While visiting a friend in Inverness, we decided to explore The Tilted Teacup. High tea is a small…read morepassion of ours, and over the years we have experienced many tea rooms across the country and abroad, so we arrived curious and ready to be charmed.
The tea room itself is a beautiful, eclectic house. Spacious yet cozy, decorated in a delightful hodgepodge of styles that somehow comes together harmoniously. It feels whimsical without tipping into chaos. The kind of place where teacups don't match, and that is precisely the point.
Making reservations was pleasantly easy. I emailed on a Sunday for a Wednesday seating and received confirmation by Monday. I was mildly surprised they did not require a credit card deposit, something many tea rooms now request given the labor-intensive preparation and delicate perishables involved. Their trust in the process is refreshing.
Upon arrival we were warmly greeted and promptly seated. Amiee, the owner and our server, was friendly and engaging, walking us through the tea selections, the promise of unlimited pots, and explaining the offerings that would arrive throughout the experience.
We ended up trying five different teas, each pot a small surprise thanks to Amiee's suggestions. I cannot remember all the names, but I can happily say we liked every one of them. One in particular tasted remarkably like banana bread in a cup. Warm, aromatic, perfectly balanced, and thankfully not overly sweet. We were also delighted by the Peach Apricot, bright and cheerful, and really enjoyed the Pomegranate Vanilla Lemur, which had a lovely layered flavor.
We began with a creamy mushroom soup, rich and comforting. The scone, served before the tiered tray, was warm, buttery, and quite good, though notably without the traditional Devonshire or clotted cream. Still, it stood proudly on its own.
The finger sandwiches were fresh and thoughtfully varied. The bread did not appear homemade, but the selections complemented each filling nicely and everything tasted fresh. The cheese muffin was flavorful, though we both mused that two smaller ones with a slightly moister crumb might have been even better.
The sweet tier was satisfying overall. I was initially skeptical about the bread pudding, but the mini chocolate tart and a delicate lemon tart on filo more than made up for it.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was chatting with Amiee about the journey of the tea room through the years, including the challenges of navigating the Covid era. I am always impressed by those who pursue a vision in the food industry. It is a difficult road, and places like this exist because of persistence, courage, and a genuine love of hospitality.
Another pleasant surprise was the pricing, which is remarkably reasonable compared with the often lofty cost of afternoon tea elsewhere.
All in all, The Tilted Teacup offers a warm, charming, and thoughtful tea experience. My friend and I left very pleased, well fed, and with the comforting sense that we had spent the afternoon exactly as it should be spent: with good tea, good conversation, and a table full of small delights.
I happily recommend it.
