places in town where you can get venison any time," says Woodland. He adds that the main focus of any foods he prepares is minimal waste and using good, quality, native ingredients. "I'm kind of an ingredient hippie," he laughs.

These cooking roots can be traced back to Woodland's days at his grandparents' out in the country, where his uncles butchering deer in the garage was the norm, and venison was always on the table. As an adult, Woodland got his "formal" education in the kitchen at Vespaio under the tutelage of Ryan Samson.

"He gave me his culinary book from when he went to school and quizzed me everyday; basically took me to culinary school through that job," says Woodland. "I cry thinking about him all the time. Great guy; a really good mentor."

Born and Braised is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 4 pm to 2 am, and Saturdays from 11 am to 2 am, at Sign Bar Austin (9909 FM 969, Bldg. 3). The bar, decorated with more than 75 retired signs from legendary local businesses, offers a variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.

Sign Bar Holiday Tree This miniature Zilker Tree is the newest permanent installation at Sign Bar. Photo courtesy of Sign Bar

As of early December, guests can enjoy all Sign Bar has to offer next to the Sign Bar Holiday Tree. This 64-foot tall tree is an homage to the Zilker Tree, and unlike most holiday displays, this tree will be up year-round. Guests can even spin under this mini-Zilker Tree — but may want to give it a minute after a bowl of venison chili.

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