I had a wonderful afternoon at Marlene Tea & Cakes. It was a perfect weather to sit outside surrounded by flowers today. Their tea selection is huge. We tried a few, but our favorite was Paris(fruity black tea with vanilla and caramel flavors, and a hint of lemony Bergamot). The afternoon tea was beautifully presented, and everything tasted fresh and homemade. The scones were definitely our favorite. They were warm, soft, buttery, and some of the best I've ever had. The sandwiches and desserts were just as delicious. It's one of those places where you just want to slow down, relax, and enjoy good conversation over a great cup of tea. I'm already looking forward to my next visit. read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Exceptional place for a special occasion high tea. I came here with three girlfriends for a birthday celebration around last Christmas and we had a blast! One of my friends who lives in the area had been here before and had suggested it for the outing. Located in an almost hidden little shopping center in the middle of a suburban neighborhood, it had gorgeous decor, especially all decked out for the holidays. We were seated at one of the outdoor patio tables, which was very pleasant on a beautiful warm day. We all had their special Christmas high tea, which came with a generous array of food that went above and beyond a normal tea service. There was a starter soup course (roasted winter vegetable soup, very delicious), then we got a massive tower with 5 different savory items, scones, and 6 different desserts. Needlessly to say, we were beyond stuffed by the end, even after opting to take most of the desserts to go. The tea selection was very nice as well--I just opted for the English Breakfast, in keeping with my preference for picking the most coffee-like tea. Our server did an amazing job, even though it seemed like she was the only one serving the entire packed place! My friends and I had a wonderful time, and I'd love to come back again. read more

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I went back to Marlene's the weekend before Thanksgiving and she did a fantastic job of translating the food of Thanksgiving into tea bites with cranberry scones, the prettiest vertical pear salad, a super cute sweet potato and ham stack, a scrumptious stuffed yorkshire pudding with filet mignon drizzled with a yummy mushroom sauce, and of course, a turkey & mashed potato tart. I admire the way she is constantly reinventing tea menus to coordinate with the season. Next up is Christmas and I heard she got a pink Christmas tree next to the pink selfie sofa. p.s. Don't sleep on her princess tarts because they are both gorgeous and delicious. read more

I thought this experience was slightly below my expectations. I reserved a booking weeks in advance for my friends birthday. I was not able to locate a sample food menu online, so decided it was best to contact this business via phone to ask. My friend had some dietary restrictions so I wanted to make sure they could get noted. It was frustrating and disappointing this business did not pick up calls- I tried during different days during their "open" hours. So unfortunately I already had a negative mindset going into this booking. I figured that we would just ask them the day of what they can accommodate. We get to the business and got sat immediately. We were able to ask a staff member about the menu and what they could accommodate. They soon brought out the teas, then soup and goodies. My group and I didn't like the taste of the savory items. The sweet items were good though. In the middle of the booking, a staff member comes around and drops off the tea selection list for a second round. He said he would be back in a minute to get our request. Unfortunately he never came back around. It took about 20 minutes for us to flag down another staff member to order the teas. In general, I do not think this experience was worth $60 a person (I feel it was worth $45 maximum). Of course you are paying for the experience overall but I think the food options were not tasty and lacking quantity for my group. Another side note is that we put in our reservation it was for a birthday, it was sad no one acknowledged this or asked what we were celebrating. I understand we aren't entitled to this, but it would have been a nice touch (especially considering the cost of this booking). read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

As my first high tea experience ever, this place did not disappoint! If anything, it raised my bar higher. Every corner I looked at had a beautiful decoration to admire. We were seated right away for our afternoon reservation, with the two flavors of tea already piping hot and ready for us to sip. The service was fast and pleasant, the servers were friendly and very knowledgeable about each item they served. There was enough for each person to try every item in the menu for the day. Although the items looked small, because of the amount of them, we all left full and content. Every bite was delicious and flavorful. Not to mention everything was beautifully displayed and organized for us to indulge. I can't wait to come back and have a reason to dress up again! read more

