Alice's Tea Cup

For a fun date with your girlfriends try a cup of tea at Alice's. The treats are yummy (though the scones could be a bit moister) and the tea options are dizzying. The setting is cute and there are always great gift ideas for friends who enjoy a good pot. The noise level is pleasant, this is a nice place to carry on a civilized conversation and catch up with pals. more

I came here over Christmas break with a friend of mine and had a most delightful afternoon. Be sure to get a reservation if you want to get a table anytime near to your arrival. That said, it's well worth the wait. The tea is terrific and you have a giant selection from which to choose. The scones, sandwiches, and desserts were also extraordinary. My friend and I spent a good two hours eating and drinking tea and left stuffed to the gills. For $35, I certainly looked to be stuffed and I was not disappointed in the least. more

I heard about Alice's Tea Cup and just had to try it out. If you're looking for just some Lipton's to go, then this might not be the place for you. If you want to sit back and enjoy some brewed tea, definitely stop in. They have wonderful Indian Chai that is sweet and exotically spiced. Try their scones too. They serve on whimsical mismatched china the tables and chairs are all different. They serve delicious and creative brunch but the wait can be super duper long. They also have a little party room in the back that could be nice for a shower or birthday party. At the front of the shop, they sell tea sets and other knick knacks. It's the perfect place to go sit and enjoy a pot of your own tea while it's snowy and cold outside. more

I don't like Alice's, but not for any particular reason. Certainly, there's nothing wrong with it. The food is good, the tea selection broad and interesting, and the room pleasant enough. But it is often overrun with children (and I like children) in a way that can be off-putting. Finally, it's not open very late, and invariably, I find that the interesting conversations my friends and I get into there are interrupted when it's time to leave. It always seems odd to close a place out at 9pm. more

Although I like Alice's scones, I always seem to spend more money than I want when I am here. It is not a place for an under $10 treat unless you have serious self-restraint (which I don't...I don't think I have every seen sometime sit down for less than $15 here...) They have a wonderful and wide selection of teas and will even bring you coffee if you beg. The scones are good the next day. The cream doesn't weather as well. The fairy wings can get old if you come too often, but try to check the cynicism at the door and enjoy your time in Wonderland (now you can visit it on the East Side too, but they are still working out some kinks it seems so I stick to the original). more

This magical whimsical shop is amazing. I walked into this warm and cozy tea shop and was welcomed by the fun and friendly staff. They invited me to have my own adventure in the store and wander and play. The selection of gifts for the magical and fairy tale minded are plenty. The food is delicious and prepared with much care, and the sweets twas brillig! I love Alice's its my new reading and afternoon treat spot. more

I just had afternoon tea at this sweet little spot and I will be making it a regular stop. Everything from the tea to the yummy sandwiches to the scones (best I've ever had!!!) was perfect. I read a negative post by some Julian person and cannot figure out why he disliked it so... It's like walking into warmth and sweetness... Great staff, too!! Loved the waitress in fairy wings and the laid back, down to earth attitude! They made me feel like I was part of their family! If anyone from Alice's reads this, THANK YOU and I'll see ya, again, soon! more

Wow! I wrote a comment in response to the last review, but had to post my own review. I love Alice's Tea Cup! I am there regularly, and the staff always greets me like an old friend. There is nothing cozier than a HUGE scone and pot of tea on a cold NY winter day. Enjoy it with friends or by yourself, and ignore the minority of people who don't "get" Alice's Tea Cup.It is an adorable place, and a great addition to the UWS (and recently the UES!). Alice's Tea Cup, keep being awesome! more

The name of the restaurant conjures up all sorts of possibilities. What must be beyond the cozy exterior? A magical place to take your littlest Alice fan? Well, not really. It is kind of stuffy, way overpriced and not very flexible. We really love the idea of a neighborhood place for tea with friends and / or the little ones, but this is just not the place. Well, one visit will make your wallet feel smaller anyway. more

The name of the restaurant conjures up all sorts of possibilities. What must be beyond the cozy exterior? A magical place to take your littlest Alice fan? Well, not really. It is kind of stuffy, way overpriced and not very flexible. We really love the idea of a neighborhood place for tea with friends and / or the little ones, but this is just not the place. Well, one visit will make your wallet feel smaller anyway. more

Best place to brunch or snack on the Upper West Side. The scones are to die for, and the tea selection is impressive--try their herbal chai, which is made with roobius. Only downside is that they don't take reservations, and the wait on weekends can be over an hour. more

Alice’s Tea Cup is an extremely cute place for high tea for the common people. You can select from probably over a hundred types of tea. The waitresses are friendly and able to give advice on the abundant selections of tea (good memory is probably a requirement for the job). Prices can run a little high, but the scones are cheap but out of the world. more

It's a cute, kids-friendly, quaint little place. The entrance is down the stairs, where one takes notice of the daintly scripted writing on the walls, the large silver tins of tea, the inviting bookshelves filled with little books, cups, soaps and mugs -- all carrying the theme of "Alice in Wonderland." The warm lighting and register area almost reminded me of Serendipity's.

We each were given two menus. One being the list of food and desserts and the other, a zerox copy listing their different teas. What an extensive list it was too! Over 100 types of teas, listed in alphabetical order on 4 pages back and front. Way too many that it left us quite perplexed on what to order.

We were there to try their 3 tiered trays of high tea. They have 3 different types -- all with an Alice in Wonderland theme name -- except I only remember 2: : The Mad Hatter and The Jaberwocky. They also have a version for kids too. We settled on the last choice, the one with the most stuff, The Jabberwocky ($30) which consists of:

- A pot of tea

- Top Tier: Two scones with clotted cream and jam - using Lady Mendl's as our comparison, we both thought the clotted cream didn't seem as fresh. The raspberry jam seemed lackluster too.

- Second Tier: Unlimited finger sandwiches: which was basically a selection of 3 sandwiches each from their sandwich list:

1. lapsang souchang smoked chicken served with apple slices and goat cheese on 7 grain bread - we agreed this was their best out of the six. An awesome sandwich!!

2. albacore tuna with tangy capers and mustard vinaigrette - a little too salty but still tasty

3. olive tapenade and goat cheese -It's basically olive paste layered with goat cheese, carrot strips and a sort of slightly zippy marinade; can be slightly salty

4. cucumber and watercress on whole wheat bread - simple and unimpressive.

5. eggsalad - I hate eggs. We didn't order this.

6. Ham and Gruyere cheese - I'm normally a huge ham and cheese sandwich fan but opted out for the olive paste sandwich.

- Third Tier: Caramel Creme Brulee, chocolate mousse served in a lil tea cup and an assortment of cookies.

Creme brulee was rather creamy and thick but had very good flavoring. I tend to be partial to creme brulee. Mousse definitely had quite a rich but smooth chocolate flavor. A little on the sweet side -- then again, I'm not much of a chocolate mousse fan. Cookies, I broke off a tiny piece of each. They consisted of chocolate chips; peanutbutter; cinnamon sugar cookies; and chess colored shortbreads (brown parts actually had a rich chocolate taste!)

Lady's Mendls - the quintessential tea experience -- still ranks as our number 1 experience! But this place, with their friendly, tea knowledgeable and good looking staff, ranks high up there. Definitely worth going back to.

Besides tea, for the coffee lovers, they do serve coffee -- in a nice big mug that says "LOSER." Hahah.

Next time I go, I think I'll buy the disappearing "Chesire Cat" mug and perhaps grab the "Loser" mug for a particular coffee addict I know.

Such a tea-licous experience! more