Outside, the wind whistles, while inside, the aroma of Earl Grey and warm scones fills the air: Berlin is celebrating tea time in more diverse ways than ever before. Whether royally at the Grand Hotel, cosily by the fireplace in an English cottage or colourfully in a trendy café – discover 11 places where you can warm up and enjoy yourself in style.
Tip 1: Celebrate royal tea culture right at the Brandenburg Gate
Berlin pulsates, is always on the move and reinvents itself every day – but sometimes the real luxury lies in pausing for a moment. Right next to the city's landmark, you enter a world where the hustle and bustle of the big city is left behind the heavy revolving doors. The lobby of the legendary Hotel Adlon Kempinski is not just a place, but a piece of living city history that you can experience up close.
Sink into the deep armchairs and listen to the soothing splashing of the famous elephant fountain. Here, afternoon tea is not simply served, but celebrated as an art form. While the pianist provides the perfect background music, you can enjoy the finest tea – perhaps even the hotel's own "Adlon Blend" – accompanied by warm scones with clotted cream and delicate tartlets. It is this special moment when international flair meets Berlin hospitality and you can feel like guests of honour for an afternoon.
When: Thursday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Unter den Linden 77, Mitte
Tip 2: Enjoy British country house charm in Westend
Berlin is constantly changing, and sometimes renovations lead us to discover whole new facets of the city. As the historic villa on Fasanenstrasse is currently being renovated, the famous café of the Literaturhaus has temporarily moved to a location that could hardly be more British. At the International Club Berlin in Westend, you can experience an atmosphere reminiscent of exclusive English country clubs.
Take a seat in the dignified club rooms and let your gaze wander over the old trees and the well-tended garden. Even at the new location, you don't have to do without the classics: the legendary apple strudel and a fine selection of cakes taste even better here, accompanied by a cup of Earl Grey. It is the perfect retreat for anyone looking for peace and quiet, wanting to curl up with a good book or simply forget the time in style.
When: Daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Thüringer Allee 5–11, Charlottenburg
Café im Literaturhaus (International Club Berlin)
Tip 3: Experience high tea with a spectacular panoramic view of City West
Berlin is known for its vastness and endless sky – and there is hardly a better place to combine this feeling with enjoyment than high above the rooftops of the city. On the 15th floor of the Waldorf Astoria, your perspective of the capital changes dramatically. While life pulsates below on Kurfürstendamm, you will find an elegant retreat of tranquillity in the "Library Lounge" .
Here, classic afternoon tea is taken literally as "high tea". Through the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, you can enjoy an almost surreal view of the tower ruins of the Gedächtniskirche, the Zoologischer Garten and the green lung of the Tiergarten. Culinary delights await you in a modern interplay: in addition to exclusive teas (often from TWG Tea), the étagère surprises with creative pâtisserie that is often more colourful and daring than the British classics. Take advantage of this location to admire Berlin from a distance and savour the moment above the clouds.
When: Saturday and Sunday 2:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Where: Hardenbergstrasse 28, Charlottenburg
Tip 4: Enjoy relaxed luxury with a view of the zoo
If you're looking for a place that combines elegance with absolute cosiness, the former Danish Embassy building on the edge of the Tiergarten is the place for you. The "SO/ Berlin Das Stue" (Danish for "living room") lives up to its name: in the deep armchairs of the library or the "Carte Blanche Salon", you will immediately feel at home, far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.
Afternoon tea here is a modern experience. While the fire crackles in the fireplace, you can often watch the ostriches and antelopes of the neighbouring Berlin Zoo through the large windows – a backdrop that is unique in Berlin. The étagère features classic scones, sophisticated pâtisserie and savoury mini sandwiches, often with a modern twist. It is the perfect place for anyone who loves design and wants to enjoy their tea in an atmosphere of "sophisticated hygge" – stylish, but never stuffy.
When: January to March on weekends from 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Drakestraße 1, Mitte
Tip 5: Feel like you're in a fairytale castle in Grunewald
Sometimes you don't have to leave Berlin to take a little trip around the world – or a trip back in time. The Schlosshotel Berlin is located in the posh Grunewald district, where the villas tell stories from centuries past. Just driving through the quiet avenues is enough to slow your pulse. Here, away from the city centre, the hotel designed by Karl Lagerfeld and Patrick Hellmann celebrates afternoon tea as a glamorous event: "Bubbles & Tea".
British tradition and French savoir-vivre merge in the magnificent lounge or the winter garden with a view of the park-like garden. Instead of just tea, champagne plays the second leading role here. Enjoy warm scones with plum jam (a regional twist!), delicate finger sandwiches and artful tartlets in an atmosphere that combines history with high fashion. It is the ideal place for a romantic afternoon for two or to warm up royally after a long walk in the woods.
When: Saturday and Sunday from 2 p.m.
