Where: Boston, Massachusetts Style: 1845 Greek Revival building, storybook cafe Tea Selection: 4 loose leaf teas Teatimes: Sunday, 11 to 5 Reservations: Reservations required Contact: Reserve here Cost: $65 Afternoon Tea; $35 Afternoon Tea (ages 12 and under); $22.50 ($45 for 2) Tea for Two To Go Destination Tea Tips: Bring the kids (more on why below), and leave plenty of time to peruse the book shop on the upper floors.
Destination Tea Notes: For the many tea drinkers who are also avid readers, the darling world of Beacon Hill Books & Cafe is the perfect place for afternoon tea. Owner Melissa Fetter opened the independent book shop and cafe two years ago, after completely gutting and redesigning the five-floor 19th-century townhouse. Though the pandemic delayed the renovation, it was also a “blessing in disguise,” as she told Mike Welton of Traditional Building magazine:
It took three years to open in October 2022—and that gave me time to keep inventing,” Fetter says. “Now the space is very touching to people because of its level of detail—it enchants them.”
We fully agree, and this is partially why we recommend bringing the kids, or your book club, or your fellow Potterheads — really anyone who loves the magical worlds found within books. Kids of all ages will be delighted to duck into the brick tunnel that leads to the below-street-level back patio and cafe. Windows cut into the tunnel let you preview the charming soft blue and white indoor seating, and along the way, you’ll meet the shop’s mascot, Paige the Squirrel. Surprises such as these are sprinkled throughout the building, making the setting the true star of this afternoon tea. We’ll point out special creative touches to look for, so you don’t miss any of them (like we did!).
Adding to the joy on this occasion was that Terri Michaelson of local tea company Herbs Make Scents met Angela for this afternoon tea. We had so much to discuss as new tea friends meeting in person for the first time (Terri worked with Destination Tea in past to create tea pairings for our Irish Afternoon Tea party guide). It was heartening to meet someone who wants to provide organic, fair-trade tea blends to her community and grow her business so that she can increase her charitable donations (a portion of all Herbs Make Scents sales goes to The Little Things Non Profit and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation).
Perhaps the staff here is just as enchanted with this place, because everyone we met in the cafe’s gingham uniform was smiling and gracious. Our server Jess took excellent care of us while giving us plenty of uninterrupted time to get to know each other, and manager Anna kindly checked on us as well. We noticed some room for improvement in the tea service, but overall agreed this is a Boston afternoon tea we’d recommend, Terri saying she would definitely be back.
You may have to duck just a bit to enter the downstairs cafe and back patio. This brick-paved tunnel was designed to be wheelchair accessible.
Thanks, we’re so happy to be here, too! Windows at left allow you to peek at the cafe’s indoor seating.
There’s a Paige the Squirrel sighting. Paige was imagined by owner Melissa Fetter as the shop’s resident mascot who likes to explore and read all the books.
Appreciating the design of the brick patio, where you’ll check in with the hostess.
Shiplapped ceiling and dark wood beams offset the dreamy blues of the cafe.
Long and narrow, the room also cleverly tucks extra seating into a bar opposite the tables.
Appreciating the thought that was given to bringing natural light into this downstairs cafe.
Of course there should be a teacup on the fireplace mantle.
A simple, elegant white, blue and silver tablescape
Fresh flowers elevate the afternoon tea table.
Tea Selection
We began with a glass of Prosecco.
There’s Paige the Squirrel again – this time with her own teacup! We were invited to choose our tea from a selection of two black teas and two herbals. We decided to go with the Beacon Hill Books Custom Blend. We were interested to know the ingredients of this blend but the staff wasn’t sure — Terri guessed it was partially Ceylon, which explains why Angela thought it tasted like an English Breakfast blend. We would like to see a few more teas offered, perhaps with short descriptions of the flavor profiles.
Although these beautiful tea strainers had the weight of an heirloom piece, our readers know that we like our tea to be perfectly brewed. Pouring out only two cups at a time allowed our large pot of tea with leaves inside to become slightly bitter during the course of our tea.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
These lovely ladies agreed to be Destination Tea models so that we could show you this cute corner table overlooking the street.
Our favorite course with soft bread and melt-in-your-mouth phyllo cups, the tea sandwiches included: Smoked Salmon with Whipped Lemon Caper Butter, English Cucumber with Herbed Cream Cheese, Classic Egg Salad and two Chicken Salad Puffs.
Large drop scones come in Blueberry and Royal Butter, and are served with clotted cream, berry jam and lemon curd.
Cute touch of garnishing each spread
While the Chocolate Chip cookies seemed overdone, the Lemon Cake and Chocolate Truffle were divine, and…
…the cuteness of a Tea Cookie that is designed to look like a book about tea – we love it!
Paige the Squirrel has misplaced one of her giant acorns! This iced cookie as a favor was an unexpected delight, right on theme.
After tea, we take the stairs to explore the bookstore.
Beautifully designed, it partially feels like you’re in a friend’s vast personal library.
Loving the inset benches
Child-sized furniture on the children’s floor, and look up to see the train that passes between rooms (you can start it running by pressing a button).
A miniature set of red doors is a nod to the red front door to Beacon Hill Books. Photo Credit: Terri Michaelson
Only available at the store, Sarah S. Brannen’s children’s book, “Paige of Beacon Hill,” is about a young squirrel who lives in an abandoned building in Beacon Hill. After leaving for a happy summer making new friends in the Public Garden, she returns to discover that her old home is now a book store.
We missed spying Paige’s home on the first floor, handcrafted by illustrator Brian Lies, who wanted Paige’s home to feel like a real dwelling rather than a dollhouse interior. The details are amazing!
What a cute bookstore. A bookstore and tea room sounds heavenly to me! I love the coziness of the book areas and the tea cup on the mantle is such a fun touch.
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What a cute bookstore. A bookstore and tea room sounds heavenly to me! I love the coziness of the book areas and the tea cup on the mantle is such a fun touch.
Well said – exactly! My mother is a librarian, and she said much the same. Definitely one for the afternoon tea wishlist.