There's genuinely no place quite like this anywhere in Massachusetts! Not only is it great for a quiet afternoon tea, but their menu serves up a delicious house-made lunch perfect for a cozy day indoors with friends or family. The atmosphere is so welcoming and warming, really creating a rejuvenating and calming atmosphere with their relaxed and friendly service. The owner and staff here is so kind and they make the experience that much better--you can tell their food is full of love!! I was also absolutely blown away by the simple yet delicious flavor of their homemade food! Everything was just what you'd crave, but that tart was next level! All homemade, the dessert menu here is not one to skip! I love everything about my experience dining here and appreciate the work and care that goes into this establishment at all levels. I highly recommend you give it a try, it's really just a lovely place to be and deserves all the appreciation I can possibly give it! I DEFINITELY will be back to try some more of their teas and pastries! read more

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This review is for their recent fall Sunday afternoon tea. Apparently this happens twice a month on Sundays during certain seasons now, and I'm so glad I was able to make a last minute reservation. The afternoon tea this time was a little fancier and pricier than the last time we came. Unfortunately, we did have to wait quite a while for our food to come out this time as well (they were understaffed and having some issues in the kitchen). Again, do not come here if you're in a rush. The ambience is like you're at grandma's house. It's cute and there is no music, so if there are loud conversations around, it does get somewhat loud easily. My husband was the only man in the entire restaurant (I think he was last time too!) so it's a very woman-centered space. The teacups and placemats are all adorably mismatched. We got the oolong tea and the earl grey with peach, and both were nice and strong brews. When the food finally came out, it was like going to carb heaven. Everything is made from scratch and I loved every single one of the scones (there were plain, lemon, blackberry, and butterscotch oatmeal) served with jam and clotted cream. The little savories were also delicious and we particularly enjoyed the artichoke croustade. The cucumber dill ones were nice palate cleansers. The sweet offerings were all delicious (and mostly fall themed) and the only one that was too sweet for me was the snickerdoodle cupcake with maple frosting. We had to pack up some leftovers because we were absolutely stuffed. I think this is one of the most authentic afternoon tea places I've been to and I would come back. read more

Special Teas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

What a discovery!! Special Teas is incredible and very convenient. It is unlike any place anywhere nearby and now going to become a regular lunch spot for us! Lovely ladies run it and make fresh baked goods, teas, salads, etc. Highly recommended! read more

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It looks like an interesting place to try out but I wasn't aware that we would need to plan ahead and make a reservation. We walked in and there was no room so beyond that it looks like a cute place, we went away disappointed. But I will try again sometime. They were nice just busy. read more

So this is just downright awful. I called a week in advance to set up a tea date for my seven year old daughter and her friend. I took care of everything in advance because this was for a special occasion. The group of 4 got there at 2, the place was busy but not packed. The staff stared at and ignored them and after 45 minutes the kids left in tears. A well planned gift gone terribly wrong. I would strongly recommend you try somewhere else unless you like be ignored, unwelcome, and for your children to leave in tears. read more

The food and teas were good but the staff/owner were rude and patronizing. I won't be going back.

Went here to celebrate a coworker's retirement with 3 others. The food and tea was amazing. I've been daydreaming about the Chai Tea ever since. Not a place to go if you're in a hurry or have a large group (without a reservation). read more

This is my happy place when I lived in Boston, still miss this place after moving to the west coast. My idea of a good company is the company of clever, well-informed people who have a great deal of conversation -- Jane Austen My friend Linda, Helen, and I would meet up here for our lovely girl's chat and tea time. I love their wall art. One of the picture frames says "A cup of tea shared is happiness tasted and time well spent". So true! The food is amazing. They have daily specials. I love the tomato soup, very rich but not overly done. Sandwiches and salads are with fresh ingredients and creatively done. They offer a variety of tea. It feels like a garden party or having lunch and tea at a good friend's house. Such a lovely place to have a girl's day out. I wish we have something like this in San Diego. I miss this tea place and my dear friends in Northborough. read more

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Such a charming place and experience! Absolutely loved the ambiance. We enjoyed the tea for two. Delicious tea served with amazing finger sandwiches and homemade sweets. By the time we left the staff felt like old friends. Needless to say we will be back! read more

