Despite having a million and one coffeehouses in Portland, finding a place to enjoy a true cup of tea with your children in the city is a bit harder. Here are some kid-friendly Portland teahouses that include places to have extravagant tea parties, high tea and cultural tea experiences. Don’t forget – pinkies up!
Cheryl’s Cup of Tea
There couldn’t be a better place to have a tea party than Cheryl’s Cup of Tea, a private tea room located in a beautiful turn of the century home, just outside of Portland in Oregon City. Cheryl’s will help you to create a custom tea party that can be as simple as your daughter and her best friend (four guests is the minimum) – we love it here because you feel like you are guests in someone’s fantastic tea-loving home, rather than at a sterile event location.
1109 Monroe Street, Oregon City
Phone: 503-655-1521
Online: cherylscupoftea.com
Dollhouse Tea Room
Best known in Portland for throwing tea parties that dreams are made of, The Dollhouse Tea Room can be reserved for extravagant dress-up tea celebrations or simple luncheon teas. A new addition to the Dollhouse Tea Room’s services is that they will now bring the tea party to you! The team from Dollhouse Tea Room does an amazing job making sure little ones are enjoying themselves and truly having fun.
3223 SE Risley Avenue, Milwaukie
Phone: 503-653-6809
Online: dollhousetearoom.com
The Hazel Room
They put tea in just about everything at this self-proclaimed “Tea+Booze+Coffee+Food” joint in Southeast Portland, from tea-infused cocktails, to tea lattes. Step into their tea room and sample their offerings with their bottomless pot option for $8. Try the small size pot (about 2 cups worth) to see if your kids will like that Jasmine Tea that you selected off the menu. If anything else, you’re sure to be impressed by their collection of tea cups–adorable! They also have a cafe that serves traditional sandwiches and more.
3279 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland
Phone: 503-756-7125
Online: thehazelroom.com
Sweet Tea Parties
An entire location dedicated to throwing tea parties – what could be more delightful? Sweet Tea Parties creates tea parties for adults, children, or a combination of the both, at this pretty, shabby-chic-esque house that’s been converted for tea enjoyment. They are happy to help you create any type of tea party or tea experience and even hold occasional special events that are open to the public, such as Father Daughter Teas. Visit their website for more information.
216 14th Street, Oregon City
Phone: 503-351-2539
Email: SweetTeaParties@live.com
Online: sweetteaparties.net
Lan su Yuan Chinese Garden and Teahouse
You’ll feel like you’ve stepped outside the city when you cross the bridge to this little teahouse hidden in a garden. The servers here are very knowledable and very “zen” making the entire atmosphere very peaceful and relaxed. Their tea selection is impressive, and their dim sum is great if you want a light and delicate snack to munch alongside your Moroccan Mint Tea.
239 NW Everett St, Portland
Phone: 503-228-8131
Online: lansugarden.org
Wakai Tea Room
Despite starting at bedtime, at 7:00 pm on the last Tuesday of every month, attending a Public Tea with the Wakai Tea Association is worth staying up for. Normally only available to members, this traditional Japanese tea room opens its doors to the public once a month for a tea demonstration that is about far more than just sipping tea – guests will learn about the spirit of the tea and how to properly prepare, serve and drink it. Reservations are required, at least two-weeks in advance.
Email: contact@wakaitea.org
Online: wakaitea.org
Know of any other great places to sip on a cup of tea? Share them with us in a comment below!
— Katie Kavulla
photo credit: Biku Restaurant, Sam P., & Kathryn C.
