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    McKenna's Tea Cottage

    3.9 (795 reviews)
    Closed • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    McKenna's Tea Cottage Photos

    MCKENNA'S TEA COTTAGE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - McKenna's Tea Cottage

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    Reviews With Photos

    Grace C.

    Made a reservation for 11am which is the earliest. Some of us were hungry already so tried to fill up on the delicious teas as we waited for more than 30 minutes for our food after we ordered. We had the Lady Hamilton set which included 4 small sandwiches and a deliciously warm scone which was a decent sized amount of food but wish some of the sandwhiches were a little bigger and portioned in equal sizes. I liked the Peach Mango, McKenna Tea followed by the Pomegranate Raspberry, Vanilla Chai. I think most , if not all, are brewed from loose leaf. They sell the tea for you to take home. The server was very nice and seemed very busy. We had a nice time. Just plan to wait for your food when you come.

    Tier tray
    Barbieejo A.

    Super cute cottage. Relax chill vibe. Love the atmosphere here and servers are nice..I came on my day off and the finger tea.sanwhiches are good. I really like the chicken salad. The egg is good and different with curry . The outdoor side by main Street is so cute They even rent out the outdoor area for private events.

    Loooove their food!
    Deb H.

    Still my favorite tea shop restaurant in SoCal!!! Love their soups, scones and sandwiches! The soups especially (every flavor) are delicious! Their veggie quiche is also outstanding but they dont have it every day but when they do I always order it! The interior is super cute with all the varieties of teacups and the service is wonderful!

    Denise S.

    We had a very nice tea time. I enjoyed the food and tea. Delicious. Servers were nice, but they were supposed to be open at 11am. They weren't ready to open until 11:15am. Food and tea 5 stars, but efficiency 4 stars.

    Tea set
    Madison N.

    To say this establishment was overpriced is an understatement. This place markets itself like some elegant, cozy, English tea experience when in reality it looks like the inside of a dying hoarder grandma's house. The carpets and walls are "rustic" if you're being generous, but honestly they looked cigarette-stained and filthy. The service was atrocious too. It took nearly THIRTY MINUTES just to get tea. Tea. Not a five-course meal. Then we waited OVER AN HOUR for finger sandwiches that tasted like cafeteria scraps. Most of the food was genuinely awful. The only remotely edible items were the tomato soup, cucumber/egg sandwich, and chicken quiche -- except the quiche wasn't even included and cost an extra $22, which is insane for a place already charging premium prices for mediocrity. The "egg sandwich" was basically stale yellow bread with microscopic traces of egg. And whoever decided HAM AND BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE belonged in a finger sandwich needs to be fired immediately. Even the table decor looked terrible. Every table had random mismatched pieces from different sets instead of a cohesive theme, so the whole place just felt cluttered, lazy, and disorganized. Nothing about this experience felt charming or intentional. I waited over an hour to eat garbage in a room that smelled like dust and neglect. Absolutely do not recommend. I wasn't paying, but the experience costed over $100 (including $60 from a groupon).

    Beautiful china
    Toni C.

    This tea house has such a cute, whimsical atmosphere -- it feels like stepping into a storybook. The décor is charming, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing afternoon. The tea selection was wonderful -- flavorful and beautifully presented. The scones were fresh and buttery, and the sandwiches were delicious with just the right balance of savory and sweet options. . I loved that they offer different afternoon tea meal selections, so there's something for everyone -- from a classic traditional tea service to heartier or more petite options depending on your mood or appetite. The service was excellent -- warm, attentive, and made us feel truly welcome without being overbearing. I'll definitely be back.

    Tina Y.

    This charming tea house offers delicious teas and food items set in a cozy setting. I really enjoyed the finger sandwiches as well as the scone with raspberry preserves and clotted cream. The dish ware was also charming and every tea pot had a different look to it which was adorable.

    Kate K.

    Some friends and I have been trying all the afternoon tea's around Long Beach and McKenna's was our second stop. For weekend reservations, they require a $5 deposit per person (refundable if you cancel in advance and otherwise applied to your bill), which you can do online. Unfortunately you cannot modify reservations online, so I had to call into the restaurant each time our party grew. They were prompt about returning my calls, updating the reservation, and collecting the additional deposits, it would just be nice to be able to do it online. We had a fairly large group of nine people and were seated outside on the patio once our full group had arrived. The patio is a lovely space and I was glad to be seated out there. Although it is adjacent to main street, it is closed off and feels like a private garden space. It was a sunny day and staff were helpful in adjusting the umbrellas to keep our party in the shade. If you have members in your party with certain dietary restrictions, they do offer vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarians they sub in additional veggie sandwiches for the two tea sandwiches that have meat. For gluten free options they do require 48 hour advanced notice. One of the great things about McKenna's is the number of menu options you have. It allows people to tailor their meal to their preferences and also provides choices at a variety of price points. They have a nice selection teas as well. Your afternoon tea comes with one pot and refills are an extra charge. The plates and teacups are all mismatched china and we had a lot of fun admiring everyone's unique teacups. Staff were very friendly and helpful. We ended up sitting and talking for a while, not realizing that they were closing up around us! They add 20% gratuity for large groups, but on our bill the gratuity was calculated on the total after the deposit had been subtracted. Luckily we caught this in time and were able to increase our tip so our server didn't get shortchanged. If you're dining in on a weekend and have a large group be sure you are tipping based on the actual total of your bill. Everyone in my group had fun and enjoyed their afternoon tea. Thanks, McKenna's!

