Pinkies up, Asheville. We love a good cuppa, which got us thinking about the places to enjoy a lovely tea time ritual full of tasty bites and gorgeous sights. Here are four spots around town that offer such earthly delights.
Dobra Tea, 78 N. Lexington Ave. + 707 Haywood Rd.
These Eastern-style tea rooms offer a thoughtfully sourced (and remarkably expansive) selection of teas from all over the world, including Nepal, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Be sure to factor in time for perusing the 70+ page menu, which offers tea sampling experiences, chai, yerba mate, and several pages worth of iced tea elixirs. Each location also offers a menu of vegan bites like hummus, pita, and paleo-friendly desserts.
AVLtoday Editor Laura’s two favorite drinks to order are the Staroborshov dark oolong tea, which when shaken, produces a frothy “head” similar to a draft beer — and the blooming tea flower, made from a Jasmine green tea varietal that elegantly unfurls while it steeps.
High Climate Tea Company, 12 S. Lexington Ave.
When you walk into this sunny, plant-draped tea shop, it becomes clear that owner Hunter Strickland is very good at two things: sourcing Chinese teas and cultivating a vibe. Every year, Hunter travels to China to meet with farmers who grow white, green, oolong, black, puerh, and tisanes teas in high-altitude climates using traditional, chemical-free methods. No matter what you order, expect a gorgeous ceremony to accompany your order.
Hungry, too? There’s savory fare like the Chinese Tea Egg, soba noodles, and miso soup, plus succulent sweets (think: seasonal mochi and matcha + rose fudge).
Ivory Road Cafe & Kitchen, 1854 Brevard Rd., Arden
Looking for an English tea experience? Ivory Road pulls out all the stops at its twice-monthly afternoon tea service, offered on the first Saturday and Tuesday of each month (and select holiday dates). You can expect classic bites like scones, shortbread, macarons, and cucumber sandwiches — but the service also has a distinct Appalachian flare with its pimento cheese tea sandwiches + deviled egg salad cups. Reserve your spot 24 hours in advance.
