Old-fashioned gift shop & tea room offering sandwiches & pastries in quaint surroundings.
Robert
Literally an amazing experience. The staff was warm and welcoming, the food, the food is on a whole other level. This is no ordinary café, it is the best kept secret in Port Jefferson. The setting moves you back just slightly in time, it is charming, welcoming, and perfect. Classical music was playing at just the right volume during our visit and allowed for incredibly comfortable conversation. I need to take a breath before describing the scones, absolutely unbelievable, moist, tender crust, paired with clotted cream and raspberry jam….still thinking about it. Kept the drinks seasonal with apple cider and almond sugar cookie tea, both were delicious. Lunch was a grilled chicken panini with fresh spinach, provolone cheese and pesto on sour dough, still thinking about this too, beyond delicious. Also got the chicken salad sandwich on cranberry raisin walnut bread, perfect. I really liked that the cranberries and raisins were in the bread as opposed to in the chicken salad, perfect. Dessert was pumpkin pie cheesecake and a coconut layer cake, perfect end to a delicious meal. Gift scones can be ordered and shipped on Monday’s and Thursday’s, I’m going to see if I can order and pick them up, yes, I’m gifting them to myself, so good 🙂
Update: came back for a fresh round of scones (we couldn’t stop thinking about them) and French Onion Roast Beef on toasted sourdough with au jus on the side. This roast beef sandwhich is beyond words.
Came back and had the Cheesecake, wow, literally the best cheesecake I have ever had at a restaurant. Period.
… moreDanielle
My sister and I went to this tea room for the first time for my birthday, we had the full afternoon tea service. It was absolutely fabulous. I am planning to go with my friends or my fiancee next time.
The scones, sandwiches and desserts were all delicious. They do have a limited selection of each layer on the tea service but they are willing to do reasonable substitutions if you have dietary preferences.
There were two flavors of scones, 3 types in 1-3 flavors of savories- miniature sandwich, wrap, quiche and they were all tasty- apricot jam & goat cheese was my favorite. There were 4 dessert selections if I am remembering correctly, if they have a creme brulee or cheesecake I especially loved those though all were good. I had multiple pumpkin items, normally I do not like pumpkin very much but the pumpkin cinnamon scone & pumpkin cheesecake were outrageously good.
At the end of our tea they even brought out a tiny little miniature birthday cake with a candle, I thought that was so incredibly sweet. We did not ask for a birthday cake or order one, they simply brought it out after hearing it was my birthday- how cute!
There were many unique, and eclectic tea selections available. They even have smaller teapots so you can try more flavors in a single visit! I ended up getting a couple to take home because they were too delicious to resist
The service was outstanding, our waitress did not hover but was there quickly if we looked like we needed anything. We were there for a later reservation so some items were sold out, I believe they make most items fresh daily so the high quality makes up for limited quantity in my opinion. I would recommend making a reservation, they are extremely busy.
As for atmosphere, this tea room is warm,cozy and inviting. My first thought was that the setting put me in mind of a cozy hidden cottage in an enchanted garden from a book. Little autumnal decorations all over and the china they use is an incredibly varied selection. There is this room filled with gorgeous hats, the type you could imagine in an Audrey Hepburn movie or what someone might wear to the Kentucky Derby.
The entire experience reminded me of being a little girl and looking through my grandmother’s collection of fine china from visits to England to have a tea party with her… To have those memories in mind while having tea with my sister was wonderful.
I am so excited to go back to The Secret Garden Tearoom again, I cannot wait!
… moresara kukafka
Has the best experience here! It is SO cutely decorated and the food and tea were delicious!!! They even have fun hats to wear if you would like. The staff is very friendly and personable as well. Definitely recommend!
… moreStephanie Vasquez
Came with my mom and sister and enjoyed every second. Loved being able to pick a fancy hat and trying the different teas. We ordered the full afternoon tea. The scones, sandwiches and desserts were so yummy. I loved seeing the reactions to the little kids seeing a real life tea party too. Take your family or friends and feel like royalty. ❤️❤️
… moreAmy P
What a fun experience. This place is absolutely adorable. The establishment was decorated with flowers and cute tea related decor. There is also a shop when you 1st walk in with teas and tea accessories avafor purchase. They have a “hat room” so you can pick a hat to wear during your dining experience. There is a large variety of different flavors of teas to order including decaffeinated teas (we had the pumpkin Chai and toasted chocolate marshmallow which were both very good). The tea pot for 1 had about 4 cups of tea in it. There are a lot of food options including a full high tea and a light high tea. We ordered the light high tea which came with a tea pot for one and a small tower that had 5 finger sandwiches and a scone on it along with jam and whipped butter cream for the scones. Everyone that works here was very friendly and made the experience very enjoyable.
