The on-trend tea rooms brewing up a storm across the b.there! network
Text Philippe Pourhashemi
With smoking bans transforming public places across Europe, the idea of partying all night in a crowded, smoke-filled nightclub has lost its appeal… and relevance. Cosmopolitan, well-heeled – and, above all, civilised – trendsetters are rediscovering the joys of tea rooms and socialising amid their calm, luxurious settings. It seems sipping hot tea is the new cool.
LONDON
The Lanesborough
Hyde Park Corner, tel. +44 (0)20 7259 5599, lanesborough.com The recently refurbished Apsleys restaurant at this Knightsbridge hotel won the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2008.
Who goes there City brokers, jet-setters and ladies who lunch. House specialties Belgravia Tea, which includes a full afternoon tea selection (sandwiches, pastries and scones), a glass of champagne or Kir Royale, and fresh strawberries and cream.
Claridge’s Hotel
Brook Street, tel. +44 (0)20 7629 8860, claridges.co.uk
Sing Tehus in
Copenhagen has
a daily
Japanese tea ceremony
This luxury establishment – which is no small part responsible for the new tea craze – really no longer requires an introduction.
Who goes there Fashionistas, Vogue journalists, designers, celebrities, actors and socialites. House specialties Indulge with the super-luxurious Dom Perignon Tea.
ATHENS
afé Tesseris Epohes
13 Agiou Dimitriou Square, tel. +30 210 801 8233
Located in the cosy neighbourhood of Kifissia, Café Tesseris Epohes can be found in a renovated 19th-century mansion with a gorgeous painted ceiling depicting the four seasons.
Who goes there Athenian arty types, writers, yummy mummies and fashion designers.House specialties Herbal teas, including sage and peppermint.
Filomousa Café-Tea Room
1 Platia Filomousou Eterias,
tel. +30 210 322 2293
The building in the Plaka district dates
back to the 19th century and has indoor
and outdoor seating,
Who goes there International travellers,
stylish locals, stressed businessmen
and hip students.
House specialties Order a delicious
home-made crêpe with your tea.
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Constitution Square, tel. +30 210
333 0000, grandebretagne.gr
The hotel’s unique location gives its
visitors the opportunity to enjoy truly breathtaking views of the Greek capital.
Who goes there Politicians, actors,
corporate moguls and famous writers.House specialties Take your tea to
the spa – the chicest way to sip at the
Grande Bretagne
COPENHAGEN
ing Tehus
25 Skindergade,
tel. +45 3311 6601, singtehus.dk
Located in Skindergade, this tea room combines Japanese minimalism with a
touch of Scandinavian functionalism.
Who goes there Spiritual types, serious
intellectuals and open-minded couples. House specialties Don’t miss the
Japanese tea ceremony, which takes
place every day.
Tante T
6 Viktoriagade,
tel. +45 3210 3610, tante-t.dk
Babington’s
English Tea
Rooms are
a Roman institution This is a traditional, tea room in the city centre has antique furniture and
outdoor seating.
Who goes there Posh families, busy
locals and romantic couples. House specialties Try oolong tea with
luxury butter cookies baked by Dorte,
using her own traditional recipe.
TeTemplet
26 Købmagergade, tel +45
3393 0101, tetemplet.dk
Located in the centre of town, this
Oriental temple comes complete with
large pillows, incense sticks and
hostesses dressed in saris.
Who goes there Feng shui devotees,
new age bohos and organic aficionados. House specialties The private tea
parties and the aphrodisiac tea blends
are a must.
ROME
Hotel de Russie
9 Via del Babuino, tel. +39
0632 8881, hotelderussie.it
Have a taste of
England in Athens at
Hotel Grande Bretagne
Located between the Spanish Steps and
Piazza del Popolo, Hotel de Russie is also near the luxurious designer shops.
Who goes there TV and advertising
executives, celebrities and global VIPs. House specialties Have a lemon tea
in Le Jardin de Russie, a gorgeous,
secluded garden within the hotel.
Babington’s English
Tea Rooms
23 Piazza di Spagna, tel. +39
06 678 6027, babingtons.net
This most English of Roman tea houses
is at the foot of the Spanish Steps.
