By the Teashore — Restaurant in Half Moon Bay

I love afternoon tea and I was so excited that a place (nearish) by Santa Cruz opened up. The atmosphere is perfect for a tearoom. Lots of vintage plates hung on the wall and some lovely paintings. The bathroom is high Art Deco. A must see! The owner came and and chatted with us. She explained how the clotted cream, lemon curd and moon cookies are made fresh daily. Also that her and her daughter made the tiered trays out of vintage China so each one is unique. Additionally the tea cozies are insulated and kept our tea hot for a long time! Made by a local person as well. I wanted to buy one but they were out. I had the “Maverick tea” the “middle” option because I didn’t want too many sweets. Everything was fresh and delicious! There were little cubes of chilled watermelon at the top and a small salad on the bottom. Sandwiches were moist and had an appropriate amount of filling. I had cucumber and curried chicken. I believe there are nuts in it so if you have allergies ask. The chicken was made with chunks of white meat-not canned. My only complaint is that the scone was soft and more like a muffin. I prefer a buttery, crumbly scone. Staff was friendly and getting hot water refilled was no problem (I like lots of tea!). I fully intend to return at some point. If you want to go, make a reservation as this is a...

Too often, tea spots get one thing right and miss the other: beautiful surroundings with forgettable food, or great menus in uninspired spaces. By the Teashore delivers perfection on both fronts, and at a price that makes it surprisingly affordable.

Every element here feels so carefully considered, from the colors and decor to each table setting. (Even the bathroom is pretty!) The food is outstanding (special shout out to the chicken curry sandwiches and earl grey & lemon scones) and the service matches it.

A big part of the magic comes from Angela, the owner. She personally manages the details that make the experience so special, and her passion is clear in everything from the atmosphere to the menu. Talking with her was a reminder that this isn’t just a business, it’s a labor of love, a place where she’s created space for people to escape for lunch during their work week or linger over a weekend celebration.

If you’re looking for a tea experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food, By the Teashore is one of those rare places that gets it absolutely right, and makes it accessible enough to enjoy often....

By the Teashore is an absolute gem! The owner has done an amazing job transforming a charming older home into the perfect spot for high tea. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen, from the beautiful paint colors inside and out to the unique wall art, including a stunning display of vintage hand-held mirrors. The atmosphere is both elegant and welcoming, and you can tell so much care went into creating it.

The food is outstanding. We loved all the tea sandwiches, especially the curried chicken, and the cucumber cream cheese and egg salad were fantastic too. The scones were wonderful (I had blueberry orange, and my daughter had Earl Grey and lemon), and the macarons were absolutely superb.

The service was warm and attentive without ever being overbearing, and the prices were lower than we expected, an incredible value for such a special experience. This place is truly exceptional and well worth the drive if you’re not nearby. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who loves high tea or just wants a delightful and...