13 holiday teas in Chicago

One of the best ways to savor the holiday season is with afternoon tea, when piping hot refills and an ornate display of pastries feel even more festive. Thankfully, several venues are offering their own variation on the experience, ensuring something for everyone in your pre- and post-shopping party. From those featuring carolers to a Mariah Carey-themed singalong, here are 13 holiday teas to choose from — just in time for the 12 days of Christmas and beyond.

Vanille

Afternoon tea undergoes French inspiration at this Lincoln Park patisserie, where offerings showcase traditional European methods alongside modern touches. Try them in items such as savory goat cheese cheesecake with caramelized pumpkin purée, holiday sugar cookies with house-made hot cocoa and peppermint macarons dipped in white chocolate — all accompanied by premier picks from Benjamin Tea. Bring your own bubbly here, and split the bottle and the corkage costs ($10) with a group — the venue hosts parties of four to 10 for tea. Tuesday to Sunday through Jan. 7, $75/person. 2108 N. Clark St., 773-868-4574, vanillepatisserie.com

The Four Seasons

Served at the Four Seasons’ Adorn Restaurant, this holiday tea reflects the same thoughtful, artistic touches as seen throughout the dining room menu. Enjoy sweet and savory bites with a curated selection from Rare Tea Cellars, plus a glass of Champagne. When you visit, bring a box of lights with you — the team is helping to illuminate the Lawndale neighborhood this season. Thursday to Sunday through Dec. 31; $125/adults, $55/ages 6-12. 120 E. Delaware Place, 312-280-8800, fourseasons.com/Chicago

The Langham

This holiday season, The Langham hosts a special “Santa’s Toy Stories” Holiday Tea, inviting guests to engage with the experience by way of cookies and milk, desserts beneath the tree and an edible chocolate letter to Santa. Expect other whimsical bites throughout: a “Down the Chimney” smoked Anjou pear tartlet with camembert cheese and radicchio jam; panettone scones with candied orange and rum raisins; and eggnog panna cotta with mulled pomegranate jelly. Daily through Jan. 7, $135/adults, $60/ages 5 to 12. 330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-9988, langhamhotels.com/Chicago

The Peninsula

A traditional English menu of teas, sandwiches, pastries, and a glass of Champagne and a string duo at The Peninsula. (Neil Burger)

Take tea in magical surroundings at The Peninsula, where an outdoor sky rink, a 20-foot Christmas tree and weekend visits from Santa await. Expect a traditional English menu of select teas, finger sandwiches, pastries and a glass of Champagne, all alongside daily performances by a string duo. Sip here for a good cause — a portion of proceeds benefits the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. Daily through Jan. 7, $140-$150/adult, $65-$85/children. 108 E. Superior St., 312-337-2888, peninsula.com/Chicago

Russian Tea Time

Born in Ukraine, owner Klara Muchnik moved to Chicago in 1990 with the dream of opening a restaurant celebrating her passion for food and hospitality. Within a few years, that vision was realized with this downtown location, where the team specializes in Eastern European and Central Asian cuisine along with a venerated afternoon tea service. Choose from one of three experiences, with the “Queen” offering proving the most filling, with additions such as crepes and extra sandwiches and sweets (which undergo festive tweaks during the holiday season). For the tea itself, guests can choose from more than 25 kinds and are encouraged to lean on the staff’s expertise for guidance. 77 E. Adams St., 312-360-0000, russianteatime.com

The Ritz-Carlton

Arrive on the 12th floor of this Gold Coast hotel for holiday tea at Torali, the Ritz-Carlton’s fine dining fixture that overlooks downtown. Settle in for a pristine selection of sandwiches (lobster salad with tarragon and vanilla aioli; beet cured salmon with candied orange), freshly baked scones (traditional and gingerbread spice) and an array of sweets (a pecan pie parfait, Coconut Snowball and Pistachio Ombré Cake, to name a few). Take in city skyline views and enjoy the selection of Palais des Thes teas, or a flute of Champagne. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 24, $80/person. 160 E. Pearson St., 312-266-1000, ritzcarlton.com/Chicago

Verzenay

Eat. Watch. Do.

Weekly

What to eat. What to watch. What you need to live your best life ... now.

