Located in the Boston Public Library in Copley, it's a beautiful place to spend with your close ones. I made a reservation for my friend and I for her birthday for Afternoon Tea. Upon arrival, you are able to walk through the whole Courtyard and the Library, which is full of wonders and beautiful hallways. The restaurant itself has a small cafe attached, where you can grab a drink and study. I was seated after I gave the hostess my name and they were really kind to inform me that they do birthday platters. The Courtyard Restaurant is honestly so elegant, with high ceilings and natural lighting beaming in. I love the aesthetic and the elegant feel that overall restaurant gives off. I thought it was really cute how they put their tea menu in For $39 per person, this has been by far the best Afternoon Tea place in Boston that's worth every bang of your buck. I ordered a jasmine tea and I believe my friend ordered the chai latte. We both enjoyed our drinks, as it complimented well with what we were served. Every bite was delicious, but I enjoyed the scones and jams the most. I liked how the currant scone wasn't overpowering with the citrus flavor, as do a lot of places serve. The devonshire cream, blood orange preserves, and the lemon curd all complimented the scones in a light way which I enjoyed. I also really enjoyed the savory bites and my favorite were the shrimp salad on brioche, the cucumber on citrus cream, and the smoked salmon on pumpernickel bread. The prosciutto bite seemed a bit too salty for me. The lemon meringue tartlet was a bit sour for me, but I did like the crust. The chocolate sinclairs were devine, as for a person who loves chocolate like me. I also really enjoyed the early grey shortcake as it was light enough to drink with tea. The macarons seemed a bit sweet, but the coffee one was delicious! I would definitely come back but maybe on a colder day and on a day where I'm in no rush. The only complaints that I have is that they kicked people out past 1 o'clock to seat the next group of people. However, the restaurant was pretty empty, with about less than 10 tables filled. The service was enjoyable though. They also may want to swap out their tea strainers because some of them looked a bit rusty. Overall, it was a nice experience and I would definitely come back to celebrate more birthdays and special occasions! read more

Came here for my birthday yesterday with a party of four. Picture attached is the afternoon tea foods for the four of us, while we all had our own tea pots. Afternoon tea is $45, on our menu we choose between soup or salad then your choice of tea. The rest of the menu is set and will be served after you make your choice. Teas are refilled for free. The Courtyard Restaurant has beautiful lighting, perfect for pictures. Afternoon tea here is pretty and fun, but the pastries might be a bit too sweet for me. The sandwiches were all very delicious! I had the Jasmine Pearl tea, which tasted veery fragrant, almost like drinking the actual smell of a Jasmine Flower. The staff were kind of hard to get, but when you do get them they were really nice about helping us take pictures, even helped us adjust our food and table to look good in photos. read more

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High tea at the Courtyard is lovely experience. The room is elegant and refined. The food is fresh and delicious. And the tea is perfect. Service was great. They were able to accommodate my onion and pepper allergies without making a large fuss or me feeling like I had missed out. It is a classically well done high tea at a fair price. read more

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My father is 86 years old. The staff said we could only sit at the bar... since when do we limit our elderly members of society! This is absurd! If he can't be comfortable in a high top we should be able to accommodate. If I could provide you with zero stars I would! read more

The Courtyard knows how to tea party, hard. I walked in unsure what to expect, and left convinced I was British Royalty (and with my pants secretly unbuttoned.) After waiting for an unacceptably long time, I found myself alternating bites of dainty, perfect scones and devonshire double cream with sips of earl grey tea, and all my troubles were forgotten. If that essperience ain't on your bucket list, add it. Despite the overall daintiness, you get to gorge yourself on a disgusting amount of food, it's just tiny food in vast quantities. Which is awesome. After scones came the finger sandwich selection, which included a multitude of delightfully ridiculous mini sammiches. Tiny lobster rolls with chive cream cheese on lemon butter crust buns, anyone? Say no if you hate happiness. By the time you hit dessert, you'll probably be full. We were. However, listening to your stomach is no fun when there're chocolate sinclairs, Irish coffee bars, and salted caramel macarons to tend to. Listen to your heart. And me. You deserve it all... I mean, you are British Royalty. Why else would you be at Courtyard? read more

