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.
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. Learn the art of making matcha or craft a ruby-red mocktail with the shop’s MarTEAni kit — complete with loose leaf citrus hibiscus tisane (herbal tea), raspberry-Meyer lemon syrup and hibiscus sugar to rim your glass with. A personal favorite is the Benifuki green tea from the Kagoshima region of Japan, a nutty and grassy tea with anti-inflammatory properties (perfect for treating seasonal allergies).
109 North St., Healdsburg, 707-431-1995, thetasteoftea.com
Russian River Tea Company, Healdsburg
Upon entering this small, woman-owned boutique, customers are greeted by a wall of over 100 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.
The tea shop’s salted caramel chai is a cozy pick-me-up — black tea blended with caramel, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel and a touch of mole spice. 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.
336 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-395-0857, russianriverteaco.com
A’Roma Roasters Coffee & Tea, Santa Rosa
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 Fifth St., 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.
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).
212 Second St., Petaluma, 707-763-2727, petalumacoffee.com
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.
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.
330 South Main St., Sebastopol, 707-634-6143, muirstearoom.com
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
Duncans Mills Tea Shop, Duncans Mills
Tucked away in a small outdoor marketplace off Highway 116, the Duncans Mills Tea Shop boasts a bevy of loose leaf teas. There are traditional selections like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, as well as more unique flavors like Orange Cookie Chai and Ruby Lemon Mint. Also find tea snacks and cute teaware, such as teapots shaped like cats and lighthouses.
25185 Main St., Duncans Mills, 707-865-9063, duncansmillsteashop.com
