UpperTEA — Restaurant in Miami

Wanted to check this place out while visiting Miami. First time going, they were closed and apparently indicated they would be on Instagram but not Google. Had a chance to go today and they were open. We had the seafood omlette and the smothered shrimp. I'll start by saying the food was great. Flavorful and delicious. The tea was also delicious. I was only challenged with communication issues and maybe it was the mercury retrograde. There were items I saw on Instagram that weren't available on the menu. I was going for seafood. I ordered the smothered shrimp but remembered something about a seafood grilled cheese.. They said they didn't have it so I was confused. Upon relooking at the Instagram it was salmon toast but maybe that was a lunch item and it wasn't on the menu. I saw something about crab and grits and they said it was the seafood sensation and they didn't have that. They said the tots had crab in them so I said ok I'll take those...thinking they were a side dish. It wasnt listed on the menu so i just went with what they said. Then she said you want tots in place of grits for shrimp and I said yes thinking she was talking about the crab tots. It took a while to prepare but i was ok with that cuz my mouth was watering for the crab and shrimp. When I got my food, the crab tots wasn't there and when I asked, she said it was a main meal not a side so they thought I just wanted the shrimp meal and no tots with crab. So I asked if I could a side of seafood to add to my tots with my meal and they said no. So while the food was great, the miscommunication interfered with how much pleasure I got from eating. I won't say it was them.. maybe it was me. But I think it would be helpful to clarify the menus noting which is lunch and breakfast. Notify Google when they are closed because not everyone looks at Instagram especially when looking for directions on how to get to them. The seafood omelet was delicious and it would be nice to have that same seafood as a side so people can add it to their other meals.. Some people will pay for it. All in all, I'll still recommend it because all of the food and drinks we did have...

After finishing a 5K with friends, we decided to reward ourselves—and Upper Tea delivered a post-run feast that left us stuffed. We came in with big appetites and even bigger expectations—and they were met.

I ordered the beef sausage bowl with grits (for me), the catfish bowl with grits and eggs (for my husband), a side of smothered chicken, and French toast—because, why not indulge? My husband and I shared the chicken and French toast, and even after everyone dug in, we still left behind enough food to feed three to four people. The portions are no joke—come ready!

The food? Flavor-packed. The catfish was a tad salty, but not enough to stop my husband from clearing his plate. The sausage was decent, but those grits—creamy, cheesy, and savory—were next-level good. The French toast had a perfectly crisp edge and just the right amount of sweetness. Every bite felt like comfort food elevated.

Our drinks—both the tea special and a custom tea mix—were sweet at first, but after letting the ice melt a bit, they hit that perfect, refreshing balance.

And let’s talk about service—Jeniyah (I hope I spelled her name right!) was an absolute gem. She was so sweet, constantly checked in on us, reassured us that our food was on the way, and apologized for the short wait—which, honestly, wasn’t bad at all considering how many of us there were. To top it all off, the chef came out to personally greet us and ask how everything tasted. That kind of hospitality goes a long way.

The ambiance was charming and cozy, with vintage touches like an old-fashioned pay phone, record player, and classic tea sets that made the whole experience feel like a hidden gem. Now although you can dine-in, this is more pay for what you want at the register and everything comes in a To go bag at your table. I didn’t mind that because it made it easy for taking left over home but it didn’t seem very welcoming to sit and eat.

Upper Tea isn’t just a meal—it’s a moment. From the grits to the heartfelt hospitality, this place is a must-visit. Bring your appetite and your friends—you’ll leave full in every sense...

UpperTEA is an amazing little gem in the heart of Miami. From the moment you enter the space you know you are in for a treat. The atmosphere is really something special and you can feel the owners hospitality and charm as soon as you walk in. I also appreciated how so many different folks from all walks of life came in to patronize this business in just the short time I was there. It was definitely a place for ALL.

From the different art prints on the walls to the shelves of mugs and plants to the adjacent wall full of apothecary jars filled with loose leaf tea and fixins. The place is oozing with personality and charm

The customer service was excellent as well and I appreciated the young lady behind the counter giving us a second to review the menu before we ordered. She even let us sample the daily tea being offered and it was well worth the sip. Honestly, I would come back just for another cup.

My party of three ordered the smothered bowls - two orders of smothered chicken and one order of smothered shrimp. We also ordered a pound cake slice and two of the daily teas. Lastly, we grabbed a chicken souse and grits to go. Everything was phenomenal. The flavor profile of the gravy on all the different smothered bowls was something to be studied. It was hearty yet light. Herbaceous and full of familiar flavors of the ancestors but with a more refined up to date taste. Definitely something everyone should try when they come.

All in all, UpperTEA is well worth the visit and be sure to take something to go. You won't be...