Destination Tea: Ark Coffeehaus

Where:  Dunwoody, Georgia
Style:  Modern farmhouse
Tea Selection: 3 preselected Ark Coffeehaus loose leaf teas
Teatimes:  Special Tea Events, Private parties of 10 or more
Reservations:  Ticket purchase required
Contact:  Purchase tickets here
Cost: $35 Afternoon Tea; $15 Child (ages 10 and under)
Destination Tea Tips: Every month, Ark Coffeehaus releases a new calendar of events, and checking their Instagram is the best way to see when they’ve added an upcoming afternoon tea to the calendar. We also suggest leaving yourself time to shop their selection of fair trade and locally made gifts.

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

Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia

Destination Tea Notes: Whenever we hear of a new afternoon tea service in the Atlanta area, we have to balance our serious desire to make a reservation immediately with the reality that an early experience is not representative of what it will become as it is refined over time. That said, we happily report we have very few notes for Ark Coffeehaus after attending their first afternoon tea, this one a “Mommy & Me” theme. Notably, the teas, (blended in-house), are varied and expertly brewed, the homemade pastries are wonderfully yummy, and the service at this after-hours event is attentive, while encouraging guests to be at their leisure. We especially liked that this modestly priced afternoon tea generously included three teas. A far cry from the frilly Victorian teahouse, Ark Coffeehaus’ atmosphere is one of honest goodness and relaxed coolness (make sure to peruse their custom pop culture pins at checkout). Opened recently in November 2023, by brother John Yacoub and sister Priscilla Wells (who is also a Metro Atlanta farmer), the tea shop’s focus on natural living and eco-conscious practices means that you will enjoy teas free of artificial ingredients and plastics, that change throughout the year to reflect seasonal flavors. We happily anticipate return visits to see how the afternoon tea here evolves.

interior at afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
A glimpse of the space from our December Tea Tasting visit
our tea table at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
When the centerpiece is a gift! Inside we found slivers of locally made soaps and three ounces (!!) of Ark Coffeehaus’ newly launched Berries & Cream black tea blend (with vanilla, rose hips, hibiscus, cranberry, blueberry, wild foraged strawberry and cherry essence).

Tea Selection

menu at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
The courses (listed in reverse order), are printed on pretty menus, which it happens understated the dessert course, (no complaints). John and Priscilla poured two of the teas for us, and brought a third steep to the table for us to help ourselves. They were excellent about keeping our cups filled.
trying the tea at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
We could not believe the Peach Rooibos Tea had no added sugar. We very much appreciate a juicy tea that has no sugar or caffeine (good thinking for young customers, too). This one was our favorite of the three.
white tea steeping at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
We were provided a timer so that we would know when our Honeysuckle White Tea was ready to pour. This lightly fragrant tea paired well with the rich sandwiches and sweet pastries.
berries and cream tea at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Deep berry color of their Berries & Cream black tea blend

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

three tiered tray at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Here’s what two young ladies look like when they are exercising extreme patience so that photographs can be taken before we explore this tempting three tiered tray.
tea sandwiches at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Served on potato bread, the curry chicken salad (aka coronation chicken) and pimento cheese sandwiches were our favorites. We like a thinner spread on a cucumber with herbed cream cheese, but noticed that everything about this menu is generously done. The smaller triangles they offered for the children would have been perfect finger sandwiches for the adults as well.
scones at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Vanilla Bean and Creamsicle scones break open easily, to be spread with whipped cream (which they graciously fortified when we requested a second helping). The housemade dessert course was scrumptious and plentiful, including large molasses cookie, chocolate-dipped biscotti…
desserts at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
…lemon bars, jammy thumbprint cookies and a hazelnut chocolate cupcake. And now a note on size:
divine cupcakes at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Customarily, afternoon tea foods are dainty bites, and there’s a minor debate about whether or not cupcakes belong at an afternoon tea, unless they are minis. (American tea parties do very often include cupcake displays). We must emphatically state here that Ark Coffeehaus cupcakes being the soft, moist delectable creations they are, had to be absolutely welcome in their full-size state. Teaspoons averted any inherent messiness, (we’d suggest pastry forks in future) and we took home any and every morsel we couldn’t finish. We wouldn’t mind one bit if these became a regular at Ark Coffeehaus afternoon teas, but might (reluctantly) suggest they be made into mini cupcakes.
eight year old at Mommy & Me afternoon tea at Ark Coffeehaus in Dunwoody, Georgia
Eight years old and in heaven
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We love comments! Destination Tea's comment policy shares a guiding principle with afternoon tea etiquette: please be gracious. We welcome honest comments that are not rude or scathing.