Destination Tea: Antique Caffe

Where:  Johns Creek, Georgia
Style: Antiques store
Tea Selection: 6 loose leaf teas
Teatimes:  Daily, 10 to 5 (last seating)
Reservations:  24-hour notice
Contact:  470-657-7016, Reserve here
Cost: $75 High Tea
Destination Tea Tips:  Part of the fun of coming here is browsing the antiques, so you may want to leave time before or after your reservation to see what’s in store.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Georgia afternoon tea directory for the latest details.

exterior Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA

Destination Tea Notes: Students of the history of the American tearoom know that many an early 20th century tearoom doubled as a showroom for an antiques business. So when you come for afternoon tea at Antiques Caffe in Johns Creek, if you feel you have journeyed back in time, it’s no accident. The founders of this business intended guests to “feel immersed in the nostalgia of bygone eras while savoring the simple pleasures of life.” And we very much did! There are several unique treats in store for afternoon tea guests here, beginning with an invitation to pick our china from a cabinet with several beautiful antique teasets, after learning of the provenance of each. When it’s time to choose our tea, aroma jars are wheeled out on an antique tea cart. And amongst the choices is a loose leaf tea that reflects the Chinese heritage of the family that runs this business — a Lychee Red Tea (“red” being the Chinese name for what we call “black” tea). The housemade menu designed by an American master chef from a European 5-star hotel is both well portioned and tasty. Owners Alex Mai and Jenny Zong warmly greeted us, while son Vincent Lao took excellent care of us, kindly answering our curious questions about the antiques surrounding our tea table. Whether or not you are an antiques collector, you will surely pass a memorable afternoon at Antique Caffe’s tea service.

interior Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Low and high tea settings run in three rows amongst the antiques.
interior Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Gaze upon artfully crafted antiques as you enjoy afternoon tea.
phonograph at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Should I have taken home this green gramophone?
typewriter at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Each item is dated.
antique tea kettle in Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Part of the adventure is discovering antique tea things, like this Moroccan brass tea kettle (see how the bottom half holds the heating element).

Tea Selection

choosing your teaset at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Vincent talks us through our teaset options.
tea menu at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
We are invited to choose one pot of tea.
aroma jars at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Loving this tea chest with aroma jars. Vincent explains the Lychee Red is a special blend, which obviously we must try.
pouring the tea at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
A “non-alcoholic sparkling rose” is served first (we guessed it was a sparkling fruit juice). Tea is steeped directly in the pot and strainers are provided.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

three tiered tray at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Vincent informs us this menu is made in house.
tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
Each savory is delicious and neatly presented, including Smoked Salmon and Avocado Cracker, Cucumber Cream Cheese, Mini Cranberry Chicken Croissant and Ham and Cheese sandwiches.
breads at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
The interesting accompaniment for the scones is a whipped cream with sprinkles. We enjoy the Blueberry Scone, Madeleine, Mini New York Cheesecake, Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffin…
fresh fruit and pastries at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
…Cannoli Cream Tart, Macarons and Fresh Fruit to finish the dessert course.
at afternoon tea at Antique Caffe in Johns Creek, GA
What a backdrop for afternoon tea!
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 Comments

  1. What’s not to love here? Antiques and afternoon tea? What a great pairing. Angela, please make sure we visit this tea room when next we are in town! Looking forward to it.

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