Tucked away in the city's heart, Tea and Sympathy is a charming escape that promises more than just a cup of tea. The ambiance is warmly vintage and invites you to relax and unwind.The tea selection is exceptional, catering to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers. I tried the house blend Earl Grey. They also have traditional British Teas like Barry’s and Yorkshire Gold. It's the perfect spot to slow down, savor the moment, and indulge in a cup of tea or a hearty meal. They offer traditional and vegetarian options of old English favorites, Sunday Roast, Shepard’s Pie and the fish and chips looked well done. They of course offer the British condiments to go along with the meal.For me, adding to the allure Tea and Sympathy offers vegan soups that are both flavorful and comforting. I tried the butternut squash soup which was a generous portion and delightful. Their "Absolutely Fabulous" salad truly lives up to its name, delivering a fresh and hearty salad experience.The standout feature, however, is their impeccable service. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to assist, enhancing the overall experience.There is also a shoppe with British snack and tea favorites.Vegetarian options: Many vegan and vegetarian options of British favoritesDietary restrictions: They offer vegan soups and options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Afternoon Tea for One, Salad
The Art Of War
The food was MID. All the hype is a fraud. The bread was dry and the desserts were dry. Don’t recommend. Everything British is so BLAND! Very expensive for the quality.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Sedrak
Outdated place both in terms of food, service, and atmosphere
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
M Y
Arrived around noon and expected a wait, which is no problem. About 4-5 groups of people were ahead of us when we gave our name to the owner, who was also the host. The line dwindled down after 30 minutes, and me, my girlfriend and friend sat waiting to be seated as we were the last ones left. We saw 4 empty tables as we sat patiently waiting for an additional 40 minutes as the owner chatted people up and ignored us. Finally my girlfriend went inside to ask staff about a table and was told, "the host is probably not doing his job" my girlfriend found the "host" and asked about a table and he said sorry he forgot us and sat us. We waited 20 more minutes after getting water to be waited on and finally decided it wasn't worth it and went elsewhere. :(
Grace De La Cruz
I absolutely adore Tea & Sympathy. I came here for the food probably a decade ago and stayed for the people. I have had countless days here where I’ve experienced kindness beyond measure. During a time where I was sick for a long while, this was the only place I could eat so believe me when I say the bangers & mash is phenomenal ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Victoria Sponge Cake Slice, Afternoon Tea for One, Bangers and Mash, Roast, Shepherd's Pie, Cake, Salad, Chicken Pot Pie, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Pudding, Steak, Cakes And, English Breakfast, Fish, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Chips, Scones, Fish and Chips, Pudding, Pie
Belinda P
I really wanted to love their hot cross buns but the order I picked up had very clearly been frozen for some time and were rock solid and inedible. So disappointed and I had to throw them out.Scones on the other hand were just as they should be - fresh and fluffy!
Stephanie Neveu
Stopped for afternoon tea. Current cost is $55pp which is better than others. It comes with:Pot of tea: I did the house blend, very good!Sandwiches: you get to select the cold sandwiches which I liked. Some interesting options. Coronation chicken was the standout.Scones: biggest disappointment, closer to American biscuits.Sponge cake: fantastic. Flavored, but still light.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Emily Martinez
Choco mint rooibos is delicious! I'm not really a fan or chocolate mint flavored things but this was so good. You can clearly taste the chocolate and the mint mixed in well with the rooibos.
Jane R
My long time favorite place in West Village. Their scones are so amazing
We stopped in about an hour before closing. Be aware there is a rule that each person has to order food with the tea or 2 items, we didn't know that, but it wasn't an issue for us. It did cause another couple to leave though so just be aware of that. I adored the atmosphere! I loved all of their mismatched teapots, teacups, and saucers. We ordered the grilled cheese with tomato and a sticky toffee as well as two teas. I tried their house blend Rosie Lee, it was very neutral. The waiter accidentally ordered the grilled cheese with added ham but we accepted the dish regardless and he didn't charge us the additional cost. I'm actually happy about the accident! I think the ham added something nice to the grilled cheese and made it more hearty. It wasn't deli sliced ham like I assumed it would be, but a thin slice you'd get if you roasted it. The sticky toffee was delicious! Never had it before and it was a date cake I believe covered in vanilla custard/pudding. Didn't get much of a toffee flavor. Overall the food tasted like going over a British grandmother's house. Will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Rafael Cardozo
I had an extremely disappointing experience at a restaurant recently. Upon arrival, I requested only a tea as there were no suitable options for my dietary restriction due to a gluten allergy. However, the waiter stated that I couldn't stay unless I ordered something to eat, even though they were aware that there was nothing available that was gluten-free. Despite my companion ordering a tea and a cake, I was asked to leave the restaurant.
Service: 1
Gideon Maxim
A very simple British themed cafe. Nothing fancy, just a good version of what it is. Can get crowded, so go early. One note: it doesn't have posh teas. It's a very Yorkshire Gold kind of place.
David Solano
Very small but charming and lovely. Breakfast comes with a full pot of loose leaf tea so don't order any other drink with them. Will be back for their Afternoon Tea with Champagne.
