A detailed review of afternoon tea at The Peninsula New York with photos showing every course, from tea sandwiches and scones to the desserts.
The Peninsula New York
The Peninsula New York is a five-star hotel in Midtown Manhattan located on Fifth Avenue. The hotel entrance is on 55th Street; after passing through the doors, a grand staircase leads up to the mezzanine where the Gotham Lounge hosts afternoon tea and light bites.
The Gotham Lounge is the venue for the Peninsula afternoon tea, offering a refined setting for a classic British-style tea service in the heart of New York City.
Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula New York
The Peninsula offers afternoon tea as a set menu. That means the service arrives complete with everything listed on the menu: a pot of tea and a three-tiered selection of savories, scones, and sweets. Portions are small and designed for sharing, so you can enjoy a variety without feeling overwhelmed.
Afternoon tea is priced per person and is meant to be a leisurely experience, typically lasting around two hours. The service is ideal for a relaxed afternoon or a special occasion in midtown Manhattan.
The Peninsula Afternoon Tea Menu
The Peninsula offers three afternoon tea options:
Traditional Afternoon Tea
$85 per person
This is the classic three-tier service with tea sandwiches, scones, and assorted sweets. During seasonal periods, the Traditional Afternoon Tea may be replaced with a Holiday Afternoon Tea.
The Grand Afternoon Tea
$350 for two people
The Grand Afternoon Tea includes everything in the Traditional service and adds Champagne and caviar, priced for two guests.
Children’s Afternoon Tea
$45 per person
A child-friendly version of afternoon tea with items tailored for younger tastes.
Menus and prices are subject to change, so check with the hotel when booking.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation?
Reservations are accepted for the Gotham Lounge but are not strictly required. To be safe—especially on weekends or during holidays—make a reservation. You can call 212.903.3918, email [email protected], or book online through the hotel’s dining options.
What Do I Wear for Tea at The Peninsula?
The dress code is smart casual. Aim to look neat and put together; avoid athletic wear and sneakers. Smart casual is appropriate for most afternoon tea settings and fits well with the Midtown location.
How Long is Afternoon Tea?
Expect to spend about two hours for afternoon tea. The pace is unhurried, allowing time to savor each tier, enjoy conversation, and sample different teas.
What Time is Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula?
Afternoon tea is served daily from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM. If you prefer a quieter experience, book an earlier seating within that window rather than late in the afternoon when the lounge can become busier.
Good for Large Parties?
The Gotham Lounge can accommodate larger groups, but its aesthetic leans more toward a formal, masculine lounge. For bridal showers or very feminine gatherings, you may want to consider alternate venues that feel cozier or more intimate.
How Does Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Work?
When you arrive, decide which tea service you want and choose a tea from the menu. The hotel offers house blends—Peninsula Morning Blend and Peninsula Afternoon Blend—as well as whole-leaf options like Bai Mu Dan. The server will bring the pot of tea first and then present the three-tiered tray with savories, scones, and sweets.
The Peninsula Afternoon Tea Tips
- Compared with some other luxury hotels, The Peninsula can be slightly easier to get into for tea; walk-ins sometimes find a table.
- Seats by the windows at the back of the lounge offer better light and a cozier atmosphere.
- If you can’t finish everything, ask the staff to package leftovers to take home.
Setting: ★★☆☆☆
The Gotham Lounge feels more like a business lounge than a traditional tea room. The décor is polished but leans corporate. A positive is the generous spacing between tables, which gives each party privacy and reduces noise from neighboring conversations.
The lounge attracts many business guests, which can affect the atmosphere; it’s not typically the most whimsical place for a tea experience, but it is convenient and well located.
Service: ★★★★★
Service at the Peninsula is consistently excellent. Staff are attentive without being intrusive, refilling teacups promptly and assisting with pouring when needed. The service contributes significantly to the relaxed, enjoyable experience.
Tea & Tea Selection: ★★★★★
The tea selection is strong, with a variety of blends and single-origin whole leaf options. The availability of both house blends and specialty teas like Bai Mu Dan makes it easy to try something classic or explore a lighter white tea.
Savories: ★★★★★
Savory tea sandwiches are attractively presented and well made. Each guest receives four crustless tea sandwiches that are fresh, properly assembled, and flavorful—no stale or soggy bread.
Scones: ★★★★☆
Two scones are served per person and arrive with jam, lemon curd, and clotted cream. The scones are light and fluffy inside with a delicate crust—pleasantly sized and enjoyable warm.
Sweets: ★★★☆☆
The dessert selection offers a good variety and has improved from previous visits. Pastries such as mini hazelnut cakes are pleasant, though the sweets rarely deliver a standout “wow” factor compared with the savories and tea selection.
Overall: ★★★★☆
The Peninsula New York provides a reliable and refined afternoon tea experience. While the setting leans toward the corporate side and the sweets are solid rather than spectacular, the excellent service, well-made savories, and thoughtful tea selection make it a worthwhile choice for afternoon tea in Midtown.
LOCATION:
Gotham Lounge at The Peninsula
700 Fifth Avenue at 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
AFTERNOON TEA HOURS:
Daily, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
COST:
Traditional Afternoon Tea, $85 per person
RESERVATIONS:
Call 212.903.3918 or email [email protected]
Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula New York in 2013
Back in 2013, afternoon tea at The Peninsula cost $55 and the Gotham Lounge had more of an airport-lounge feel. The tea was served loose leaf, as it should be, but some presentation elements were less refined than they are now.
At that time the three-tier presentation was a bit less polished and some sandwiches appeared assembled more casually, though they remained fresh and tasty.
There were occasional inconsistencies—one visit included three scones for a party of two, which was unusual—but overall the quality has improved since those earlier years.
Past sweets were denser and less impressive, sometimes feeling store-bought; recent visits show better balance and refinement in the dessert selection.
Overall, afternoon tea at The Peninsula remains a convenient and enjoyable option in Midtown—especially for those who prioritize service, a broad tea menu, and well-executed savories.
