Tea time: Best tea rooms in San Diego

Pinkies up! While San Diegans love their coffee, many prefer to sip on their tea. For those looking for an authentic tea room experience like they have across the pond, we’ve gathered up the very best tea rooms around town.

The Grand Tea Room

This North County tea room is complete with a variety of scones, tea-time decor, hats and gourmet teas. There are several lunches to choose from, like the garden tea, grand tea, light lunch tea and cream tea, each offering a two-hour tea time, teas of your choice and varying menu options.

145 W Grand Ave., Escondido. thegrandtearoom.com

Tea-Upon-Chatsworth

This Point Loma tea spot offers a high tea that mimics an English tradition. If you come out for tea with friends, opt for the Queen’s Tea which includes a four-course tea service with 10 small dishes and unlimited flavors of loose-leaf tea for $29 per person. This place is perfect for a special occasion, like a bachelorette party or birthday celebration.

2180 Chatsworth Blvd., Point Loma. teauponchatsworth.com

Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe & Afternoon Tea

Shakespeare’s Corner Shoppe is ideal for a quaint afternoon of stellar teas. They offer an assortment of starter dishes like finger sandwiches, fresh baked sausage rolls, scones and more for $25.95 per person. They also offer a full vegetarian and gluten-free afternoon tea for the same price. Both options include a full pot of your choice of tea.

3719 India St., Little Italy. sandiegoafternoontea.com

Coral Tree Tea House

If you’re looking to get into the character of a fanciful tea-drinking lady, this is the spot to do so. They offer old-school style hats and headbands to accentuate the out-to-tea experience. We like the afternoon tea special complete with assorted tea sandwiches, warm savories, petite desserts and fresh baked scones for $25.95 per person. For a more casual experience, order the light lunch which comes with four tea sandwiches, an apple Waldorf salad, chef’s choice of dessert and of course, a pot of tea.

2490 Heritage Park Row, Old Town. coraltreeteahouse.com

Marlene’s Tea & Cakes

A prime afternoon tea stop, Marlene’s Tea & Cakes prides itself on some seriously delicious eats to pair with your tea. Enjoy choices like the blue cheese mascarpone and red onion confit quiche, butternut squash soup with puff twist and pumpkin cheesecake trifle at the afternoon tea. The three-course afternoon tea lunch is $29.95 per person.

14677 Via Bettona, Santaluz. marlenesteaandcakes.com