Courtyard Tea Room
700 Boylston St, Boston
(781) 763-1360
Recent Reviews
Sort by
Atmosphere: {{ item.info.Atmosphere }}
Food: {{ item.info.Food }}
Service: {{ item.info.Service }}
Recommended dishes: {{ item.info['Recommended dishes'] }}
I went for my birthday.It was super cute.You do not need a special occasion.Cindy was amazing server and I really enjoyed my time
Great experience
Such a beautiful place! I enjoyed the tea a food and there was no wait to be seated. Cozy vibes with access to the library after you eat and drink!
Very elegant great atmosphere
I just had a cocktail, a hot butter rum. It was delicious. The room is beautiful.
Outstanding and elegant. Professional, friendly service. Highly recommended
Courtyard Tea Room is a hidden gem in Boston—cozy, charming, and wonderfully relaxing. The atmosphere feels like stepping into a quiet European café, perfect for slowing down and enjoying the moment. Their tea selection is thoughtful and well curated, and the food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. Service is warm and attentive without feeling rushed. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful break, a catch-up with friends, or a solo escape from the city buzz.
Amazing in all the ways
Eh. As expensive as other high teas I’ve been to, but the food is not as tasty or fresh and the digs are not as upscale. The service was nice, and the cocktail and mocktail were well made. The main issue I had was with the tea sandwiches, which felt as though they had been pre-prepared, refrigerated, and then served. The bread on all was not particularly fresh and the fillings were skimpy and truly forgettable. Scones tasted fresh but were too sweet for me, especially with the heavy sugar topping. Mini desserts were also cloying and I only took a small bite of each.
For the price, go somewhere else.
When I return to enjoy the library and setting, I’ll just go to the bar.
Did baby shower tea here, only con is the very strict 90 minute table and no to go cup when we all had so much tea left!
Restaurantji Recommends
I’m giving 1 star because of the service
The food and ambiance were great. They indeed have a very diverse and good selection of teas
However, my family and I were very disappointed with the service from Jenny
My mom, sister and fiancée were there to celebrate my birthday. Once we got there, she didn’t explain the afternoon tea menu. When I asked about how the restaurant worked, she replied in a very direct, almost rude way
As we went on with our meal, she never came back to our table to ask if we needed anything else, even though we had ordered a full prosecco bottle. The space limits the time to 90 minutes, but when it got to 60 minutes sharp, the bill was already on the table, and Jenny never asked if we needed anything else
In addition, when we asked if she could bring the card machine, she ironically replied “oh the bill is already here”
To end the night, we left dissatisfied and did not give any tip, since we had not enjoyed the service. When we were grabbing our coats, she ran to us and asked very loudly what was wrong, letting people nearby hear in a very rude manner, as we had done something wrong ourselves
We explained our dissatisfaction, she replied with “This is how it’s done in America” and finished saying sorry and left
This was very distressing to my mom (who is British and was missing a good Tea Afternoon), and left her even more upset
Unfortunately, we had a very bad experience with Jenny. For a restaurant that has an average ticket of +$80 per person, the service should be way better.
This was supposed to be a relaxing birthday experience, but was not how it ended
We loved our experience here. Our waiter was amazing from brazil I believe. He was so polite and charming. Everything was serene and just beautiful.
This was sincerely our favorite activity while in Boston. Bonnie expertly guided us through the meal, and her attention to detail enhanced the experience. They can accommodate a variety of diets; the vegetarian option was absolutely delicious, and clearly well curated. Entire tea service was charming.
Tucked inside the Boston Public Library, The Courtyard Tea Room feels like stepping into another time. The tall windows, marble arches, and soft hum of quiet conversation make it one of the most peaceful places in the city to sit down for afternoon tea. It’s elegant without being stuffy.
The service stands out. The staff knows their teas, gives clear explanations without overselling, and manages to stay attentive even when the room is full. I went during a busy seating, and while it got a little rushed at times, the team handled it gracefully. If you want a slower, more relaxed experience, go earlier or later in the day.
The tea selection is excellent—high-quality loose-leaf blends brewed perfectly. The savory items were the highlight for me: lobster on brioche, smoked salmon on pumpernickel, and chicken salad on marble rye. Each bite was balanced, fresh, and well thought out.
The scones arrived warm, with lemon curd, raspberry preserves, and clotted cream—all spot on. This part lived up to the reviews that call it “the best in Boston.” I agree.
Where things dipped a bit was the dessert tier. The sweets looked beautiful but lacked the same spark as the rest of the meal. The macarons and cake were fine, but not memorable. I’ve seen other reviews mention this, and I have to agree—the presentation was great, the flavor just didn’t land the same way.
At around $68 per person, it’s not a casual outing, but for the setting and service, it feels fair. You’re paying for an experience, not just a meal.
Overall, The Courtyard Tea Room delivers on atmosphere, service, and presentation. It’s the perfect spot for a quiet celebration or a refined afternoon with someone special. The savory course and scones steal the show. The desserts? A missed note on an otherwise elegant melody.
4 out of 5.
Except only persecution
Loading...