I've never felt compelled to write reviews but i just have to let everyone know how wonderful and serene this place is. I like to relax by going to tea rooms and i never been to anything so elegant. I felt like i was in the titanic. They have this cute little princess room, a red room and tea party room for afternoon tea. Lots of loose leaf selections. Wonderful sandwiches and salads to choose from and the scone.... was soooo tasty i had to get a SeconD. I went with the 2 mini sandwiches and cup of soup combo. The smoked salmon chowder was amazing. I had the minty rose teaa and it was perfection. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Dining area room. - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

We LOVED the Summer Tea & my 5 year old adored her Princess Tea!!! It was delicious, from the assortment of sandwiches, sweets, tea, to our cup of soup. Highly recommend!!! The live piano was a wonderful touch & they even did a bubble goodbye that my daughter enjoyed sooo much :-) Customer service was perfect! Buy their cake pops on the way out, they were terrific too! We'll definitely be back! read more

Let me start off by saying I've never actually dined here but I dis purchase a gift card for a gift. The atmosphere struck me as perfect for a girlfriends get together or a really great date spot for something different. Greeted promptly and received a, hello and or a smile from everyone that worked there. They were so friendly and helpful even though they were really busy as it was the holiday season when I stopped in. Their menu looks great and my daughter in love is a big fan of tea so I figured it would be the perfect gift. Happy I could support such a special local spot. Hopefully I will get the chance to dine in sometime. read more

Once you step in you are transported directly to a Victorian or plantation style home where rich burgundy drapes line the windows and Victorian style furniture adorn the room. The atmosphere is light and friendly and I immediately found myself pull out the etiquette I learned as a child. We walked in with no reservations and was welcomed with open arms. We also arrived after the High Tea time, but the staff was more than willing to accommodate and make it happen. The owner even made her rounds to all her guest by stopping at the tables and checking that everyone was doing ok. Since it was our first time there, she made us feel very welcomed and encouraged us to have fun, take pictures and play around with the many hats she has available to everyone to borrow while enjoying the food and tea. We ordered the High Tea and was able to pick our choice of tea from the tea closet. My fav was the tangerine coconut. Yummm. We will definitely be going again. read more

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Olive Branch made me feel like family. I love this place so much and cannot, nay, I WILL NOT stop singing it's praises. As a recent resident of Tacoma, WA the staff and owner of Olive Branch made me and my girlfriend feel so welcome and at home. I was blown away by their hospitality, genuineness, and freaking amazing food. Olive Branch reminds me of my dearly departed grandmother in the best way possible. Home, love and tender care in every aspect. Their pie is amazing, their tea is bar-none, their sandwiches exquisite. Thank you Olive Branch for your welcome, and I hope I can review you more and more and become a duke or whatever Yelp does these days. YOU ROCK! read more

Olive Branch Cafe - We love you Olive Branch Café! - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Had a tea party here last Saturday with my mom, daughter, sisters, niece and my granddaughter. Everything was perfect! Elaine took great care of us and the owner, Terry was fantastic! I will definitely return as there are several menu items I can't wait to try. read more

The cafe filled me with childlike wonder. As soon as I walked in, I was wowed by the decor. It felt like walking into a Victorian mansion. My friend and I had the petite tea, which came with two mini sandwiches each, a cup of soup each, a scone each, and a pot of tea for each of us. The cost was a little over $20 per person. My friend keeps a gluten-free diet, and we were both really impressed that the cafe had not only gluten-free sandwich bread but also gluten-free scones. She was able to enjoy a scone for the first time in a decade. The jams for the scone were very tasty, and the scones were flaky on the outside and soft on the inside. We ordered the princess earl grey and the plum teas. They were both very good, but the plum tea was especially nice. I've had tea sandwiches in the past and didn't expect much, but I really enjoyed both the egg salad (hooray for no celery!) and the really tasty chicken curry. The salmon chowder was also killer. Both my friend and I were beaming. We talked about how it was such a nice experience to go somewhere so beautiful and talk over tea. We are both eager to visit again with other friends and family members. read more

