It’s not just the British that love their afternoon tea. I’ve always loved tea and I brew a pot (or several) almost every evening, even when it’s hot outside. And enjoying an afternoon tea service in a beautiful hotel is a luxurious treat I enjoy indulging in when I travel. Thankfully the Germans make a thing of afternoon tea and the Ritz-Carlton Berlin is the only hotel in Germany to offer a selection of the distinctive Mariage Frères teas. Berlin’s best afternoon tea, well I don’t mind if I do!
In a tribute to Berlin’s history, the Ritz-Carlton has a piece of the Wall in the lobby
The beautiful marble staircase and baby grand piano in the lobby
The Ritz-Carlton Berlin definitely didn’t disappoint. I consider Berlin to be a more modern city of the European set and the exterior of the Ritz-Carlton Berlin blends right in with the bright pink and purple pipes and the cyberpunk Sony Center surrounding it in Potsdamer Platz. But as a white-gloved Beefeater held the door and I stepped in, it was like stepping back in time. The liaison of old and new and the marriage of browns, beige, and golds work well and makes for an extremely relaxing retreat from the buzz of Europe’s most contemporary space just steps away.
The Ritz-Carlton Berlin Tea Lounge offers both a traditional afternoon tea and a French afternoon tea. The words croque monsieur, camembert, and macarons were like a siren call I couldn’t refuse and there was no contest between English and French.
A jar of the exclusive Mariage Frères tea. It was even featured on an episode of Gossip Girl!
Our French afternoon tea would be served by the Ritz’s very own tea sommelier and Sandra, who obtained her degree from the prestigious Rutherford in India, appeared with a sniffing box. The box was just the first of many, though the first box is filled with the most popular selections. I only needed to sniff one box and after sniffing several of the loose leaf teas, chose the first I had picked up. It was a Mariage Frères called Havana, a green tea with delicious sweet scents of fruit.
A palette cleansing citrus tart to start
As with all afternoon teas I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying, this one too began with a palette cleanser which was a citrus custard tart.
A three-tiered French feast!
My pot of tea arrived and I swirled the rock candy to sweeten it a little. The three-tiered tray of French treats soon followed. In place of the watercress and egg salad sandwiches you’ll typically find with a traditional English tea, the plate was filled with iconically, ridiculously French savories like croque monsieur, camambert, and quiche lorraine. The sweets were an assortment of madeleine, macarons, apple tarts, and a fried apple that looked like a doughnut. Finally, the French scones topped the tiered platters with a delicious orange-infused butter.
My friend Bree and I enjoying the Ritz-Carlton Tea Lounge
We sat sipping our tea and just enjoying the lovely and quiet atmosphere of the Ritz-Carlton Berlin Tea Lounge. It was an excellent way to spend an afternoon and filling enough to serve as a meal. Definitely don’t miss out on this luxurious experience when visiting Berlin!
Know Before You Go
- Afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton Berlin is available daily from 2pm – 6pm and reservations should be made in advance. You can make them online.
- There are several afternoon tea menus available and we enjoyed the French Afternoon Tea. It is €36 per person or €42 per person including a glass of champagne.
Disclosure: Our afternoon tea was hosted by the Ritz-Carlton Berlin in order to bring you this story. As always, all opinions are entirely our own.
Devlin says
Wait so there’s a such thing as Tea Sommelier? I’m not much of a tea person but that plus those treats makes me want to hit this place up next time I’m in Berlin.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I’ve now had the pleasure of guidance by a tea sommelier and a salt sommelier! They are masters of pairing the proper teas and salts with food. Amazing what a possibilities of professions there are these days.
Jessica says
Never thought about going for afternoon tea in Berlin but this does sound like a lovely treat. That green tea you had looks and sounds wonderful! Now I’ll have to go try it out myself 🙂
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Berlin definitely isn’t the first place that comes to mind for afternoon tea, but I enjoy afternoon tea so much I often search out the best ones in destinations we’re traveling to. The Ritz definitely didn’t disappoint me! The tea was delicious and I’ve since discovered via Google that I can order it online…or go to France. Maybe I’ll just go to France…hmmm….
Marlene says
I too enjoy a good pot of tea. This reminded me of our afternoon tea in new york
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Yes, the Plaza is another great place to enjoy afternoon tea when in NYC!
Esther says
Very delicious high tea!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Very delicious indeed!
Heather says
You know I like a good afternoon tea and this one is definitely going on the list! I’m practically drooling over that plate of French pastries!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I totally thought of you and that you would absolutely love this afternoon tea Heather!
A Cook Not Mad (Nat) says
Had my first proper tea at the Waldorf Astoria in NYC. This one seems quite affordable and looks amazing!
Jennifer Dombrowski says
You really get a lot of food for the price; it serves as a full meal. The Waldorf sounds like a wonderful place to have afternoon tea in NYC. I’ve been inside and it’s lovely!
Agness says
That’s a lovely place to have a tea, but I would focus more on tasting these delicious cakes and pastries :-).
Jennifer Dombrowski says
The pastries were amazing! I want to go back and have the traditional English tea; I bet its equally as delicious as the French tea.
Megan says
Wow, this looks fabulous! I always enjoy meals that allow you to sample several different options in one sitting. I’ll definitely put this on my list of places to eat on my next trip to Berlin.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
Afternoon teas are great for sampling a bunch of small bites, though there is definitely enough for it to be a filling meal!
Deb says
OOoh, Swank! We’ve never done high tea. Never stayed at a Ritz Carlton either. Ahhh what sheltered lives we lead. Sounds grand and I’ll definitely check it out the next time we’re in Berlin.
Jennifer Dombrowski says
I think you and Dave would enjoy high tea, Deb! It’s a nice treat, especially if you’ve had an adventurous morning. I try to have high tea at least a few times a year.
May says
Hi! Do you know if they allow kids to afternoon tea? My daughter and I are possibly going to Berlin in May and would like to have a real afternoon tea experience with her. My daughter is 3 1/2 years old.
Thank you!