This place is so freekin good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 4
Tucked away in the city's heart, Tea and Sympathy is a charming escape that promises more than just a cup of tea. The ambiance is warmly vintage and invites you to relax and unwind.The tea selection is exceptional, catering to both connoisseurs and casual drinkers. I tried the house blend Earl Grey. They also have traditional British Teas like Barry’s and Yorkshire Gold. It's the perfect spot to slow down, savor the moment, and indulge in a cup of tea or a hearty meal. They offer traditional and vegetarian options of old English favorites, Sunday Roast, Shepard’s Pie and the fish and chips looked well done. They of course offer the British condiments to go along with the meal.For me, adding to the allure Tea and Sympathy offers vegan soups that are both flavorful and comforting. I tried the butternut squash soup which was a generous portion and delightful. Their "Absolutely Fabulous" salad truly lives up to its name, delivering a fresh and hearty salad experience.The standout feature, however, is their impeccable service. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to assist, enhancing the overall experience.There is also a shoppe with British snack and tea favorites.Vegetarian options: Many vegan and vegetarian options of British favoritesDietary restrictions: They offer vegan soups and options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Afternoon Tea for One, Salad
The food was MID. All the hype is a fraud. The bread was dry and the desserts were dry. Don’t recommend. Everything British is so BLAND! Very expensive for the quality.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 5
Outdated place both in terms of food, service, and atmosphere
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 3
Arrived around noon and expected a wait, which is no problem. About 4-5 groups of people were ahead of us when we gave our name to the owner, who was also the host. The line dwindled down after 30 minutes, and me, my girlfriend and friend sat waiting to be seated as we were the last ones left. We saw 4 empty tables as we sat patiently waiting for an additional 40 minutes as the owner chatted people up and ignored us. Finally my girlfriend went inside to ask staff about a table and was told, "the host is probably not doing his job" my girlfriend found the "host" and asked about a table and he said sorry he forgot us and sat us. We waited 20 more minutes after getting water to be waited on and finally decided it wasn't worth it and went elsewhere. :(
I absolutely adore Tea & Sympathy. I came here for the food probably a decade ago and stayed for the people. I have had countless days here where I’ve experienced kindness beyond measure. During a time where I was sick for a long while, this was the only place I could eat so believe me when I say the bangers & mash is phenomenal ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Victoria Sponge Cake Slice, Afternoon Tea for One, Bangers and Mash, Roast, Shepherd's Pie, Cake, Salad, Chicken Pot Pie, Sticky Toffee Pudding, Toffee Pudding, Steak, Cakes And, English Breakfast, Fish, Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding, Chips, Scones, Fish and Chips, Pudding, Pie
I really wanted to love their hot cross buns but the order I picked up had very clearly been frozen for some time and were rock solid and inedible. So disappointed and I had to throw them out.Scones on the other hand were just as they should be - fresh and fluffy!
Stopped for afternoon tea. Current cost is $55pp which is better than others. It comes with:Pot of tea: I did the house blend, very good!Sandwiches: you get to select the cold sandwiches which I liked. Some interesting options. Coronation chicken was the standout.Scones: biggest disappointment, closer to American biscuits.Sponge cake: fantastic. Flavored, but still light.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Choco mint rooibos is delicious! I'm not really a fan or chocolate mint flavored things but this was so good. You can clearly taste the chocolate and the mint mixed in well with the rooibos.
My long time favorite place in West Village. Their scones are so amazing
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Bad experience. Rude staff. Pricey.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 1
We stopped in about an hour before closing. Be aware there is a rule that each person has to order food with the tea or 2 items, we didn't know that, but it wasn't an issue for us. It did cause another couple to leave though so just be aware of that. I adored the atmosphere! I loved all of their mismatched teapots, teacups, and saucers. We ordered the grilled cheese with tomato and a sticky toffee as well as two teas. I tried their house blend Rosie Lee, it was very neutral. The waiter accidentally ordered the grilled cheese with added ham but we accepted the dish regardless and he didn't charge us the additional cost. I'm actually happy about the accident! I think the ham added something nice to the grilled cheese and made it more hearty. It wasn't deli sliced ham like I assumed it would be, but a thin slice you'd get if you roasted it. The sticky toffee was delicious! Never had it before and it was a date cake I believe covered in vanilla custard/pudding. Didn't get much of a toffee flavor. Overall the food tasted like going over a British grandmother's house. Will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had an extremely disappointing experience at a restaurant recently. Upon arrival, I requested only a tea as there were no suitable options for my dietary restriction due to a gluten allergy. However, the waiter stated that I couldn't stay unless I ordered something to eat, even though they were aware that there was nothing available that was gluten-free. Despite my companion ordering a tea and a cake, I was asked to leave the restaurant.
Service: 1
A very simple British themed cafe. Nothing fancy, just a good version of what it is. Can get crowded, so go early. One note: it doesn't have posh teas. It's a very Yorkshire Gold kind of place.
Very small but charming and lovely. Breakfast comes with a full pot of loose leaf tea so don't order any other drink with them. Will be back for their Afternoon Tea with Champagne.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: English Breakfast