Courtyard Tea Room - tea party hard. - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

If I could give more than five stars, I'd give this place a UNIVERSE'S WORTH OF STARS and it would deserve every one. Rarely have I had such genuinely warm, respectfully attentive service... and such perfectly prepared tea. Being able to sit in the Courtyard's lovely purple-themed interior and take in it's view of the courtyard and the street is worth the experience alone. The Courtyard is such a gem for those three reasons. I came during a hectic Friday of Restaurant Week, but only ordered tea off their tea menu. My party was seated at 3:45, and they never made us feel rushed even though tea service ended at 4, and the library closed at 5. At one point our server fought off a grumpy security guard from kicking us out before our checks came back. All of the staff were so earnestly polite and charming that it was just a pleasure to be served with such amazing hospitality. Our server brought out our pots of tea in a timely fashion and our food came right after. I scouted this place out because this is one of the few places that serves Harney & Sons, and Harney & Sons is great effin' tea. The Courtyard steeped our teas at the perfect temperature, for exactly the right amount of time, for maximum flavor and fragrance. Most places don't care and will pour boiling water over your green tea leaves and leave them steeping in the pot. Not this place. Courtyard respects your tea, and respects the nuances of flavor that comes with a Harney & Sons tea. Our three tiers of scones, petit fours and finger sandwiches were pretty good, but not culinarily astounding. The sandwiches had breads were a little too sweet, and the fillings and toppings were a little less savory than I would have liked, but for tea it was a very filling, very enjoyable experience. The scones were served with a great orange marmalade and the macarons had a very intense flavor. One of the most lovely dining experiences I've had in recent memory. I cannot wait to return. read more

I couldn't have asked for a more exquisite "new last meal" in Boston. I had mistakenly confused The Courtyard with Map Room Cafe and so walked in with pretty low expectations. I'd like to say my fantastic experience is at least partly influenced by this confusion, but my friend, who definitely knew what to expect, was equally blown away. The restaurant is lovely, though the decor can be a little chi-chi frou-frou for some. Think high ceilings and grandiose throne-like seats. The lunch atmosphere is hushed and serene, much like the library that surrounds it. Depending on where you sit, you may not have a full view of the BPL's beautiful courtyard, but you can always make up for it by passing through the courtyard on your way out of the building. The food was phenomenal. My friend had the White Hawaiian Tuna wrapped in eggplant ratatouille salad with champagne basil beurre blanc and I got the Sirloin Steak rubbed with lemon, garlic and sea salt, accompanied by grilled spring vegetables and watercress coulis. Nothing too exotic, right? Standard upscale lunchtime fare, perfect for important, high-powered business people and rich retirees. But the way it was cooked! The tuna was melt-in-your-mouth tender and the basil buerre blanc had the most heavenly taste. My steak was perfectly seared and the seasoning was delicate yet fragrant while the watercress coulis pretty much had me scraping the plate for more. If this isn't the best-cooked fine dining lunch you've ever have, it will definitely be in the top 10. Service was remarkably attentive throughout most of the meal--and then it went above and beyond. We had ordered two Specialty Drinks to go with our meals: the Strawberry-Basil Sparkler and the Iced Blueberry Green Tea. Somewhere along the way, the orders were lost and we never got our drinks. We actually didn't even realize this until our plates were taken away (the food was that good) and then we let our waitress know what happened. She was incredibly apologetic and not only did she take the drinks off the bill (as expected), she actually had the kitchen make the drinks anyway and put them in to-go drinking containers for us to enjoy--free of charge. Hard to dislike that kind of service. If you're lucky enough to be in the Copley area on a weekday, definitely check out The Courtyard for lunch. read more

Such a lovely experience with my daughter! The service, ambiance, tea and food was amazing! Highly recommend!