I enjoyed my time here with a friend who is currently pregnant so it's safe to say that she may have a been a little picky but that didn't bother the staff. From the host, server, and owner...they were very nice and welcoming. We ordered food and it came out 10 mins later to our surprised. My friend was happy since she was starving. The hostess kept checking on us to ensure we were doing fine. She was very personable which I find really hard to find at restaurants these days. I want to take my friends here for a tea party as I am more of a tea drinker now. However, they have great food! I ordered half a French dip and it was a good size for me. Please try this out and check out their tea cabinet. They have a variety of teas! read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cute dining with a pianist playing. - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

The atmosphere was so beautiful! Everything was vintage and so well put together! Most of us ladies got the high tea and had more than enough delicious treats to eat. Everything was bitesize (except for our salad) which was perfect since there was so many things to eat. The pecan pie was to die for! The tea selection was good and they went ahead a prepared each of us our own pot already strained. The ladies were so friendly. My friend and I brought our babies and they did not mind them at all! They gave them as much attention as any part of our family would. They answered any and every question we had along with an explanation of how tea parties are done! We got so caught up in chatting and didn't not realize that we'd gone over their closing time, instead of being annoyed they just hung around and made small talk with us as we were getting our stuff together. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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My wife and 8 ladies ate there today. She said it was an odd assortment of food and tastes. Mostly it was very uncomfortable because there is no air conditioning so it felt like a sweat house. It's 80 degrees outside today. Big failure! read more

This place is AMAZING!! Beautiful inside and the owner is so sweet! The food is amazing and large portions!! I love the tea selections acai Berry is so yummy!! Come in and try it! read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Incredible experience! Will definitely be going back, food and staff were very warm and welcoming.

Visited on a whim with my daughter after running an errand to Tacoma. So glad we stopped! We had a pot of tea (of course), the ultimate grilled cheese, tomato bisque and salmon chowder. All were delicious and served promptly. The service was timely and friendly. Quite a few staff members stopped by our table to chat during our meal. This was our first time dining at a tea cafe. What a fun experience! Olive Branch is uniquely decorated with a lot of character! We will definitely visit again. read more

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What an amazing and fun place! My girlfriends and I celebrated a birthday here recently, knowing nothing about the place except they serve high tea. We were so pleasantly surprised to find a friendly and beautiful atmosphere that was perfect for my friend's special day. This place is a unique find, full of antiques and other beautiful sights and superb flavors. Great for couples as well as large parties, which is difficult to find. We will return many times over. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - We borrowed hats from the extensive hat closet. - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This place is adorable. High tea has a reputation for being stuffy, but the staff and hostess are affectionate and effusive. This is a great place to bring someone who is new to High Tea or thinks HT is boring. Hope and pray there's someone celebrating a birthday, because the staff will sing and they all have beautiful voices (or you could just lie and say it's your birthday ;-). The VOLUNTEER pianist added an extra bit of class and ambiance. The food and selection of tea is excellent. Salmon chowder/bisque was the showstopper. Don't let those tiny sandwiches fool you. They were beyond tasty and filling, you definitely will be satiated. The best part was getting to meet Terry. Knowing how she created this place from scratch makes this place even more special. So book early, book often! read more

Wonderful English afternoon tea. This tea house offers a classic tea party atmosphere with relaxing piano music in the background. You enjoy a delicious pot of tea accompanied by an assortment of finger size "tea" sandwiches. Cute miniature deserts and a house made scone. Of course the scones come with clotted cream, lemon curd and raspberry jam. If you want a more substantial lunch then I suggest a curried chicken salad sandwich and do try a cup of their tomato soup. Everything we ate was fantastic. Also the staff are very friendly and accommodating. read more

