Destination Tea Reviews/Georgia

Destination Tea: Southern Belle

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Where:  Poncey Highland, Atlanta, Georgia
Style: Artsy swank
Tea Selection: 6 loose leaf teas by Ark Coffeehaus and Herbs & Kettles
Teatimes:  Monthly Afternoon Tea
Reservations:  Ticket purchase required, sells out fast
Contact: Purchase tickets here
Cost: $112 Royal Tea Service (includes tip, not champagne)
Destination Tea Tip: Leave yourself time to find parking in the popular Briarcliff Plaza.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Georgia Afternoon Tea Directory for the latest details.

exterior of afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia

Destination Tea Notes: We attended Southern Belle’s first afternoon tea service, launched as a special event this October. Southern Belle is tucked into historic Briarcliff Plaza (listed in the National Register of Historic Places), built in 1939 in the Streamline Moderne style with Art Deco elements and original marble panel facade. We drove to the Highlands anticipating a phenomenal menu at this Michelin-recommended restaurant led by James Beard Nominated Chef Joey Ward, and we were not disappointed. As longtime locavores, we relish a Georgia Organics partner restaurant who crafts their menus around local and seasonal ingredients. We love that Southern Belle searched for vintage teacups and teapots to set their tables, and that they wanted to serve teas from local companies. Full disclosure, they asked us for Atlanta tea blenders and we recommended several of our favorites to them. They went with Ark Coffeehaus and Herbs & Kettles, whom we were delighted to spy on the menu. A point of clarification for afternoon tea aficionados: though this afternoon tea is advertised as a “Royal Tea Service,” champagne is not included. They were feeling regal Bridgerton vibes in the naming of their new tea service, not knowing that royal afternoon tea is a type of tea menu, in which champagne is served. Our friendly server was new to afternoon tea (love to see younger generations discovering this custom), and we appreciated that the smiling General Manager Kelsey Cortez checked in on us for feedback.

inside afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
A variety of dining and hightop tables in this beautiful space
seating for two at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Loving the blues and cool design of our chairs
the back bar and lounge seating at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
The lounge seating by the bar at back could also double as a low tea setting.
tea for two by the window at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Tea for two by the front window

Tea Selection

tea selection at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
“Bless Thine Heart” – fabulous!
It would help customers if each tea type were named in the descriptions.
teacup at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
We were each invited to choose a pot of tea (a four-cup teapot). I went with the Peachy Keen oolong, which came out perfectly steeped and decanted. Loving my teacup.
Herbs & Kettles chai at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
The chai was served in the traditional Indian preparation, milk and sugar already added, and we prefer it served black so that we can sweeten as desired.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

local and Southern flavors at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Lots of traditional Southern flavors in this menu: pimento cheese, peach butter, candied bacon, pepper jelly, sweet potato, hummingbird scone, and Atlanta’s Banner butter
three-tiered tray at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Afternoon tea is served.
tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Savories were delicious and professionally crafted: Radish and Watercress with Butter on Wheat; Deviled Egg with Sturgeon Caviar; Pimento Cheese Tartlets with Pepper Jelly; Benedictine Canapés with Avocado; Salmon Mousse on Pumpernickel Crisp with Salmon Tartare.
scones at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Candied bacon garnished the breads course, which included Sweet Potato Biscuits served with peach butter and jam, and glazed Hummingbird Scones that were divine, served with a cream cheese blend dubbed “clotted cream.”
scones and spreads at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
desserts at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
The Fairy Cakes were the star of this course, alongside Chocolate Bon Bons, a Lemon Early Grey Bar with a dense crust, and a Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffin.
mirror at afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
Here’s lookin’ at you, kid

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Destination Tea's Afternoon Tea Rating of afternoon tea at Southern Belle in Atlanta, Georgia
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DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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