All eyes have been on the royals this week. King Charles III and Queen Camilla are wrapping up a four-day state visit timed to America’s 250th birthday, which kicked off with afternoon tea at the White House and ends today in Virginia.
So if all this royal travel has you thinking about scones, finger sandwiches, and a properly steeped cup of something lovely, we have good news. You don’t need a passport or a place setting at the White House to experience the ritual. Richmond has its own afternoon tea tradition, and three local spots are doing it beautifully. Whether you’re a longtime tea devotee or simply looking for a charming way to spend a Saturday afternoon, here’s where to raise a teacup in RVA.
The Queen’s Library Tea Room: English Tea at Stony Point
If you’ve been curious about this Richmond favorite, now’s the moment. The Queen’s Library Tea Room recently moved into a beautifully renovated new home at Stony Point Fashion Park, after years in their historic Jackson Ward location. The tea room is a woman and Hispanic-owned business, and it’s the only Hispanic-owned tea room in Virginia.
What’s on the table? A curated tea flight featuring in-house blends alongside royal favorite, Fortnum & Mason teas shipped directly from London. Their “Richmond’s Favorites” Tea Tower includes a spread of British tea room classics with a touch of local flair.
Find them at: 9200 Stony Point Pkwy, Ste 128
Floris at VMFA: Art Inspired Tea in the Museum District
For tea lovers who like a little art with their afternoon, Floris at VMFA is a treat. Tucked into the Pauley Center across from the museum’s main building, the tea room sits in the Robins Sculpture Garden and draws inspiration from both French and English tea service traditions.
What makes Floris distinct is its rotating menu, which is shaped by the seasons and by VMFA’s collections and exhibitions. That means tea here often coordinates with whatever special exhibit is running, and the bites lean globally inspired with art-centric touches. The signature service includes a bread course, savory course, and sweet course, paired with unlimited pots of tea. Their tea list rotates too, with house blends like the VMFA Blend and Apollo Blend alongside selections like Marie Antoinette and Milk Oolong.
Find them at: 215 N Sheppard St, in the VMFA Pauley Center
Afternoon Tea at The Jefferson Hotel: A Richmond Tradition since 1895
A Richmond institution since 1895, The Jefferson Hotel has been serving afternoon tea for nearly four decades. Their Southern Afternoon Tea is offered Friday and Saturday, with seatings between noon and 4:15 PM on the Mezzanine balcony overlooking the Rotunda.
The menu is a love letter to Virginia. Think assorted finger sandwiches including chicken salad on white, cucumber and dill on pumpernickel, and ham on a sweet potato biscuit, plus freshly baked scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves. Their signature Richmond Blend is a black tea infused with cinnamon oil, orange peel, and cloves, inspired by a Colonial Williamsburg recipe. On the first and third Saturday of each month, the hotel serves its Chocolate Lover’s Tea, which adds a selection of chocolate desserts to the full tea service.
Find them at: 101 W Franklin St
There’s something timeless about afternoon tea. It slows the pace down, invites real conversation, and turns an ordinary afternoon into something memorable. The royals may be heading home today, but tea time in Richmond is here all year. Pick your spot, gather a friend or two, and make an afternoon of it.