Went for the first time yesterday. It's cute in a slightly kitschy way; think more grandmama's house, less Fairmont Empress, an impression solidified by the motherly ladies who work there. Look out for the painting of carousing bears! That one was my favorite. Reservations: I tried to make one using the online form, which informed me to expect an email. I never got one, so I called the day of. They said they had my reservation down, but weren't sure why the email hadn't been sent. They also said others had had the same problem. Perhaps better just to call in the first place until they get their computer issues sorted. A word about parking: the Diamond lot across the street is free with a voucher, but I suggest going in, getting your voucher, and then going back to put it in your car. I got my voucher at the end of the tea and came back to find a ticket. The ladies at OBC took the ticket and said that they'd "take care of it" and that they are working with Diamond to find a better system, but less hassle if you just put the voucher on your dashboard at the beginning. Or you could just park at the park and ride. We got the "Summer Tea" $25 special: tea of your choice with free hot water refill, 3 mini sandwiches, 3 mini desserts, a big scone with clotted cream, lemon curd, and strawberry jam, a teacup full of soup, green grapes, and a chocolate covered strawberry. It didn't look like a lot of food when they set it out, but we were totally stuffed and couldn't finish. I hadn't eaten breakfast and wasn't hungry again until after 8pm. I was slightly disappointed that they didn't put the food on a tiered tray, bringing it out instead on regular plates. The table we were at was small enough that this made it difficult to make room on the table. I had to put my saucer on top of another plate for everything to fit. The food: Mini sandwiches and mini desserts were all good, but nothing out of the ordinary. The soup I opted to upgrade for $3 to the salmon chowder. Good idea. It's ultra creamy and rich and delicious! I would get it again. The scone was the best part. Easily the best I've ever had. Hot out of the oven when we came (1:30ish) and so tender I couldn't pick it all up at once. Melt in your mouth yumminess. I was sad I was too full to finish it. Teas were both quality loose leaf teas. I liked the tea cabinet so we could sniff them out before deciding. All in all, I'd come again! Possibly next time I'd focus on the scones and the soup since I wasn't able to finish all the food. Good place to take little ones or your mother. read more

Had tea here on 1/8/22. The experience was not a positive one. The food was not good, bread on sandwiches was stale, scones were not traditional type and were obviously from a roll, not handmade. They were undercooked. Restaurant serves cream cheese with the scones, mine was lumpy. The cucumber sandwiches were inedible. Service was very disorganized and slow. Positives: the piano player was delightful and we enjoyed the decor. But as a long standing patron of the Queen Mary tea room in Seattle as well as having done afternoon tea in many spots around the country, this was by far the most disappointing. It's also ver pricey for the quantities and quality of what you receive. read more

Wow. My wife planned a weekend date around our High Tea at the Olive Branch Cafe and it was the highlight of our day. The setting is magical, making you feel like you have been transported back in time (the quiet trains waiting outside at the station adds to the ambiance). We were greeted with a hug like we were old friends, and seated right away. Our High Tea started with our choice of soup, both of which were superb. While waiting for the soup we were escorted to the "tea closet" to choose the loose leaf tea of our choice. Then we were served hot, fresh homemade scones with clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd. Finally, we ended with a three-tiered platter of mini sandwiches, mini desserts, and fresh fruit. There was so much food we couldn't finish it all! Please go support this business, which is run by some of the most incredible women. You can tell they pour their hearts into what they do and value every customer that walks through the door. This is a level of service you just don't see anymore and it truly places Olive Branch Cafe above and beyond the rest. read more

This place is such an experience. Dont come here expecting a wide variety of food and cheap prices.... come expecting some of the nicest people in the world, an amazing setting, a very talented piano player, a big selection of tea and an overall experience . It's beautiful in there and it's so unsuspecting from the outside, you'd never know how crazy beautiful it is just by driving by. If you have young daughters please do them a favor and have a tea party there!! The food is also really good and the dessert is divine! read more

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Exceeded my expectations! Perfect place for a tea party. The piano player was very friendly and welcoming. The tea was delightful and The scones are amazing!!! read more

This place was wonderful. Took a friend to have lunch but it's more like a museum. Wondered around the cafe looking at all the rooms in this cafe as live piano music played. As you enter there is a grand piano from 1890 and a pianist playing while customers have lunch. The food was really good and decent portions were served. Can't go wrong here. read more