Who goes there US and British expats,
tourists, designer-clad shoppers and
blue-blood Italians. House specialties It has to be the
English breakfast tea, of course.
Thé Verde
46 Via Bocca di Leone,
tel. +39 06 6992 3705
This is a hip and central address,
with a stylish courtyard tea room
located in the middle of the building.
Who goes there Writers, fashion types
and business executives.House specialties Any green tea will
do – there are more than a undred
different types on offer here.
BRUSSELS
Conrad Brussels
71 Avenue Louise, tel. +32 (0)2
542 4242, conradhotels.com
Sip your tea
alongside politicians
and shoppers alike at
Conrad Brussels
Luxury afternoon tea is served daily in
the Lobby Lounge, echoing the famous Avenue’s cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Who goes there Politicians and
Commission members, international
shoppers and ladies who lunch. House specialties The Earl Grey
served here is divine.
The Tea House
5 Rue de Rollebeek,
tel. +32 (0)2 511 8117
The Tea House is housed in an
intimate, 17th-century building on a
pedestrianised road in the city centre.
Who goes there Peaceful locals,
international tea-lovers, English
expats and students. House specialties The Tea House
has a great lapsang souchong.
Le Comptoir Florian
17 Rue Saint-Boniface,
tel. +32 (0)2 513 9103
Located in the Ixelles area, Le Comptoir
has an art nouveau façade that’s one of
the most famous sights in the city.
Who goes there Trendy students,
artists and smart ladies. House specialties Go for classic teas
such as the Earl Grey varieties.
VIENNA
emmers Teehaus
5 Mökler Bastei,
tel. +43 (0)1 533 5995
The gorgeous
Monastery Lounge
at Mandarin Oriental
Prague is the perfect
place to relax
Refined, city centre location, close
to the museums and art galleries.
Who goes there Yummy mummies, trendy students and artists. House specialties The Earl
Grey Royal and Bio Vietnam teas
are highly recommended.
Haas & Haas Teehaus
4 Stephansplatz, tel. +43
(0)1 512 2666, haas-haas.at
The outside garden at this tea house
is the place to be seen in the Austrian
capital during the summer months.
Who goes there Stylish locals,
business types and writers. House specialties The vegetarian
Tea Breakfast is a great choice.
PRAGUE
Karavanseráj
22 Masarykovo Nábrezí,
tel. +420 (0)22 493 0390
Located south of the Opera House in Prague’s new town, Karavanseráj has a hookah lounge and a Lebanese feel.
Who goes there New bohos, spiritual dwellers, lazy students and US expats. House specialties Have a cup of mint
tea with baklava on the side.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
459/1 Nebovidska,
tel. +420 (0)23 308 8888
Located within the historical old town,
the hotel serves afternoon tea in the
gorgeous Monastery Lounge.
Who goes there Celebrities, world
travellers and posh couples.
House specialties Try anything from
the Traditional Afternoon Tea menu.
Obecní Dum
5 Republiky Námestí,
tel. +420 (0)22 200 2101
The Municipal House is a national
landmark and one of the most
significant art nouveau buildings
in the Czech Republic’s capital.
Who goes there Writers, intellectuals,
architects and international travellers.
House specialties The home-blend
ice tea is truly refreshing.
FR Le thé est dans le coup
Une nouvelle génération cosmopolite et branchée redécouvre les joies des salons de thé et de leur atmosphère où règnent calme et volupté. Déguster un thé chaud s’inscrit désormais dans la nouvelle tendance.
ATHÈNES
Café Tesseris Epohes (13 Agiou Dimitriou Square, Kifissia)
Une ancienne demeure du 19e rénovée avec un somptueux plafond peint.
Filomousa Café-Tea Room (1 Platia Filomousou Eterias, Plaka) Superbement situé dans la vieille ville avec des tables à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur.
Hôtel Grande Bretagne (Constitution Square) Des vues étonnantes de la capitale.
COPENHAGUE
Sing Tehus (Skindergade 25)
Le minimalisme japonais rencontre le fonctionnalisme scandinave.
Tante T (Victoriagade 6)
Salon de thé traditionnel avec du mobilier antique et des sièges à l’extérieur.
TeTemplet (Købmagergade 26 E)
Temple oriental avec une touche finale de coussins et d’encens.
