Destination Tea: The Windsor Rose Tea Room and Restaurant

Update: This tearoom closed in January 2023.

Where:  Mount Dora, Florida
Style:  Tudor hall
Tea Selection:  100 loose leaf and bagged teas
Teatimes:  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 11-4, Saturday to Sunday 11:15 to 4
Reservations:  Reservations highly suggested
Contact:  352-735-2551 or Reserve Here
Cost:  $36 The Windsor (serves 2); $18 The Marlborough; $12.25 The Queen Mary; $11.95 The Mad Hatter; $8.25 English Cream Tea; $5.95 Tea and Biscuits
Destination Tea Tips:
  You may also order from British-inspired breakfast and lunch menus at The Windsor Rose, which is in delightful, century-old Mount Dora, where antique and fun gift shops abound. Leave yourself time to explore!

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

exterior Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL

Destination Tea Notes: The Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant is a special treat for Americans, as the tearoom features home-cooked classic English dishes and family recipes brought over by British expats since the restaurant’s founding in 1991. Though we are in balmy Florida, there’s a British baker in the kitchen. Owner Paul Goodale — former owner of a bakery in England — treats us to authentic British baking, including his scrumptious Victoria Sponge Cake and tasty scones (even if their softball-size seems more American). Guests also have the chance to sample imported popular English tea brands like Taylors, Yorkshire, Twining’s, Ahmad and Tetley. The Windsor Rose’s hearty menu and wicker dining furniture create a venue inviting to ladies and gents alike. And while the service is friendly and efficient, the decor is an entertainment in itself, with walls covered in British memorabilia.

butler welcomes you at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
The butler welcomes us.
interior at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Teas are for sale in shelving along the walls.
table by the window at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
A pretty windowside table.
wall painting at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Handpainted wall art between the exposed studs
our table at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Our table sports American and British flags, fittingly crowned by one long-stemmed rose.

Tea Service

Tea list at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Dozens of teas from multiple purveyors are offered, and newest arrivals are posted under the glass tabletops.
tea is poured at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Each guest receives a large pot of their chosen tea. I go with Ginger Peach Green from Twinings, served in a commemorative teacup featuring Queen Elizabeth II and her royal corgis.
Pretty teacup at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
A pretty wild strawberry teacup and saucer with French Vanilla Chai from Twinings
tea pot at at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
White Chocolate Mocha from Stash is a decadent dessert tea, and we admire this poppy cup with mix-and-matched doily saucer.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

Soup of the day at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Our DT teen reviewer is very happy with the soup du jour, a pleasing creamy vegetable with chunks of veggies, surprisingly not overly heavy.
Tea curate at at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Our tea tray arrives, with four triangular tea sandwiches: dill cucumber and cream cheese, pimiento cheese, egg salad and turkey with cranberry sauce.
scones and spreads at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
Huge scratchmade scones — organic pure vanilla with golden raisin — are served with jam and cream.
Victoria sponge cake at Windsor Rose Tea Room & Restaurant for afternoon tea in Mount Dora, FL
For dessert, buttery lemon cream and cinnamon pinwheel pastries accompany two slices of traditional Victoria Sponge Cake filled with cream cheese and strawberry. Light and moist, this cake is a favorite at our tea table.

DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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