It took an hour a half for service. The food is average. We ate smoked salmon chowder which was served hot but with little salmon. The Olive Branch Pesto chicken Salad was on on a base of romaine and tossed with a sweet raspberry vinaigrette. There were slices of chicken covered in pesto and melted provolone with small bits of tomato and black olives. One of us enjoyed the egg salad but didn't devour the curried chicken and tuna. There is a cute ambiance to the tea room. read more

This review is long overdue! I was visiting Tacoma a few months ago, and really wanted to go to a tea room for my birthday. My boyfriend and I went and loved it! The hospitality was some of the best we'd experienced. The ladies were so sweet! We loved the atmosphere of the place and there was even someone playing piano live On top of the wonderful atmosphere, their food did not disappoint. We each had a sandwich and their smoked salmon soup - so good! Their invitation to look through the tea cabinet was such a cool idea because it lets you feel at home. I will definitely be visiting again, and cannot recommend the Olive Branch enough. Also, after you're done dining, take the opportunity to explore the back room! read more

They have a process tea room for the littles that is PERFECT for a tea party birthday. My 4 year old loved it for her birthday. The owners and servers were wonderful and made everything extra special. We will be back!!! read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Princess tea room. Perfect size for littles - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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A definite hidden gem! So happy to have found this wonderful spot for afternoon tea. Excellent friendly service, a true example of being treated as if you were a guest in their own home! The decor is beautiful, elegant and timeless. The food was delicious! Best scone I have ever had, and amazing clotted cream and lemon curd just added to its perfection! The live piano and the wonderful gentleman playing added to the classic ambiance. I will certainly return and recommend them to everyone! read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Princess tea tier - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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Today was the first time trying the Olive Branch for both a coworker and I. We got the salmon chowder and the scones. It was super delicious and then I was told that this chowder was the best salmon chowder I don't disagree; I'm not normally a chowder person but this was a specialty and I really wanted to try it. I was warmly greeted by the staff and was shown about the different seating area while listening to the pianist play. I work just down the road and I'm looking forward to trying more of the menu in the near future. I'm also excited for the Mother's Day special in May! Thanks for being open Olive Branch! read more

FANCY!!! Like, Victorian era fancy... this si such a lovely place for brunch! The sign in the window is a bit small and hard to catch when driving by... I was stopped in front of the building at the traffic light and took me a moment to find the sign. (It's in a large warehouse-looking building). Once you enter, it's like stepping into a different era, I reminded me of the Titanic! The food is AMAZING! We had scones and teas, and various finger foods...DELISH! Lovely place, we will be back again! read more

The hospitable and accommodating staff make this tea shop so enjoyable. Today when I came with my family, the owner invited us to the 'Princess Room'. This made my daughter's day. The staff accommodated my off the menu request (on demand homemade scones with Devon cream and jam!) Thank you for a memorable event and a lovely afternoon. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I had the best dining experience of my life here today. The hostess greeted me with a hug, there was a pianist playing beautiful music, and each of the servers I talked to were incredibly nice. The food was amazing and the tea was great. I highly recommend trying this place. The restaurant is also decorated so beautifully and has a feeling of a different era. Definitely walk around the place and take a tour. This will be my regular place every time I'm in Tacoma. It is clear they all love their jobs. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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I accidentally stumbled into Olive Branch Cafe today and ended up being glad i did. Upon entering the door it felt as if i completely left 2017 and reality and transported into a very different place and a much older time! lol I was given a hug at the door by Latte and shown the tea selection then directed to my seat. Terry and all the ladies working there were super nice and there was a man playing charming songs on an antique concert piano. I'd just eaten prior to finding this little gem so ended up just ordering a n a pot of English Typhoo Tea with cream and sugar. They had an extensive menu selection which i look firward to sampling next. Check this place out, the atmosphere is nice and the cafe is so lovingly decorated it deserves to be seen, appreciated and supported. I really hope people stop by and visit and that this fine cafe does well! read more