This was my first high tea experience and it was everything I expected it to be. Its located in the beautiful public library. Service was quick. There was a wide selection of teas. We got Chai latte and Blood orange that were both pretty good. I loved the savory plate (shrimp was the best). The sweet plate was a little too sweet for me and I'm not a big fan of scones but the selection of spread was pretty amazing. Next time I go, I'll probably only get the savory plate if there is an option (just because I'm not a big fan of sweets). Interior is nice and quiet and staff were very pleasant. Would go again. read more

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It is precisely what you would expect for an afternoon tea -- a pot of tea and a delightful tower of mini sandwiches and pastries. Like most such teas, it's really a meal unto itself. It's quite pricey, but you're basically paying for experience and setting (both of which are beautiful). Definitely not something you'll make a regular experience of, but worthwhile, and I could see doing it again. If you're coming with children, I would not recommend getting the children's tea service ($15). The main service is plenty lavish to share with a kiddo and still leave plenty for you. There are also child-friendly herbal tea options, though some can be bitter, so ask the staff first. I found the staff pleasant and very accommodating of small people. By the way, if you have a preschool princess in your life, this is a great treat for her, especially if you split it like I suggest. Mine loved her real life tea party. read more

It was so nice to have a proper tea after a long drought of unavailability since it closed a while ago. The tea choices were excellent and the food was the perfect amount and delicious. Tables were spaced far enough apart so it was comfortable. We got a table near the window so we could look out at the courtyard. I'm going back again! read more

It's better to make a reservation ahead of time, there are limited tables. The menu is uniquely presented in book bound form-though not unexpected in a library! Though, it's not tux attire, you may want to wear button up & slacks. I doubt they're strict on dress code. Very pleasant experience. Atmosphere was sedate w/splashes of friendly, touristy, fun. Who wouldn't want a photo op w/friends and the deliciously presented tea service? Service was very nice and professional. Not hurried, though servers were both taking orders and taking photos for guests! Very courteous, without overbearing friendliness. Tea was tea, first pot was steeped just right, delicate scent and not bitter. Darjeeling had a sweetness as expected and got darker as it steeped longer. You had a selection of raw brown & white sugar which blended well with the tea, not making it overly sweet. Though, I only used 1/2 lump of sugar! High Tea is not for the famished. It's a fun sampling of bite size treats. Think mis bouche vs. buffet. Selection of tea sandwiches & cakes- yummy! I did like the mushroom selection best. Scones had three toppings, whipped butter, marmalade, and lemon curd. I actually loved the butter, maybe it was the atmosphere, but it was nice being able to spread sweet butter onto my scone, instead of destroying it w/a frozen butter ball. The lemon curd wasn't tart at all (loved that too) and the marmalade was mild. I'm not super fond of marmalade, so it was nice not being overwhelmed by orange & rinds. Dessert wasn't fantastically wow, but it was definitely a sweet treat! Macaroon, fruit tart, flourless chocolate torte, cookie w/raspberry filling. I enjoyed my tea $35 (could be a tad less expensive, but not too overpriced) and look forward to trying the restaurant (and tea) again. read more

Courtyard Tea Room - High Tea $35 - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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First of all, best chai tea latte in the town. Went into it thinking it was way too pricey but it was worth every penny. They have vegetarian/ vegan options for almost every item on the menu which was great. Everything was made with finesse and tasted sophisticated. Highly recommend this place for a brunch date with your girlfriends. read more

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Tip: Though afternoon tea starts at 2PM, if you come around 1:30, your party can choose the lunch menu and/or the afternoon tea menu! The Courtyard Restaurant is more of an experience restaurant - it's such a classy atmosphere that you forget you're actually in a public library. The chairs are high and plush, the table scape is classy and white - it's a beautiful place to lunch with friends. The food isn't spectacular, though The Catered Affair overall produces great quality food. The servers are nice enough, though are not observant enough to refill your tea if you order the afternoon tea! I ordered the "Wedding" green tea which had a more floral and fruity note to it. The tea sandwiches are a little bland. The pastries are pretty good, though the macarons were crispy and way too sweet, with no texture. The scones were probably the better of the sweet offerings, with great lemon curd, apricot preserves, and coddled cream. This place is overhyped for a reason, but don't come for the food! read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Afternoon tea with duck confit lunch in the back - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

