Update: Ivy Tea House closed in January 2023.
Where: Historic Norcross, Georgia
Style: Cottage chic
Tea Selection: 24 loose leaf teas
Teatimes: Friday 12, 2 or 4, Saturday 12 or 2
Reservations: Pre-paid reservations with 4-day notice
Contact: Reserve Here or 470-424-4715
Cost: $40 Spa Tea; $39 Winter Tea; $39 Abundance Tea; $39 Southern Brunch Tea; $30 Afternoon Tea; $30 Vegetarian Afternoon Tea; $30 Children’s Tea
Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Georgia afternoon tea directory for the latest details.
Destination Tea Notes: Happily, we recently revisited Destination Tea’s “home teahouse” in Norcross, Georgia: the fabulous Ivy Tea House. We know we are lucky to be so close to this gem. After all, return visits are necessary to make sure we do not miss their seasonal tea menus, the latest of which is an Indian-themed high tea for the winter months. One of the many wonderful things about Ivy Tea House is that they allow each diner to choose their own afternoon tea menu, so each person can have the experience that most appeals to them, and everyone gets to sample that many more treats (if you’re in the sharing mood). We order one Winter Tea and one Southern Brunch Tea.
Side note: Though American and Australian tea-goers often use “high tea” and “afternoon tea” interchangeably, afternoon tea is the proper name for the fancy afternoon meal with 3-tiered tray of finger foods. (Get the full story on our Afternoon Tea 101 page). Because the winter menu from Ivy Tea House features main dishes that you eat with a fork, we think it is appropriate to categorize it as a high tea.
The inspiration for this winter’s tea menu came after an Indian family requested traditional foods for their private tea party. Tammy Johnson, queen of savories and Nicole Outler, pastry chef extraordinaire, began exploring Indian grocers and recipes, getting so pumped about these flavors that they decided to feature them in their winter tea menu. Fittingly, this menu incorporates ingredients that warm the body against winter chills according to Ayurvedic principals, such as pepper, mango, fig, mustard, sweet potatoes and cardamom. If you don’t already love Indian food, no worries, because this vegetarian menu delivers a flavor profile that spices things up without delivering overwhelming heat or pungency. A scrumptious virtual trip around the world!
Tea Selection
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