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If you didn't know you needed to do high tea, now you do! Tucked in a cozy neighborhood, Marlene's is truly a hidden gem! Came here with some colleagues for high tea- spooky edition (right before Halloween) "its "Witch and Glamorous Champagne and Tea". Everything is done so tastefully! From the flowers walking in to the table scapes to the food. Everything was beautiful and tasty for a perfect afternoon tea. We really enjoyed the tower of both sweet and savory items (all in Halloween theme) and the tea was divine! We were fortunate to meet the owner and chat with her- you can see her passion translates to the business. Be sure to make reservations, as I think that's the only way they operate and don't accommodate walk ins. Can't wait to return! read more

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What a delightful place for Afternoon Tea. The place is beautifully decorated. The food is superb. They start you off with soup and a cheese straw. The tea stand contains an assortment of appetizers, sandwiches, fruit, scones and desserts. That's a lot of food and we enjoyed our leftovers. They have a good selection of teas - black, green, white, and with caffeine. Service is attentive and unobtrusive. This is a great place to treat someone special or getaway for a peaceful afternoon spent in the company of good friends. read more

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We love this tea shop!! The outside garden is lovely. The interior is thoughtfully appointed. The matching tea sets makes me feel well taken care of, along with the spot on amazing service. They have a menu that is just perfect. I have tea'd across the county, and this is where I relax the most, let my hair down the most and just enjoy time with my gals over tea and snacks. Parking is easy. Reservations are always easy. I have never feel rushed. I highly recommend this spot :) read more

05/03/25 - We came here to celebrate a birthday for one of my friends. Parking can get difficult here since there isn't a dedicated parking lot for the place. We ended up seating in the outside patio. The outside patio is a little tight and when full just seems like you are too close to each other. It wasn't that bad, but I can imagine it getting too loud in that area if there's a bunch of actual celebrations going on. This day, it was more on the quiet side. I think we paid around $60 per person and received savory and sweet snacks and was able to try four different teas. I actually enjoyed it and the teas were good. I ended up buying the mango tea that they have. I was really impressed with the raspberry scone that they served and asked if I can buy some, but you can only pre-order. Guess everything is made based on what you pay for only. They do not carry any extras to sell. Service was good. The staff was very attentive and continuously walked around to check on everyone. When you come here, you come for the experience and not quantity of food. Although we were satisfied with the food served, there's a chance you won't be full. Also, you are there for a certain period and will have to go at the end of that time since they have another group set up to arrive. I recommend this spot and the experience was nice. If you go, and they have the scone.. please pre-order some to take home. LOL read more

I absolutely loved Marlene's Tea and Cakes!! We got seated promptly and our tea was already waiting for us on the table. They brought out the soup and then the trays. I've been wanting to go with my fiance as a date and he enjoyed it. Lots of christmas decor which means lots of photo ops! They also offer to go boxes if you want to take a few things home. read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - December Christmas tea - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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My husband and I decided to have afternoon tea at Marlene's Tea and Cakes. It is not a disappointment at all. The decorations are very beautiful! We made reservations for indoor. The tea selection was great! They have all kinds of tea to choose from: black tea, green tea , herbal tea or fruity tea. The savory sandwiches and pastries are very delicious! Yum! Jackie was very attentive, she made sure that we are happy with our tea selections and the service. Marlene, the owner is such a sweetheart, she is super friendly and we ended up chit chatting for a while. She made sure that we enjoyed every moment being here. I love the decorations! Yes, I highly recommend this tea house, not just for the taste but for the experience! Check it out for yourself and you'll see what I mean. read more

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THIS is A TEA TIME! My new favorite and BEST place in San Diego to have tea time. We went as a group of 9 ladies. We dressed up with the "Breakfast At Tiffany's" Theme. Our reservation was only $61 per lady, which included tip and full service tea time of 2 hours. The Mango & Peach Tea is an award winning one, and it is delicious. The Cinnamon Black Tea was my favorite; it needs an award too! ALL of the petit bites on the tower that is served are DELICIOUS, very well made, and aesthetically pleasing. I definitely recommend this business for a true, awesome, and traditionally inspired tea time in San Diego. EVERYTHING WAS PHENOMENAL! The owner, Marlene, even came out to greet us and she took a picture with our group. read more

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First time at a tea house and I'm glad it was Marlene's tea & cakes! The theme was breakfast at Tiffany's. Everything was decorated beautifully. Loved how almost everyone that was there was dressed elegant. We chose the patio because it was bright pretty sunny day that it was only right to have tea, desserts, and have deep conversations outside. The humming birds were chirping, the flowers were blooming, and the sun was out. It was perfection. We had two kinds of tea's, scones, finger sandwiches, beef Wellington bites, corn soup, and many other desserts. Service was outstanding because we were constantly being checked upon. And any questions we needed were answered. The ladies were very sweet. Def one for the books! read more

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Gorgeous spot! The tea is excellent and the service is amazing. My friends and I have tried just about every tea house in San Diego, and this one is easily at the top of our list read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

My favorite spot for a fun event or time out with my ladies!! Love their holiday events too!