One of a kind dining experience only in Boston! I came here for their afternoon tea to treat my mother who was visiting Boston. (Afternoon tea $32 is served after their lunch hours from 2:30pm.) Everything from location, interior design, service to food was excellent! Really high ceilings beautifully overlooking the BPL courtyard with plenty of sunlight. I very much enjoyed my jasmine tea and my mother, her chamomile tea. Their scones and jam are absolutely delicious. I particularly enjoyed the rich bacon sandwich (I overheard the table next to us asking if it was possible to get only that sandwich for their next visit and the server responded yes, as long as they call in advance and let them know.) Even though my mother and I hadn't had lunch, there was so much food we had some of our cookies boxed up. TIP: Would not recommend for kids -- this cafe is very high-end and peacefully quiet. Let's respect it that way :) read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Afternoon tea set with choice of tea $32 - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

It is a really really nice restaurant! No doubt, I have been there for twice during a day. For lunch and afternoon tea. It is really worth to visit there and enjoy the meals. Besides, they also offer very good service, everyone was so sweet and friendly. High recommend! read more

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This is a review for afternoon tea. Friend and i came at 3:30 on a weekday and they were very pleasant to accommodate us. They have us a seat next to the window overlooking the courtyard of the library. The tea menu is a set one, so you don't get to make any choices, but everything was flavorful - the scones and fruit tart were great. The variety of sandwiches was good: cucumber, salmon, lobster. The service staff was really attentive and the ambiance is classy but not stuffy. My server was knowledgeable about tea, which I appreciated. read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Menu (in a book) - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

A perfect tea afternoon in the beautiful Boston Public Library. Their gluten and dairy free options are plentiful and delicious. And the tea is great also! read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Gluten and dairy free - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Absolutely beautiful tea service. Very traditional - but no need to mess with the best. The food was incredibly delicious - I couldn't pick a favorite item on the tea menu because they were all perfect. The tea options are plentiful and can be served hot or iced. The service was attentive and very friendly. The ambiance is the best though - the restaurant is modern, sleek, and elegant. The perfect place for a party or an intimate tea. Would recommend highly and return any time! read more

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The savories were excellent and I love their scones, moisturized and soft, the sweets however, were too sweet but they told me that next time I could order 3 savories and 1 sweet to balance the flavor which would be a good idea read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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The only reason I gave any stars was more because of the company than the actual food or service. Granted, my only high tea experience was at L'Espalier (RIP) so I am a little spoiled, but I was still rather disappointed. Now, first thing first. Many people go to high tea for the treats, but first and foremost I would think the tea was why people went. Having to ask for our tea is not a great way to start off high tea... When we arrived for our reservation we ended up having to wait about 10 minutes for our table. It wasn't a huge deal, but I would have thought that our table would be ready if we took the effort to make a reservation. We were finally seated and the table looked lovely. I liked that the menu was presented in a book, nice touch. We decided on our teas and placed our order. As we waited, I enjoyed the company of great friends and catching up on everyone's summer. Then we were served our first course, soup or salad. Great! However, the salad was a little lackluster, literally just spinach, strawberries, and cucumbers with a tasteless dressing. The gazpacho that others got seemed pretty good. Had a good flavor comparatively to the salad. All this time, wondering "where is our tea"? Then our tier of goodies came. It was nicely presented and plated based on how many people were seated, which was nice. At this point we had to actually ask our server where our tea was. We had probably been seated for almost 20 minutes by this point. I came for to high tea for tea, right? They finally acknowledged that they were working on it and was on its way. We finally got our tea and were able to really start our high tea experience. I had the matcha latte. It was good, however, I wish I had gotten the Cozy Copley. A London Fog is one of my favorites! The three tier plate included a lot of different foods. There were a bunch of tasty canapés on the bottom tier. They gave one of my friends a separate plate because of his lobster allergy, which was nice. The canapés were fine. Some seemed dry or stale. There were scones on the top tier with clotted butter, marmalade, and lemon curd. I will say I really enjoyed the lemon curd, yummy! The raisin scone was over baked so it was kind of hard and dry. In the middle there were the desserts. I was kind of disappointed in the options. Sweets are my favorite, but nothing was very good. The macarons were very soggy. The chocolate cake was very bitter. The blueberry pie was dry. Just disappointed overall. While eating, some of us finished our tea and was hoping for a little more or be able to try another tea, however, there was no staff around to ask nor did anyone offer or ask if we needed anything. We did the 3 o'clock high tea so we had to be out by 5:00 PM which was fine, however, one of the people in my group went to use the ladies room at about 4:45 PM and they told her it was closed and she could try finding the restroom on the second floor, all the while staff are telling people they need to go because the library is closing. And just in case you weren't sure, they rang the fire alarm to make sure that you evacuate the library now. How do you close the bathroom by the restaurant that has just been serving you tea and food for the last two hours? I apologize that this post is so negative. I was going in with such excitement, and was very disappointed. Spending $60 for this high tea definitely was not worth the money. That price was comparable to L'Espalier (RIP), one of the top restaurants in Boston. I guess I have to find another high tea venue. read more

