Where: Tampa, Florida Style: Bohemian industrial Tea Selection: 40+ premium loose leaf teas from TeBella Tea Company Teatimes: Sunday, 3 pm Reservations: Advance pre-paid reservations required Contact: 813-253-0222 x805, Reserve here Cost: $48 Royal Tea; $36 Afternoon Tea; $18 Children’s Tea Destination Tea Tips: Don’t leave here without stopping by the TeBella counter to take home some excellent teas for later, or as gifts. If you’re a “Sunday Funday” sort, come early to lounge in the Champagne Bar.
Destination Tea Notes: Oxford Exchange is itself one of the stars of this afternoon tea experience, alongside an excellent loose leaf tea selection by local tea company TeBella, and a very scrumptious 3-tiered tray. You may notice that this review has an above average number of photos and when you visit, be prepared to see cameras out wherever you turn. Our teenage reviewer calls this renovated 1890’s building an “Instagramers’ Paradise” (scroll down to see why), and we definitely recommend you dress for the occasion, and plan to pose for portraits. Taking inspiration from the historic clubs, libraries and shops of London to create a place that would spark social interaction, Oxford Exchange now houses an upstairs shared work space, and main floor book shop, champagne bar, restaurant, tea bar, coffee counter, home goods/gift shop, private events like weddings, and a Conservatory, where afternoon tea is served. All ages gather in this beautiful space, appointed with stunning flower arrangements from a recent wedding, and the staff’s private event expertise shows as they smoothly execute afternoon tea service to all guests in one sitting. Speaking of the service, our server ranks amongst the select few who have a respectable level of tea expertise, such that she not only helps us choose teas we will love, but also makes spot-on recommendations for their preparation. Thank you Jessica!
Dark paneled hall opens onto the atrium.
Portrait gallery of famous world leaders and icons overlooks richly upholstered porter’s chairs and bar seating. Love the greenery cascading down the staircase wall.
Our 11-year-old reviewer
Looking like an Anthropologie catalogue, the Champagne Bar has its own set of wicker porter’s chairs.
Stunning flower arrangement
Salmon velvet tufted chaise lounge the perfect perch as we check-in at the restaurant
The gift shop opens onto the atrium.
Long tufted leather sofas, armchairs, and wooden chests welcome tea and coffee drinkers to gather in between the two counters.
Breathing in the ambiance of the Conservatory: trickling stone fountain, potted trees, life-size checkerboard floor, sunny exposure
Gorgeous flowers from a previous wedding, the perfect crown for the fountain, whose base doubles as bench seating.
Love the espaliered vines mimicking the brick argyle pattern
Tea Service
Tea chops! Our server Jessica starts with an overview of the tea menu that is informed and succinct.
But first, champagne
Each guest may choose one tea (hot or iced), and additional pots are $3.50 each. A first glimpse of the tea menu tells us we will be ordering second rounds — too many interesting teas to taste! I start with the Oolong Nirvana with lemon myrtle and vanilla (so delicious!) and move on to the naturally sweet Coconut Pouchong with coconut and pineapple.
Jessica is right to recommend a latte when we try ordering a White Coconut Dulce with cream and sugar.
For the iced Florida Orange Blossom and Pineapple Ginger Matcha teas, Jessica supplies a small pitcher of simple sugar for easy blending.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Our 5th grade reviewer has learned that exercising patience while the 3-tier tray is photographed only sweetens the anticipation.
A generous array of savories includes: Deviled Egg with Caviar and Chives, Ham with Watercress and Mayo, Honey and Peanut Butter with Strawberries, Whipped Feta with Tomato Relish and Arugula, and Hickory Smoked Salmon Pâté with Cucumbers.
Warm, soft Brown Sugar Cinnamon Scones are served with cream and homemade mixed berry preserves.
Each of the desserts is divine: moist Orange Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache, Lemon Blueberry Bars, Strawberry Layered Cheesecake and Strawberry Macaron.
Afternoon tea makes us smile!
Love that TeBella gives our server a free tea when we mention her at the TeBella counter, where we stock up on our new favorites.
Loved the vast selection of tea offered at OE. As always, I wish I had left more room to try more teas, but I bought a few to take home and can’t wait to try them. I would definitely return to OE and get there early to enjoy the Champagne Bar, which had a delicious assortment of classic bubbly cocktails.
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Loved the vast selection of tea offered at OE. As always, I wish I had left more room to try more teas, but I bought a few to take home and can’t wait to try them. I would definitely return to OE and get there early to enjoy the Champagne Bar, which had a delicious assortment of classic bubbly cocktails.