Why Afternoon Tea At DC’s Waldorf Astoria Is A Must Try

Items range from savory to sweet | Photo provided by the Waldorf Astoria DC

The British art of high tea has been perfected in the hotel’s Peacock Alley

Waldorf Astoria’s Winter Clock Tower Afternoon Tea knocks off the winter chill and provides a warm place to refuel before heading out into Washington, DC’s frigid temps. Set in the iconic Old Post Office Building, the historic ambience and choice of teas is mesmerizing and enchanting.

It has been 185 years since the concept of afternoon tea was invented. Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford came up with the idea. Close to Queen Victoria, Russell found herself famished around 4pm and couldn’t wait until 8pm when dinner was served. So, what’s a girl to do? Russell found a solution to satiate her hunger and asked for bread, butter, and cake to be brought to her room. She then thought to invite her friends to join her for tea and delectable treats, and those in the high echelons of British society soon took to the idea of snacking in the afternoon. Et voila, the concept of afternoon tea was born.

Peacock Alley is a fixture in Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world, and the idea was that in its first hotels like in Manhattan, it would be a place for high society to be seen. The ambience of Peacock Alley relaxes with its blue tones on the sofas and crystal chandeliers above. The Winter Clock Tower Afternoon Tea is a nod to winter’s flavors.

Afternoon tea is $120 per person | Photo provided by the Waldorf Astoria DC

Savory sandwiches on the top level of the tiered selection of treats include Cucumber Caviar Sandwiches, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Dill Smoked Salmon, and Deviled Egg Carbonara Sandwiches. The most taste bud popping selection was Chicken Salad Sandwich, which had all the key flavors with winter black truffle, spiced mayo, and grapes.  If you’re vegetarian, the Cucumber Caviar Sandwich is kept, but the other replacements include the Chickpea Salad Sandwich, Smoked Beet Sandwich, and Whipped Miso Tahini Mousse.

For sweet treats you can choose from the Vanilla Bean and Gingerbread Scones, Chocolate Peppermint Macarons, Spiced Cheesecake Tartlets, Hot Cocoa Mugs, White Chocolate Cranberry Financier, and Panettone Shortbread. Standing out the most and our favorite is the Spiced Cheesecake Tartlets. Not too sweet, it satisfies the cheesecake lover, but not far from a favorite is the Hot Cocoa Mugs with melted chocolate inside the chocolate shaped mug and s’more flavored marshmallows.

There are 9 teas to choose from, with winter notes and some with winter inspired names: Chocolate Peppermint Truffle, Nutcracker, Sugar Plum Fairy, Dragon Well, Floral Jasmine, Lavender Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Masala Chai, and Ginger Yuzu. I opted for the Nutcracker tea, a full-bodied Ceylon black tea with tones of hazelnut and aromatic vanilla. It hits the spot and pairs well with cream and one cube of sugar.

The ambience of Peacock Alley and the lobby of the hotel is one-of-a-kind. You can’t find a better spot to have afternoon tea in the Nation’s Capital.

The afternoon tea is $120 per person with a 20% service charge added in.