My review of afternoon tea at The Pierre hotel in New York, rating the service, tea selection, and food from savory sandwiches to sweets.
The Pierre New York
The Pierre is a luxury hotel on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, situated on Fifth Avenue overlooking Central Park.
Years ago, The Pierre hosted afternoon tea in The Rotunda, a grand dining room decorated with garden-motif murals. That service remains one of my favorite tea experiences.
At the time, the tea was a formal affair with white-glove service. Servers kept teapots on a nearby station and would quietly refill cups when needed — attentive without being intrusive.
The Rotunda felt like a scene from the movie Marie Antoinette: colorful, elegant, and wonderfully theatrical. It left a lasting impression that’s hard to replace.
Unfortunately, afternoon tea is no longer served in The Rotunda. Today, tea is offered in the Two E Bar & Lounge.
Afternoon Tea at Two E Bar at The Pierre New York
The Pierre continues to offer a consistent afternoon tea service, and each visit I’ve had has been enjoyable.
Tea is served as a set menu: when you order an afternoon tea, you receive the full selection associated with that offering rather than choosing individual items. Portions are bite-sized and well balanced, so you won’t leave overly stuffed.
Pricing is per person and everyone at the table orders their own. Each order includes a pot of tea and a three-tiered tray of savories, scones, and sweets; you do choose your tea from the available selections.
The Pierre Afternoon Tea Menu
The menu currently lists several afternoon tea options.
Traditional
$74 per person
Classic tea service with tea sandwiches, scones, and mini pastries. This is the option I usually choose.
Tiffin & Tea
$74 per person
An Indian-inspired tea featuring items like cucumber with mint chutney sandwiches, spiced chicken samosas, and mango lassi crème brûlée — a refreshing twist I enjoyed.
Royal (Brut)
$89 per person
Traditional tea service paired with Taittinger Brut Champagne.
Royal (Rosé)
$94 per person
Traditional tea service paired with Taittinger Rosé Champagne.
Unlimited Royal
$125 per person
An all-you-can-eat option with Taittinger Brut, served within a 1.5-hour timeframe.
Menu items and prices are subject to change.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation for Afternoon Tea at The Pierre?
Reservations are strongly recommended. Book at least 24 hours in advance and notify the hotel of any allergies or special requests.
Contact details are available through the hotel for reservations and inquiries.
What Do I Wear for Tea at The Pierre?
There is no strict dress code posted, so smart casual is a safe choice — neat, polished attire. I would avoid sneakers for a more refined appearance.
How Long is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea generally lasts about two hours. Take your time and enjoy the experience.
What Time is Afternoon Tea at The Pierre?
Tea service runs daily in the Two E Bar & Lounge from 2PM to 6PM.
Good for Large Parties?
Yes. The Two E Bar is a spacious lounge with room to accommodate larger groups comfortably.
How Does Afternoon Tea at The Pierre Work?
First, select which tea service you want — Traditional, Tiffin, Royal, or Unlimited Royal. Next, choose your tea from the list; black teas tend to be the most popular pairing. If unsure, the Pierre Blend is a reliable house option crafted for the hotel.
Tea is typically brought first, followed by the three-tiered tray of savories, scones, and sweets.
The Pierre Afternoon Tea Tips
- Try the Tiffin Tea if you want an exotic, savory twist — the small savory bites are especially good.
- The Unlimited Royal option can be excessive; afternoon tea is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace rather than as an all-you-can-eat challenge.
- Corner tables feel cozy and make for a more intimate experience.
Setting: ★★★☆☆
Moving tea from The Rotunda to the Two E Bar changed the atmosphere. The Two E Bar is a more casual, multipurpose lounge rather than an exclusive tea room. It still has an elegant, old-hotel character but feels darker and less theatrical than The Rotunda.
Service: ★★★★★
Service is excellent. Staff are attentive with teapot refills and make sure your experience runs smoothly.
Tea & Tea Selection: ★★★★☆
Tea is supplied by Palais des Thés, a respected French tea company. The selection emphasizes black blends and includes a few green and herbal options to round out the menu.
Savories: ★★★★☆
The three-tiered tray consistently arrives with a well-curated selection of miniature savories, scones, and sweets — similar to previous visits. The variety is pleasant and each guest receives a set of six small savories.
Scones: ★★★★★
Scones come two per person on the middle tier, accompanied by lemon curd, clotted cream, and jam. They are fresh, flavorful, and appropriately sized.
The Pierre Afternoon Tea Sweets: ★★★★★
The selection of mini pastries and confections is excellent. Portions are two-bite-friendly. Highlights for me were the marshmallow meringue and the fresh tarts — both well executed.
The Pierre Afternoon Tea Overall: ★★★★☆
While the lounge’s ambiance leans toward a cooler, more formal Art Deco feel that may come across as impersonal to some, the tea service itself is solid: attentive staff, quality teas, and well-prepared food make for an enjoyable afternoon.
LOCATION:
Two E Bar & Lounge at The Pierre
2 East 61st Street at Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10065
AFTERNOON TEA HOURS:
Daily, 2PM – 6PM
COST:
Traditional tea service, $74 per person (price subject to change)
Afternoon Tea at The Pierre in 2013
Back in 2013 the traditional tea service was priced lower, and the Two E Bar looked much the same as it does now. Tea was served in small glass teapots and the three-tiered presentation has remained a consistent feature.
The fitted glass teapots added to the charm of the service.
The three-tiered tray has stayed consistent over the years: everything presented in miniature, neatly portioned and thoughtfully arranged.