As someone who loves tea, you can expect that I search out tea rooms wherever I go – even while on vacation!

Taking advantage of the low-cost Swoop flights right out of Hamilton (Unsponsored), my mom and I recently took a trip out to Orlando, Florida to explore some of their tea rooms. Unexpected to us, there are A LOT! They vary quite a bit and each tea spot has their own unique character.

While there, we visited:

Diane’s Creations & Tea Room – 114 Broadway, Kissimmee Florida

Since we stayed right in Kissimmee during our visit, it made sense to visit the local tea room! The decor inside the restaurant was sparkly, traditional and beautiful. They had quite a large tea list, with over 40 options, and large portions on their menu – great for any visiting customer. The options were less “afternoon tea” dainty-style and more so classic lunches and dinners to have with tea such as: Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad, Egg Salad, Turkey Sandwiches, Quiche, Homemade Scones, Potato Salad, Stuffed Tomatoes and much more. We went with the Egg Salad sandwiches – very traditional and tasty. Teas tried were the Country Peach Passion Herbal and Toasted Coconut Almond Black.

Join them every Thursday and Friday for specials, like a Roast Beef Dinner!

The Windsor Rose Restaurant & British Tea Room – 142 W 4th Ave, Mount Dora Florida

This royalty-themed tea room makes you feel like you’ve stepped into the UK. Wicker furniture and white table-clothed tables are surrounded by cottage-style walls – which are covered top to bottom in royalty paraphernalia. China plates, imagery, outfits and more – featuring the royal family – add to the British feel of the restaurant. If you’re a fan of The Crown on Netflix, you’ll love this!

While there, we tried ‘The Windsor’ Full English Tea for Two ($36 for two people). It included tea, large freshly-baked scones with cream and strawberry jam, two slices of Queen Victoria sponge cake, assorted finger sandwiches, and  their homemade pastries. They are not playing with these portions! I couldn’t believe the size of the sponge cake. All was delicious. Teas tried included the Scottish Caramel Toffee (which was actually a Pu’erh style tea, very surprising and tasty), and Lady Grey black tea. Their tea menu includes all different styles from loose leaf to Typhoo, Tetley and Yorkshire Gold – very British!

*An extra note* Make reservations before you go! It was packed the whole time we were there.

Be sure to stop in at Steampunk Alley while you’re in Mount Dora for some customized nitrogen ice cream! We created a Coconut Flake & Lavender ice cream while there, which brings us to our next mention of lavender…

Lavender n’ Lace Tearoom – 430 N Lake Shore Way, Lake Alfred Florida
This was one tea room we’ll be talking about for years to come. The lavender coloured home is perched on the end of a street, overlooking the edge of Lake Alfred. The first thing you’ll see walking up to the tea room is their gorgeous, colourful gardens surrounding the outer patio. Picture perfect!

Inside, the tea room decor is just as beautiful! White wood furniture, covered in lace tablecloths with hints of lavender are surrounded by beautiful vintage-style wallpaper, twinkle lights and floral decor. The best part: a full wall of beautiful teapots! We sat in the sunroom, which was decorated in a purple and green floral motif and had beautiful morning sun streaming in.

At Lavender n’ Lace, they do offer afternoon tea – tiered tray style – but only on specific days/events. Since we weren’t there on an afternoon tea day, we went with their Chicken Salad Croissant with fresh fruit. The Chicken Salad had some sweetness inside with hints of fruit. My favourite! We also couldn’t say no to dessert. They bring out a tray of all their offerings that day and you get to choose your pie or cake – for us, a Coconut Cream Pie.

Teas tried included their Snow Monkey Plum black tea (one of their best selling teas, with a juicy plum flavour), and their Cinnamon Orange black tea (very flavourful!).

In addition to the tea room aspect, there’s also an antique store filled floor to ceiling with accessories, tea pots, tea cups, gift ware, lotions – everything! Lavender n’ Lace Tearoom is really a great place to spend a day.

Tea rooms we missed visiting (short trip!) included: The Tea Room Experience, The Lemon Lily Tea Room & Bakery, The Rosie Lee Co. (more tea shop than tea room, but still so cute!) and Erika’s Tea Room (which we often see advertised in TeaTime Magazine).

We also keep hearing rave reviews of the Grand Floridian ‘Garden View Tea Room’ High Tea. That will have to be for the next visit!

In years past, I’ve also visited the Tea Room in Cauley Square, which is further south, by Miami. It is a magical experience located right inside a Historic Railroad Village.

Have you been to any Florida tea rooms? What’s your favourite tea room discovery while travelling? Share it with us in the comments below!