Planning a tea party? Get inspired with our delicious tea party food ideas and easy recipes! Plus, find essential tips for a stress-free and memorable gathering.

There’s just something so lovely about a tea party, isn’t there? It’s a chance to slow down, connect with those we cherish, and create a little bit of magic right in our own homes or gardens. And you know me, I believe that a beautiful gathering always starts with delicious food that’s both inviting and easy to enjoy.

Over the years, I’ve hosted my fair share of tea parties, from casual garden get-togethers to slightly more dressed-up affairs. And one thing I’ve learned is that the right nibbles can truly elevate the entire experience. Have you been to a tea party before? In today’s post, I’m sharing some of my favorite tea party food ideas that are simple to make and easy to please.

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Fresh flower centerpiece in copper ice bucket with crystal chandelier and black china cabinet and hutch on table with tablesettings for Mother's Day Brunch Afternoon Tea Party Table decor and centerpiece ideas

The Essential Elegance: Classic Tea Party Food Staples

No tea party is complete without these timeless classics, each offering a perfect bite of savory and sweet:

The Quintessential Finger Sandwich: Cucumber Sandwiches with Cream Cheese

Thinly sliced cucumbers layered with creamy, herbed cream cheese on delicate white bread – a refreshing and light start. Get my recipe for the easiest cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese here.

A wooden board displays several small triangle-cut cucumber sandwiches with cream cheese next to a bunch of green grapes and two ripe strawberries, set on a granite countertop. Perfect for brunch or as an accompaniment to your coconut shrimp tacos recipe, the sandwiches are made with soft white bread and slices of cucumber. One of the best tea food party ideas to serve!
Refreshing Cucumber Sandwiches

A Twist on Tradition: Chicken Salad With Grapes Sandwiches

Elevate your sandwich selection with this tasty sandwich served on a mini croissants or the bread of your choice. The sweetness of the grapes adds a surprising and delicious counterpoint to the savory chicken salad. Get my tasty recipe for chicken salad with grapes sandwiches here.

close up of easy chicken salad with grapes on croissants on white platter -made chicken salad with grapes sandwiches on mini croissants
The Best Chicken Salad with Grapes Sandwich Recipe
A person holds a halved croissant filled with chicken salad with grapes, with more filled croissants visible on a plate in the background. Tea food party ideas that are simple to make!
Chicken Salad with Grapes

Easy Egg Salad Sandwiches

Offer your guests the familiar and satisfying Easy Egg Salad Recipe served in mini croissants or on small squares of bread. Get my good friend She Gave It a Go’s recipe for creamy egg salad sandwiches here.

easy egg salad on croissants by she gave it a go

Mini Crustless Quiches

For a fun bite-sized option, the Mini Egg Muffin Bites are perfect – portable and packed with flavor. Not to mention, super easy to make! Get my crustless quiche recipe here.

A person's hand holding a mini egg muffin cup topped with green herbs and bits of red onion. In the background, a plate with several similar egg muffins is placed on a light-colored cloth with sprinkled chopped herbs and onions, perfect for brunch party ideas or tea food party ideas

Tea Party Food Ideas: Creative & Savory Sensations That Are Beyond Basic

Looking to add a touch of modern flair to your tea party? These savory ideas will tantalize taste buds.

Zucchini Quiche

Looking for a delightful vegetarian option that’s as pretty as it is tasty? This zucchini quiche is the perfect addition to your tea party spread. Packed with fresh zucchini and creamy goodness, it offers a lovely savory counterpoint to the sweeter treats. Get my tasty zucchini quiche recipe here.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Asparagus Tart Recipe

When spring arrives, so does the vibrant flavor of fresh asparagus, and this tart recipe truly celebrates it. Imagine flaky pastry cradling tender asparagus and a rich filling – it’s a sophisticated yet approachable savory offering that brings a touch of seasonal elegance to your tea party. Get my simple recipe for asparagus tart with gruyere here.

A delectable rectangular asparagus tart is adorned with neatly arranged spears, melted cheese, and herbs on a golden pastry crust. Purple pansies and parsley garnish the wooden surface surrounding this delightful creation.

Asparagus and Tomato Tart Recipe with Herbed Ricotta

For a burst of color and Mediterranean sunshine, this tart is a winner. The combination of sweet tomatoes, delicate asparagus, and creamy herbed ricotta creates a flavorful and visually appealing tart that your guests will adore. And how pretty will it look on your tea party table too? Get my recipe for this super simple asparagus and tomato tart recipe with herbed ricotta here.

