Tea Time Takes Over Israel: 4 Places to Enjoy British Tea

Afternoon tea is a traditional British practice called Afternoon Tea where the British would drink a cup of tea in the middle of the day, eat small sandwiches and finish with scones and jam while gossiping about the neighbors. The tradition was initiated by Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford in 1830, who was also the first to turn afternoon tea into a social event to ease hunger between lunch and dinner. From early hours, she would invite friends to her home for tea.

We are all for midday tea time that makes us stop work and enjoy sandwiches and sweet treats. In honor of International Tea Day on 20/12, we found 4 places offering you tea time with all the British show around.

Romantic Tea Time at the American Colony Hotel

Tea time at the American Colony Hotel is held daily from 15:00 to 18:00. In the spring and summer, it's a real joy to enjoy it in the flowery patio in the hotel's courtyard or by the glowing fireplace in the hotel restaurant during fall and winter. In both cases, it is one of the most magical tea times you will experience.

In keeping with English tradition, the afternoon tea meal is served here on a three-tiered tray, including fresh fruits, a variety of sandwiches such as salmon on a bed of cream cheese, fresh cucumber carpaccio with butter, tomato carpaccio with butter and hard-boiled egg, and more, but the real treat is the excellent scones made at the hotel, crispy and rich in butter, served with perfect cream, butter, and jam, and of course a pot of tea.
Cost: 85 shekels per person.
Reservations by advance booking only at phone 02-6279777

Tel Aviv Tea Time at Ruti Broudo's Delicatessen

Tea time takes place from Sunday to Thursday from 16:00 until closing, throughout December and January, at all Delicatessen branches (except the Panorama House) and at the bakery on Dizengoff Street. The menu includes savory items such as: salmon club sandwich with cream cheese, radishes, and chives, pecorino muffin, and mushroom tartlet with crème fraîche and Wanna Green topping, accompanied by pistachio macarons, pavlova, and of course Saint Honoré cream puffs.
All this is accompanied by pots of Kusmi tea, ranging from blends of black tea to green infusions and even fruity scents.
Cost: 96 shekels per couple.
Delicatessen tea time, Sunday to Thursday from 16:00 till closing, throughout December and January

Tea time at the delicatessen. Photo by Idit Oliel

Luxurious British Tea Time at Waldorf Astoria Hotel

On the occasion of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel's tenth anniversary celebrations, you can enjoy one of the most impressive afternoon tea meals. The meal is served with grand ceremony in porcelain dishes and silver cutlery, in the King's Court restaurant between 15:30-18:30 and includes a 3-tiered tray with a variety of sandwiches on full grain country bread with cucumber and dill cream cheese, country nut bread, Tom cheese and tomato chutney, sourdough bread, smoked salmon, cream cheese, and lemon zest, egg salad tart and smoked salmon.
Additionally, a variety of desserts is served, including berry financier, honey and lemon madeleine cookies, mini-rocher - chocolate crunch, praline mousse, chocolate coating, and hazelnut bits, cheese brownies, caramel cream puff with chocolate coating, cheese and citrus petit fours with caramelized pine nuts, and, of course, traditional mini scones, including classic scones, white raisin scones, whipped cream, strawberry jam, and orange jam.

All of this is served alongside a quality tea menu featuring excellent Earl Grey, Indian Chai, Darjeeling and more
Cost: 380 ₪ including VAT per couple.
Reservation required at least 24 hours in advance. To site

Tea Time at King David Hotel, Jerusalem

The King David Hotel in Jerusalem, in collaboration with Palais des Thés, one of the world's leading tea companies, invites you to a famous afternoon tea experience in the hotel's historic reading room, accompanied by live music.

The menu will feature a variety of tea drinks from Palais des Thés, such as: milk oolong from Thailand, whole chamomile flower infusion, Blue of London with delicate bergamot flavors, and more.In addition to the tea, the menu offers food items like: avocado sandwich with lime and chili, Safed cheese sandwich with sun-dried tomatoes and olive oil, salmon sandwich with cream cheese and cucumber, scones, and a selection of seasonal desserts.Additionally, a variety of high-quality champagnes and Israeli sparkling wine will be offered.

Sunday through Thursday: 15:00 - 17:00. Reservations 02-6208796

Tea time at King David Hotel. Photo by Gali Eitan