Destination Tea: Swan Coach House

Where:  Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Style:  Elegant traditional
Tea Selection:  5 loose leaf tea sachets
Teatimes:  Tuesday to Saturday, 11 to 2; Seasonal Teas;
Private parties of 8 to 200, 7 days a week
Reservations:  Reservations required for parties of 8 or more, otherwise, walk-ins welcome
Contact:  404-261-0636
Cost:  $78 Seasonal Teas; $37.50 ($75 Tea for Two)
Destination Tea Tips:  The entrance to Swan Coach House is on Slaton Drive, behind the Atlanta History Center’s main building. There is required valet parking, or you can look for on-street parking. As you approach the house, either use the restaurant entrance on your right to go directly to the dining room, or use the main entrance to visit the vast gift shop and art gallery.

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

afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia

Destination Tea Notes: One of Atlanta’s longest standing gathering places for “ladies who lunch” – Swan Coach House in Buckhead – has launched a regular afternoon tea service after years of serving quarterly teas and private tea parties. Behind the 1928 Swan House mansion, this former carriage house was transformed by twelve Atlantan art patronesses in 1965, into a restaurant, gift shop, and in 1984, an art gallery dedicated to promoting Southern artists. In recent years, the dining room has had a makeover, while the menu continues to feature Southern favorites and Swan Coach House signature recipes. Year-round, should you have an occasion to gather 8 or more friends for a private tea reservation, you will have the treat of venturing into one of the other four historic private dining rooms the Swan Coach House has to offer. Afternoon tea goers will like the affordability, loveliness and walk-ins-welcome aspects of this Buckhead tea spot, which also gives them the option to invite a friend who may prefer to order off the full lunch menu.

beautiful grounds at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Perfect – a stone swan planter welcomes you to Swan Coach House
main dining room at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
New ornate lantern pendants, removed shutters, and dove grey walls with floral fabric panels brighten the dining room.

Tea Selection

afternoon tea menu at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
We recognize some of our favorite Harney & Sons black tea blends on this menu as we choose one tea to share.
pouring tea at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
We removed our tea sachets from this large teapot after our tea was done steeping to prevent bitterness. Loving the mix-n-match china teasets.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

mini muffins at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Fresh flowers and mini muffins with flavored butter welcome us to the table.
ginger carrot soup at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
We added some nutrition to the meal with two housemade soups that were delicious: Ginger Carrot…
beef vegetable soup at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
…and Beef Vegetable.
three tiered tray arrives at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
We would have appreciated a presentation of the tiered tray when it was delivered, as the featured items were not described on the menu.
afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Each guest receives five sandwiches, a large scone and four desserts.
finger sandwiches at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Swan Coach House’s signature Cheese Straws, Chicken Salad and Pimiento Cheese tea sandwiches are accompanied by Cucumber Cream Cheese and Egg Salad sandwiches. We like the use of different breads, all soft, and found this course satisfying.
scones at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
In contrast to the tasty Coach House Ham Biscuits, the Blueberry Scones are commercially produced, leaving a telltale cloying taste in the mouth. We do appreciate that real clotted cream and lemon curd are served, but prefer not having to choose between the two.
mini desserts at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Perhaps the delightful Swan Coach House French silk swans are only offered at the special event teas. Still, we liked the variety of the mini pastries served.
Angela speaking at afternoon tea at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Angela sharing afternoon tea etiquette tips at the Spring Tea for Legislative Spouses.
gift shop at Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Leave time to explore these five rooms full of beautiful gifts.

Destination Tea’s Afternoon Tea Rating

Destination Tea's Afternoon Tea Scorecard for Swan Coach House in Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 Comments

    1. Yes they do – whenever you click through to their menu or website, they will typically say if they have gluten-free options, which typically require a special request when you call ahead. There are a few afternoon tea venues in the country that are actually gluten-free bakeries as well.

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