Absolutely perfect experience. Tea Sandwiches were fantastic, sweets were fabulous, & scones were out of this world. We got a pot of lemon ginger tea to share, and it was perfect. Perfect experience to prepare one for a London experience. read more

Special Teas - Lemon ginger tea served in a beautiful bone china tea cup. Adorable honey pot and glass tea pot over a warmer. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

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This place is always just so welcoming and cozy! They allowed us to chose the table we wanted which was really nice. I had tea for one... which really is enough for two and had leftovers to take home. The sandwiches were super fresh and the pastries were perfection. read more

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I DO NOT RECOMMEND! this is a family owned restaurant, so i understand the difficulties of management - but we had a pretty bad experience here. the service was very slow, the staff and owners were quite impolite, they charged us about 18 dollars more for what we ordered than was on the menu, and gave us the wrong amount of change back. after we were seated, it took over 25 minutes for them to come take our order - we ordered a tea for two to split. we were served the tea about 10-15 minutes after that, but our food took almost 80 minutes to come out after we sat down. we arrived at 12:24, and our food came out at 1:40. (we were watching the time as we had an event after). the owner also made comments about us having to be out of the place by 2:30, because she had another reservation, but didn't give us our food until almost an hour and a half after we sat down, so we wouldn't have had much time to eat. as I said, we ordered a tea for two to split, which on the menu (you can look at online photos of the menu to check) is 29.95, but our total came out to 48, even though we did not order anything else. we gave them a hundred dollar bill, and they returned us around 35 dollars, so about 17 dollars short. however, the scones were very good. the sandwiches and other cookies were quite plain - still good but not worth the price, especially if they are going to hide additional fees. read more

Special Teas - tea for two that they charged 48$ for - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

Everyone was super nice and they seated us even without a reservation. They are pretty busy, so I'd definitely recommend one, especially if you have a group going. The tea was excellent and the food was all handmade from scratch. I'm definitely coming back and next time, I'll call ahead for a reservation. read more

Special Teas - Tea for 2 (not for the baby) - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

I really liked this place.. customer service is great. And the food and tea are delicious! Definitely coming back! read more

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Adorable tea place with homemade treats. Would definitely recommend calling ahead as they have limited seating.

We visited this adorable space on a whim during Applefest and could not have been more thrilled. First of all: the staff is AMAZING. We loved the service and thought the team was delightful. Secondly: the food. Oh my god the food! Everything was fresh and delicious and we ate so much we HAD to walk afterwards! What an absolute gem tucked away in Northborough. We will 1,000% be back and tell others because they have probably the best scones we've ever had. Thank you to the team for such a beautiful first experience. We cannot wait to go back! read more

Great food and service. A great space to spend a couple hours with loved ones 7 characters away read more

Afternoon tea for lunch? Here you can! Their tea time fare is "Served whenever it's tea time for you." Located in a grey paneled, white trimmed building, with a parking lot which they share with their neighboring businesses, you feel like you have entered what was once someone's home. We passed the open kitchen with a pair of fridges, and were seated at a table with mismatched cushioned wooden chairs in one of perhaps three smallish dining rooms. I enjoyed the relaxed, friendly service. A spot of patience is required, however, as it was 20 minutes before our tea pots made their way to the table and our first cups of the caffeinated beverage poured out for us, and an additional 25 minutes before the tiered plates of treats were presented. So come for a leisurely tea, or opt for lunch instead, as those items seemed to come quicker out of the kitchen. Between the 3 of us, we shared an Afternoon Tea $16, which consisted of a half pot of tea (4 cups), 2 scones, tea sandwiches (8, of 3 types) and small sweets (5, all different) and a Tea for Two $26, which was a full pot of tea (6 cups), 2 scones, more tea sandwiches (12, of 5 kinds) and more small sweets (8, 4 varieties). When asked if we'd like butter, jam or Devonshire cream, I of course asked if we could have them all. And yes we could! The tea treats here are rather dainty, but you can tell a lot of effort went into them - just look at the double-decker finger sandwich and the cute little pumpkin turkey tidbit on the savory side! They had 5 scone options for us to make our selections from (and 2 gluten free choices to boot), including interesting flavors such as butterscotch oatmeal and cinnamon chip. These 2 inch diameter pastries were easily downed slathered with the strawberry jam and Devonshire cream. I guess we could have done without the butter. The standout sweets for me were the moist mini carrot cakes (with cream cheese frosting of course!) and the coconut almond(?) bar with its pleasing chewiness. As we craved something a bit more savory, we topped off our meal with an order of their 1/2 melt and a cup of soup $7.95. The fresh pea and tarragon soup was not particularly smooth, but it was fresh and tasty. Their melts are described as "the best english muffin ever with fresh basil mayo, your choice of toppings (we selected the smoked turkey, broccoli and tomato), and mild cheddar melted on top. It seemed to me that their variation of the english muffin was perhaps a slice of a round english muffin loaf (which I've heard of before, but have never seen) rather than the familiar Thomas' fork split English muffin from the grocery store. It was highly, and yummily buttered, toasted crisp yet tender, topped with huge vibrantly green broccoli florets, and blanketed with temptingly browned cheese. Very nice! I don't get the impression that they skimp on the food here. I spotted plates of dessert passing by - the $5.50 slice of tart seemed a rather generous portion and quite tempting... I wish they were located closer to me! Reservations are taken for parties of 4 and up only. Credit cards are accepted. Handicap accessible. Sometimes they close to the public for specially scheduled events, so call ahead if you don't want to risk having to find an alternative. Other than the extended wait time for tea, the only other ding was that it can get a bit noisy once every table in your little room is filled. read more

