Destination Tea: Boardwalk Plaza Hotel, Victoria’s Restaurant

Where:  Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
Style:  Victorian
Tea Selection:  7 loose leaf teas by Harney & Sons
Teatimes:  Monday to Saturday, 3 to 5
Reservations:  24-hour notice
Contact:  302-227-7169 
Cost:  $19.95 Afternoon Tea
Destination Tea Tips: Leave time to visit the shops just a five-minute walk away in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

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

exterior afternoon tea at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE

Destination Tea Notes: Rehoboth Beach is an idyllic backdrop for afternoon tea, as this one-square-mile historic town came of age in the Victorian era. And the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel completes the picture from the second you step through its doors. Surrounded by antique pieces and scrolling latticework, just try and convince yourself that Victoria’s Restaurant was built in 1991, and you haven’t stepped into a postcard from an early 20th century beachside hotel. On top of this beautiful setting, there’s Tim, who introduces himself as our “Tea Mother,” a role he’s been filling for 25 years! While a bit camera shy, he is a gracious host, proudly displaying his tea cart which he wheels over, to prepare our teas tableside. That’s a first for us, as well as the flourish of a large doily draped over our tea curate, allowing Tim to present the three-tiered tray with a grand reveal. While we certainly enjoy our teas and treats, it’s the care taken to details – like unique teapot cozies to match each tea – that makes afternoon tea at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel feel like a special occasion.

foyer Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
In the hotel lobby, beautiful flowers, antique loveseat and is that a painted gramophone cone?
Victoria's Restaurant entrance at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Teapots mark the entrance to Victoria’s Restaurant, and at this first glance, we easily believe this venue must be a century old.
whicker chairs at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Pausing to fantasize about taking tea in these amazing wicker egg chairs with upholstered interior. Fabulous Victorian lampshades give a pop of color and vintage personality.
Boardwalk Hotel model at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
A handmade model of the hotel to delight kids young and old.
Victoria's Restaurant interior at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Couldn’t resist putting a retro filter on this pic of Victoria’s Restaurant. This is exactly how it feels in my mind’s eye, like stepping onto the set of “Somewhere in Time” (a time-travel romance filmed at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, also built in the Victorian era).

Victoria's Restaurant seating at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
The restaurant, decorated in pleasing emerald, lime and crisp white, overlooks the water.

Tea Service

Cannisters for tea at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Tea Mother Tim warns us these cookie tins only hold the kind of treat you drink!
Tea Mother prepares teapots at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Established fans of Harney & Sons teas, we already know our choices will all be delicious. Tim measures out tea in his wicker rolling tea cart.
Teapot cozies and purple tea at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Here is the featured tea of the month: Indigo Punch (a caffeine-free herbal blend with rosehips, apple and butterfly pea flower, which creates its purple hue). Light and refreshing, its greatest appeal is the surprise on the kids’ faces when you start to pour. We also choose English Breakfast, Organic Green with Citrus & Ginko, Chocolate Tea and decaffeinated Paris.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

la piece de resistance at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Our tea curate demurely hides beneath this oversized doily.
3 tiered tray at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Tim reveals our three-tiered tray, made of pretty china wreathed in roses and gold edge.
tea sandwiches at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Tea sandwiches include tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad and cucumber with herbed cheese.
scones with lemon curd at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Scones are served with lemon curd and clotted cream.
desserts at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Macarons in fun flavors — pistachio, mango and coconut — are the highlight of dessert, which also includes frosted mini cupcakes…
sugared grapes at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
…frosted grapes and chocolate-dipped strawberries with nuts.
mantle decoration at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
A ceramic piece commemorating the British Royal Family, from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth.
antique at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Antique organ made in Chicago
sink vanity at Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach, DE
Likely an afternoon tea etiquette faux pas, to photograph a bathroom vanity, but look at this gorgeous sink in this antique vanity.
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

3 Comments

    1. Thank you Sharon, yes, and we keep updated pricing and days/times in the state directories. Blog reviews include the details as they were at the time of our visit. Thank you for sending that update – we welcome corrections to the directories!

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