Because sometimes, the most elegant revolution is over a perfect cup.
Paris may be synonymous with café culture, but beneath its espresso-fuelled energy lies a softer, more refined ritual: the art of tea. From grand salons serving silver-tiered high tea to tranquil hideaways offering single-origin oolongs, the city is steeped—pun fully intended—in a tradition of infusions, ceremony, and slow sips.
Whether you’re seeking a Rococo rendezvous, Japanese serenity, or just a really good Darjeeling with a madeleine, The Socialites have steeped themselves in Paris’s most exquisite temples of tea.
Mariage Frères – The Grand Institution
📍 30 Rue du Bourg-Tibourg, 4e + various locations
Established in 1854, Mariage Frères is the haute couture of French tea. Step into their Marais flagship and you’ll enter a colonial-style boutique where sommeliers guide you through an encyclopedic wall of rare blends. The upstairs salon is as elegant as any Michelin-starred dining room, with a tea-infused menu to match.
– What to order: Marco Polo tea, or the thé glacé maison with jasmine pearls. – Vibe: Versailles meets Sri Lanka.
Salon Proust at Ritz Paris – Haute High Tea
📍 15 Place Vendôme, 1er
For those who prefer their infusions with a side of literary indulgence, Salon Proust offers the most elegant afternoon tea in the city. No scones here—instead, it’s a parade of petits madeleines, fruit tartlets, and classic French pâtisseries served on porcelain beneath a crystal chandelier.
– What to order: The full “Goûter à la française” experience. – Vibe: Belle Époque bibliophile fantasy.
Thé-ritoires – Left Bank Bohemian with Leaves
📍 5 Rue de Condé, 6e
Tucked behind the Luxembourg Gardens, this literary tearoom and boutique offers rare single-origin teas with an intellectual edge. It feels like your most elegant friend’s library—only with better scones.
– What to order: A Taiwanese high mountain oolong and a fig tart. – Vibe: Ceramic pots, poetry, and discreet Parisian glamour.
Yam’Tcha Comptoir – Fusion Teahouse & Dim Sum Bar
📍 121 Rue Saint-Honoré, 1er
A modern marvel from Adeline Grattard, Yam’Tcha pairs fine Chinese teas with delicate bao buns and Franco-Asian bites. It’s small, chic, and unexpectedly revelatory. This isn’t high tea—it’s next-level pairing.
– What to order: The tea and bao pairing flight. – Vibe: Michelin meets Ming dynasty.
Jardin du Palais-Royal (and Café Kitsuné) – A Sip with a View
📍 51 Galerie de Montpensier, 1er
For a more relaxed affair, take your tea into the arcades of the Palais-Royal gardens. Café Kitsuné serves both Japanese teas and matcha lattes to go—ideal for sipping among the columns and roses.
– What to order: An iced matcha or yuzu tea. – Vibe: Minimalist zen meets 18th-century geometry.
Toraya – Imperial Japanese Elegance
📍 10 Rue Saint-Florentin, 1er
Founded in Kyoto in the 16th century, Toraya’s Paris outpost serves wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets) alongside ceremonial-grade matcha. The atmosphere is hushed, serene, and museum-worthy.
– What to order: A matcha and seasonal wagashi set. – Vibe: Meditative, meticulous, and beautifully balanced.
Bonus: Paris Tea Festival (Salon du Thé)
An annual gathering of tea producers, ceramicists, blenders, and enthusiasts, often held at the Carreau du Temple or other cultural venues. It’s a tasting wonderland for those who like their culture steeped and poured.
– Best for: Discovering micro-producers and modern tea artisans.
Final Infusion from The Socialites:
Coffee may fuel the city’s buzz, but tea slows it down—gracefully. It invites reflection, conversation, and the kind of indulgence that doesn’t shout. So take a seat, lift your cup, and let the city swirl around you in silence.
—The Socialites