A tea party is a great theme for any type of party, whether it be a birthday, a baby shower, or a bridal shower. No matter the occasion, the food and drink will always play a starring role at a tea party. Your spread will take the spotlight with this list of 34 savory dishes, sweet treats, and tasty teas.
Savory
Finger foods are the name of the game when it comes to tea parties. Anything you want to serve, just make it mini and it will fit right in. Here are some ideas that are guaranteed crowd pleasers.
- Finger Sandwiches
Finger sandwiches are a quick and easy choice for any party. Some popular choices for a tea party include cucumber with cream cheese, egg salad, roast beef, and ham and cheese. Cut these sandwiches into small squares or fun shapes to appeal to your guests. - Mini Quiches
A quiche is a pastry crust that is filled with milk, eggs, cream, and whatever other ingredients you want. This savory tart can be customized to your taste and, when served as a miniature, is perfect for a tea party. Check out this recipe for a delicious spinach quiche by Feeding Tiny Bellies.
- Salmon on Crackers
For a quick dish that is extra fancy, serve some smoked salmon on crackers. Just spread a thin layer of cream cheese on crackers of your choice and then top with smoked salmon. You can also add some salt, paprika, olive oil, or even vegetables to make some unique combinations. - Pork Pies
Impress your guests by serving them some savory hand pies. This recipe by Awesome on 20 will show you have to make a picture perfect pork pie.
- Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a fun bite sized treat that would fit perfectly at a tea party. Check out this classic deviled egg by Downshiftology. - Sausage Rolls
Wrap some mini sausages in puff pastry and bake them in the oven for some easy sausage rolls. These savory rolls are a guaranteed hit at any tea party. - Brie and Crackers
Cheese and crackers are easy finger foods for your party. It can be served with sweet fruits like apples, pears, or grapes. For a tangy taste consider adding some preserves like fig or apricot. You can also add nuts, dried meats, and even drizzle honey on top.
- Custard Tarts
A savory tart filled with custard is a perfect treat for your guests. You can even serve this with fresh fruits and a dusting of powdered sugar to combine the savory with sweet. This recipe by Savvy Saving Couple will show you how to make mini egg custard tarts. - Puff Pastry Bites
Puff pastry bites are a savory treat that can be completely customized to your tastes. Just spread some savory ingredients on a puff pastry sheet, roll up, and bake in the oven. When done, you can cut into bit size rolls. Check out this recipe by Marilena’s Kitchen which uses cheese, pesto, and roasted peppers for the filling. - Pinwheels
Pinwheels are another great finger food to add to your tea party. They can be filled with whatever you like and stack beautifully on a party tray. Check out this recipe by A Couple Cooks which uses cheese, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes for the filling.
Sweets
Let’s be honest, the main focus of any tea party is the sweets. Stack them high on triple tired serving trays and watch as your guests are wowed by your display. No matter what your tastes are, this list is guaranteed to have something for everyone.
- Cake and Cupcakes
A popular choice for a tea party cake is a tiered sponge cake filled with cream and fruits. This cake can be made into individual “cupcakes” or served on a huge cake platform.
- Petite Fours
These small, bite sized cakes are perfect for a tea party. They come in any flavor of a traditional cake but are much easier to grab and share. - Mini Pancakes with Whipped Cream
Make some mini pancakes and stack them with whip cream between each layer. Stick a skewer through them and you have a perfect treat to grab while mingling. - Macarons
A macaron is a small round cake with a creamy filling. They come in many different colors and any flavor you can imagine. Use these treats to create an eye-catching pop of color on your desert table.
- Strawberry Shortcake Cups
Individual cups filled with cake, strawberries and cream make an irresistible sight. These little cups of heaven are an obvious choice for any type of tea party. - Mini Cheese Cakes
Cheese cakes are a great choice for a party, especially because they are so customizable. You can top them with any fruit or drizzle any syrup on top to suit your tastes. Check out this recipe by All Recipes. It can be made up to 4 days ahead of time and can even be frozen for longer storage. - Mini Tarts
A mini fruit tart is a delicious option to serve your guests. You can choose any fruit filling that you want and top with powdered sugar. You can even serve with a side of ice cream. This recipe by For the Feast will walk you through the process of making mini blackberry tarts.