Pâtissiere Arshiya Farheen trained and worked in Paris before opening this charming Lincoln Park bakery, which specializes in French pastries and cakes, breads and chocolates using the best possible local ingredients. Discover the same dedication to craft and quality in the team’s holiday tea, a celebration of finger sandwiches and sweet bites, including “Choco Paris Brest” (chocolate choux with hazelnut crème mousseline and hazelnut praline), ricotta cake with passion fruit mousse and traditional scones with house-made clotted cream and preserves. Enjoy them alongside a selection of Palais des Thés teas, or European sipping chocolate for the little ones, and bring your own bubbly if you’re feeling extra festive. Friday to Sunday through Jan. 21; $78/adults, $60/ages 4-9. 2507 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-799-8312, verzenaychicago.com

Deer Path Inn

This quaint inn offers an elevated afternoon tea service year-round in its celebrated English Room. Traditional recipes meet best-in-class ingredients for offerings such as smoked salmon tartine and shrimp salad gougere, accompanied by a variety of petit fours and house-made scones — plus plenty of holiday additions this month. Wednesday to Saturday, $55/adult, $30/child. 255 E. Illinois Road, Lake Forest; 847-234-2280; thedeerpathinn.com

Hotel Zachary

Those visiting Wrigleyville’s Christkindlmarket can warm up across the street with a visit to Hotel Zachary and Alma Restaurant, where weekly programming such as Vinyl Thursdays and Bubbles & Beats Happy Hour await. Add to that mix their recently launched Teddy Bear Tea, welcoming little ones to bring their favorite stuffed animal for an afternoon of sweets and sweet memories. Enjoy hot chocolate or local teas from Rare Tea Cellars alongside finger sandwiches, scones, cupcakes and more. Saturday and Sunday through Jan. 28; $60/adults, $30/ages 4-12. 3630 N. Clark St., 773-302-2326, almahotelzachary.com

The Drake

The queen of England, Princess Diana and the empress of Japan are just a few of the famous names who have enjoyed afternoon tea at Palm Court, situated within the century-old Drake Hotel. The room’s timeless grandeur becomes even more festive this time of year, with fountain sounds, holiday flora and a harpist or carolers on select dates through Christmas. Enjoy tiered selections of seasonal sandwiches (roasted turkey with fig whipped Brie; bourbon smoked salmon with apple agrodolce) and sweets (cranberry orange scones; chocolate eggnog bread pudding). Even the teas see a holiday spin, with selections such as the Nutcracker (vanilla-hazelnut Ceylon) and Sugar Plum Fairy (with hints of plum and strawberry). Daily through Jan. 7, $77-$81/adults, $35/ages 3-12. 140 E. Walton Place, 312-787-2200, thedrakehotel.com

LondonHouse

Guests can take in floor-to-ceiling water views with this hotel’s afternoon tea, served year-round in Bridges Lobby Bar. The holidays make for a particularly special time to visit, thanks to playful creations such as a Rudolph dome (with salted caramel mousse, pear confit and speculoos) and Santa macarons (with white chocolate candy cane ganache), plus savory options and a pastry basket of festive fixings (think eggnog coffee cake and Grinch cookies). Daily through Jan. 14; $90/adults, $45/children. 85 E. Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, londonhousechicago.com

The Gwen

There are many reasons to love this season and holiday pop music is up there with the best of them. This hotel celebrates those sounds with its first-ever “Very, Merry Mariah Tipsy Tea Party,” featuring Mariah Carey Christmas-themed garland and accents throughout the space, Santa-hat “fascinators” and a DJ spinning fun Christmas favorites (including, of course, several of Carey’s hits). Guests can choose from four tea packages, each one featuring bottomless beverage service and a tower of treats, including chocolate-peppermint cheesecake, spiced shortbread and almond meringue cookies. Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 30; $70-$95/person. 521 N. Rush St., 312-645-1500, thegwenchicago.com

Bar Pendry

Housed in the tony Pendry Chicago hotel, Bar Pendry boasts everything one might want in a lobby-level hangout: comfy leather sofas, cool-meets-cozy vibes and an impressive selection of food and drinks. Afternoon tea sees the addition of bespoke cocktails, such as the Welcome Home (with jasmine green tea syrup, cachaça, gin and lemon) or the large-format Winter Away (brandy-based mulled red wine with Wild Banana Chai and Créme de Banane). Pair them with truffled egg tartelettes or smoked sherry onion jam bites and save room for the finales: cardamom scones with lingonberry jam, s’mores macarons and chocolate tortes. Sundays, $65/person. 230 N. Michigan Ave., 312-777-9000, pendry.com/chicago

A steaming kettle awaits you in Chicago at 13 hotels and restaurants with holiday teas