Holiday News

Top spots for holiday tea in Dallas during Christmas 2023

Tea and cocoa at Hotel Adolphus

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.

Strawberry butter forever

Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon and Zodiac Room live on at NorthPark Dallas

Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

Rendering of the new Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon at NorthPark.

The Neiman Marcus flagship store in downtown Dallas closed its doors for good on September 30, and some longtime customers were so bereft, they dressed in black and laid flowers at the food of the entrance. Many took to social media to share memories of shopping for bridal gowns, dining at The Zodiac Room, and visiting with Santa at Christmas time.

Now there's a ray of light for those mourning the loss: Some of the most most beloved "downtown Neiman's" traditions are getting a second life at NorthPark.

The day after the downtown closure, Neiman Marcus revealed that The Zodiac Room, Bridal Salon, and Santa would move to the NorthPark store.

According to a statement from parent company Exemplar Luxury Group, the additions are part of planned enhancements to the NorthPark store designed to build on Neiman Marcus' history while creating new experiences for customers.

“As we close an important chapter in our history, we do so with immense gratitude for the generations of associates and customers who made our Downtown store so special," the company says. "We are excited to enhance our NorthPark store by infusing new elements that celebrate our storied history, continuing to evolve the experience where our customers prefer to shop.”

Rendering of The Zodiac Room entrance at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

The Zodiac Room popovers live on
One eagerly anticipated arrival is The Zodiac Room, which will open November 20 in the former NM Café space at NorthPark.

"The existing space will be transformed with key design elements from the Downtown Zodiac Room including the turquoise walls, plush banquets, and one-of-a-kind art," the company says.

The menu will be filled with the Zodiac's longtime favorites, including its signature chicken broth, popovers with strawberry butter, Stanley Marcus pot roast, and mandarin orange soufflé - alongside some newly created dishes.

The restaurant will serve a special holiday 2026 feast from November 20-January 2, giving Dallas diners a chance to continue a seasonal tradition that dates back decades. Reservations are now available through OpenTable. (Per a store representative, the restaurant is still listed as NM Cafe NorthPark in OpenTable and will change soon.)

Rendering of The Zodiac Room at NorthPark.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

The Zodiac's move had been teased at the September 17 Crystal Charity Ball Ten Best Dressed Women of Dallas Fashion Show and Luncheon, the final event held at the downtown store. Mary McGreevy, chief stores officer for Exemplar Luxury Group, told the audience, "As we look forward to our future and continuing our legacy of Neiman Marcus at NorthPark, we will celebrate more events, we will celebrate with elevated shopping experiences, and our newly reimagined Zodiac Room, which will be opening right before the holidays."

Now they confirm it will open the week before Thanksgiving.

Here comes the Bridal Salon
In white-hot bridal news, the Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon will also make the move to NorthPark, relocating to the lower level of the store and "offering an intimate space for one of life’s most meaningful experiences," Exemplar says in the statement.

"It was important for the company to continue this tradition as many customers have generations of family members that are Neiman’s brides," they say. "The company will continue to service existing brides with their alterations and fittings at the NorthPark store while the new space is under construction."

Neiman Marcus NorthPark Bridal Salon rendering.Rendering courtesy of Neiman Marcus and Arcadis Inc.

It also fulfills a longtime need for a bridal salon at NorthPark Center in general.

The Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon is scheduled to open in early December. Customers can make new bridal salon appointments via their sales associate or by calling the store.

Santa Claus is coming to NorthPark
One downtown fixture will make the move in person (plug your ears, kids): Felix Estridge, the store's longtime Santa, will bring his Christmas cheer to NorthPark after Thanksgiving. According to the company, he'll continue traditions including photos with Santa and Breakfast with Santa, along with Storytime with Santa and Dine with Santa.

Tickets for the holiday events are now available online.

Neiman Marcus Santa Santa's ready to visit with kiddies at Neiman Marcus NorthPark.Photo courtesy of Neiman Marcus

Downtown art will live on
The downtown store's art collection won't be kept entirely in Dallas.

According to Exemplar, historic art pieces from the flagship will find new homes throughout the Neiman Marcus portfolio, allowing customers around the country to experience pieces of the company's history.

The original Neiman Marcus opened in Dallas in 1914. After years of uncertainty surrounding the downtown location, the company announced in June 2026 that it would close the flagship and concentrate its Dallas presence at NorthPark.

The downtown store's September 30 closing ended a long saga over its future. Neiman Marcus had originally planned to close the location in 2025, then kept it open through the holiday season while exploring options for the store. Six months later, the closure was announced.

"For more than a century, this store has held a cherished place in our history and in the lives of our customers, helping shape Neiman Marcus into the iconic luxury retailer it is today," Exemplar says. "The spirit of innovation, exceptional service and deep customer relationships that defined our Downtown store will continue to guide us as we honor our rich heritage and embrace our bright future. Dallas remains an incredibly important market for the Neiman Marcus brand."

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