Afternoon Tea at Boston Public Library’s Courtyard Tea Room

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🍰 Afternoon Tea at Boston Public Library – The Charming Courtyard Tea Room Experience

One of my absolute favorite places in all of Boston is the Boston Public Library (BPL).
It’s filled with stunning architecture, timeless charm, and peaceful corners. But there was one space I’d been especially eager to visit:

✨ The Courtyard Tea Room – a dreamy Italian-style courtyard view, elegant afternoon tea, and total storybook vibes.

🫖 Courtyard Tea Room

📍 700 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116

Hours:
Wed–Thu: 11:00 AM–4:45 PM
Fri–Sat: 10:00 AM–4:45 PM
Sun: 11:00 AM–4:45 PM

💡 Reservations are a must! It’s incredibly popular, and bookings open 30 days in advance via the Resy platform.

🪟 The Atmosphere – Like a Fairytale in Boston

Even on a weekday afternoon, every seat was full—mostly couples, girlfriends, and lots of picture-takers (me included 😆).
The vibe? European charm right in the heart of Boston.

We were lucky to get a window-side seat overlooking the courtyard. If you’re booking, I highly recommend adding a note requesting a window table—it’s totally worth it for the view and private feel.

📖 The Details – Charm in Every Corner

  • The menu? Hidden inside a vintage book cover.

  • Sugar cubes? Served in a mini book box.

  • The tea pour? Done tableside with a flourish—perfect for a video moment!

🍵 Afternoon Tea Menu – $72 Per Person

We pre-booked the Afternoon Tea Set ($72 per person), and only had to choose our tea:

  • I picked the house favorite Cozy Copley – a classic, comforting black tea.

  • My husband went with the Ras Chai Latte – floral and fragrant, though a bit perfumy for my taste.

🧁 The Full Afternoon Tea Course:

  1. Amuse Bouche – Spring pea & mint panna cotta

  2. Scones – Rhubarb scone with clotted cream & strawberry black pepper jam

  3. Savories – Smoked salmon rillette, roasted prosciutto sandwiches, mushroom truffle tart

  4. Sweets – Alfajores, French macaron, lemon & lavender opera cake

🥐 The Highlights

  • The rhubarb scone: Crispy outside, moist inside—perfection.

  • The truffle mushroom tart: I usually don’t love truffle, but this was a flavor bomb.

  • The mini lobster roll: A fun little nod to Boston, even if the taste was average.

  • The desserts: Beautiful and delicate, but quite sweet. Great for those with a sweet tooth!

By the end, I was way more full than expected. Don’t let the tiny portions fool you—it’s plenty!

💵 Was It Worth It?

For two people, we paid around $157 total (excluding tip).
Sure, it’s a bit of a splurge, but with the ambiance, presentation, and attentive service—it felt totally worth it.

Oh, and before you leave? They gift you a Courtyard Tea Room bookmark—because even the goodbye is classy. 🥰

❤️ Final Thoughts

If you’re in Boston or planning to visit the Boston Public Library, make time for the Courtyard Tea Room.
It’s one of the city’s most elegant hidden gems—perfect for a date, a girls’ day out, or just a treat-yourself moment.