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Teatime can work magic to get kids talking. Plan a special one-on-one tea date to chat and snack! Photo: Natasha Dillinger
Afternoon tea in Seattle: A perfect way to connect
After a long school day, the last thing my daughter wants is to be quizzed about everything that happened. But the cozy, intimate setting of a one-on-one afternoon tea seems to spark conversation, so I try to schedule a regular tea date for us to catch up.
If you’re hoping to get your kids to spill the (figurative) tea, read on for a roundup of Seattle afternoon tea spots where you can partake in this classic connection or special-occasion ritual.
Tips for making your afternoon tea outing a success:
- Read the rules ahead of time. Some tea services have age limits or etiquette guidelines, while others request that you preorder your tea service. Given the labor required to assemble all of those crustless sandwiches and tiny cookies, a stricter cancellation policy than normal may apply (such as a fee for cancellation with less than 24–72 hours’ notice).
- Take the opportunity to dress up if you want. Teatime tends to be a fancier affair, especially at hotel destinations. This is a great occasion to get more wear out of your sparkly holiday attire!
- Bring some themed entertainment. Whether it’s tea at home or tea out on the town, we like to bring along picture books as they make for relatively quiet distractions while we wait for snacks to arrive. Here’s a list of favorites, courtesy of The Seattle Public Library.
Click the arrow above the image or the link at the bottom of the page to see each tea room. Or, skip to the one you just have to try today on the list below:
- The Queen Mary, Seattle
- Panama Hotel and Tea House, Seattle
- Paisley’s Tea Room, Issaquah
- M/V Lotus, Seattle
- The Lodge at Saint Edward, Kenmore
- The Crumpet Shop, Seattle
- Secret Garden Tea Room, Sumner
- Olive Branch Café and Tea Room, Tacoma
- Seattle Japanese Tea Garden Ceremony, Seattle
- Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle
First tea stop: The Queen Mary
More treats for Seattle-area families: |
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated most recently in February 2025 by ParentMap’s family fun editor, Meredith Charaba, with a thorough fact-check and new details for Seattle-area tea outings.
