How did I not know about this place before? What a lovely cafe! My friend and I had lunch there yesterday. So many choices (soups, sandwiches, salads, crepes, desserts, TEA!) So comfortable. Great attentive service. Will be back? read more

Finally made it to this location after previously enjoying the Ballston Spa location (although it's been way too long since I've been back there!). Great salads, crepes, soup and teas were enjoyed by three of us. It was extremely busy and we were told by our server that some of the food might take a little longer-which it did-but nothing crazy. We enjoyed our conversation and company as we had this delightful meal before seeing the final Wicked show at Proctors. Would love to go back sometime. read more

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The tea is amazing and there is great atmosphere. We did do a flight of drinks before a show at proctors

If you love Nutella, this is the place to go. You will not be disappointed. We did have a 45 minute wait for food on Union parents weekend. read more

Whistling Kettle - Schenectady - sad discolored crepe with a bucket of nuttela! Chili was good. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Schenectady, New York

I am happy to say that the food and the service here is just as good as the Ballston Spa location. It has always been one of my favorite lunch spots. This location is super cute and much larger than the original location. This location is also less busy than the original location if you're not looking to wait in line and have just as nice of an experience. read more

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The quality has gone significantly downhill.. the last two times I went there the food was almost inedible with wilted lettuce and soup that had gone bad (specifically this location- the other location has been okay) read more

Our food took over an hour and a half to come out with no explaination. Lobster bisque tasted old. Other food was good. Even with an hour plus wait they didn't comp anything that we got. Walked in here at 12 and didn't leave until 1:45. read more

To be fair, I am not a scone-ologist, but the scone was disappointing. But Hubbo has been talking about this roasted red pepper soup literally every day. The tea and lemonade were top notch. I bought a souvie teacup, of course. Service was good. We were sat on one side of the place and we were the only people over there. It might've been a rocking good time on the other side. I will definitely go back to try some other menu items. read more

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Awful. Such a bad experience at this location. Poorly managed. My daughter and I got there at 12:10, seated at 12:20, by 12:45 we had water, coffee and tea came at 12:50, cold food arrived at 1:10. We left at 1:20. Worst service and food I've had in a long time. Definitely in my top 5 worst...ever. What a disappointment this place is compared to the Troy and Ballston Spa locations, which are always good. Don't waste your time or money at this place. Dine elsewhere. read more

Great service, we came early in the morning, right when they opened, everything was timely and delicious! You definitely need to get the tea if you are coming here, you get your own kettle to pour into your cup! Crepes are delicious! The place is nice and has a counter to order, you don't have to sit and eat. read more

Glad to cross this place off my "to eat" list! I've been wanting to check out Whistling Kettle for a long time, and what a more perfect day than a sunny Sunday during the farmers market. We were surprised to be seated immediately in a cute little spot by the window. We started with a couple drinks. I went for one of the tea cocktails. It was a tea mixed with wine and frozen berries. It was pretty good! It was a great pairing for brunch. Of course I had to order the afternoon tea. It is a stacked presentation of a main, a side and a dessert. It's an awesome deal for $20 and a fun presentation. I chose the Apple, Bacon and three cheese sandwich, the lobster bisque and a lemon scone. The sandwich was SO good. It is not something I would normally get but the blue cheese sold me. The flavors were perfectly balanced, great texture, it was ooey gooey and crisp. Next I got the lobster bisque, which I'm not sure if they make this in house but it was super tasty! I also ordered the scone, but at that point I was pretty full. Also, maybe scones aren't my thing, I would try the cake or crepes next time for my sweet option. Because there will be a next time! This was such a fun brunch option and I can't wait to go back! read more

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The staff is welcoming and listens...(when you ask for a quieter area I know not many places have them but it's nice when they try to accommodate. Also they offered a quieter location we may try next time if we take a drive) Jordan was our server. She is attentive, kind and listened well as was transparent about the time for food, also recommended a tea when asked. Her apron was clean and she is cheerful. I'm grateful we were in between Proctors events or we wouldn't been able to stay. This space is well lite without fluorescent lights, music isn't overwhelming. Perhaps if they had some plants or something to absorb the sounds of others it would be stellar. 3 bathrooms that are clean & well maintained, such a blessing. Parking in Schenectady is street parking, so I'd recommend a Sunday visit when you don't have to pay. read more

Went on a Sunday during the Schenectady Farmers Market. Had a smoothy and a crepe. Both were delicious.

