The Dirty Tea — Restaurant in Atlanta

This was my first time at a tea experience, so I invited a friend who's familiar with high tea. The space is gorgeous, especially now as everything is dressed for the holiday season - from the tree in the corner to the poinsettia cups and and candy striped teapots. I was especially endeared by the sugar cubes, which were shaped like trees and gingerbread men. With the cushy, pastel-colored cushions and a brightly lit backdrop, The Dirty Tea is an Instagrammer's dreamscape. Service, too, is friendly and cheerful. Everyone from our server to the owners were warm and welcoming from start to finish. You're even offered a complimentary glass of champagne upon being seated. Toward the end, when my friend and I took a brief moment to sit by the front sofa, one of the owners offered to take a photo for us, with painstaking effort taken to pose us and move the cushions to the most picturesque spot. It made us feel special, and wouldn't you know it, they were indeed some of the best photos someone's taken of me in a long time.

With all that, I'm afraid both of us left feeling a tad underwhelmed. The platter of sweets and savories seemed teeming with deliciousness upon arrival, but nothing seemed overly impressive upon closer glance. There were a few triangled sandwiches - cucumber, chicken salad, and turkey with cranberry, with the latter served on a bun that tasted slightly stale and too thick to appreciate the innards. The top tier contained varied sweets - scones, a chocolate pastry, cookies, crackers, and a few Ferrero Rocher chocolates. This fared slightly better, but for a whopping base charge of $95 per person (plus tax, an automatic 20% tip, and an invitation to add more gratuity at the end), one would really expect more. We were also surprised to find that our choice of sparkling water had added yet another extra charge (a slight misunderstanding, since it was offered to us after we turned down the complimentary champagne).

It ached me to rate our afternoon tea experience as three stars, especially because everyone we met was incredibly nice. It's also clear the owners care about their customers and take the time to stop by each table. If you're coming in for a special occasion, especially one with lots of hopeful photo ops, I think Dirty Tea is well worth checking out. But from a sheer value proposition, the cover charge felt quite steep compared to...

I so, so wish I could give this place a better rating because it's a locally owned business, but I think it's best to give an honest review. The establishment itself was very aesthetically pleasing and the table layout was beautiful, but the rest of the experience had some major downfalls, and my party left feeling very disappointed.

To begin with, our server/waitress clearly did not want to be there and that kind of set the whole mood. I don't think she smiled once during the entire 90 minutes (which she reminded us is all we had) we were there. One of the owners of the establishment did come over to great us near the end of the experience, and she was very kind.

For the tea, there were 3 of us, but we only got 2 pots of tea, which allowed us each to have just over 2 cups each. One of the teas we chose was weak and bland but the other was fine. We noticed that another table of 3 near us was offered more tea throughout the experience, but we were not.

The dessert/tea snack tower was probably the most disappointing part. Most of the desserts, if not all, were obviously store bought (the tower included Ferrero Rochers). I would expect, especially at the the price of $95 per person, that the food items would be made in house, like they are at traditional tea houses, including other tea houses in the Atlanta area. We got mostly 2 of each item, and as there were 3 of us, we had to awkwardly cut them so we could try each of them. The cucumber and chicken salad sandwiches were great, but the turkey sandwich was dry and bland. Another table with 3 people near us got 2 trays of food while we only got one, as well.

If the cost of this was closer to $50 per person, I might have been more okay with some of the areas that were lacking. But at $95 per person plus a mandatory 20% gratuity (for not so great service)- and the option to add extra gratuity at the end (which kind of seemed like it was trying to trick people into tipping extra) I expected a lot more. We were also charged for sparkling water that the waitress offered us when we sat at the table.

The Dirty Tea most definitely has the potential to become a staple afternoon tea destination in Atlanta, but until the above issues are addressed, I would suggest taking your business to a different local tea house, such as The Ginger Room or Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party, which both offer remarkable...

The Dirty Tea: Where Elegance Meets Delights - A Sparkling Birthday Review Atlanta's The Dirty Tea is more than just a tea room; it's an experience, and what an experience it was for my friend's birthday celebration! From the moment we stepped into the beautifully decorated space, with its soft lighting, whimsical touches, and elegant tea sets, we were swept away into a world of refined relaxation. The Tea: Forget your plain ol' cuppa, The Dirty Tea is all about artisanal blends and creative concoctions. We sampled a variety, each one a sip of pure joy. We started with a bubbly delight toast and had three different teas for the table. . Every cup was expertly brewed and served with meticulous detail, making it a feast for the senses as much as the taste buds. The Food: The finger sandwiches and pastries were more than just dainty sides; they were edible works of art. From the delicate cucumber tea sandwiches to the savory quiche bites and the decadent mini scones with clotted cream and jam, each bite was a celebration of flavor and texture. The portions were perfectly sized for nibbling while sipping, allowing us to enjoy the full tea experience without feeling overwhelmed. The Decor: This is where The Dirty Tea truly shines. The space is a feast for the eyes, with vintage chandeliers casting a warm glow over floral arrangements and plush velvet chairs. Every detail, from the mismatched china cups to the antique tea caddies, contributes to the feeling of stepping into a charming storybook. It's the perfect setting for catching up with friends, indulging in some self-care, or simply basking in the ambience. The Birthday Touch: The staff at The Dirty Tea know how to celebrate! They also brought out a special treat, making our friend feel extra special. The attentive service added another layer of delight to the already fantastic experience. The Verdict: The Dirty Tea is more than just a tea room; it's a haven for tea aficionados, a charming backdrop for celebrations, and a delightful escape from the everyday. If you're looking for an afternoon of refined indulgence, impeccable service, and beautiful surroundings, The Dirty Tea is the perfect place to raise a cup (or even a champagne flute) in style. Highly recommend!. Recommendation: Go with a group of friends, sample different teas, and savor the decadent atmosphere. You...