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Stopped in again today because the last time I went I lost my leather glove and they found it (yay, them!) BTW, no it is not a fluke, this place is freakin' great! We shared the yumminess today with my kids - toastie, afternoon tea, and English muffin. First, the English Muffin ain't no Thomas' folks - this is the real deal. It was so light and toasty and delicious with jam and butter. As I mentioned earlier, the afternoon tea is not to be missed if you enjoy a good English tea. The Toastie is OMG good - it is their version of a panini/melt kind of sandwich but that description really does not explain how fabulous it was. They have a special one every day and today it was Chicken Cordon Bleu with Blue Cheese. As my daughter says ( when asked to explain it) "It is too good for words - it needs to be experienced". I guess she does not get how this YELP thing works :) read more

Tried this little gem for the first time today - it's been years of driving by and wondering about it - definitely worth it! I really loved the atmosphere and coziness of this place, it was adorable. Two small complaints, the waitress could have been a little more pleasant, and it's not a place to go when on lunch break or in any sort of rush. If you go in expecting to mingle over tea and willing to wait for food - golden, otherwise, wait for that day when you can! The food was delicious. My guests had the Tea for one - a little tower of tea time sandwiches, scones and deserts - she loved it. Another, had the crepe filled with ham, spinach, sautéed apples, onions and gruyere - absolutely loved it! And, I had the half chicken curry salad, perfect serving size for lunch and it was delicious! We each got a half pot of tea and it was delish! I will be back! I wish I had taken pics - very cute place! read more

Great place to have high tea and desserts we order house chai tea for two and loved it

I loved the service! It's such a cute little restaurant. Super clean place and tasty sandwiches and lunches. Absolutely will be coming back for another experience! read more

Such a cute spot. I recommend making a reservation if you don't want to wait. Yummy treats, teas, and sandwiches we will definitely be back! read more

Special Teas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

I have driven by so many times promising to go in. Never have. I was worried that what I was looking for - a nice British high tea - was not available in the US. Finally went in today with my wife and it was just beautiful! Tea for Two, served with a candle to keep the tea hot (worked like a charm!) was lovely. Two tiers of treats. Little sandwiches on top were delicious, each one! From the legit cucumber sandwiches, to turkey on pumpernickel, to fresh tomato, to pimento cheese... a half-dozen pairs of tasty morsels. The desserts below featured a warm fresh-baked scone with Devon cream and jam. Then four or five small but delicious treats which were a nice variety of eclectic flavors. I will be making this a regular stop hereafter. read more

I went here after a Yelper had suggested it on a random weekday afternoon and to my surprise it was quite steady. It definitely reminds you of walking into grandmas house with the decorative, handmade quilts on the wall and antique items. I ordered a tea for one; which came with little hand cut sandwiches and sweets with a pot of tea. A decent amount of food for a one person order and super cute! The little finger sandwiches are filling enough, there were cucumber and little cheese sandwiches. Overall I felt like I was in Alice and wonderland enjoying a little tea party. read more

