Destination Tea: The Emerald Chandelier

Updated: November 2024

Where: Griffin, Georgia
Style: 1870s home in grandmillennial style
Tea Selection:  12+ loose leaf teas by TeaFusions, 2 suggested for each tea menu
Teatimes:  Wednesday to Saturday, 10:30 to 4
Reservations: 24-hour notice for all teas, except Lunch Tea (reservations suggested)
Contact: 678-338-8363 or online
Cost: $45 Afternoon Tea (seasonal menus); $37.50 Breakfast Tea; $36.50 Lunch Tea; $34.99 Fall High Tea; $32.50 Dessert Tea; $26.99 Children’s Tea (ages 8 and under)
Destination Tea Tips: Almost everything in The Emerald Chandelier is for sale, so leave yourself time to browse the antique furniture, table linens, home decor, vintage dishes, loose leaf teas and gifts. Follow The Emerald Chandelier on social media to learn of their upcoming themed seasonal and princess teas.

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

The Emerald Chandelier exterior in Griffin, GA

Destination Tea Notes: Must…resist…the…urge…to write…in all caps!! Tea friends, run don’t walk to The Emerald Chandelier. Especially if you are in the metro Atlanta area, put this afternoon tea on your bucket list. It is absolutely worth blocking a half-day to visit Griffin’s beautiful teahouse, run by Teresa Eubanks. An avid antiques collector, Teresa told us how what began as an idea to open her own antiques store — perhaps with a little coffee counter to entice customers — became a full-blown tearoom. Teresa explains she was “God-led and God-inspired.” Entering the 1870s home Teresa entirely refurbished, from electrical (the house still had cloth wiring) to the front porch (which had fallen in on itself), we must agree Teresa is divinely inspired: this place is gorgeous. In addition to restoring the original gingerbread trim, roof cupola, tall windows, heart-pine floors and fireplaces, Teresa decorated with flair: painting trim and fireplaces in bright colors, selecting floor-to-ceiling wallpapers in fun patterns, adding handmade window treatments and of course, antique chandeliers.

Beyond the yummy afternoon tea menu and option to add-on wine, beer or mimosa, we love that The Emerald Chandelier revives the business model of the United States’ earliest tearooms. In the U.S., tearooms were women’s entrée into the restaurant industry, the first restaurants women could operate, staff and attend unchaperoned. Very often run out of an owner’s home, the tearoom’s dining area was also a showroom: much of what you saw in it was for sale, such as handmade items like textiles and jewelry or antique furniture and dishes. Which is how things work at The Emerald Chandelier, where you could leave with the table and chairs you sat on, or artwork that hung above (we did!). So after all, Teresa’s dream of a store for her antiques also came true. Teresa knows none of this is coincidence, and when you consider the timing — The Emerald Chandelier opened in October 2021, just two weeks before the closing of Georgia’s oldest teahouse, beloved Tea Leaves & Thyme — you must know she is right.

Teresa Eubanks, Ashlynn Davis and Marjorie at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Perhaps the best part of this dream is that in their first year open, Teresa’s daughter and granddaughter came to work everyday. After sweet Marjorie naps, she visits with guests, much to our joy.
gift shop in the hall of The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Chandeliers light the hallway where gifts and art are for sale, which opens onto the four tearooms.
The Topaz Room at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier
Each of the four tearooms is named for a birthstone of the women in the family. The gorgeous Topaz Room is chock-full of antiques to explore.
throne table at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier
On a return visit, we discover the new seating arrangement: “The Throne” invites solo diners to enjoy their meal at a table that makes you feel like the guest of honor.
antique mail sorter at The Topaz Room at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier
This antique mail cabinet houses loose leaf teas for sale.
The Emerald Room at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The Emerald Room features a beautiful chandelier and lattice-patterned wallpaper.
The Emerald Room at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
So many details to appreciate, like vintage tablecloths, most of which you can purchase!
On our 2024 visit, we notice a new elegant table for two by the window.
Aquamarine room at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The drapes kick up the personality in the Aquamarine room, where loose leaf teas are also for sale at the checkout counter.
afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The Aquamarine Room in 2022
The Amethyst at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The Amethyst room is gorgeously papered in floral vines.
The Amethyst at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Teresa found antique doors for all the rooms, to allow groups that reserve the rooms for special occasions to have privacy.
Our tea table at at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
On our first visit, our table set for two is softly lit by floor-to-ceiling window.

