20 Chic Tea Party Food Ideas for an Elegant Affair (2024)

Outdoor or indoor, afternoon or high, tea parties are one event that can be held almost any time of the year. They are a chance for guests to bring their best tea party outfits, play tea party games, and catch up inside a beautiful space. To begin your party planning, you’ll first need to come up with some tea party food ideas to serve your friends.

Peerspace is here to help! We have come up with 20 of the finest tea party snacks to serve alongside your fine tea. And if you haven’t already chosen a venue, think about exploring our collection of party venues near you for an amenity-filled, elegant space!

1. Avocado + cucumber tea sandwiches

Chic yet tasty, cucumber tea sandwiches are a classic choice for any tea party. They are filling and savory without being too much to spoil supper. Add avocados by following this recipe for a modern twist on this English traditional tea snack! But be careful as these tea sandwiches are seriously addicting, especially after you add a bit of mint and dill.

2. Traditional English scones

English scones are the pastry of choice for most tea parties! They can be made sweet or savory, spiced with cinnamon or stuffed with blueberries, and dipped in your tea for a touch of flavor. You should also include several kinds of spreads, like fruit jam, butter, or lemon curd (see below) along with your tea scones.

If you want to be even more traditional then you should book a tea party venue that’s decorated elegantly. One of our favorites is this luxury event space in Harlem, NY; set in a historic Hamilton Heights brownstone building with a Boston grand piano, access to pianists during your rental, and a private garden!  

3. Lemon curd spread

Lemon curd spread has an amazing balance of sweet, creamy, and tangy that your guests are sure to love. The bright yellow color is an eye-catching addition to the table of tea party food ideas. Plus it only requires four ingredients to prepare, all of which you may already have in your kitchen pantry!

4. Chocolate-covered strawberries

Chocolate-covered strawberries take a little more time to prepare than many of the other items on this list of tea party food ideas. But few are as sure to inspire commentary on how beautiful they look! You’ll need a little fondue or baking chocolate for dipping, plus sprinkles or white chocolate as extra decoration. While they do take time to dip and cool, chocolate-covered strawberries aren’t difficult to make.

5. Mini meringue kisses

Mini meringue kisses are cute little treats that you can leave plain or cover in tiny sprinkles before they cool! Light and airy, they are a sweet delight that you can even drop into your tea for extra sweetening.

Make your party extra special by incorporating some of these fancy tea party ideas, too!

6. Tea cakes

Looking for a tea party food idea that’s similar to a scone but more delicate? Try making tea cakes for the party! Like a scone, you can dip them in tea or add a bit of jam. The basic ingredients are simple to come by and you can flavor them even further with nutmeg, lemon oil, or other ingredients!

7. Chocolate fondue

Few tea party foods offer the kind of experience that a chocolate fondue provides. The molten chocolate goes well with almost anything. You can place fresh fruit like strawberries and apple slices nearby or add a plate of cheese squares and pretzels for a sweet and savory combo. Make sure you either reheat the pot regularly or use a fondue pot that’s self-warming so you can focus on your guests!

8. Mixed berry fruit tarts

Mixed berry fruit tarts are a tea party food idea that looks almost too beautiful to eat! Almost…It’s sure hard to resist the shortbread crust and sweet berries covered in apricot glaze. While fruit tarts are one of the more involved recipes on our list your guests will be sure to thank you for making such artistic masterpieces.

9. Kashmiri Kahwa tea

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There’s more to tea than traditional English varieties. As the world’s most popular drink after water, there is a whole universe of tea you can bring to the table. How about a journey to mountainous Kashmir with this flavorful, complex Kahwa tea? Saffron, rose, almond, and cardamon meet the grassy melange of green tea in this unforgettable South Asian blend!

10. Cherry pistachio tea cakes

Tea cakes come in all sizes and flavors. Cherries and pistachios are a match made in heaven as tea cakes; their delicate flavors balance each other perfectly. Not to mention the pistachio green and bright red cherry make a lovely pairing on the tea table!