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Food: good. Solid. Not best tea ever but it's good. Price is alright. The scones are ok, but not the best. Service: really great. A little too nice even, but maybe old ladies like that. But all around great. Nice location. Not the fanciest tea place, but it's cool To have this in the library looking at the courtyard. read more

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Eating at the Courtyard was truly an experience, from start to finish. From the menus inside the books to the cute little amuse Bouche to the dessert that came on a book trolley, they certainly took inspiration from the boston public library and ran with it in a way that just made eating there a wonderful experience. The space itself is quite beautiful, much calmer than other restaurants I've been to in Boston, probably because the food is really quite expensive for what you get in terms of taste, but I think people really come here for the experience more than anything. read more

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In my opinion 3.5 star. 4 star for the tea experience (tea selection is in a book and there's a selection of finger sandwiches, desserts, and scones. Plus I feel that there aren't many places in boston that offer a tea experience). However, 3 stars because the desserts are VERY sweet. It definitly does not pair well with lattes. Additionally the lattes are lukewarm! I recommend getting an herbal or black tea before a latte to pair with your food. read more

Wonderful experience. Amazing to be able to have afternoon tea at a beautiful restaurant in the historic Boston Public Library at Copley Square. Scones and cream/butter/jam were the best part, just delicious. The savory sandwiches were tasty. The tea was great. Some of the sweet treats were good. Staff were so polite. And I cannot believe how accommodating the kitchen was to different dietary restrictions, vegetarian plus no mushrooms and eggplant for me and vegan for my dining partner. I wouldn't come here regularly but definitely something to try. It is pricey of course but you get a lot of food! read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Always a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time. They are able to handle larger parties (there was a party of 9 when I was there) and this is a perfect place to have a shower or birthday, but it is a relatively quiet restaurant. The teas and pastries change seasonally but I've never been disappointed. We tried the earl grey latte and the pumpkin chai spice latte- the latter sounds like a silly way to spend $39 on tea service but it was absolutely delicious. Nothing like Starbucks! The tea is a little sweet and wonderfully spiced. There's a traditional selection of sandwiches, scones, and pastries with some seasonal offerings like mini apple tarts. The desserts are very sweet/heavy and pair better with lighter teas. I would not recommend having the pumpkin spice with them as the sweetness level is overwhelming. It was a busy day so we were politely asked to leave after about 1.5 hours, but it's the perfect place to sit and chat the afternoon away. read more

