Holiday News
Top spots for holiday tea in Dallas during Christmas 2023
Tea and cocoa at Hotel Adolphus
The holiday tea tradition is huge in Dallas, and this year it's huger than ever. There are the beloved veterans like the Adolphus, the Arboretum, and the Alexander Mansion - and many of their dates are already sold out. No wonder a new wave of places have added teas to their holiday lineup.
Here's the key Holiday Teas being served around Dallas (and Fort Worth) in 2023:
Holiday Tea at The Adolphus
Dallas' original and iconic tea returns to The French Room, which transforms afternoon tea into a beloved holiday destination with elaborate décor, seasonal music, and menus. A special two-course menu features savory indulgences, scones, and pastries, choice of two teas, and a complimentary glass of champagne or non-alcoholic offering. Menu items include cucumber cress with herbed cream cheese, truffled egg salad on croissant with pepitas, and seasonal delicacies. For the first time ever, Holiday Tea Service will run seven days a week in 2023. A special tea service will take place on December 23 and December 24 featuring the holiday tea menu along with Victorian carolers, a photo opportunity with the Great Tree in Social Lobby, and a takeaway gift.
November 1-January 7. $75, or $35 for 12 and under. Reserve online or call 214-651-3615.
Cocoa Lounge at the Adolphus in The French Room Bar
The Adolphus is doubling down on the whole tea thing with a new Cocoa Tea Tier, a pared-down afternoon tea option for those who can't score a seat at the regular Holiday Tea. Savory and sweet treats include truffle egg salad on croissant; cucumber & mint cream cheese on sourdough; tandoori chicken salad and pickles on challah; orange-chocolate tarts, poached pear tarts, and sticky toffee pudding cake.
November 2-January 7, from 11 am-4 pm. $45. Tea is available by the pot for an additional charge. No reservations required.
Christmas Tea at Alexander Mansion
Historic C.H. Alexander Mansion on Ross Avenue is transformed into a tearoom with elegant decorations, sweets, treats, tea, and champagne. This event is an annual tradition for many families, and many dates are already sold out. Menu includes cucumber tea sandwich, chicken salad on orange/cranberry bread, egg salad on marble bread, tomato-basil quiche, pimento sandwich, spinach & Gruyere cheese in puff pastry, cranberry and white chocolate scones, red velvet mini cupcakes, peppermint fudge, and Christmas tree cookie.
Wednesday, December 6-10, and December 13-17, one seating at 12 pm. $75. Reservations required.
Apothecary
Limited-run special Holiday Tea will feature a unique menu from Apothecary/ Rye team members Jager Shook and Ashton Hardman featuring savory indulgences, scones, and pastries including green egg salad on a mini croissant, smoked salmon on sourdough, beef tartare, smoked chicken salad on endive, mushroom Gruyere vol au vent, pickled onion & Brie on sweet potato. Sweets include vanilla scone, apple scone, Battenberg cake, orange-chocolate tart, pate de fruit, and mini meringue with pistachio. Complimentary glass of champagne plus items such as caviar and mimosas available for extra.
November 26, December 17, and December 24. Two seatings at 11 am and 2 pm. Tickets are $75 per person for adults and $35 for children. Reserve online.
Afternoon Tea: A Sparkling Holiday Tea Party at Central Market Cooking School Fort Worth
This is a one-time class where. you'll learn a little about the history of afternoon tea, pick up tips on how to host a tea, and enjoy a bevy of delightful bites. The menu includes a poinsettia (a sparkling wine aperitif with cranberry & orange juice), salmon & cucumber tea sandwiches, gougeres with turkey & cranberry salad, cranberry-pistachio scones with clotted cream jam, tartlets with Christmas preserves, sticky toffee pudding, speculaas (spice cookies), and assorted hot tea. December 17, from 3-4:30 pm. $70. 21 and up. Reserve online.
Nutcracker Holiday Tea at the Hotel Crescent Court
First-ever Nutcracker-themed tea in the Hotel Crescent Court's Great Hall features regal Damman Frères tea, with sandwiches and pastries including ham on brioche, smoked turkey with Brie on whole wheat, crab salad on pumpernickel, roast beef on rye, spice and pumpkin scones, gingerbread cookies, cranberry tartlets, mini fruitcake, and white-chocolate peppermint cheesecake. Plus champagne and live music.
Saturday and Sunday throughout December (except December 24 and December 31), with two seatings at 12 pm and 1 pm. $100, or $130 with champagne. Reserve online.
Dallas Arboretum Holiday Tea
Longtime tea tradition at the Arboretum features a three-course service with chestnut cranberry soup, tea sandwiches, herbed cream cheese on Belgian endive, open-faced chicken salad, smoked salmon mousse, scones, petit fours, tiramisu tart, chocolate espresso truffle, mini pecan torte, and more. Plan extra time to park and walk to DeGolyer to ensure you arrive on time.
November 6–December 31, with two seatings at 11 am and 2 pm. $69 for indoor or $62 for patio. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance. 214-515-6511 or email teas@dallasarboretum.org.
Champagne Tea at Fearing's
Ritz-Carlton Dallas restaurant is hosting a formal tea on weekends in December, featuring ancho chicken salad, smoked salmon & crème fraiche, cucumber boursin, egg, truffle & watercress, spinach & feta croissants, red currant scones, lemon curd with Devonshire cream, raspberry and rose macaron, Sacher torte, lemon meringue tart, and Texas pecan shortbread.
December 2-3, December 9-10, December 16-17, from 12-3 pm. $95 or $75 for 12 and under. For reservations, email donna.fowlks@marriott.com.
La Parisienne Holidays Afternoon Tea
Lose yourself at La Parisienne's French Tea Room at their traditional tea
with sandwiches, mini pastries, and desserts including deviled eggs, petit mushroom Boursin tart, cucumber-cheese sandwich, red pepper-hummus sandwich, madeleines, macarons, raspberry and lemon tarts, and chocolate choux. Adults may choose classic or vegetarian option. November 15- December 21, from 11 am-6 pm. $55, or $32.50 for 12 and under. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance.
Sereni-Tea in the Clouds at The Statler
New winter-themed tea at downtown Dallas hotel includes choice of two teas along with egg salad on a mini croissant, chicken salad on petit pains au lait, English cucumber with whipped dill cream cheese on brioche, pimento cheese on nine-grain bread, mini scones with house-made jam and Devonshire cream, mini raspberry cupcake, goat cheese cranberry panna cotta, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies, and lemon curd tart. Plus complimentary glass of rose or cider.
November 25-December 31, Saturdays and Sundays only, 11 am-3 pm. $58 or $25 for 12 and under. Reserve online.
Holiday Tea at Taschen
Library at the Joule Dallas hotel hosts a limited-run tea, with only three remaining dates, meaning that the odds of it selling out are high. The menu includes pumpkin spiced egg custard with bacon tapenade, potato croquette with salmon, turkey tartine with Brie & apple cranberry chutney, beef latke with smoked whitefish tarragon crème fraîche, confit pork belly BLT, avocado toast, gingerbread cookie, sticky toffee pudding trifle, chocolate peppermint roulade, Christmas morning cranberry-raisin scone, and eggnog macaron.
December 3, 10, and 17, at 11 am. Seating is communal at shared tables. $125, includes a Taschen book. Reserve online.