11. Downton Abbey egg salad tea sandwiches

The TV show Downton Abbey has made many traditional English tea snacks popular. One twist on tea sandwiches is to use egg salad instead of cucumber! These sandwiches are more savory and filling so you should always cut them into smaller sections for proper bite-sized morsels. 

12. Tomato tea sandwiches

Vibrant and tasty, tomato tea sandwiches are yet another take on the classic English tea snack! Tea snacks are meant to look as good as they taste so a touch of red onion adds punch while toasting the bread ensures the sandwich won’t get overly soggy. Best of all, by following this recipe, your tomato tea sandwiches can be ready in just 30 minutes!

13. Rose petal honey

Spreads for scones and tea cakes are as involved as the actual tea selection for your party. How about bringing floral-flavored rose petal honey to the table? This recipe doesn’t call for actual honey but by using pectin and sugar you can make a spread that’s similar in consistency. Sweet with a flowery kick that you can add to your tea or snack of choice.

14. Mint tea

Did you know that tea comes from more than just tea tree leaves? Herbal teas are a world unto themselves and mint tea might be the best-known of the bunch. A staple of the Middle East, mint tea is spicy, aromatic, and filled with antioxidants that improve your health. Once steeped, you should flavor it further with additions like orange peel, honey, or ginger!

15. Deviled eggs

From tea parties to bridal showers, deviled eggs are the snack that can find a place at any party table! All you need are egg yolks, relish, and mayonnaise for the perfect deviled eggs. Add black pepper, smoked paprika, or other seasonings if you like! Or take them a step further with blue cheese, diced mushrooms, and other additions! 

Speaking of bridal showers, our guide on how to throw a tea party bridal shower will help you create an elegant and memorable event.

16. Smoked salmon canapés

Canapés are a special kind of hors d’oeuvre based on four parts: a bread or cracker base, a tasty spread, a topping like meat or fruit, and a garnish. The formula can be followed to make all kinds of canapés but we wanted to introduce you to these smoked salmon canapés for your next tea party. They’re a nice, savory addition to balance out all of the sweets and look beautiful as well.

17. Blackberry jam

Blackberry jam is one tea party food idea that’s easy to find at the grocery store. But making it yourself has a couple of benefits. First off, you can show off your cooking skills! Second, making your own blackberry jam means you can add extra flavors like cinnamon and allspice for a jam like no other. You can even mix in additional fruit like strawberries and blueberries for a mixed berry jam!

18. Whole wheat & sesame crackers

Wheat and sesame crackers seem plain at first glance but they offer an endless array of snacking opportunities you shouldn’t ignore! You can pair them with spreads, build canapes using a spread plus meat and a garnish, add slices of cheese, or dip them in a chocolate fondue pot.

They are the foundation of many good snacks; just like the venue you choose for your tea party is the foundation for your special event! Did you know that Peerspace has more than just party ideas? We also collect venues for tea parties near you, like this garden event space in Pasadena, CA! 

19. Earl grey shortbread cookies

Tea isn’t just for drinking; you can also mix it into food for a unique flavor. The tea and bergamot essence inside of earl grey blends is a nice addition to shortbread cookies. You can have a batch of these elegant earl grey shortbread cookies baked and ready to serve in just under an hour!

20. Lady pea salad

A refreshing salad is a wonderful addition to the party food table! The punchy colors and aromatic herbs this lady pea salad recipe calls for are the perfect accompaniment to tea sandwiches and cookies. While lovely on its own you can place your lady pea salad inside of pre-made tart shells for extra flair.

Chic tea party food ideas: conclusion

Tea party food ideas can be sweet or savory, drinkable or dunkable but they are always as beautiful as they are delicious. We hope this list will have your tea party guests begging for the recipes you’ve used. Impress them with your venue choice as well by booking a party space through Peerspace. From private gardens to cafe dining rooms, we have just the right venue for your next tea party!

Find unique event spaces for your tea party on Peerspace