Steeping into Serenity: The Top 7 Tea Rooms in Austin, Texas – Your Local Guide

Ah, Austin. It’s a city that invites you to indulge in its endless cultural delights. Music, great food, and a vibrant art scene all contribute to the city’s thriving heartbeat. But what if even amidst this cultural bonanza, you’re yearning for a moment of tranquility — a space to unwind from the hustle and bustle? Austin has you covered. Here in Austin, Texas, we know a thing or two about brewing the perfect pot of tea. From charming Victorian-style lounges to modern, minimalist tea bars offering the rarest of blends, the city’s tea scene is steeped in ambiance and diversity. So, come with me as we steep into serenity at the Top 7 Tea Rooms in Austin.

1. Brentwood Social House: A Warm Hug in a Cup

Location: 1601 West Koenig Lane

In the heart of the peaceful Brentwood neighborhood is Brentwood Social House, a home away from home. This charming tea room, with its quaint, European-style interior, feels like stepping into a family member’s warm, inviting living room.

• Serving a vast array of loose-leaf teas, you can choose from traditional fan favorites like Earl Grey or dive into the exotic with flavors like their Ginger Lemon tea.
• Tea and pastries share the spotlight here, with an assortment of British baked goods that could rival any London bakery. The perfect spot to enjoy a buttery scone or rich pain au chocolat with a warm brew.
• Indoor and outdoor seating offers a satisfying setting for any mood and weather. Their patio, twinkling with fairy lights after sunset, can make any cup of tea feel magical.

2. The Steeping Room: A Cup of Culture

Location: 4400 N. Lamar Blvd

Next, we move from homey to cosmopolitan with The Steeping Room, a place where tea culture from around the globe is celebrated.

• Their tea list reads like a travel journal, with over 100 different teas from every corner of the globe. Chinese, Indian, Japanese, African, and European teas find harmonious co-existence in their menu.
• The Steeping Room also supports eco-friendly practices, sourcing their teas from gardens using sustainable growing practices.
• Pair your tea with their delicious, health-conscious food offerings. The menu varies from quiches and sandwiches to more adventurous options like vegan Buddha Bowls or their globally-renowned Moroccan Bowl.

3. The Hideaway Kitchen & Bar: Tea in a Modern Wonderland

Location: 4323 South I-35

For our third stop, let’s step into something modern and inspiring. The Hideaway Kitchen & Bar is a delightful blend of a speakeasy-like bar with an artisanal tea room.

• Their choice of teas is extensive, but the real star here could be their refreshing iced teas, featuring new flavors weekly. Watermelon Basil or Mango Habanero, anyone?
• The Hideaway is not just about the tea. The space itself is a fantastic blend of edgy, modern aesthetics with a dash of industrial chic.
• With a mouth-watering menu that runs the gamut from hearty breakfast to satisfying entrees, the Hideaway can cater to any whim or time of day.

4. Zhi Tea Gallery: Infusing Imagination in Every Cup

Location: 1023 Springdale Road, Bldg 14

If creativity brewed in a pot, it would probably taste like Zhi Tea Gallery’s innovative blends.

• Zhi challenges the perception of tea, introducing its patrons to a sensory exploration through specially curated rare teas and unique blends. Cascara Sagrada, a tea made from the dried fruit of coffee, is a must-try.
• Zhi Tea is an organic-only tea company, being one of the first ever boutique tea houses in Austin to veer towards a healthier, organic practice.
• Try a pot of their much-loved “Austin Breakfast Blend” or steep into the seasonal flavors offered on their rotating menu.

5. Four Seasons Lobby Lounge: A Luxurious Break From the Ordinary

Location: 98 San Jacinto Blvd

Tea at the Four Seasons Lobby Lounge is synonymous with indulgence.

• As you savor a variety of high-end tea blends here, your experience is heightened by a luxurious ambiance. Tasteful decor, panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake, and a live pianist each evening make it an occasion.
• Delightful servers pamper you, lending tea time a personal touch often missing in larger establishments.
• The high tea experience here is unlike any other in Austin. Presented on a three-tier stand, the fine pastries, sandwiches, and petit fours are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for your taste buds.

6. Sa-Tén Coffee and Eats: A Japanese Zen Experience

Location: 4917 Airport Blvd

Make your next steep a truly unique experience at Sa-Tén Coffee and Eats, a zen-like retreat that infuses a touch of Japanese inspiration into every cup.

• A minimalist, clean setup — the space is a chic, modern take on a traditional Japanese tea room. Perfectly serious about their teas, Sa-Tén showcases a variety of regular and seasonal Japanese brews.
• Their to-die-for matcha lattes, served hot or iced, take the center stage and are quite the treat for Instagram lovers.
• Pair your tea with their tempting menu, featuring both Japanese and Western-style food options. Their homemade yakitori and teriyaki sandwiches are a must-try.

7. Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery: Everyone’s Favorite Neighborhood Tea Room

Location: 411 E. 43rd Street

Stroll into Quack’s 43rd Street Bakery, and within minutes, you’ll see why this spot has been an Austin institution since 1983.

• Beyond its extensive tea menu, Quack’s is also a full-service bakery that offers an overwhelming range of pastries, cakes, pies, and cookies. They have many vegan options, too!
• Cozy up with your book or laptop in their library-themed section, or grab a table on their vibrant outside patio and let Austin’s wonderful weather complement your tea experience.
• Their late-night hours mean you can satisfy your tea and sweet cravings nearly any time of day or night.

Final Thoughts

From traditional to contemporary, from every corner of the globe to our very own countryside – Austin’s tea rooms span it all. Each stop on our Top 7 Tea Rooms in Austin tour brings a distinctive encounter, inherently tied to the warmth of this city. The vibrant tea-scene in Austin is a testament to how we blend tradition, creativity, culture, and charm effortlessly. With this guide in your hands, you’re primed to embark on your tea expedition across the ‘City of the Violet Crown.’ So, steep into the serenity of Austin’s tea scene, sip, savor, and create your own version of tranquility. Stay tea-rrific, friends!