Stopped in this morning for Sunday breakfast with my friend. We were greeted and met with a very unpleasant host. She sat us in a high traffic area, and we asked her to move us by the window. When we finally were moved by the window she gave us such an attitude and did not answer when we said thank you. Then, we observed her walking over to the host stand and talking about us to the other workers standing there because they were all looking at us with disgusted looks on their faces. My friend did end up voicing her concerns to the manager. We hope proper staff training in customer service and manners is emphasized in the future. Our server was lovely and the food was good. read more

This place is adorable! The selection of teas is wonderful! The Earl Grey London Fog was perfectly mixed! The coffee and iced tea were great too! We ordered the 3-tier meals, which is so special. The quiche was yummy, and the monte cristo crepe was delicious (but almost too much ham!) Goat cheese salad - very flavorful & nice mix of tart, bitter & sweet. Lemon crepe & berry crepe- both delicious! The Crepes are soft & chewy, nice flavor. Lobster bisque soup is very rich, blended up into a creamy texture. BLT scone sandwich was delicious - scones here are very flavorful. Crumbly but moist. Everything was so tasty- highly recommend! read more

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The service and the staff are friendly and the food was awesome. I highly recommend the tower. It's a complete meal.

i had the blt on ciabatta bread with pesto aioli on the side. a side salad. as well. it was pretty good but the bacon was cut up in pieces which it should be in strips. the sandwich was good otherwise. but it wasn't the best i ever had. salad was good to with the dressing. friendly service too. read more

Delicious food & teas but looses stars for their overall hospitality as a business. If you get food to go here they will not allow you to also sit in their cafe on a hot day which I would understand if there was a line or no available tables but that's very rarely the case in Schenectady. You paid your $20 for lunch now get lost is pretty much the impression I was given. They also do not open until 10am during the week. Which makes getting breakfast before work impossible. That's not even bankers hours. read more

Whistling Kettle - Schenectady - Apricot Ham Brie - Tea Rooms Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Wonderful service - terrible with names, but our blonde server with the facial dermal piercings was an absolute delight. First time visiting, but my family had visited many times before and The Whistling Kettle is one of their favorite brunch destinations. Nicest (and cleanest) restroom I've ever encountered at a restaurant. Order anything you like, it's all wonderful. read more

Rude staff. They don't let you sit inside and drink your iced tea you ordered and paid for at the counter because it's considered a to-go item. Regardless what kind of container my tea is in, I'm still a paying customer who wanted to sit inside and drink my iced tea. Definitely would not go back again. read more

I think Whistling Kettle is a fine option if the price doesn't bother you, meaning you can spend $12 on a sandwich for it to be "OK." Because it is fine. It's like a small-brand Panera, with tea. Maybe if you're a big tea person (I'm not), that's the draw. I can't judge the tea because it's not my thing. But I feel comfortable judging the food, and it leaves a lot to be desired. I don't think you'll eat anything and think, Ugh gross! But you're not going to be wowed by anything either. I really liked this place when it first opened, so I don't know if the food changed or my tastes did, but this doesn't hold any appeal for me any longer and, at the price point, I don't see myself returning. read more

Went in for lunch. Meeting a group. Was seated fast and asked for drink orders fast. Was seated near the bay door when outdoor seating is but the door to outside kept blowing open. Food order came out relatively quick. Sconewich I ordered was covered in balsamic sauce so I couldn't pick it up and eat it. Did not expect that. Ordered a side of chili which was delicious. read more

My wife and her friends are loyal customers of the Ballston Spa location. This week, we took our whole family (7 people) to the Schenectady location for lunch. The lunch was just OK, but it was slow getting to the table. On another note, I had purchased a WK tea infuser cup and a gift certificate for my wife the week before. She already has several such cups and said she would rather have more on the gift card. When I tried to exchange the cup for a gift card, I was told by the manager that their policy was no returns! The cup was unopened and of course unused, and I had the receipt. I know WK is a small business, but with that kind of customer service it will likely get even smaller. read more

Very pleasant service. Not a true "tea tower" but a fun change of pace. The atmosphere: casual dining at a premium. The tea retail shop is impressive as are the selection of TEA-shirts. This was a nice stop before my daughter and I headed to the Van Gogh exhibition at the armory. FOOD: (3 stars) is bit hit and miss- lovely mini quiche but the gluten free crepe missed the mark. The berry scone was loaded with fresh blueberries and strawberries but was not accompanied by clotted cream or even jam or butter. The salad was fresh, but otherwise forgettable. TEA: loose tea prepared in a generous large sachets: I had the English Breakfast which was at the correct temperature, by lacking in body. My daughter had the Jasmine pearl. Delicate and fragrant. If I were in Schenectady again, I would stop in. TIP: the restaurant is tucked away from the main road among a row of cute shops and restaurants. PARK and stroll over. Service was very nice. Hence the extra star. read more

Delicious food and tea. Great menu! Scones, crepes, sandwiches, salads... on a cute street that's nice to window shop on a warm (or at least not freezing!) day. Met with family and we enjoyed ourselves. Scone blt was delicious, but only had 2 slices of bacon. Turkey avacado sandwich was delicious. read more

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Things we said during this meal ... "I can't remember the last time I was this satisfied with a meal." "I don't know what I was expecting but this is so much better than that." "My outlook on life has significantly improved since eating this meal." "I now have hope for the new year." "I'm not used to things this nice. I'm not from around here. I'm from ... Albany." So yeah, we liked it a lot. Can't recommend it enough. Especially the BLT scone sandwich. read more

