Whether you're looking for a midday cuppa tea or an afternoon extravaganza with finger sandwiches and pastries, here are our favorite tea spots in Sonoma County.
The Taste of Tea, Healdsburg: This family-owned tea room offers a wide selection of premium teas from Japan, China and Taiwan as well as Japanese eats such as ramen, udon and rice bowls. The zen decor adds to the relaxing experience; so does the Japanese green tea foot soak - available in the spa lounge. 109 North Street, Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
Learn the art of making matcha at The Taste of Tea or try the delicate organic Kyoto Karigane green tea from Uji, Japan, a refreshing sweet tea packed with amino acids to help enhance mood and focus the brain. A personal favorite is the Benifuki green tea from the Kagoshima region of Japan, a nutty and grassy tea with anti-inflammatory properties.
The Taste of Tea also serves Marteani drinks, alcohol-free cocktails that blend flavored teas with mint, cranberry, mango and other ingredients. (Courtesy photo)
Mochi at the Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. (Courtesy photo)
The relaxation lounge at The Taste of Tea in Healdsburg. (Photo by Chris Hardy)
Russian River Tea Company, Healdsburg: Upon entering this small boutique, customers are greeted by a wall of more than 135 teas, along with infusers, mugs, honey and other tea-related products. The large assortment of tea blends ensures there’s something for everyone’s palate. 336 Center Street, Healdsburg, 707-395-0857, russianriverteaco.com.(Courtesy photo)
Russian River's Lavender Lady Grey black tea, made from local lavender blossoms and with notes of orange and vanilla bean, is perfect for those looking for a twist on the traditional Earl Grey. For those who like their tea fruity, try the Mango Tango tisane tea featuring sweet mango, papaya, pineapple and strawberry bits blended with hibiscus and blue cornflower petals. Come in any day for a complimentary tea sample.
Tudor Rose English Tea Room, Santa Rosa: Located next to beer-mecca Russian River Brewing Company, Tudor Rose serves up another kind of brew with a touch of 19th century English tea room - complete with fine china, finger sandwiches, traditional wooden furniture and a selection of classy hats to try on. Northern England-born owner Angela Grant makes sure everything is authentic. 733 4th Street, Santa Rosa, 707-535-2045, tudorrosetearoom.com. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
For $8.50 you can get an endless pot of tea, like the rich Tudor Rose black tea with warm vanilla and aromatic rose, or Angela’s favorite Chocolate Orange rooibos tea with decadent chocolate, sweet orange and a touch of cream. For lunch, try a High Tea selection named after British notables like the Queen Mum, Winston Churchill and Mary Poppins. (Photo by Beth Schlanker)
Performer Kori Parlett, as Marry Poppins, sings "A Spoonful of Sugar" to guests during a Mary Poppins Etiquette Tea Party at Tudor Rose English Tea Room in downtown Santa Rosa. (Photo by Erik Castro)
A'Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea: Located in Santa Rosa’s historic Railroad Square, this roastery offers everything from coffee and tea to live music performances (shows are free with a purchase of food or drink). The café’s herbal tea of the month is the Mate Carnival, a stimulating blend of roasted mate, rooibos, almonds, cocoa hulls and flower petals. Another favorite is the Bourbon Vanilla tea, made with Indian black tea and vanilla essence, aged in bourbon casks, which pairs well with any of the baked goods on display at the register. 95 5th Street, Santa Rosa, 707-576-0949, aromaroasters.com.
Tea Room Café, Petaluma: This quaint café, located just a few minutes west of downtown Petaluma, offers country-inspired meals and seasonal sweets from its in-house bakery that all pair perfectly with a spot of tea. The peach iced tea makes a great refreshing drink on a hot day, and the chai tea latte has the right amount of spice to warm you up when it rains. 316 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-765-0199, tearoomcafe.com.