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I love this place. The tea selection is great, the service is good, the scones are amazing, and the owner and staff are friendly. Everyone in our group had a good time and said the would patronize this place again. Everything was made and done with love and attention to detail. It is a great place for tea if you are looking to avoid busier areas or want a relaxing time out. read more

This is the best afternoon tea I've been to in quite a while. If you love to cozy up with a piping hot pot of tea, delicious scones, sandwiches, and sweets in a place that feels like you're being welcomed into a friend's house, this is the place to be. This hidden gem is located in the first floor of what was once a house, and it adds to the welcoming atmosphere. You're greeted with the hustle and bustle of the kitchen area before moving into the cozy dining rooms, surrounded by decorative teapots and cute signs/decor. The tea selection is great (I got the Countess Grey, which was comfortingly familiar with a refreshing twist) and the scones were wonderful. They are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and the portions are generous. Additionally, the staff is very nice and attentive. The parking lot does fill up quickly so I'd suggest carpooling when possible. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this little spot. Nothing feeds the soul like an afternoon with friends and a pot of tea! read more

I'm so glad I know about this delightful tearoom. It's cozy and comfortable, instead of self-conciously fancy or formal. Spending time at Special Teas is like visiting a friend in their home. The table service was both friendly and attentive. The fresh pea soup--a customer favorite--was delicious and the mushroom melt memorable. I love that they bake their own English muffins (including a gluten-free version) and more. Special Teas is conveniently located near Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. Unlike many afternoon tea places, reservations are not required, but do give them a ring before stopping by to get on their call-ahead list. You'll be glad you did. read more

OMG! To-Go Scones! Called ahead. Swung by. Moved along. My love remains constant.

I'm a huge fan of the British afternoon tea, and you can't find it easily. It's by far my favorite thing on their menu, but they have soups, salads, and sandwiches, too. Their afternoon tea costs about $15-$23 per person based on how much food you want, and they bring a rotating selection of bite-size tea sandwiches, scones, and cakes/brownies. Some of the sandwiches I've seen are cucumbers and herbed mayo, tomato and cream cheese, chicken curry salad, and ham or turkey with spicy sauce. The cakes have been carrot or lemon pound cake, or chocolate brownies. It comes with a selection of spreads like butter, jam, or clotted cream (it's hard to describe if you've never had it...picture something between butter, whipped cream, and cream cheese). A note on prices and service: the cost might surprise you, based on the smaller portion sizes, but a lot of the food is labor intensive so they need to charge more. This also means it usually takes a while before food gets to your table, so you can't go there if you're in a rush or if you're really hungry. This place is the antithesis of fast food. You get to enjoy a light meal prepared slowly and with care, so you won't leave in a food coma. read more

Special Teas - assorted tea sandwiches served as part of their "tea for a crowd" option - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Northborough, Massachusetts

The place is dirty and run down, the food and tea is mediocre and the service was awful. When we walked in, it brings you directly into kitchen which is off putting. We stood there while two women kept working and eventually we said are we at the right entrance? It took 10 minutes to get seated (with almost no one else there), 45 minutes to get water, and an hour and 10 mins to get food which was just tea sandwiches and treats. Not much variety either it was mostly tea loafs as sweets. Not really a fun experience or worth the time. Wait was just as long for everyone around us and we heard numerous complaints about how hungry other patrons were. read more

What a cute place this is! You feel like you're in someone's home! Love the feel and intimacy it has. They make delicious food and have reasonable prices for the high quality they provide. The only downfall is the limited hours they're open for, but hey, it's family run and operated and it's worth the scheduling! I've been here twice and I got sandwiches both times (I forget which ones) but they were both SO tasty!! I've also had they're daily soup (tomato and some other creative type) - these were also soooo delicious! They also have a few different teas (hot and iced) and the staff is super knowledgeable about each of those. Their dessert menu is to die for: pies and cakes which taste better than your grandma's!! GO HERE!! YUM!!! read more

