Destination Tea Reviews/Florida

Destination Tea: Belleair Cafe

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Where:  Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Style:  Island cafe
Tea Selection:  Variety of bagged teas
Teatimes:  Parties of 4 or more, Daily after 1 pm
Reservations:  48-hour notice
Contact: 727-584-3697
Cost:  $18.50 Afternoon Tea
Destination Tea Tip:  Right next-door is a treasure trove of teaware in the Jewel Antique Mall, so leave time to explore!

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

patio at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida

Destination Tea Notes: Yummy things are brewing at Belleair Cafe (formerly Jewel Cafe & Tea Room), where new owners Julie Champion and Chris Scott have recently resumed the afternoon tea service. We predict this afternoon tea will soon earn a following, based on our happy experience, and the fact that Julie has been running the catering service at the couple’s next-door gourmet corner store Belleair Market for years. We chatted with Julie and daughter Kayla after our tea, learning that ever since the family took over the cafe in summer 2020, they’ve been getting frequent requests for tea parties. Having inherited beautiful teacups, tiered trays and teapots, and a tea-going customer base, Julie is dreaming up tea menus that may feature some of the Market’s signature items, like its popular quiche (which also comes in gluten-free variety). Julie’s enthusiasm for her business is infectious and we admire that Julie earnestly invites our feedback. We think afternoon tea is best accompanied by a high quality tea, and so make some suggestions for local loose leaf tea companies and premium bagged teas. We also discuss replacing the one sizable dessert with three or four smaller ones. For those still avoiding dine-in, the cafe’s island-themed patio has plenty of shade cover to enjoy an afternoon tea al fresco. If you go, please drop us a line and send a picture – we’d like to see how this afternoon tea service develops!

patio sign at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
A perfect message for pandemic days hangs by the patio entrance.
walking into afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
The cafe’s exterior is painted in a mélange of tropical colors.
interior at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
A seaside theme decorates this casual neighborhood cafe. Our afternoon tea table has been set up behind an ivy-patterned screen.
tea table at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Food is already set out for us, with tea box at the ready; white linens to dress up the setting
tiered trays at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
These smiling faces have spotted something delicious on the tea trays, one with sandwiches, the other with scones and dessert.

Tea Service

tea selection at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Julie’s daughter Kayla is our gracious server, diligently checking in with us to make sure she replenishes the hot water in our teapot, and inviting us to each choose our tea from a selection of bagged teas.
pretty china at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
I select a very nice Stash tea, but the true star is this lovely china pattern.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

square tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
It is no surprise that the owners of a gourmet deli make delicious sandwiches. When reserving afternoon tea, we are given the choice of 4 on wheat, white, rye or croissant (we select the first four): Classic Cucumber, Egg Salad, Roast Beef & Horseradish, Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Turkey & Cheese, Ham & Cheese. There was an oversight and the roast beef is missing the horseradish, but we wholly enjoy this course nonetheless with its soft breads and premium meats.
blueberry scones at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
These glazed blueberry scones are delicious, served with a freshly whipped cream
lemon tart at afternoon tea at Belleair Cafe in Belleair Bluffs, Florida
Dessert is a sweet and yummy 3″ lemon tart.
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DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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