Where: Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia Style: Modern cafe Tea Selection: 8 sacheted loose leaf teas by Dammann Frères Teatimes: Monday to Saturday 11-4, and private parties of 15 or more by reservation Reservations: 48-hour notice Contact:Reserve here (add “afternoon tea” in Special Requests field) or 404-279-5850 Cost: $45 Afternoon Tea Destination Tea Tip: Circle around to the rear of Lenox Square Mall and follow the signs to the Neiman Marcus parking deck. NM Cafe is on the lower level of the store.
Destination Tea Notes: Did you know that department store tearooms were all the rage in the early 20th century, both abroad and here in the United States? The opulence of that age was understandably diminished through two World Wars and the Great Depression, causing department stores to streamline their operations. By the 1950s, afternoon tea had been removed from most department store tearoom menus, but it was precisely at this time that luxury retailer Neiman Marcus opened its first restaurant, the Zodiac, in its flagship Dallas store, as a sales strategy, to keep customers from leaving for lunch. Today, 39 Neiman Marcus stores across the country have restaurants, and more than a dozen of these serve afternoon tea. Each city and chef has the ability to craft their menu to suit their customers’ demands, but certain Neiman Marcus classics are found nationwide (more on that later).
Before 2021, Lenox Square Mall’s Neiman Marcus only offered private tea parties to large groups, but that year, General Manager Stacy Holtz decided to have NM Cafe host a regular teatime at the Atlanta location, no minimum party size. Naturally, as soon as we learned this, we reserved an afternoon tea.
Completely different from the ornate department store tea salons of the past, NM Cafe has a modern design and quietly relaxed scene, tucked into the back of the store. If you find the cafe setting a bit casual for an afternoon tea, it’s worth noting this is the most affordable afternoon tea in Buckhead. Come here for a yummy, scratch-made menu featuring two signature Neiman Marcus recipes, and the chance to treat yourself to an afternoon tea as a respite and social hour during your shopping trip.
We arrived by elevator, that entrance to the left. Here is the store entrance.
A very modern design, with sweeping curves and bright pops of color
Our table is set with white linen to lend some elegance to our afternoon tea.
And the laughter begins, this time in appreciation of Lori’s homemade fascinator.
Tea Service
Speaking of fascinators, I cannot get enough of my fabulous piece, made by Angela Kang Cole in Marietta. I feel like a peacock.
Each guest is offered a 2-cup pot and selects their tea from a chest of Dammann Frères teas with yummy flavors like Caramel Black and Jardin Bleu. We enjoyed learning that this Parisian tea company was founded in 1692. Stacy had asked for our feedback, and we shared that we would appreciate either a larger pot of tea, or second steeping to last throughout the meal.
On a return visit, the staff was receptive to our request to double the tea-to-water ratio, kindly bringing us a second tea sachet to steep a proper brew. If you are an Earl Grey fan, we highly recommend the Goût Russe Douchka (a black tea blended with bergamot and orange essential oils).
Also upon our return, we noted that the Dammann Frères teapots are larger, 3-cup pots, which we suspect are insulated, because they kept the tea hot throughout our afternoon tea.
Savories and Sweets
Surprise! Have you ever begun an afternoon tea with a cup of chicken consommé? A savory immune boost, why not? Actually, longtime patrons of Neiman Marcus’ restaurants know that this signature item is traditionally served as a complimentary starter, as well as…
…a warm popover with strawberry butter. Divine! This comfort food has appropriately British origins, known as Yorkshire Pudding in England (but not like we Americans mean “pudding”). Made of flour, salt, eggs, milk, and butter, the original recipe is still a staple element of a meat and gravy dish abroad. The pastry became popular in 19th century New England, where it was dubbed a “popover” for the way it expands up and over the sides of the pan while baking. In fact, Jordan Pond House in Maine’s Acadia National Park still serves popovers with afternoon tea today.
Tasty finger sandwiches include chicken salad popovers, tuna salad with greens and cucumber with herbed cream cheese. Note that the new menu (below) will include a slightly different variety for this course.
The chocolate and vanilla macarons are brought in, while the lemon drops and signature chocolate chip cookies are made in house. All are delicious, and perfectly sized for a sweet treat that’s not overbearing.
Back again in 2023. We are especially pleased that you can make an afternoon tea reservation just a day or two ahead, so that when one’s mother says, “I packed my tea hat, do we have a reservation for a ladies’ tea during this visit?” you can say, “Yes!”
As the price for this afternoon tea has increased, we are glad to see, so have the savories, from three to now five delicious tea sandwiches. The standouts were so yummy (middle tier): homemade chicken salad croissant and a turkey swiss on punpernickel (lettuce tossed in caesar dressing). We also enjoyed tuna pecan salad, egg salad and smashed avocado and cucumber. Dessert was plentiful: mini carrot cakes, Neiman Marcus chocolate chip cookies and macarons.
Afternoon Tea for Parties Great and Small
The NM Cafe party room for parties of 15 or more is a lovely space that offers privacy and feels a bit more formal.
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.
Wonderful! I just love it!