Where to Take a Tea in Chicago, Illinois (Culinary Tours)

One of the best ways to warm up in the very cold and Windy City of Chicago is with a spot of tea. The most beloved tea spots in the city:

Russian Tea Time, Chicago

Russian Tea Time

A seventeen year old Chicago landmark restaurant that never fails to impress locals and international tourists alike. Located in the heart of Chicago’s artistic district, Russian Tea Time reinvented nostalgic cuisine of the former Soviet Union. Its extensive, elaborate and very descriptive menu features excellent vegetarian fare, along with wild game, poultry and specialty meat dishes. A mix of “hearty” and “comfort” Russian, Slavic and Jewish classics is well complemented by upscale dishes of Imperial Russian Courts.

Tea time: 2:30pm-4:30pm daily.

77 E. Adams St.

Chicago, IL 60603

Phone: 312-360-0000

Website: www.russianteatime.com

 

Tea at the Four Seasons, Chicago

The Seasons Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago  

Sit by a fireplace in the elegant Four Seasons overlooking North Michigan Avenue and munch on finger sandwiches, home style cakes, French pastries and preserves with your choice of brewed tea. Book the Astor or Bellevue Room for a private event.

Tea time: 3:00pm-5:00pm daily.

120 E. Delaware Place

Chicago, IL 60611

Website: www.fourseasons.com

 

Nada Japanese Tea House, Chicago

Nada Tea House

Nada Tea & Coffee House was named after the Nada district of City of Kobe, Japan, famous for sake-brewing using pure spring water from Mt. Rokko (called Miyamizu, water of shrine). Here you can enjoy exceptional beverages, foods, and service in a sleek and comfortable zen-like setting.

1552 W. Fullerton Ave.

Chicago, IL 60614

(773) 529-2239

Website: www.nadateahouse.com

 

TeaGschwender specialty loose tea

TeaGschwender

The first TeaGschwender shop opened in the late seventies in Trier, Germany. From those humble beginnings, the company has grown to become a global leader in specialty teas and has more than 130 shops in seven countries on four continents. Sharing the world’s finest teas with customers in locations such as Frankfurt, Vienna, Sao Paulo, Riyadh and Chicago, Illinois.

1160 N. State Street

Chicago, IL 60610

Website: www.teagschwendner.com

 

Ten Ren Tea & Ginseng Co. 

Ten Ren, founded in Taiwan in 1953, has been open in Chicago’s Chinatown for nearly 40 years and has shops around the world. Ten Ren Tea Co. Ltd. is dedicated to the fine art of enjoying Chinese tea and the distribution of the finest teas available worldwide. Along with tea, ginseng has been consumed in Asia for thousands of years for its health and medicinal benefits. Considered the “king of the herbs,” ginseng is a popular nutritional supplement.

2247 S. Wentworth Ave.

Chicago, IL 60616

(312) 842-1171

Website: www.tenren.com

 

Entrance to Teavana, Chicago

Teavana

Teavana began with an idea that people would enjoy fresh, high-quality tea in a place that was part Tea Bar, part Tea Emporium. The dream was to introduce people to the aromas, textures, and beneficial qualities of loose leaf teas while enlightening them with the history and variety of teas available.

835 N. Michigan Ave.

Chicago, IL 60611

(312) 335-9802

Website: www.teavana.com

 

Palm Court at the Drake Hotel

The Palm Court at the Drake Hotel

Award-winning Executive Chef Baasim Zafar and team serve homemade scones, delectable pastries and tea sweets prepared in house daily, reflecting locally sourced ingredients to ensure an authentically memorable experience. From the original blend of “Palm Court” tea created specifically for The Drake Hotel to the china and sterling silver service with the enchanting ambiance of the live harpist in the background, afternoon tea is truly a memorable experience for all.

Tea time: 1:00pm-5:00pm daily

140 E. Walton Place

Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-787-2200

Website: www.thedrakehotel.com/dine/palm-court

 

Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel. (Courtesy Peninsula Hotel)

The Lobby, Peninsula Hotel

Here’s another high class, high afternoon tea. Enjoy dining in a room with 20-foot windows overlooking Chicago. You can fancy yourself with peppermint chocolate tarts, scones, gingerbread macaroons, and sandwiches. If you want to go one step fancier, you can have the champagne afternoon tea, which is the traditional afternoon tea, but with a glass of champagne.

Tea time: 3:00pm-5:30pm

108 E. Superior St.

Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: 312-337-2888

Website: www.peninsula.com

 

 

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Today’s Travel Photo: Mayan Shamans

A wedding with a Mayan twist… Officiated by a Mayan Shaman, the traditional Mayan ceremony is a spiritual, interactive celebration honoring the four basic elements of earth, water, air and fire. Serving as the “spiritual guide” during the beach ceremony, the shaman blesses the union through an altar of flowers, fruit, seeds and fire.

 

 

- Karin Leperi

 

 

 

 

Bizarre Beauty Treatment: “Buttered and Smoked” in Ethiopia

Julie Paterson of Venus Adventures shares her experience — an exploration of a traditional East African beauty treatment — during  VA’s Cultural Tour in Ethiopia…

A large cloak was draped around me and I was led into a room that had what looked like 3 long-drop toilets with small smouldering fires in front of them. I was seated over the hole in the “long drop”, my cloak draped over the box and the smokey fire, and three thick blankets wrapped around me to stop the smoke escaping, and to ensure I get a good sweat up. My knees were pushed apart as far as possible, smoke rose up all around my body, butter ran down my back, and my thoughts flashed back to the Afar tribe a year ago … Holy smoke, I was being smoked!   – Julie Paterson, Venus Adventures

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Kitsap Tours – Just a Ferry Ride From Seattle

Just a ferry ride from Seattle, our tours start with a scenic ride on Washington’s #1 attraction, the Washington State Ferry System! Explore the Northwest beyond the city; Bainbridge Island, the Kitsap and Olympic peninsulas. Join us on one of our full or half day tours as we get off the beaten path and navigate a territory of eclectic communities, lush landscapes, spectacular views and fascinating history in our luxury mini bus with knowledgeable driver/guides.

Our full day tour includes sightseeing, history & heritage, shopping & dining with an optional electric boat tour or kayaking.  Visit beautiful Bainbridge Island with its small town charm and rural character; Suquamish, home of Chief Seattle; Poulsbo, Little Norway, on fjord-like Liberty Bay and Port Gamble, a company owned timber town resembling the New England home of its founders.

Guided tours to the world renowned Bloedel Reserve, a 150 acre estate garden or join us on a Photo Safari to Kitsap’s most photogenic locations led by a professional photographer.

Learn about the varied past and experience the vibrant today of our area with views of water and mountains at every turn.

Whichever tour you select; we promise you a great experience!