I somehow finagled myself into a tea date with one Yelper that turned into a mad tea party. We had reservations at 11 and were seated promptly. I got the afternoon tea which is a great value. It includes a half pot of tea, 2 scones, tea sandwiches and an assortment of mini desserts. All for only $16! It is plenty for 2 if you aren't starving, but is also a filling meal for 1 if you are. The chai tea was quite nice and came with milk & sugar already included. The afternoon tea comes served on a 3 tier serving tray and looks so impressive that our hostess had to take a picture of it. Beautiful presentation! Barbara got the afternoon tea as well so we got 4 different scones and split them so we could try a larger assortment. Between us we had rosemary garlic, cheddar dill, gingerbread and butterscotch chip. The scones weren't my favorite part of the meal, though I would say I prefer the sweet over the savory. The tea sandwiches were perfection, small but flavorful. The most fantastic part of out afternoon tea meal was the dessert sampler on the lowest tier. There were 5 different bite sized desserts. A brownie filled with chocolate espresso, a raspberry chocolate chip bar, a mini custard and two others I don't remember. All were stupendous. With that many Yelpers all around the tea table, it truly was a mad tea party. A delightful meal, delightful tea and delightful company. read more

I went for lunch today and it took 45 minutes to bring a cup of soup, a scone, and a salad. The scone and salad were delicious but the soup (curried corn soup) was terrible. It's a cute place but I don't think I'll be back. read more

If you're looking for a picturesque and delicious lunch, this is it! This is a place where I always meet my friends and have a delicious tea time! I recommend the melts and the scones! One thing that you do have to consider is that the food can take a while to be made, so allow time for that. read more

The owner of this place is lovely, and has a great memory (either that or remembering a guy in a kilt is easy). The prices are reasonable for the quality, care, and attention taken to make the delicious offerings they have. They are up on their gluten-free options and offer sugar in the raw or honey for sweeteners at each table. Food takes a while as it is made to order, so sit and relax. Their tea selection is from my favorite distributor, Upton Tea Imports. They do a great job brewing; never over-stewed or acidic tastes from the black teas. Homemade lemonade that is JUST sweet enough, and you can get an Arnold Palmer or mix up drinks if they have them pre-made. Desserts always look and taste delicious. There are always MANY options for dessert, and all fresh. Only ONE thing: their chai is not very good. Although I will applaud them for making it with milk (the RIGHT way) and I know Upton Tea chai is fairly good. I am going to assume they are either making it too weak, or not steeping long enough (as milk takes a good ten+ minutes for optimum steeping flavor). But really, that's because chai is my favorite tea that it matters to me so much ;) It's not a reason to not go. Love their toasties, quesadilla, traditional tea time sandwiches, and array of teas. They're going through a slow period - keep them in business by going a couple of times before summer is over. You won't regret it. read more

had lunch here a few weeks ago and it was really good and better than I would have expected, just not a tea guy. However, the place is wonderful and friendly and all the food is fresh, and the ice tea is rocking. I had a chicken, sandwich with avocado and tomato, and the bread was fantastic, chicken moist and tender and the veggies very fresh. Service is very accommodating and I will be back, guy or not read more

Dawn's been a-hyping this joint forever. At some point cynicism crept in, and I thought, "It can't be THAT good." But, oh yeah, it 'tis. It's THAT GOOD. Freaking amazing scones, and the turkey sammich was wonderful. A medley of fresh greens, goat cheese, roasted peppers, a hefty slice of turkey, and all on a mouthwatering scone. GREAT scones. Worth two mentions worth. Like the type you would find in a Teahouse in Great Britain. Marvelous tea. Wonderful space, in an OLD Farmhouse. The help was really warm and welcoming. Nom,Nom,Nom.....I'm coming back with Sweetie Darling. read more

Still loving this place a lot!! Went today for the first time in a while. Everything was perfect and the curried tuna salad was...holy crap, awesome. Still pretty much the only dude that goes there and actually enjoys it yay. Oh also, even if you are stuffed...try a dessert, they are sooo goood. read more

Special teas is extremely special!! It's been a staple that my myself, mom and sister go to since I was a kid. It's a treat to go and feel welcomed by the owner and staff. It's a place we always go to catch up or to celebrate a special occasion, there is no place like it. If you're looking for a relaxing lunch and sip on the best homemade chai tea, definitely recommend! read more