… moreJudy
Have been here many times before and was very disappointed this time. Brought my granddaughter and husband. It was my birthday and they were told in advance a birthday was to be celebrated, which they noted and reiterated when we were seated. Ordered sandwiches for my husband and myself and junior tea $24, for my 10 y/o granddaughter. The small tea tower came with 2 tiny scones, no cream, no jam, 2 tiny sandwiches cut in a shape from a piece of bread, a slim turkey and a grilled cheese that hadn’t melted the cheese, and a few mini desserts. It came with lemonade, warm with no ice. It was awful and not worth the money. Our server was not friendly and honestly, we felt as if we were annoying her. As I was paying, my granddaughter ran to remind them it was my birthday and our server brought tiny cupcake sized cake with a candle as an afterthought. While a pretty place, things have gone downhill. I cannot eat atmosphere.
Update: I called to discuss with Frank who said he would discuss with his wife and daughter and call me back on Thursday ( today). I called them today as they never called me at all and left a voicemail message. They still have not called me back and they are now closed
… moreSuzyny
I visited The Secret Garden Tea Room with high expectations after seeing so many positive Google reviews.
The entrance area is set up as a gift shop, and the tea room is located further inside. The interior felt a bit dated, but it had a cozy charm — like stepping into an English grandmother’s living room filled with flowers.
The menu offered an impressive variety of teas, which raised my expectations even more. Since I had recently enjoyed an excellent tea experience at another tea room, I was especially looking forward to this visit.
With the staff’s recommendation, I ordered the “Afternoon in Paris” tea along with a mini set that included five assorted finger sandwiches and a scone. The sandwiches were smaller than expected but cute and nicely presented. The taste was decent.
Unfortunately, the tea was very disappointing. It had very little aroma and tasted weak, almost like it had been steeped multiple times already. When I opened the teapot, I noticed there were no loose tea leaves inside. I had expected loose leaves in a strainer to bring out a richer flavor and fragrance.
After being let down by the tea, the overall experience felt underwhelming. It made me regret not returning to the other tea room I had visited recently, where they served loose-leaf tea and even offered unlimited hot water refills.
Sadly, I don’t plan to return.
… moreKathleen Volino
I sent my friend a tea and scones gift for her birthday.
It was on time, beautiful presentation!
Definitely will be adding to my gift giving list!!
Thank you
… moreBusyB
Sunday was our first time here! What a beautiful experience!! It’s like walking into an enchanted garden. The front of the store is set up like a gift shop with beautiful, meticulously created displays of tea pots and tea cups and so much more! The owner was exceptionally friendly and hospitable. We entered the tea room and sat in the center at a table for two. Beautiful decor and tables are all set up with different tea cups. There is a back room where you can try on a variety of hats and wear them during your tea time. Highly recommend doing the High Tea tower. You get to start with amazing scones and work through delicious little sandwiches and puffs with different fillings. Work your way down to 3 dessert bites to choose from. ( The carrot cake was my favorite). I asked for a treat for a birthday and they came out with the absolute cutest little cake with a tiny happy birthday written on the top and it was absolutely delicious (kudos to the owner that writes those tiny little letters). Our whole experience was topped with excellent service by the most adorable, friendly and efficient server, Scarlett ( and her helper). Call and make a reservation! Especially if you have a little girl, a great experience!
… moreApril Zabinsky
I have been here many times over the years and it never disappoints. The full afternoon tea is a favorite and definitely worth the money! I have been to a number of tea rooms all over Long Island and this one definitely has the broadest selection of teas that I’ve seen. I recently had their special homemade chai, and it was amazing. The seasonal décor is always spot-on and the service is very attentive without being invasive. The food is incredible and I’ve literally never had something there that I didn’t like. The variety and quality are appreciated and keep me coming back time and again. I highly recommend them, but I also recommend having a reservation if you want to be sure to get a seat as the dining room is pretty small.
… more