One of the most intriguing location at the Boston Public Library is this restaurant. Although it is rather small for a restaurant, it is still really fancy by its design with its cute furnitures. From outside the windows, you can see a pretty good view of the courtyard. I really love the atmosphere here. It is really quiet in the restaurant, so I guess that can train us to be very gentleman and lady-like when eating and conversing at the same time. When I came here with my friends, we found out that some customers had reservations. Luckily, at such a busy hour, there were available seats for us so we did not have to wait. The waiters and waitresses were all really nice and came at such appropriate times like when we were ready to order, when we needed more water, and when we were ready to pay. It is definitely worth the 18 percent gratuity. It was surprising to find that the appetizers and main course dishes all fitted into one page of the menu. I thought there would be more. I ordered the "Soup & Sandwich" while my friends ordered the Tomato & Saffron Braised Sea Bass. While waiting, we were given some conplimentary food. We had a smoked salmon roll with sour cream and it tasted amazing! We also had different choices of bread with these little cute balls of butter. Waiting did take a while, but these bite size food are delicious! Don't be surprised by such small dishes; they are actually very filling. My friends and I enjoyed our dishes a lot. Although pricey, everything was well made with perfections. read more

This is one of my favorite places for afternoon tea. They are also allergy friendly. As soon as we were seated they asked if anyone in our party had allergies. I have a nut allergy but sometimes I find myself embarrassed having to explain, he came out with a separate nut free tray without macaroons, but with all the sweets. Although their cucumber sandwiches are not styled in the authentic British fashion, the sandwiches, scones and sweets were presented in an artistic manner. The atmosphere of this restaurant also makes this place worthwhile. read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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Came here for tea with my mom in the afternoon. It's located in the Boston public library, but it doesn't feel crowded or out of place. Each reservation is for a 90 minute time slot period (which was enough time for us), but you can extend the reservation for an additional charge. My mom and I both got English breakfast tea (they use MEM tea) which was really good! And the wait staff was very friendly and kept making sure we had enough tea throughout. The food was also really good, and even though it's only finger food, it was really filling. I've gone to a tea room in London, and I actually think I prefer this one more because of how cozy the restaurant feels, and the ambiance of it. My mom and I had a great time, and we will definitely be back- Well worth the price! ($39) read more

Came here on a Saturday afternoon with my teenage boys. They never had afternoon tea before and they agreed to give it a try. We were seated promptly in really comfy chairs and our table had pristine white linen and beautiful china. The tea selection was good and they even allowed us to try another flavor free of charge. We had morning white tea, green tea, chai tea, earl grey, English breakfast, etc. The sandwiches were good but we liked the scones with a dallop of lemon curd the best. read more

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If you don't eat here while in Boston your truly missing out. The view of the courtyard, the dining room, service, and last but not least the food was insanely delicious!!!! Could eat here every day 1. Bass ceviche 2. Bass entree Never thought I could want more bass read more

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Tea wasn't bad and the food left some room to be desired, but the location is what makes this place unique. Inside the Boston Public Library, they serve you the menu inside an actual book, which I thought was a really cool concept. Unfortunately, the service was really lacking. Waters were never refilled, teas got cold and stayed cold, and servers only serve you once... at the very beginning. I tried getting the attention of our server multiple times with no avail - disappointing given the elegance of the place. read more

I love afternoon tea sets so I tryout many locations and this place fairs in the middle of the pack, nothing spectacular all in categories I'd rank this A-OK. They were lacking the attention to detail that you get at other places for the same (expensive) price. Servers were not that knowledgable or skilled in tea service, didn't visit as frequently as I would have liked, and the food was just okay. The good think about this location is that the library itself is stunning so it's nice to walk around before or after tea to see the building. read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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This is a lovely setting and we had nice service, but friend ( who I had taken for birthday celebration) and I found the food terrible. We took small bites of corn chowder, which had a weird taste of " off" oil and potato salad first course ( what a combination!) deciding to wait for sandwiches and scones. The tea sandwiches are actually small hors d'oeuvres that wouldn't be served at worst cocktail party. Dessert level tier had the most unappetizing green cookies we had ever seen, with small delightful lemon souffle cake and edible chocolate puddings. I felt I paid $140+ ( with tip) for being in this beautiful setting and about ten bites of nothing really good. I was so embarrassed I had chosen this as a memorable birthday spot. read more