ROME
Hôtel de Russie (Via del Babuino 9) Situé tout près des magasins des stylistes de la ville.
Babington’s (Piazza di Spagna 23)
Le plus anglais des salons de thé romains.
Thé Verde (Via Bocca di Leone 46)
Tendance, une adresse centrale, salon de thé avec une cour stylée.
BRUXELLES
Conrad Brussels (Avenue Louise 71) Après-midi thé luxueuse, chaque jour dans le salon du Lobby.
The Tea House (Rue de Rollebeek 5)
Intime, bâtiment du 17e siècle dans une rue piétonne.
Le Comptoir Florian (Rue Sainte-Boniface 17) Le Comptoir dispose d’une façade art nouveau – l’une des plus célèbres de la ville.
LONDRES
The Lanesborough (Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge)
Vainqueur du Prix 2008 ‘Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award’.
Claridge’s Hotel (Brook Street, Mayfair W1) Endroit luxueux de Mayfair, responsable en partie du nouvel engouement pour le thé.
The Rubens at The Palace (39 Buckingham Palace Road)
Référence historique, proche de Buckingham Palace.
VIENNE
Demmers Teehaus (Mökler Bastei 5) Proche des musées et des galeries.
Haas & Haas Teehaus (Stephansplatz 4) L’endroit où être vu.
PRAGUE
Karavanseraj (Masarykovo nábr. 22, New Town) Karavanseraj propose un salon à narguilé et un esprit libanais.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel (Nebovidska 459/1) Buvez un thé dans le salon de ce fabuleux monastère.
Obecní Dum (Námestí Republiky 5)
Une référence nationale.
NL Tijd voor thee!
ATHENE
Café Tesseris Epohes (Agiou Dimitriou Square 13, Kifissia) Gerenoveerd 19de-eeuws herenhuis met een prachtig beschilderd plafond.
Filomousa Café-Tea Room (Platia Filomousou Eterias 1, Plaka) Betoverende ligging in de oude stad, met tafeltjes binnen en buiten.
Hotel Grande Bretagne (Syntagmaplein) Adembenemend uitzicht over de hoofdstad.
KOPENHAGEN
Sing Tehus (Skindergade 25) Japans minimalisme versmolten met Scandinavisch functionalisme.
Tante T (Victoriagade 6)
Traditionele tearoom met antieke meubels en een terras.
TeTemplet (Købmagergade 26)
Oosterse tempel, compleet met kussens en wierook!
ROME
Hotel de Russie (Via del Babuino 9) Dicht bij de designerboetieks van de stad.
Babington’s (Piazza di Spagna 23)
Het meest Engelse onder de Romeinse theehuizen.
Thé Verde (Via Bocca di Leone 46)
Trendy, centraal adresje, met een stijlvolle binnenplaats.
BRUSSEL
Conrad Brussels (Louizalaan 71)
In de Lobby Lounge wordt elke namiddag afternoon tea geserveerd.
The Tea House (Rollebeekstraat 5)
Knus, 17de-eeuws gebouw in een verkeersvrije straat.
Le Comptoir Florian (Sint-Bonifaasstraat 17) Le Comptoir mag uitpakken met de meest bekende art nouveau-gevel van de stad.
LONDEN
The Lanesborough (Hyde Park Corner, Knightsbridge) Winnaar van de Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea Award 2008.
Claridge’s Hotel (Brook Street, Mayfair W1) Het luxueuze adresje in Mayfair dat de nieuwe theetrend hielp lanceren.
The Rubens at The Palace (39 Buckingham Palace Road)
Historisch monument op een boogscheut afstand van Buckingham Palace.
WENEN
Demmers Teehaus (Mökler Bastei 5) Dicht bij museums en galerieën.
Haas & Haas Teehaus (Stephansplatz 4) Wie helemaal mee wil zijn, moet hier wezen.
PRAAG
Karavanseraj (Masarykovo nábr. 22, Nieuwe Stad)
Karavanseraj heeft een hookahlounge en ademt een Libanese sfeer.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel
(Nebovidska 459/1)
Drink thee in de prachtige
Monastery-lounge.
Obecní Dum (Námestí Republiky 5)
Een nationaal monument.
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