Step out of the modern world and into the bleak December of 1845.
From October 17 through November 1, our 1903 historic tea house surrenders its daylight to the shadows of Edgar Allan Poe. We invite you to ponder, weak and weary, over a dark and brooding experience. Our exclusive "Quoth the Raven Nevermore Terror Tea" service features an eerie array of midnight-hued bites, melancholy pastries and sandwiches, eerie desserts, and deeply aromatic loose-leaf botanicals. Beneath the weight of history and the watchful eye of the Raven, you’ll indulge in a feast designed for the brokenhearted, the literary eccentric, and the beautifully macabre.
Reserve your seat before the final shadow lifts… Space is limited!
Thank you for your interest in Afternoon Tea at By the Teashore!
Some things to note:
1. Reservations are highly recommended (although walk-ins are usually easier on Thursdays). Make reservations here.
2. We do have a limit of 6 guests per group. Why? Well, we are a very small tea house (only seating 24 folks at a time), and have found that groups larger than 6 make it difficult for other patrons to hear each other. I’m all about the Guest Experience, and my philosophy is that everyone deserves the same relaxed Afternoon Tea experience, and if the noise level is too boisterous, then I’m not giving everyone the best experience possible.
3. For groups up to 26, I’m happy to discuss a private buyout of the entire tea house! You can call or text (650) 713-6562 to chat. Please note that for birthday parties, the guest being celebrated must be 13 or older, and all other guests must be over the age of 10. We’re happy to discuss the reasons for this choice.
4. The dog-friendly patio is walk-in only (no reservations) and IS CLOSING FOR THE SEASON after October 15. The weather here on the Coast changes constantly, and the unpredictability may make it so that you don’t want to sit outside (too hot, too cold, too windy, too foggy, “there’s a bee”…) Please don’t book a reservation with the intention of being seated on the patio. Your reservation will not be reflected in the system and we can’t guarantee seating will be available, and someone who did want to sit inside won’t have the opportunity to reserve a table.
5. Because we are very small, every guest matters to us. If you cancel your reservation inside of 48 hours, there will be a $25 charge per person. Thank you for understanding.
6. Babies and toddlers DO factor into the guest count. Again, we’re very small, so if you are two adults and have a stroller or need a booster seat for your child, that takes up a spot, so please do include them in your guest count when making reservations so we are sure to have adequate space for all of you. We love our TEAny guests!!
7. For your relaxed dining experience, we have the following times allotted for you to enjoy your seating:
1-2 guests - 1 hour and 30 minutes
3-4 guests - 1 hour and 45 minutes
5-6 guests - 2 hours
Thank you again for thinking of us at By the Teashore!! We hope to TEA you soon!