    Esther K.

    Very cozy after noon tea- they have a lot to set menus that have different add ons like soup salad or dessert. The highlights for me were the scone with cream and jam. The second was the almond chai latte and some kind of dragon green tea. There were four types of sandwhiches and I liked how it was standard small bites. Overall worth good drive to try out a new place.

    Front of store
    Machiko N.

    We came here for my moms birthday. Our reservation was at 11:30. We sat down and the service was painfully slow. Don't come here hungry because it took an hour to get our food and teas. We all had the lady Hamilton which are 5 tea sandwiches, pot of tea, and one scone each with frosting and jam spread. The finger sandwiches had barely anything in them very thin. Normally lady Hamilton is $30 per person. I got the Groupon deal for $68 for 4 people. I can't imagine paying $30 per person for such a small amount of food. I would say the only positive is the selection of teas. We tried the following teas chocolate, vanilla chai, watermelon and vanilla hazelnut. My favorite was the vanilla hazelnut. I would also recommend the chicken quiche. In the front the sign says limit your time to 90 minutes which normally would be fine but the service is ridiculously slow. How does it take an hour for finger sandwiches and tea?!

    Baby Shower
    Lisa S.

    I had my baby shower here and it was absolutely perfect! It's all because of Karen! The second I talked to Karen I knew she was going to take good care of me. The place is adorable and the food is delicious. And the staff goes above and beyond. I highly recommend you have your parties here or just come for tea. I can't wait to return!

    Heather T.

    This is an old establishment off Main Street in Seal Beach. There is one parking spot available (other than handicap spot) next to their front door otherwise find street parking. We were seated on the patio. The weather was lovely so the patio was the option. The prices are similar to other tea places. The service was friendly. This place is very low on my list of enjoyable tea experiences. My tea pot leaked and since we were on the patio with an old metal table with holes in it the boiling hot tea landed in my lap. That was not fun. The soup was good - broccoli cheddar. The sandwich bread was hard and almost no filling present. I'm used to tiny tea sandwiches but not ones with next to no filling. Sandwiches were "bread heavy" and the bread was hard and basic. I would not recommend this as a standard tea experience. They charge way too much for barely any food. They did have two different flavors of scone and both were delicious. Almost all their desserts that day were lemony - if you're not a lemon fan you won't enjoy them. Deposits are required when booking a reservation. They have lots of rules about booking and allergies so read the fine print if you have dietary restrictions.

    The decor
    Archi M.

    It was very cute ! The food was ok ! Once a year we go there this time we went to celebrate or dear friend who loves tea

    Lady Hamilton Tea X4

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    Best tea house ever! A must to visit regularly, the staff is just amazing! You're missing out if you haven't been.

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - McKenna's Tea Cottage

    Are we able to bring and use our own tea sets?

    Their tea sets are not coordinated and of various types and appearances. I would fear having your nice set get mixed in. I'm fairly sure they would not mind though...

    Do any high tea items contain porcine (pork) gelatin?

    Are the hats still there available for guests to use?

    Do they take walk ins or is it reservations only?

    If you go on a weekend I would highly suggest making a reservation. I went in the middle of week during covid with social distancing in place and had to make reservations.

    Is this place cash only or do they take credit card?

    I was able to pay with credit card when I went.

    I have 2 x $25 restaurant.com voucher. I want to use them to buy scones, but I don't want to pay more money. It says to redeem I have to buy $50 worth on each voucher. How can I use my vouchers without having to pay more money?

    Unfortunately, I don't think there's any way around having to spend $50 to get the $25 off.

    Are there any vegan options?

    Yes!!! Sandwiches , scones and desserts! Gluten free too! I am both vegan and gluten free. Just give her a few days notice. Its divine !

    Has anyone had experience with making a reservation online? I made one but want to check it was received because I have an allergy accommodation request. The voicemail is full.

    I aways make reservations online and someone in my party has peanut, nut and tuna allergies

    View All 14 Questions

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    EXCEPTIONAL BRITISH FOOD (this sounds like an oxymoron, but this place has made this Indian man…read morefall in love with British food). I've come here a couple of times; I've tried the fish & chips, but the real star is the "full English breakfast." They use authentic English "bangers" and not just an American sausage. Breakfast comes with "fried toast" which is perfect for sopping up the beans and juices at the end of the meal. Good beer selection too!