Petaluma Coffee & Tea: This Petaluma cafe caters to coffee- and tea-lovers who like a wide selection of beans and loose leaf teas, and an industrial look to go with it. This is a place to feel right at home: a large coffee roaster and several bean-packed burlap sacks fill the room with comforting coffee aroma while locals play jaunty tunes on the piano. 212 2nd Street, Petaluma, 707-763-2727, petalumacoffee.com.
In addition to coffee blends from all over the globe, Petaluma Coffee and Tea also serves up a variety of teas, like Strawberries & Roses, a mix of green sencha, carrot, pumpkin, strawberry, and rose blossom; and fine cut organic Assam with a warm robust flavor (available by the cup and pound). (Courtesy photo)
Muir’s Tea Room, Sebastopol: Located in a charming Victorian in downtown Sebastopol, this tea room takes inspiration from Scottish-American naturalist John Muir. It offers both Scottish and English tea services, as well as seasonal, plant-based lunch menus and holiday tea events. 330 South Main Street, Sebastopol, 707-634-6143, muirstearoom.com.
The Queens Rose Garden is a popular black tea at Muir's Tea Room, with its warm vanilla and soft, sweet rose notes. The Enchanted Forest green tea is a magical blend of mellow Sencha and spicy mate, mingled with hints of black forest cherry cake. After your tea service, don’t forget to check out the gift shop for artisan bath products, home and garden décor, gourmet treats and children’s items.
Beet and Butter Bean Hummus garnished with pickled carrot, toasted pistachios and mint, served with grilled ciabatta at Muir's Tea Room. (Photo by John Burgess)
Infusions Tea House, Sebastopol: Tea and chocolate make a dreamy pair. At Sonoma Chocolatiers' tea room, you can sip robust Black Coconut tea while nibbling on fine dark chocolate or coconut currant turmeric ginger truffles. Or try the the smooth Milky Oolong Taiwanese tea with the fig cardamom truffle or mango amaretto caramel. Whatever you order, it’s hard to go wrong with homemade chocolates and hot, organic tea. 6988 McKinley Street, Sebastopol, 707-829-1181, sonomachocolatiers.com.
Guayakí Yerba Mate Café, Sebastopol: Guayakí Yerba Mate serves up its eponymous tea along with organic eats at a rainforest-themed cafe in The Barlow. For lunch, pair a yerba mate latte (hot or iced) with the veggie burger and a side of crunchy plantain chips or, if you’re more of a traditionalist, go for a loose leaf yerba mate brewed in a gourd the South American way. You can enjoy your tea in the modern communal lounge or swing by the Aché Room to catch a live music performance. Pro tip: come in on Mate Monday for a free cup of hot mate. 6782 Sebastopol Ave., Suite 100, Sebastopol, 707-824-6644.
Patisserie Angelica, Sebastopol: Sweet-tooths be warned, this Parisian-style bakery offers irresistible artisan treats along with a beautifully displayed West County High Tea. Reservations are required one week in advance for the tea service, which comes with your choice of fine teas from Mariage Frères and an assortment of homemade finger sandwiches, such English cucumber and chive cream cheese, and heavenly pastries like warm cream currant scones with organic Meyer lemon curd. 6821 Laguna Park Way, Sebastopol, 707-827-7998, patisserieangelica.com.
West County High Tea at Patisserie Angelica, in Sebastopol. On the top tier: raspberry cheesecake, fallen chocolate soufflé, almond puff Pariesienne, raspberry frangipane tart, and orange shortbread. Second tier includes dilled egg salad, cucumber with cream cheese, and black forest ham with Boursin cheese sandwiches. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
It’s no secret that Sonoma County loves its coffee — you’re never far from an artisan brew here. But for those who prefer leaves over beans, it can sometimes be a bit harder to get your hot drink fix. To aid our fellow tea-lovers, we’ve rounded up ten favorite places for a cuppa. Click through the gallery to find great tea rooms and shops near you. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know in the comments.