There wasn't time for the "legendary afternoon tea," but fine work on the food and beverage sides plus thoughtful and friendly service will bring me back. There's an elaborate list of hot teas; I preferred ice and enjoyed the strawberry/watermelon (options vary). And the BLT sconewich had an impressive sweet-vs.-salty vibe, with Whistling Kettle's take on the lunch classic adding brie and mozzarella to the mix. read more

We just moved to the area and happened to stumble upon this place. It is tucked away in an alley way so you will miss it unless you know it's there. As soon as we walked in we were greeted by very friendly staff and a cozy environment! They have their own shop full of teas and sets for an extremely reasonable price. We both ordered the "high tea" for lunch and had many options to chose from. Everything was delicious and we are so excited to try their other location in Ballston Spa! read more

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Oooohhh, the kettle is a whistlin'! Stumbled on this gem when in town for Mean Girls and had to make the 1.5 hour trip back for some tea. Worth it! Great loose leaf tea options (I like the German breakfast). Delightful tea puns. Nice scones. Tea party options. Staff are kind and considerate. Great space. What more can I say? Go treat yourself to a pot of tea and a scone. read more

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Asked for coffee with cream and they put nasty fake creamer in it. Threw it right in the garbage. Two lessons: 1) Don't buy coffee at a tea place (I bet their tea is amazing). 2) Don't put coffee on your menu if you don't know how to make it. That was disgusting. read more

Great service from the server and great food! The Lobster Bisque was delicious! Also the drinks were amazing!

Got a horseradish roast beef panini to go. It came with a 1 oz bag of Lay's chips. The ingredients were good; crunchy bread, roast beef and other items made a good tasting sandwich but I deducted points for the price. $16 is much too expensive for a simple sandwich. The servers were nice except while I was waiting for my order, a woman came out of the back and yelled to one of the workers demanding "I'm calling you!" It weird and unpleasant for what seemed otherwise like an upscale place. I probably won't go back for food because of the price and that woman needs training or anger management classes! read more

Whistling Kettle - Schenectady - Horseradish roast beef panini with chips - Tea Rooms Near Me - Schenectady, New York

Great place for fun teas and wonderful food. Tje yea menu is huge, with lots of great choices. Coffee is fresh brewed as well. All come in an individual pot. The create your own towers are a great way to taste several things, although it is a lot of food. The savory crepes are wonderful, great unique combinations. Side salad is definitely worth the upgrade, a good size. The roaster red pepper and Gouda soup is delicious, warming and tasty. Definitely give it a try. read more

Gotta have the Veggie and Goat Cheese Sconewich. Amazingly good. Cheerful wait staff and great vibes all around. Don't miss this tea shop that does it right. read more

It was a busy Sunday and I waited for an outdoor table. Service seemed very slow and it took a long time to be greeted. And a long while to get the single pot of hot tea I ordered. The tea was worth the wait though, a savory sweet Rooibios Marzipan flavor. My lunch order was a side salad and Ballstonian panini. Pretty decent portion of turkey but half the sammy was missing artichokes and roasted red peppers. The aioli was an amazing flavor. Also a slightly pricey lunch venue in DT Schenectady. My lunch rang up to 22$ read more

Whistling Kettle - Schenectady - Jay Street views - Tea Rooms Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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Excellent tea with unbelievable variety, what a wonderful experience and the food was delicious. The sevice was friendly and welcoming. nice and quaint place for a spot of tea read more

When you first walk in you get amazed by 1. the aroma 2. the scenery and 3. the pleasantness of the host. We got seated quickly and we were immediately greeted by the waiter. She was very well spoken with manners. I then got up to use the bathroom and inside it smelled terrible and the paper towels were practically hanging for dear life outside the trash can. After getting the tea, which was absolutely amazing, we were given our food. the stackable plates on the rack were a very unique idea and I really liked the way that the kettle presented it. The chipotle chicken was okay it just needed to be a little warm when served and the salad tasted a little bit "earthy" with grains of dirt or sand inside it. The scone was so good that I even brought it back home to try. 3/5 read more

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Very good food and quick service. I'd recommend the tea flight and the tower. A lot of food for a good price read more

Whistling Kettle - Schenectady - Cute tea cups - Tea Rooms Near Me - Schenectady, New York

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Cute little place for a small plate type lunch! I think I fall in a tough category because I tend to like bigger sized meals. The chipotle chicken sandwich was extremely tasty but I think it lacked a normal portion of chicken. Which again could be me, but I felt there was barely 1 chicken breast in the sandwich. Their tea was very good and I love the idea of the 3 tier options you can get for a meal. I would def return but would need a little extra protein for my meal. read more

Outstanding! Grabbed some sandwiches to go and they were fantastic. The scone-wich is definitely worth trying out. The lemonades/iced teas were also great. Definitely will be back when we're in town again. read more