- Tea Cookies
Tea and Cookies are a perfect match, so make sure you have some at your party. What cookies you decide to serve might depend on what tea you have available. Herbal teas pair best with ginger snaps or oatmeal raisin cookies while an earl gray tea goes best with shortbread cookies. For a green tea, consider serving some matcha cookies. - Mini Bundt Cakes
Grab some Mini Bundt Cake Pans and bake some individual cakes for your guests. You can top these cakes with fruits, icing, powdered sugar or even sprinkles. - Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream
Scones are a traditional choice for a tea party. They can be plain or contain dried fruit or cheeses. Serve them up with different jams and clotted cream to have an authentic afternoon tea. - Lemon Bars
This recipe by Preppy Kitchen will show you how to make the best lemon bars. They are bright and tangy providing a nice contrast to the other sweets you may be serving.
Teas and Other Drinks
You can’t have a tea party without tea! So, set out a drink station and let your guests discover which type of tea is their favorite. You can have multiple tea pots filled with already steeped teas or leave out a basket with pre-made packets so everyone can steep their own.
Having guests that don’t like tea? No problem! This list also includes other drink ideas to ensure everyone is catered to.
- Chamomile Tea
Chamomile tea is an herbal tea that is made from dried chamomile flowers. It has an earthly, sweet flavor and is caffeine free which makes it perfect if you’re having younger guests. Known for its calming effect, this tea is best served with honey, agave, or even maple syrup. - Mint Tea
Mint tea is another tea that is caffeine free and great for children. It is made from steeped mint leaves and tastes, you guessed it, minty. The most popular types of mint tea are peppermint and spearmint. When serving, it is best with sweeteners like honey and agave, or citrus fruits like lemon or lime. - Ginger Tea
Ginger tea is a warm, spicy tea that is made from steeping powdered ginger root. It can be served with sweeteners, citrus, or herbs and is another caffeine free tea. Known for helping aid digestion, this drink can be served hot or cold.
- Fruit Teas
Fruit teas are made from dried fruit pieces, flowers, herbs, and spices. They are caffeine free and are usually a big hit with children. Some popular flavors include blueberry, apply, peach, mango, lemon and lime. - Hibiscus Tea
Hibiscus tea is a tart, fruity tea that is similar to cranberries. It is made from steeping the sepals of hibiscus flowers and is a deep eye catching red. You can serve this tea hot or iced and is another caffeine-free, kid-friendly tea. - Earl Gray Tea
Earl Gray tea is a classic choice for an afternoon tea and is made from a blend of black tea and bergamot oil. It is slightly bitter but with a refreshing citrus taste. You can serve this tea plain or with milk, sugar, honey, or a slice of lemon.. - English Breakfast Tea
English breakfast tea is another classic choice when it comes to an afternoon tea. It is described as full-bodied, robust, and rich. It is best served with milk or sugar and goes great with both savory or sweet treats. - Green Tea
Green teas can have a wide range of flavors and colors depending on which type you pick. It is usually considered grassy and vegetal-like with a mild bitterness and is green to light brown in color. You can add honey, lemon juice, mint, or ginger to this tea.
- Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is a classic option for a party and is a great cold drink to serve alongside all those hot teas. You can even control the level of sweetness by serving sweet, unsweet, or half and half tea. - Lemonade
Lemonade is a perfect addiction to a tea party, especially if you’re having it outside. You can even add different fruits to your lemonade to create a signature drink. Check out these 8 different types of lemonades from Bless this Mess Please to find the best for your party. Serve your drink in a Large Drink Dispenser for a beautiful display.
- Punch
If you’re looking for an easy to serve drink that won’t have you messing with kettles during the party, then you should check out this Strawberry Tea Punch by The Kitchen is my Playground. Its beautiful pink color will be a showstopper at any party. - Juice Boxes
If you’re planning on serving little ones at your party, don’t be afraid to set out some juice boxes. It will add some variety to your drink options and ensure that everyone is satisfied. - Sparkling Waters
Serve up some sparkling water either in cans or by making your own specialty drinks. Check out these 5 recipes from Fresh Ground that would be perfect at any party. You can also offer plain sparkling water for your guests to add to their tea and create sparkling tea!
I hope you found these ideas helpful. Let me know in the comments what treats you plan to serve up at your tea party.
Not sure what activities to have at your tea party? Check out 21 Tea-rrific Birthday Party Activities.
