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Rhode Island Tea Roomss
The Web site Destination Tea has some helpful descriptions of Rhode Island tea rooms. Click here
Fairy Tea Room – 69 Market St, Warren, RI 02885 We’ve been to this new tea room twice since we discovered it this 2025. It’s a lovely treat, in one of my favorite towns to visit, Warren, RI. The room is done in dark and soft greens that give you the relaxing sense of being in a dell or a leafy forest. It’s not a large room, but we found a table easy enough, even the time that we didn’t make a reservation. Both the tea and the food are wonderful. There isn’t a huge selection of black teas, but what there is hits the spot. One time I had Irish Breakfast; the other time I had Darjeeling: both were brisk and flavorful without any bitterness. Yang had the Jasmine, which he enjoyed very much. There are also white, oolong, decaf, and special teas, if those are your cup of . . .well, you know. Be aware, a pot of tea can hydrate two people – or one of me. The cup of tea comes in a small pot that actually gives you two cups – perfect for the caffeine-sensitive Yang. The food is wonderful, as well. You can get an afternoon tea for one or more or an afternoon tea for one and a sandwich, soup, etc. for another. The first time here, Yang and I shared an afternoon tea for two, with a nice array of tasty sandwiches from which to choose, yummy scones, and small but lovely dessert cakes and cookies – perfect for topping off the meal. This last time, I got the afternoon tea and Yang got a half roast beef sandwich and maple pumpkin soup. He loved both, commenting that the portions for the soup and sandwich were ample and filled his tummy. The two women who run the Fairy Tea Room are friendly and attentive, but not in your face. I highly recommend this stop for lunch, afternoon tea, or maybe a sweet dessert and tasty tea.
Shasteȃ – 300 Broadway, Providence, RI. Yang and I visited Schasteȃ on a cold, winter afternoon and were in for a treat. The atmosphere is friendly and informal; the menu is wonderful! There is an extensive array of teas of the white, green, red, black, and herbal variety. Yang went with the Jasmine Pearls and was not disappointed. You are served your own teapots with the infusing basket still inside, which you can easily remove to adjust the strength of the tea to your taste. Also served is a little dish of candied ginger to snack on. Be aware that ginger can be a bit spicy, even when candied, but neither Yang nor I had any trouble with our nibbles. For tea, I chose the Earl Grey Creme, a favorite of mine, and was not disappointed. There are also some Keemuns, Assams, Darjeelings, on the menu for you imbibing pleasure – in addition to the smoky delight of Lapsong Souchang. The Himalayan Quest and Nilgiri are my favorites, though. If you are in a coffee or hot chocolate mood, some such gourmet treats are on the menu as well.
The food was absolutely lovely. I had the prosciutto/goat cheese/roasted pepper crȇpe and Yang had the Buffalo turkey one. The crȇpes themselves were light and delicious and the fillings superb. You also received a healthy dose of greens with tasty dressing, matched to the flavor of your crȇpe. I had arugula with a lemony dressing and Yang had a mixture of greens with a blue cheese dressing. We had no room for dessert crȇpes or even a tasty-looking scone. Ah, next time! The Providence location is a perfect stop on our many visits to the city or on forays to the Rhode Island coast. Come and enjoy!
Val’s English Tea and Pie Shop 466 Putnam Turnpike (Rte. 44), Greenville, RI. For my birthday, Yang took me to a new tea room that was an absolute delight: Val’s English Tea and Pie Shop. I can’t recommend this place highly enough. The proprietor, Sharon, greeted us when we came in and had a brief,  enjoyable conversation with us about her son who had studied at Holy Cross where my husband taught for many years. She directed us to a lovely table with soft white linens and gorgeous china to explain, once we were seated, the Afternoon Tea we would be having. The room is bright and comfortable. You’ll enjoy espying the shelves of tea pots and tea services, as well as Toby Mugs, along the wall. More important, the comestibles and tea were wonderful. We had hearty sandwiches of delectable choices and small puff pastries of apricot and sausage. Yum! The next level on the three tiered tray held four scones, two scones each of two different varieties: white chocolate or sultana. These scones were perfect: soft and flavorful without leaving that grittiness on your teeth that those of some tea rooms do. Butter and jam were on hand, but the scones were pretty tasty on their own. The top tier held the sweets – MMMHMM! Apple spice cake, biscotti dipped with chocolate, and crispy mini-lemon tarts that had the perfect blend of sweet and tangy– delicious! All was finished up with a small and delicious mango mousse. We loved this Afternoon Tea, for it was hearty enough to make us feel fed, with just enough sweets to give satisfaction rather than a sugar rush. I have to admit that we couldn’t finish everything and took some sweets home. Our tea itself provided the perfect compliment to the meal. I chose Black Current, warm and refreshing on a rainy winter’s day, while Yang chose one of the many green teas. The tea menu offers a decent selection of all kinds of teas. Even better, you get a huge teapot. Even I couldn’t quite finish the whole pot! I’m looking forward to returning for tea with my other tea-loving friends. Remember to make a reservation in advance here for your visit!
Tatters – 324 Main Street, Warren, Rhode Island. Located in a former church renovated into a unique clothing and what-not shop, with lovely tables for tea scattered about the shop. The food is homemade and tasty with delicious and hearty tea sandwiches, tasty scones, and yummy (but not overly sugary) desserts. There is only one tea, a hearty black English brew that is perfect for milk, sugar/honey – or fine if you want to take it straight up! It’s flavorful and will stand by you, served in a large china tea pot – even Yang and I couldn’t finish ours. I loved the china tea cups and serving dishes. The proprietors are two gals who are affably down to earth. You could dress up for a fancy tea or just come in casual. Yang and I had a pleasant afternoon here.
Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage – 25 W Main Street, Wickford, RI Island. Wickford is a charming seaside town in Rhode Island. This summer (2023), we visited to try Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage. Sweet Marie’s is located in an older house, in a long room that captures the ambiance of an old English cottage: field stone or white-washed walls and dark-wood beamed ceilings. The menu is a fixed one. We had no choice for tea, but the tea served that day was a hearty English blend, apt for milk and sugar. And you get a heck of a lot of tea in a good-sized teapot! The food was tasty, weighing more toward the sweets than the savory. So take your own preferences into consideration here. The staff was pleasant, all in all a nice experience. Be sure to take a stroll around the lovely old town afterwards to walk off a few of those calories! Reservations are required in advance.
last updated 12/05/25 |
Sharon Healy-Yang 