Just had a delicious afternoon tea with multiple courses. The service was excellent and attentive. I enjoyed my individual pot of princess gray and the homemade soup. We were escorted to a table separate from other diners and I felt all social distances were respected, while still preserving ambiance. A pleasant return to dining. read more

I love a good tea party but this wasn't it. For the price it's not worth it. The bread was so dry it must've been left on the counter from the day before. When they say mini desserts they're not kidding. The cheesecake consisted of two teeny little pieces or the equivalent of one bite. Two little chocolate dipped strawberries. Yay!! Barely enough so-called clotted cream ha ha and jam to cover the one scone. The tea was lukewarm. The decorations were cute but it would be nice if you cleaned the place once in a while. The placemats were so dirty and greasy and oh my gosh the floor under the table. Tons of crumbs under the table and a dirty napkin. All this for 40 bucks. Want to try a real tea room go to Canada. The bread is soft the tea is hot and all the food is plentiful. Kudos to the piano player who was very good and deserves 5 stars. read more

My mom and I stumbled upon this amazing place while waiting for Lady Gaga. When we entered we were informed by a lovely woman that upon entry everyone gets a hug! We were doted on by an extremely friendly staff. Our sandwiches were delicious as was the orange cinnamon iced tea. The chocolate cake was to die for! We felt like we were in the English country side. We were excited to learn that starting October we can take the train up from Portland to visit again!! We will for sure be back to visit!! read more

This place is an experience unlike any other dining encounter that I have ever had in Tacoma. Even Seattle! The Olive Branch Cafe is tucked in the freighthouse square building on one end of it. The west end of the building I think...my sense of direction is kind of screwy down in that part of town. The restaurant is also a tea house and they have a huge variety of tea to pick from. In fact if you haven't been here before the choices can get a little overwhelming. I went with a pot of Earl Grey tea and it was just so delightful! Steve and I also ordered lunch. I got the mild curried tuna melt which was outstanding! I am sometimes on the fence with eating seafood....I'm getting better at it but this sandwich was just out of this world! It was made with real love and care! For dessert we got three dessert bars. We got a PB & J bar, a lemon bar and a S'mores bar. All were amazing but that PB & J bar was something to die for! I can't praise the the wait staff enough. They had great personalities, really loving what they do. They made us laugh and were undeniably sweet and sincere. While we were dining we were seated by a piano. A piano player came out and started playing the piano which added even more to the quaint atmosphere. At two points during his playing we even had bubbles from an overhead bubble machine drift over us. That was a really great touch! Totally unexpected! There is also a small gift shop here where you can find various kinds of gifts as well as tea in decorative tins that would make wonderful gifts! This is a great restaurant to relax in...perfect for Saturdays when you don't have anything else going on. I can't praise this place enough and look forward to becoming a regular here! read more

If you like to sit and chat at garage sales and estate sales, this is your jam. If you like having high tea with a bonnet, look no further. If you enjoy a restaurant that will not modify any of their dishes and how they make it is how you will get it, then you have found your Mecca. If you want a nice experience and have food made how you'd prefer, just head downtown for a bunch of better options. read more

I love this place so much! I went for my birthday for the first time and all the staff were so nice and sweet. Food was amazing, and I love the vibe and scenery. Definitely coming back!! read more

What a wonderful gem in Tacoma. We happened by with hungry tummies and this place was fantastic. The food was scrumptious with large servings. The salmon chowder was very well done. The curry tuna melt was done just right. The attentive staff and piano player made the lunch just that much better. What a fortunate random restaurant choice. read more

Olive Branch Cafe - Cafes Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This was a wonderful place to go with friends. We talked for a long time and they were ok with that. Wonderful, wonderful staff! You can wear cute hats! read more

Magnificent place. The food is wonderful, but it's the whole welcoming experience that I loved. I had Irish Breakfast tea and a bowl of chowder. This is definitely a place I will come back to. A bit of old world charm and the perfect alternative to all the franchise cafes and such everywhere. read more

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