Tea Service

tea selections at at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The house pre-selects two teas for your afternoon tea, and you are welcome to add-on other teas, wine, beer or mimosas [our strawberry mimosa is made with the juice leftover from their homemade strawberry preserves -yes!]. The tea choices of the day are Temple Garden (green & white teas, pineapple, mango, papaya, strawberry bits, orange peels and natural flavors) and our longtime favorite (lucky us!) Snowflake (black tea, coconut, almond, vanilla). Delicious!
Teabloom teapot and warmer at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
A first for us, these pretty Teabloom sets include decorative glass teapot with matching warmer. As of 2024, the teahouse discontinued use of these (because they were breaking too often) and now serves tea in vintage teapots.
tolife tea at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
On our second visit, owner Teresa joins us! This time we sample their To Life tea by TeaFusions in Peachtree City, a rooibos-white-green tea blend with lavender, rose, currant and jasmine. You might expect this tea to be cloying, but rather it was lightly floral, and refreshing. This time the table is set with tennis sets, the teacup sitting directly on the tea plate. We love these, also known as “tea & toast sets” and “tv snack sets.” They are designed for situations without a table, so one can manage to hold everything in one hand, and eat or drink with the other.
[Photo credit: Mary Jane Holt]
Christmas Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
At their Christmas Tea, we delight in one of Angela’s favorite flavored black tea blends — Snowflake (above) a blend of black assam, coconut, almond and bourbon vanilla — while our no-caffeine tea friends enjoy the Candied Apple Herbal.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

Our First Afternoon Tea at The Emerald Chandelier

Tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
In the kitchen, chef April is perfecting new recipes seasonally, and she has our compliments — her food is scrumptious, and perfectly portioned for afternoon tea. After a fresh Cucumber Lemon Dill Tea Sandwich, we are very impressed by this tidy Egg Salad and Ham Ribbon Tea Sandwich, and delightfully surprised by the MayFlower Tea Sandwich (shaped like a calla lily) with Cream Cheese, Orange Marmalade and Almonds.
more tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Surprise! That was only round one of the savory course, which altogether features 6 items, including a Smoked Salmon Tea Sandwich with Capers and Red Onion, Salami Tomato Puff with Mozzarella and Parmesan (like a tiny pizza pocket), and Chicken Salad Apple Bite with Green Olive (yes to less bread!).
scones with cream at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Blueberry scones are served with mock clotted cream, and the dessert course is a Petite Cheesecake…
chilled strawberry soup at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
…and a chilled Strawberry Soup with Raisin Bread Croutons. Yum!

Afternoon Tea (Fall 2022)

afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
We love the perfectly portioned, tasty homemade tea sandwiches and light bites served here: Egg Salad and Avocado Aioli Ribbon Tea Sandwich; Apple Slice with Bacon Dip and Pecans; Goat Cheese and Candied Pecan on Raisin Bread; Salmon Cucumber Tea Sandwich with Wasabi Aioli and Cranberry Brie Bite with Pecans. Homemade scones are served with mock clotted cream and homemade peach preserves. Scrumptious! Scroll down to see the dessert courses.

Fall High Tea (Fall 2022)

Fall High Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
We like the cheerful pop of yellow on the tiered stand hardware, displaying the Fall High Tea. Now you know at Destination Tea, we like proper terminology. This one’s a cross between an afternoon tea and high tea, so our stickler side gives it a pass. Though served in the style of afternoon tea, this menu is closer to a true high tea because of the hearty fare, which includes: Soup of the Day (Chicken Wild Rice), Cucumber stuffed with Salmon Cream Cheese, Bacon and Caper Deviled Egg; Apple Chicken Sausage Crostini; Meatball with Sweet Gravy and Pumpkin Empanada. Very satisfying!
petit fours at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Both the Afternoon Tea and Fall High Tea come with a Petit Four (this moist bite an iced lemon cake with lemon curd filling). Perfect.
sorbet at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Both tea menus also come with Sorbet, this one a Strawberry Mint, which was possibly the best thing we ate.
ladies at afternoon tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
If you don’t already know that afternoon tea is much needed in today’s world, our conversation testified to that fact. We were fast friends, sharing stories of our struggles and triumphs, and just generally being so glad to have this joyful, peaceful moment to get to know one another. And it was a particular joy for me to listen as two tearoom owners discussed the business, one just starting out, another just having retired. As Mary Jane rightfully said, we three knew we were in the presence of greatness: last fall, Kim Jordy finished operating the longest run teahouse in 21st century Georgia. [From left to right: Teresa Eubanks, Owner of The Emerald Chandelier, Your Good Friend Angela of Destination Tea, Author and Radio Host Mary Jane Holt, and Kim Jordy, Owner of the former Tea Leaves & Thyme.]

Christmas Tea (November 2024)

Christmas Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Our first time in the gorgeous Emerald Room, right as Wicked hit the movie theaters! We returned in November 2024 to experience the Christmas Tea menu.
Christmas Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
The first course was a hearty Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup.
Christmas Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Five yummy savories included: Cucumber Tree Sandwiche, Sausage Stuffed Mushroom, Smoked Trout Tea Sandwich, Beef Wellington (our favorite!) and Cranberry Apple Tea Sandwich.
Christmas Tea at The Emerald Chandelier in Griffin, GA
Walnut Currant and House Scones were served with a mock clotted cream and jam, followed by dessert: Rosy Apple Tartlet, Coconut Custard and Raspberry Tartlet and our favorite – Red Velvet Macaron (one of the best we’ve ever had, made in house, pictured above).

Destination Tea’s Afternoon Tea Rating

[Note: The Emerald Chandelier is a Destination Tea advertiser.]

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

3 Comments

  1. Do you have information on tearooms in North Carolina? Seems tearooms here are few and far between! ☹️

  2. I had been going to the Emeral Tea House in Griffin, Georgia for a while now, and it’s an absolute delight.
    Ruby Ramey
    Sharpsburg, Georgia.

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