A rectangular tart topped with herbed ricotta, asparagus spears, and red and yellow cherry tomato halves. It's surrounded by colorful edible flowers and fresh herbs, placed on a patterned tablecloth next to a bowl of mixed cherry tomatoes.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Spicy Cheesy Wafers

Want to add a little zing to your tea party nibbles? These spicy cheesy wafers are packed with flavor and offer a satisfying crunch. They’re a fantastic savory bite that pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea and will certainly get your guests’ taste buds tingling. Get my good friend Rachel from the Ponds Farmhouse‘s recipe here.

spicy cheese wafers on vintage dishes by the ponds farmhouse

Parmesan Rosemary Shortbread Crackers

The aromatic blend of rosemary and the salty bite of Parmesan cheese make these shortbread crackers utterly irresistible. Their delicate, crumbly texture and savory flavor profile provide a moreish element to your tea party, perfect for nibbling alongside conversation. Get my good friend Michele from Vintage Home Designs recipe here.

close up of easy parmesan rosemary shortbrad crackers

Tea Party Food Ideas: Fresh and Vibrant Salads

Cucumber Salad with Dill Recipe

For a light and incredibly refreshing bite, this cucumber salad with dill is a classic for a reason. The crisp cucumbers and fresh dill in a light dressing offer a palate-cleansing element that’s perfect between richer treats. Serving it in individual small bowls adds a touch of elegance. Get my creamy cucumber salad with dill recipe here.

A close-up of a cucumber dill salad mixed with red onion slices, coated in a creamy dill dressing. The cucumbers are thinly sliced, and the salad appears fresh and appetizing with visible sprigs of fresh dill. The dish is presented in a white serving bowl.
Cucumber Salad with Dill

Cucumber Tomato and Onion Salad

This vibrant salad is bursting with garden-fresh flavors and adds a lovely pop of color to your tea party table. The juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty onions in a simple dressing are a refreshing and healthy addition that’s easy to enjoy in small portions. Get my garden fresh cucumber tomato and onion salad recipe here.

close up of the best cucumber tomato onion salad recipe on a spoon in a clear mixing bowl

Caprese Salad

Bring a taste of Italy to your tea party with these simple yet elegant Caprese skewers. The combination of sweet tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, drizzled with balsamic glaze, is a timeless and crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to handle. Get my homemade caprese salad recipe here.

A close-up of a Caprese salad arranged in a rectangular platter. This delightful caprese salad recipe features alternating slices of ripe red tomatoes and fresh mozzarella cheese, garnished with basil leaves. The dish is drizzled with balsamic glaze and sprinkled with black pepper.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Easy Creamy Potato Salad

No tea party spread is truly complete without a comforting bowl of classic potato salad. Our creamy potato salad recipe delivers that familiar, satisfying flavor with tender potatoes and a rich, tangy dressing, making it a delightful addition to your savory selections. Get my creamy potato salad with eggs recipe here.

A bowl of creamy potato salad topped with slices of boiled eggs and sprinkled with paprika and chopped green onions, served on a light fabric surface with a wooden spoon.

Garden Fresh Gazpacho

On a warm day, a chilled glass of garden-fresh gazpacho is a wonderfully refreshing and flavorful starter. This smooth and vibrant soup, packed with summer vegetables, offers a unique and healthy savory option for your tea party. Yum this one is so good! Get my garden fresh gazpacho recipe here.

Two bowls of gazpacho are garnished with colorful cherry tomato halves and chopped fresh herbs. A spoon rests in one of the bowls, and a fresh tomato can be seen in the background. The bowls are placed on a wooden surface.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Sweet Endings With Decadent Delights

Warm and Flaky Scones

Ah, the cornerstone of a proper tea party! Serve up warm, crumbly Scones with Clotted Cream and your favorite jam for an authentic experience. Get the yummiest recipe for clotted cream with scones here.

Classic No-Bake Lemon Berry Cheesecake Cups

For dessert, my good friend Jen from Midwest Life and Style has a great super fresh and tasty Classic No-Bake Lemon Berry Cheesecake Cups. These delightful little cups offer a burst of refreshing citrus and sweet berries in a creamy, no-bake cheesecake filling. Their elegant single-serving size makes them a perfect, fuss-free sweet treat for your tea party guests.

close up of no bake lemon berry cheesecake cups

Coffee Cake

A slice of comforting coffee cake is always a welcome addition to any gathering, especially a relaxed tea party. Its familiar warmth and often crumbly topping pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of tea or coffee. Get my recipe for semi-homemade coffee cake that is crazy easy to make here.

A piece of yellow coffee cake topped with a crumbly, powdered sugar-like streusel sits on a beige plate with a decorative rim. Crumbs from the streusel topping are scattered around the cake on the plate. The background is a dark, speckled countertop—an irresistible coffee cake recipe.
The Best Coffee Cake Recipe

Rustic Naked Cake with Flowers

For a touch of natural beauty and simple elegance at your tea party, a rustic naked cake adorned with fresh flowers makes a stunning centerpiece. This less formal style allows the cake’s texture and the beauty of the blooms to truly shine. Get my simple recipe for this rustic naked cake with flowers.