Where: Brahmsstraße 10, Wilmersdorf
More about Schlosshotel Berlin
Tip 6: Treat yourself to a sweet break in City West
Between shopping on Ku'damm and a visit to the zoo, you need a place to take a breather. The Lobby Lounge at the Hotel Palace Berlin is just such a haven of peace. Unpretentious, dignified and with service that anticipates your every wish, it is a classic example of West Berlin hospitality.
But the real star here is the in-house pâtisserie. Afternoon tea scores not only with savoury snacks, but above all with sweet works of art – from blueberry buttermilk tartlets to the finest éclairs. If you want to end the afternoon on a more lively note, you don't have far to go: the hotel is known for its huge selection of gin ("House of Gin"), so tea time can seamlessly transition into a relaxed aperitif.
When: Weekends from 2 p.m.
Where: Budapester Straße 42, Charlottenburg
Tip 7: Descend the famous staircase to enjoy tea
There are places in Berlin that are truly spectacular. The atrium of The Westin Grand, with its imposing 30-metre-high glass dome and famous staircase, is definitely one of them. Here, every appearance feels like something out of a film. But don't worry, the atmosphere is open and inviting, perfect for relaxing and watching the hustle and bustle of the city.
Afternoon tea is served right in this impressive lobby. The hotel's cuisine is a successful blend of down-to-earth and sophistication: look forward to "cheesecake in a glass", classic scones and sandwiches with a twist, such as smoked turkey breast and guacamole. With a fair price-performance ratio, this is the ideal tip for anyone who wants to experience the grand hotel flair without being constrained by etiquette.
When: Daily, 3–5 p.m.
Where: Friedrichstraße 158-164, Mitte
Tip 8: Celebrate tea time in the opera's former costume warehouse
Berlin breathes history – and sometimes you can even taste it. Just a stone's throw from the beautiful Gendarmenmarkt, the Titanic Gendarmenmarkt Hotel hides a real gem. Where the magnificent costumes and props of the State Opera were once stored, the "Schinkel Bar" now welcomes you with an atmosphere that perfectly combines glamour and nostalgia. High ceilings, dark wood and velvet armchairs create a backdrop that is ready for the stage.
Afternoon tea is celebrated here as a delightful break. Look forward to a fine selection of sweet and savoury treats served on an étagère – from ornate tartlets to classic snacks. These are accompanied by exquisite teas or, if you prefer something a little more sparkling, a glass of champagne. It is the perfect place to put your feet up after a stroll through Mitte and indulge yourself in a historic atmosphere.
When: Daily (bar opens at noon/afternoon)
Where: Französische Straße 30, Mitte
Tip 9: Drink tea among the flowers in the greenhouse
Berlin is a green city, and in Dahlem this love of nature blossoms particularly beautifully. The Royal Garden Academy is a paradise for plant lovers – and its café in the historic greenhouse is a real insider tip for gloomy days. While Berlin's winter may be grey outside, here you can sit warm and sheltered amid plants, terracotta and the scent of fresh earth.
Afternoon tea is often served with an educational twist here: enjoy classic cucumber sandwiches and scones while gazing out through the glass walls into the garden. The atmosphere is both intellectual and relaxed – perfect for a long chat with your best friend. There are often accompanying lectures on garden culture.
When: Tuesday to Saturday 9:15 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Where: Altensteinstraße 15a, Zehlendorf
The café in the Garden Academy
Tip 10: Celebrate a colourful tea party in the Nikolaiviertel
To finish off, let's get really "Berlin" – loud, colourful and hearty! The "Wilde Matilde" in the historic Nikolaiviertel district doesn't care about stiff traditions. Between chandeliers, a bar that looks like a chain carousel and pink armchairs, tea time here turns into a party.
The "Sweet Afternoon Tea" is a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth: the étagère is laden with petit fours, macarons, cake pops and fresh fruit. You'll search in vain for savoury snacks here, but you'll get a taste of Berlin's cheeky humour and a view of the TV tower for free. The perfect place for a hen party, a birthday or simply to take life less seriously.
When: Daily from 2 p.m.
Where: Rathausstraße 23, Mitte
Tip 11: Feel the glamour of old West Berlin on Kurfürstendamm
Kurfürstendamm is more than just a shopping street; it is the legendary boulevard of the West. Right in the middle of it all, where Hollywood stars and diplomats once came and went, the Hotel Bristol Berlin welcomes you with timeless elegance. The Bristol Lounge & Eatery is the ideal place to put down your shopping bags after a shopping spree and immerse yourself in a world of velvet, chandeliers and history.
Here, tea culture is celebrated in a wonderfully relaxed but stylish manner . You can choose between the purist Cream Tea with freshly baked scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam or the full Royal Tea experience. Then a glass of champagne is added to the étagère with fine salmon and cucumber sandwiches and pâtisserie. The service here is still "old school" – attentive, discreet and warm. A piece of Berlin tradition that you have to let melt in your mouth.
When: Daily from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (reservations recommended)
Where: Kurfürstendamm 27, Charlottenburg
