Destination Tea: Mathis House

Where: Toms River, New Jersey
Style:  Victorian
Tea Selection:  5 seasonal loose leaf teas suggested, 80+ available
Teatimes:  Tuesday to Sunday, 11 to 4
Reservations: Reservations required
Contact: 732-818-7580
Cost: $40 Afternoon Tea
Destination Tea Tips: Leave time to explore the ground floor gift shop and year-round attic Christmas shop. Check their facebook page for themed events and book your holiday teas early as they are very popular.

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

afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ

Destination Tea Notes: Longtime Destination Tea readers know the particular delight it gives us to take tea in a historic home, especially one where afternoon tea would have been served as part of daily life. Built at the end of the Gilded Age in 1898, Mathis House Bed and Breakfast and Tea Room has been beautifully renovated and decorated by owner Vicki Weiss. Guests are also invited to peek at unoccupied rooms on the second floor B&B and make their way to the third floor for shopping in the attic Christmas gift shop. Ornate picture wall molding, antique light fixtures, original stained glass windows and tiled fireplaces are just some of the details to admire in the Sea Glass, Parlor, Library, Dining and Breakfast tearooms. In this lovely setting, Mathis House expertly serves a seasonal tea selection and satisfying five-course menu on beautiful bone china. We also love that tea tables are set on the wide wrap-around porch so guests can enjoy afternoon tea al fresco in warm months. When we exclaim over the tea tray arrival, one of our kind servers, Jeanne, says, “it takes a while to make it right” and that’s exactly what the staff at Mathis House has done. This teahouse is the perfect place to fall in love with afternoon tea.

front porch at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — A bit incongruous, but clever – a photo station is set up on the front porch.

tearooms at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Since our visit, this room has been made over in shades of lilac and cascades of flowers, now dubbed The Butterfly Room.

parlor at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — So many details to admire: stained glass window, flowery sprigs above the molding, lavender and cream walls.

sea glass room at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — The Sea Glass room is often reserved for private parties.

veranda at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — The wrap-around porch is partially a covered veranda, where we’d love taking tea during a light rain.

porch tea table at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — At our porch table, my mother, one of my favorite people to take to tea, and the reason for this NJ visit. I went home to Middletown to scour my parents’ boxes of family photos in preparation for their 50th wedding anniversary this month. Happy Golden Anniversary to my loving parents!

Tea Service

tea cups and tea selection at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Teacups at the ready kick off my favorite afternoon tea game, “What’s my favorite cup?” (the middle one)

teapot at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — The teahouse changes their tea offerings each season, offering each guest a pot of tea that comes snuggled in a tea cozy which keeps our tea perfectly warm, even on the breezy porch. We decide the Spring Fever is our favorite: a black tea flavored with chocolate, coffee beans and cream.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

garden salad at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Beginning with a fresh salad

zucchini parmesan soup at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — We are very proud of ourselves for choosing the outstanding Zucchini Parmesan soup for the second course.

3-tiered tray at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — A most pleasing sight

finger sandwiches at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Savories include a Cranberry Tartlet, Egg Salad on Wheat, Ham and Cheese on Rye, Cucumber and Cream Cheese and Chicken Salad Pinwheels. All yummy!

scones with clotted cream at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Light, perfectly sized Blueberry and White Chocolate Scones are served with clotted cream and lemon curd.

desserts at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ — Desserts tucked around this crafted bird’s nest include a macaron, chocolate chip cookie, chocolate truffle and mini cupcake.

stained glass in the stairwell at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ

bed and breakfast at afternoon tea at Mathis House in Toms River, NJ

We make a short exploration into the second and third floors to check out the B&B and attic shop. Behind the teahouse by the parking lot, we discover a plant sale and the old carriage house. Mathis House abounds with lovely spots to take portraits or group photos.