LONG overdue review. I've been coming to Marlene's for years for tea. This place is such a hidden gem in Carmel Valley. The ambiance is excellent, with excellent decor. If the weather is nice sit outside under the patio with beautiful greenery. The service is always top notch. Occasionally they do get busy so be sure to keep your tea ordered before you finish your current pot. The soup starter is always delightful with a puff twist. The 'savories' are amazing. When they have the cucumber & dill sandwiches, and a beet sandwich are my favorites. So light, creamy, and fluffy. Scones are hands down the best in town with the clotted cream. Desserts are always a show stopper, especially during the holidays with their unique designs. For tea I always get the Paris- black with a hint of sweet, and then the Mango 'n Friends for a decaf option. Make sure you dress to impress! read more

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Terrible Phone Service: DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE I left two messages and then called the next day to book reservations. The lady who answered the phone at !0:25 am on a Friday, June 19th. told me to book online, but the online reservations aren't working. I had her on the phone to book, but she said she does not have time to schedule a Tea Party Birthday appointment for my friend's party. And she said I will not book, I'm too busy. I was very kind, and she was soooooo RUDE. She did not care to book or even care to help a customer. This person was not only RUDE but also set the tone for this cafe/high tea establishment. The owner should dismiss her, or maybe the person who answered the phone is the owner; whoever it was, I am going to tell my friends, " Don't go. Be kind to people on the phone and show appreciation for the fact that people want to come to your high tea. It does not hurt to be kind and invite people with joy. If you cannot do this, then close your cafe. read more

Tea time is always a good time! Sipping tea while nibbling on delectable small bites. You select (2) tea flavors ahead of time with the reservation booking. Space feels a little tight, but they make do with what they got. High tea is a bit pricey, so it's not something I enjoy all that frequently. I believe we paid $75pp, after tax +tip. Quite steep, but overall, pretty worth! :) read more

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This is my new FAVORITE tea shop!! The features very decorations were beautiful, the servers were kind and funny and SO helpful. The food and tea were delicious, AND we got to meet Marlene!! She is adorable and so humble. You can really see how much this is a labor of love for her and the staff. I can't wait to try each month's selections. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! read more

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What a lovely experience. My aunt brought me here to celebrate my birthday since she loves the place and knows I love afternoon tea. It's a bit of a hike from where we live but it's well worth it. The service was phenomenal and so was the food. Marlene shared her decor ambitions and thoughts with us, and she's such a sweet, lovable, and passionate small business owner. I'll definitely be making my way back out here! read more

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Beautiful space for tea time with some gal pals. I had made reservations for about 11 girls a few weeks prior to the day - full payment was required at the time of reservation along with choice of two tea flavors. Reservations are required and two tea times were available to choose from: 11am or 2pm - dining service is 2 hours. The inside space was a lot smaller as I'd imagine - it was a bit tough navigating through the space as they packed in as much as they could. There is also outside seating with overhead coverage available. Each table was beautifully decorated with the plate settings, fresh floral bouquets, and the tea with a warmer below. Tea time first started out with a potato soup, followed by the 3-tiered tray of food. Bottom - two variety of finger sandwiches, chicken pot pie, beef Wellington, and a mushroom quiche. Middle - apple walnut biscuits, whipped cream, and a few bite sized pieces of fresh fruit. Top - assorted desserts. Thoroughly enjoyed the corned beef & cabbage sandwich, apple walnut biscuits (very moist and delicious), and the mushroom quiche. Great service throughout our stay. We ended up having an additional person last minute and the staff was very accommodating to the change. Private parking lot available so there aren't any issues. read more

