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.
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.
The restaurant, decorated in pleasing emerald, lime and crisp white, overlooks the water.
Tea Service
Tea Mother Tim warns us these cookie tins only hold the kind of treat you drink!
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.
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
Our tea curate demurely hides beneath this oversized doily.
Tim reveals our three-tiered tray, made of pretty china wreathed in roses and gold edge.
Tea sandwiches include tuna salad, egg salad, chicken salad and cucumber with herbed cheese.
Scones are served with lemon curd and clotted cream.
Macarons in fun flavors — pistachio, mango and coconut — are the highlight of dessert, which also includes frosted mini cupcakes…
…frosted grapes and chocolate-dipped strawberries with nuts.
A ceramic piece commemorating the British Royal Family, from William the Conqueror to Queen Elizabeth.
Antique organ made in Chicago
Likely an afternoon tea etiquette faux pas, to photograph a bathroom vanity, but look at this gorgeous sink in this antique vanity.
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!
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.
Well done. An exquisite description of an exquisite venue!
The cost for this is now $29.95 per person as of December 2023.
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!