I love this spot in Boston. A great place to sit and relax, have lunch, drink some tea, or read in this almost undiscovered spot in Boston. It's a nice respite from the busy city day. If your looking for something different, low key and lovely, come here. They also have an private space for rent. read more

This place is perfect for relaxing. I made reservations here just in case it would be busy. The servers are really nice and very quick. It was also really nice of them to accommodate for allergies so efficiently. My boyfriend is allergic to peanuts so they brought out a whole separate platter of desserts for him. A++ just for that! I love how cute it all was and I had a great experience with the food and tea. I will definitely come back next time I'm in Boston!! read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Full platter!! So cute and so good!! - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

My review is based on three recent visits I made taking three different groups of people to tea at the Courtyard Tea Room at the BPL. One visit was made mid-summer and two visits were made during the Holiday season. The significance is that there is a single tea menu during the Holiday season while you have several menu options if you come at another time during the year. When you arrive plan to remove your outer wear, if winter, and hand these to the staff in the room outside (they will check your coat and give you a number). Fair warning though you may be experienced in how to take tea many of the patrons at all three sittings would have benefited from some training in manners and good behavior so keep this in mind as you wait and once you enter the room. The Courtyard room has tables accommodating groups of two to six. Twice I sat at one of the larger round tables and once I had the pleasure of dining at a smaller table looking out onto the Courtyard. Once inside a member of the staff will come tableside and give each patron an old-looking book and explain the tea process. During Holiday tea the only decision you have to make is which of the three pages of teas you would like to try. There are all kinds of teas to please every palate from a delightful second flush Darjeeling to their monthly specialty teas. Some come with milk and sugar pre-added so be sure to read carefully and alert the staff if you have any dietary needs. I am vegetarian and found them most accommodating in terms of the afternoon tea sandwich selection. They truly did an outstanding job of providing me a variety of sandwiches that closely matched in appearance those of my guests. Holiday Tea starts with a tiny cup of squash soup and a brussel sprout slaw salad containing nuts and pomegranate seeds and topped with a blue cheese. Scrumptuous! After this the staff bring the quintessential tiered platform containing three dishes of sandwiches, scones, and desserts. The tea sandwiches were all exceptionally tasty and exquisite visually. Truly works of art for the eye and the palate. Of course, the scones were served with lemon curd, marmalade, and clotted cream. At the end of one of the Holiday teas, I and my guests received a transparent bag containing a gingerbread man, sugar cookie and a tiny peppermint stick. From start to finish, each time, I and my guests were truly treated royally. Truly I can tell you this is the best afternoon tea in Boston. I take tea whenever I travel and it rivals tea at the Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia, which has always been my favorite. read more

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I was so excited to learn there was High Tea at the Boston Public library! The Courtyard Restaurant wants a unique and fun experience for my mom, sister, and I. The mini sandwiches and sweets were tasty and surprisingly filling! I would definitely go back, we had a lovely time. read more

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Hands down, five full screaming stars. The Courtyard Restaurant is amazingly elegant and makes you feel like a full fledged "I have made it" grown up. Well, without the pretentiousness from the staff or the padded bank account. But wait! It's not expensive! You can easily order right and be treated to an outstanding meal. Also, the setting of this restaurant in this courtyard is such a hidden gem - it's like you turned the right corner and ended up in Italy. I have eaten here three times now. Once for our wedding tasting (I have never been so fat and happy in my life) and two more times for lunch. The food is amazing. I've eaten just about every thing this restaurant can make, and each bite is a treasure. The presentation is straight out of Top Chef and the quality matches what you think it should taste like, but better. The clam chowder, heirloom tomato tart, diver scallops, cobb salad, crusted cod, hanger steak, and S'mores are all my favorites, but anything you order will be outstanding. You don't have to bring your grandma, you can bring your girlfriend. She'll think you're fancy, but not in the wrong way. read more

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Great service and lovely atmosphere. I had afternoon tea on a great sunny day. Everyone I'm the room was enjoying their tea and food. The waiters were friendly and made sure I was comfortable. Located through the small cafe read more

Courtyard Tea Room - Tea Rooms Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts