Last Updated on February 4, 2022 by Maggie McKneely
Looking for the best afternoon tea in DC? Go to the Willard Intercontinental, one of DC’s most famous and elegant hotels, for the royal treatment.
Afternoon Tea at the Willard Hotel
The Willard Intercontinental Hotel has been a pillar of DC high society for decades. Just two blocks from the White House, this is where anyone who is anyone visiting DC spends the night. Celebrities, foreign dignitaries, and almost every president since Franklin Pierce, the Willard has hosted more VIPs than almost anywhere in the city. And that truly is saying something.
The Travel Channel named the Willard as one of the top 10 places to enjoy tea like a royal, and Food Network lists it as one of the best tea spots in the country. It’s one of the best destinations for tea lovers visiting DC. With such accolades, it might seem that the Willard is a place completely out of reach for us normal peasants, people who aren’t members of the Washington Elite. But every weekend, among its gleaming marble columns and plush velvet curtains, the Willard breaks out its delicate china and invites people to indulge in a quintessential DC experience: afternoon tea at The Willard.
So what’s it like to enjoy a meal at Washington’s most storied hotel? For our birthdays this year, my mom and I decided to find out and treated ourselves to one of the best afternoon teas in DC.
History of the Willard
A huge part of The Willard’s popularity is due to its colorful past. Over and over again the hotel has played its role in shaping and changing American history.
Which is why it may come as a surprise that the world-famous hotel was started by a young man with very little experience from the backwoods of Vermont. Henry Willard was only 25 when, in 1847, he was invited to Washington to convert a row of rundown rowhouses into a successful hotel. He had some small luck as a proprietor back home but repeating that success in the nation’s capital would be a new ball game. But by 1860, he’d accomplished what he set out to do – establish a first-rate hotel and make money.
While Mr. Willard’s main goal was to make a profit, he unintentionally also established the perfect location for key historical events. The Willard’s proximity to the White House makes it an ideal place for unofficial government meetings, or for politicians to escape to when they didn’t want to be found.
The Willard’s lobby
For example, in 1861 a 34-member Peace Congress met at the Willard as a last-ditch effort to avoid the Civil War. Also in 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln, due to assassination threats, was smuggled to the Willard, where he lived protected by guards until he moved into the White House.
The Willard also gave rise to a critical DC profession. General (then later, President) Ulysses S. Grant enjoyed having cigars and brandy in the hotel’s lobby. While he was there, men would come up and try to sell things to him. Grant hated this and started referring to the people as “lobbyists.”
Lobby of The Willard
And if you’re an important person with some writing to finish, the Willard is apparently the place to go. Julia Ward Howe wrote the lyrics to the Battle Hymn of the Republic while staying at the Willard in 1861. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his I Have a Dream speech from the Willard in 1963.
If you’re going to have afternoon tea in DC, it should definitely be in the same place where American history was literally written.
Afternoon Tea at the Willard
Afternoon tea at the Willard takes place in what’s called Peacock Alley, an opulent hallway lit by hanging chandeliers and lined with glass doors, red velvet curtains, cream-colored armchairs, and delicate tables set with even more delicate tea sets. When my mom and I arrived, a harpist had just begun strumming a gentle melody from midway down the hallway.
Peacock Alley
After seating us, our waitress brought out a bottle of champagne. We were certainly off to a great start! She then explained that the only decision we would have to make was which tea we’d like – the sandwiches and scones and pastries listed on the menu would all arrive on our table shortly.
It’s a good thing the tea was the only thing we had to decide on because with a list of dozens of blends made especially for the Willard, choosing a tea was no easy task. The Willard takes pride in its teas, comparing tea cultivation to wine – the soil, harvest method, and leaf shape are all taken into consideration when creating a tea blend. And the Willard settles for nothing but the best.
The Willard’s tea list
In the end, I opted for the rich Bourbon Vanilla Rooibos while my mom went with the more delicate Champagne and Berries. Both were completely different but equally delightful.
An elegant tea timer
Then came the food. And oh my word, what dainty and delicious food it was! The first tier of sandwiches included duck paté with brandied cherries, a blue cheese and champagne grape tart, Maryland crab salad on a mini sesame bun, and a creamy egg mousse tart topped with caviar.
In case that wasn’t decadent enough, the second tier had two different types of scones, bourbon vanilla and Maine blueberry. After all, what’s afternoon tea in DC without scones?! These could be topped with four different housemade spreads, such as lemon curd and Devonshire cream.
The pastry tier was a smorgasbord of tastebud pleasers. A cherry almond tart, a chocolate hazelnut profiterole, strawberry shortbread cookies, and my personal favorite – coconut mousse topped with brandied fruit chutney.
At this point, my mom and I were both completely stuffed and happy. But then the harpist struck up a new chord and the tune of the Happy Birthday song came floating down the hallway. The waiters appeared armed with special desserts for each table celebrating a birthday. Turns out we weren’t the only ones there for that. The way the wait staff recognized the celebrations all at once was a more elegant and unintrusive way to make people feel special than to sing to each table!
Now THAT’s a birthday cupcake
Critics say the Willard has the best afternoon tea in DC, and now I understand why. If you’re planning a special occasion, or just feel like living out your dreams of being royalty for a day, I highly recommend afternoon tea at the Willard!
Additional Info:
The Willard only serves afternoon tea in DC on Saturday and Sunday, between 1-4 PM. Reservations are required – you can make them here. If you’re visiting DC to see the cherry blossoms, be sure to check the Willard’s special cherry blossom tea.
Spending Christmas in DC? Be sure to see The Willard’s holiday decorations!
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We had a similar experience with high tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, on Vancouver Island. The Peacock Alley definitely has that grandiose feeling, perfect for an afternoon treat. And I am with you, I could not picture tea without scones! Mouth-watering for sure!
We have had 2 premium afternoon tea experiences: Ritz in London and Empress in Victoria. The Willard in DC should be added to our list. Such a historic place! My mouth watered at your descriptions of the details of each delicacy on each tier!
What a fabulous way for you and your mom to celebrate your birthdays. I’ve never had an afternoon tea and would worry that it would be a bit intimidating! I like the layout of the tables along Peacock Alley better than a big ballroom. The food looks absolutely amazing though and I’m going to have to consider taking my own mom with me.
Ooo! This sounds like THE place to have afternoon tea in the US. I love that it’s so close to the White House, so I’m sure the chances of running into high profile politicians are high. The food looks awesome (and filling) and good to hear that you only needed to make one decision on your tea. Only one question, how much did this cost?
It actually wasn’t as expensive as I had expected, as posh as the Willard is. With champagne, it’s $75 a person – but that includes unlimited tea and so much food. Without champagne, it’s $68 a person (so if you like it, you might as well opt for the bubbly haha)
Wow, this is so cool because normally we think of tea as such a British thing! The history of the hotel is fascinating (including the origin of the word ‘lobbyist’), and the pastries look so delicious. I’m not as much of a tea drinker, but it would be very cool to experience some really top-quality tea here. I’m totally intrigued by the Bourbon Vanilla Rooibos! I MAY be spending some time in DC later this year and will definitely keep this in mind if I end up there!
I’m not much of a tea drinker either but the whole experience is worth having! You won’t regret it if you add it to your DC itinerary 🙂
The setting is beautiful and I’m adding the Willard to the list of places to visit next time I’m in DC. I’m amazed that there are so many different teas to choose from!
This looks like a fantastic afternoon tea. The Bourbon Vanilla Rooibos sounds to intriguing!
The coconut mousse sounds amazing but honestly it all looks good. I love afternoon teas so this is awesome
Looks lovely! I’m from the UK and have never actually done afternoon tea yet haha! I definitely need to try it 🙂
I have never been in DC and now I have one more reason to go visit 🙂
Hey, Maggie! I‘m so excited to learn of your blog! GREAT review of The Willard. Thank you so much! I’m a tea-buff too and have imbibed in some very lovely teas around the world. May I also suggest tea at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond and at lovely Belle Grove Plantation near to home in King George. Also, if you are ever in Bath, England, be sure to take tea at Sally Lunn’s. The building dates from 1482 and Sally Lunn (a French Hugeuonot who became known for the sweet bun she produced) operated it
starting in 1680.
I’m so glad you’re here!! My mom and I had tea at the Jefferson last year and it WAS lovely!! I’ll have to add Belle Grove to my list. I haven’t made it it Bath yet, but now I have another reason to get there! That sounds fabulous.
Afternoon tea is such a nice treat, especially in a luxurious hotel with a glass of champagne… I love the tidbit about.the lobbyists, I never thought about where the expression came from… what a great way to learn some history while indulging a sweet tooth!
I love the tradition of afternoon tea – more for the dainty delicacies than the tea itself! All of the food looks so amazing!
I was also fascinated by the history of The Willard – the origin of the term ‘lobbyists’ is so interesting!
We love to splurge on Afternoon Tea when we travel. The last time we visited DC, we did Afternoon Tea at the St Regis. It was a lovely spot. And the champagne sabrage at 6pm is so much fun. But I would definite want to try Afternoon Tea at Willards. I love hotels with lots of history tied to them. I wonder who might have shared the view I have. A harpist during tea would certainly set the right mood. And I would have to try the Champagne and Berries tea! What a nice treat to celebrate a birthday. Will add to our list for our next visit to DC.
The only decision you had to make was tea must have been a good relief. I would have been confused too about the various choices. Those scones, bourbon vanilla and Maine blueberry are so tempting. What a good experience for you!
That looks like a wonderful afternoon tea. How fabulous to enjoy it in such historical surroundings too.
Love it! I never even think about going out for afternoon tea where I live in Missouri, but always did when I lived in England! Such a weird thing – the cultural norms and their influence. Your experience in DC looks so fun and like a perfect day outing! I ought to seek out some afternoon tea experiences in my local city.
I never would have associated Washington D.C. with afternoon tea but it sounds amazing! I’ll have to try next time I visit.
Now I literally feel like finding a high tea in Barcelona (not sure if they do this). I’ll have to go to DC! looks so yum.
Wow! This looks so fancy and elegant! It reminds me of when I was a kid and my grandma would take me to tea parties.
Afternoon tea is nice, have gone a couple of times here in London 🙂
Having tea at the Willard looks wonderful! That’s a pretty awesome service when it starts with champagne and involves yummy food and tea! I’ve only been to DC briefly for work but definitely want to do this when I go back!
I love this kind of tea time !