My favorite tea place in all of San Diego. I go to tea often but I find that Marlene's is definitely my go to. The food is always delicious and the tea selection is amazing. The themed teas are impressive. I've attended their Winter Holiday tea, Halloween tea, Valentines tea and even a Filipino Heritage tea. The service is great. Alma ands Jackie are so attentive and friendly. Marlene even takes the time to say hello. The decor is perfect. Love this place! read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Always served in beautiful tea settings - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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A proper tea establishment; just not my cup of tea. It's worth experiencing if you've never had English tea. The scone is one of the best scones I've had. The savory pastries are good. The sandwiches are tasty, and there is a good selection of tea. I didn't like the entire top layer of desserts on the caddy which was a holiday collection of mint mousse, ginger bread cookie and rainbow tea cake. I liked the savory food better than the tea cakes. I was treated to this lunch, but if I were paying I'd think it's a bit over-priced. You're here for the tea experience. The decor is great and the crème au caramel tea was unique. If you want to talk tea and taste small bites this is your place! read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Vegetable soup & twill - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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Loved the decor and outdoor setting amongst flowers, so pretty! The tea sets and table ware were very Anthropologie-esque. Our waitress was very attentive and made sure our teas were always replenished. I really liked the Paris tea with some added milk, and the mango tea just as is - no need to add milk or sugar. The savory bottom of our tier had onion quiches, cucumber + cream cheese sandwiches, deviled egg puffs, a ham and cheese sandwich, and I forget what else. All were tasty! Got to try scones with cream and fruit on the second tier, and the top most one had lots of delightful little cakes and pastries I don't know the names of. Such a lovely way to spend the afternoon. read more

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THE SCONES, OMG they're so good! Best I've ever had including ones I've had in London. Come here just for that alone and you'll be happy you did! It has a soft biscuit texture which I much prefer. Super cute, friendly and warm tea room with a simpler tea menu and fewer bites than other tea experiences, but you get a good value for the money. Great for anyone wanting to dip their toe into trying a tea experience. Such great, attentive service, the people are what will have me coming back again and again. The potato soup needed more salt and seasoning, but everything else hit the spot. The grape and chicken salad sandwich was especially memorable, as was the melt-in-your-mouth cookie. And did I mention the SCONES? read more

Had a baby shower for one of our friend and was able to get a reservation. Place was nice but too tight. They do have indoor and outdoor setting. First timer in a tea party set up and not really sure what to expect. But the food and tea were really good. Staff are nice enough to explain which is which. Good place to catch up with your girlies. We stayed for two hours and the bathroom was so luxurious. read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Start with soup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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We came here to celebrate my friend's Sprinkle instead of doing a baby shower and it was so nice! They have the cutest cutlery and with everything already pre ordered, it takes the stress out of each person ordering. We had the chai and mango tea which was delicious! And then a tower of little finger foods. You wouldn't think that those tiny foods would fill you up but they do! All very yummy, and we had leftovers to take home! It was gorgeous sunny weather so we were sat outside and it was so quiet and perfect. Will be back! read more

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Beautiful spot for tea! The food and tea were delicious, and it was so nice to sit in the outdoor area surrounded by flowers. Such a gorgeous and peaceful spot! read more

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A friend brought me here for my birthday. Such a cute experience. Seating can be a tad tight. However, everyone that works here is extremely nice. The mango tea is my favorite and the scones are delicious. Tons of street parking around the neighborhood park. Can't wait to come visit again. read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

This is one of our go-to places for an English Tea. We have tried all of the tea places in San Diego/ Julian and always return to our favorite! We go to Marlene's Tea and Cakes several times a year (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, just-because, etc). Marlene's changes its menu each month so it entices us to keep returning to try its 3-tiered trays of mouth-watering delectables and delicious pots of teas (try the Paris tea). Their scones are so moist and flavorful. You can choose between sitting indoors (with table linens to chandeliers) to outdoor patio (surrounded by flowers and greenery). You can't go wrong with either. We had Jackie as our server, and Marlene herself always stops by our table to see if we enjoyed our meal. Can't wait to go back! Definitely will try to return for its themed teas like Breakfast at Tiffany's or Filipino Tea. read more