    Closed Monday's Street parking, but there's more in the…read moreback. Kids are welcomed, but they're not allowed to sit at the bar area. But there is table/booth seating. We ordered a Harp beer which is light and not hoppy. Not sure if it was cause the glass wasn't chilled, but I kinda wished my beer was a bit more chilled/colder. We also order their award winning fish and chips, we got the cod. It was ok. Not too sure about "award winning". But it was good. My son got the fish bite and chips from the Little Buccaneers menu (12 and under). It came w/a drink and an ice cream sundae. It was a good portion for a 9 year old. He said it was good! Our server was nice and smiley, but unfortunately our food and even our drinks took a while. Maybe cause it was busy, but luckily our server was cheery and friendly, it kind of made up for it. Overall, this place is pretty cool. Would I come here again? Possibly. But honestly I thought this place was just ok.

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    Ye Olde Kings Head - King size Fish & Chips

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    Great server & quick service! Dog had a water bowl and we had some cold beer! This review has to be…read more85 characters so here's extra wording...

    There's always a good time had whenever we're in the area. Originally we were was at an event that…read morewasn't far from here but before heading home, a pit stop is needed. Plus it's alway nice to pop in to see friends and of course a meet up spot. This past weekend, the weather was perfect in Santa Monica. It was quite nice to have a table along the patio and perfect for people watching. We were meeting up a friend for a catch up and a meal to end the day with. The staffs are alway so friendly and welcoming each and every time we're here. If you haven't been, it's broken down to a few different areas but all connected. There's the British shop on one comer. If you continue on, you have the restaurant which has two different bars. On the left, that's more of a mellow smaller bar but does get fun. The main bar is on the other end of the building. That's where you get the full bar experience with darts and where all the games are shown. It does get quite busy whenever there's a game on so be advised. There's also an outdoor seating area as well. Then you have the main dining area right when you walk in. There's two main seating area which are both nice. One seems more like the dining room while the other is more of a casual dining area. Regardless, the food will always be the same. As it was Sunday, the roast is alway a good choice. Nothing elaborate but your classic roast. There was beef or lamb available with roasted potatoes, Yorkshire pudding served with your mixed veggies of cheesy carrots, peas, broccoli and cauliflower with gravy. Vegetarian options also available. Of course you cannot come here and not get fries (chips). Thick cut of goodness. Besides that, there's loads of traditional dishes available. I've had loads and they're all very good. Even if you just pop in for a pint, the place is quite fun. Bar area is fun and pretty lively. The place is quite casual which is nice for a stroll in. Can't leave out afternoon tea which is also offered. A fun time is alway had here each visit. Everyone is so friendly and sweet.

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    The Olde Magnolia Tea Room - Their clotted cream made IN-HOUSE!! Better than any I've had (even in the UK!!) - perfect with their delectable scones!

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    The Old Magnolia Tea Room is an absolute gem! From the moment we walked in, we felt so welcomed…read more The staff was incredibly friendly, warm, and down-to-earth, and the service was wonderful. The food was absolutely delicious, and the tea was outstanding. But what really made the experience special was the atmosphere. It felt like stepping into a beautiful antique shop and having afternoon tea surrounded by history and charm. Even the music they played was from the era, which made the whole experience feel so authentic and thoughtfully put together. And yeah, there's even a 100 year-old cast-iron clawfoot bathtub in the bathroom! It was such a lovely, relaxing experience, and we enjoyed every minute of it. I can't recommend The Old Magnolia Tea Room enough. We will definitely be back!

    This was one of the most unwelcoming experiences I've ever had at a tea house. I brought my…read more10-year-old granddaughter for what I hoped would be a special afternoon together, but we felt uncomfortable from the moment we were seated. The first thing the gentleman did was hand me a paper napkin and tell me to wipe off my lipstick because they didn't want lipstick on their cloth napkins. I understand wanting to protect your linens, but the way it was handled felt rude and embarrassing. A polite request or a simple explanation would have gone a long way. Unfortunately, the service only got worse from there. We never felt welcomed, and the staff came across as unfriendly and dismissive throughout our visit. Instead of enjoying a memorable tea with my granddaughter, we left feeling disappointed. There are many tea houses that know how to make guests feel valued and appreciated. Sadly, this was not one of them, and I won't be returning.

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    Seasonal pumpkin white chocolate scone - it was magnificent! One of the best scones I've ever had!

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    Black Watch Pub - Left to right: Lamb shank, Fish and chips, Bangers and mash, Scottish egg...scrumptious.

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    Black Watch Pub - Wings appetizer (with extra wings instead of fries added)

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    McKenna's Tea Cottage - coffee - Updated October 2026

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