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I absolutely love Marlene's! This is hands down one of my favorite places to go in San Diego. We always sit on the patio and have impeccable service. It's so cute and peaceful outside. I love the flowers/plants and hummingbirds like to visit. The food is unbeatable! When you first see the food tower, it may not seem like it will fill you up but it definitely will. Everyone I bring is always pleasantly surprised by the portions and quality of the food. I try to come every couple of months to check out the different menus. They change monthly and you can check out the new menu on their site beforehand. It's so fun to dress up and check out all the different tea sets. Service always starts with tea, then soup, then the food tower. The staples are scones, cucumber sandwiches, and mini beef wellingtons. The apple cinnamon scone is probably my favorite! Highly recommend Marlene's to anyone looking for a fun activity to do with friends and eat really good food! read more

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Afternoon tea was very delicious at Marlene's! It was an absolutely full house on Sunday, but there was plentiful parking in their lot and street parking in the nearby area. Speaking of which, the drive to the location was beautiful and scenic. The surrounding neighborhood is clean, quiet, well kept, and gorgeous. The teaware was gorgrous. The inside is adorned with chandeliers. Lovely ambiance and solid service. We sincerely enjoyed the entire experience. The soup and savory bites were very tasty. The scones, fruit, and other sweets were executed well too. We all drank a healthy amount of tea. It was a memorable, wonderful experience! read more

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Delicious, delicate, and fun! I love the porcelain tea pots! It took me back to my childhood! Beautiful and nostalgic with really professional service! read more

Best tea room in San Diego! We have been going to Marlene's since they opened and it's been such a joy to watch it blossom over the years. I am so thankful it survived the 2020 years and continues to thrive and be packed. Marlene is so kind and this place has the best food of all of the local tea rooms. You also get the most amount of food compared to other places. The rotating menus are wonderful and the Christmas tea is also lovely. Hands down recommend for lunch, a girls day, an event, etc. read more

This was a wonderful tea room. It was beautiful and elegant from the moment you walked in. Each place setting was daintily set with fine China. The tea selection was wonderful. I recommend the Paris or the violet macaroon teas. The treat tower was gorgeous and set with the most delicious sandwiches and warm bites, like their amazing mini beef wellington's and chicken pot pies, and scrumptious quiche. I have been to many tea services all over the world and tasted many scones. That strawberry white chocolate scone was the best I have ever had. It was perfection in a bite. The desserts were super decadent and rich, just the right topper to the perfect afternoon. To top it all off Marlene and Alma were so sweet and friendly. I am a lady of size and it was very comfortable. My friend uses a wheelchair and they were so helpful and accommodating to her as well. I highly recommend this beautiful spot for a wonderful afternoon lunch or special occasion. You should definitely stop by read more

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What a beautiful teashop in a quiet residential area of Santa Luz. We sat outside and from start to finish it was a lovely experience! From the soft music, the bright but covered outside patio with gorgeous flowering plants everywhere and birds, down to the colorful and delicious bites and teas, it was a wonderful two hours away from the everyday without having to hop on a plane! The service was excellent, cordial and professional. A wonderful place to savor and celebrate! read more

Marlene's Tea & Cakes - Everything was delicious! - Coffee & Tea Near Me - San Diego, California

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This is so far is my favorite tea room in San Diego area I love the atmosphere and delicious food served there! I would definitely recommend to visit this one of a kind place read more

Marlene's served the best gluten free scone I've ever had! It was so light and crumbly in a good way. If you have celiac, make sure you mention that so your tray can be prepared separately. It's a lovely spot and the service was very good. I would definitely come back! read more

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Marlene's is by far my favorite tea room in San Diego! I've been multiple times and it always serves delicious & adorable bite-size food & desserts. Food is bite size, but very filling! Marlene's also has the best scones I've ever had! Their teas are excellent; I especially love their "Lady Londonderry" tea. Love the ambience & how they have themed menus. The staff is always very kind and attentive. They also use the prettiest tea sets and dishes! It is a bit pricey at $62 (gratuity is included though). But I think it's worth it due to the lovely atmosphere & servings at Marlene's! Highly recommend!! read more

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Solid spot for afternoon tea! We booked about a month in advance and prepaid for the experience. The decor here is super cute and the tea sets were pretty! The sandwiches, scones and pastries were pretty standard and flavorful. Service was excellent as staff came to refill our teapots often. The teas were also very flavorful and strong. Would def come back again! read more

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