A layered naked cake adorned with colorful pansies flowers sits on a clear glass cake stand outdoors. The cake is decorated with vibrant purple, yellow, and pink blooms, with additional flowers scattered on the rock base around the stand. Greenery is visible in the background.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Cinnamon Roll Dump Cake Recipe

Imagine the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls made incredibly easy. This cinnamon roll dump cake features a gooey, sweet interior with swirls of cinnamon and a delightful, slightly crisp topping. It’s a simple yet satisfying treat that brings a cozy and familiar taste to your tea party spread. Get my recipe for cinnamon roll dump cake here.

A floral teapot set with teacups sits on a table alongside a butter dish. A plate holds a cinnamon roll dump cake recipe topped with icing, and a casserole dish with a similar dessert is nearby. A gold fork rests on the plate, all on a fabric tablecloth. One of my favorite tea party food ideas.

Chocolate Dump Cake

For a simple yet satisfying chocolate indulgence, a small serving of chocolate dump cake is always a hit. Its ease of preparation doesn’t compromise on rich, chocolatey flavor that many guests will enjoy. This is one of my favorite recipes to make! Get my death by chocolate dump cake recipe here.

A baked dish of chocolate brownies topped with chocolate chips in a white rectangular pan. A piece is served on a round plate. Nearby are small glass bowls with chocolate chips and cocoa powder. Two forks rest beside the plates on a table with a striped cloth.

Oreo Dump Cake

If you’re looking for a fun and easy sweet treat with a familiar favorite, Oreo dump cake is a fantastic option. The combination of crushed Oreos and a simple cake batter creates a surprisingly delicious and crowd-pleasing dessert. Get my sinfully delicious but simple to make oreo dump cake recipe here.

A fork approaching a slice of oreo dump cake on a plate with a brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate chunks, and caramel drizzle. The background shows additional plates and scattered chocolate pieces on a tablecloth.

Apple Dump Cake

Warm and comforting, a small serving of apple dump cake brings the flavors of fall to your tea party, no matter the season. The tender apples and sweet, often spiced topping make for a simple yet satisfying dessert. Get my quick and easy recipe for apple dump cake here.

Two plates of peach cobbler with whipped cream and caramel drizzle are placed on stacked black and white dishes. A baking dish with more cobbler, a tub of ice cream, and a container of whipped topping are in the background. Four forks are arranged on a striped cloth.

Seasonal Tea Party Food Ideas: Pumpkin Dump Cake

Perfect for autumn gatherings, a mini pumpkin dump cake offers a taste of seasonal warmth and spice. Its ease of preparation makes it a wonderful option for a flavorful and comforting sweet treat. Easily my best recipe that wows at every gathering. Get my pumpkin dump cake recipe here.

A dessert plate featuring a piece of pumpkin dump cake topped with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. Bits of crumble and small toffee pieces are scattered around the plate, showcasing the delicious pumpkin dump cake recipe. A fork rests beside the cake on a white-rimmed dish.
Mouthwatering Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Pumpkin Pie

A classic for a reason, a slice of pumpkin pie brings a sense of tradition and cozy flavor to your tea party, especially during the fall. Its spiced filling and flaky crust are a timeless dessert favorite. Get my recipe for classic pumpkin pie here.

A slice of pumpkin pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon sits on a beige plate. The whole pie, showing off the perfect pumpkin pie recipe, is partially visible in the background.
Best Pumpkin Pie You’ll Every Have

No Bake Peanut Butter Pie

For peanut butter lovers, this creamy and decadent no-bake pie is an irresistible treat. Its rich flavor and smooth texture make it a simple yet indulgent sweet ending. Get my no bake peanut butter pie recipe here.

A close-up of a no-bake peanut butter pie on a marble countertop. The pie has a creamy light brown filling topped with small chocolate chunks, while the crust is made of crushed chocolate cookies.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Beverages and Cocktails You Should Try

Sweet Iced Tea Cocktail

Elevate the classic Southern staple with this sophisticated sweet iced tea cocktail. It offers a refreshing twist on a familiar favorite, perhaps with a hint of citrus or a touch of something unexpected, making it a delightful and grown-up beverage for your tea party. My good friends Anne and AnnMarie from Simply 2 Moms made a refreshing sweet iced tea cocktail that sounds AMAZING.

close up of bourbon tea cocktail by simply 2 moms

Strawberry Lemonade

For a burst of fruity refreshment, strawberry lemonade is a perfect choice. The sweet strawberries beautifully complement the tartness of the lemonade, creating a vibrant and thirst-quenching drink that appeals to everyone. Get my favorite strawberry lemonade recipe here.

Strawberry Lemonade Recipe

Wine Spritzer

Add a touch of light and bubbly fun to your tea party with a wine spritzer. This simple yet elegant beverage combines wine with sparkling water or soda, creating a refreshing and less potent option for those who enjoy a little celebratory fizz. Get some of my favorite wine spritzer recipes here.

white wine spritzer recipe with lemons and limes in stemless wine glasses on farmhouse dish towel

Peach Sangria

Bring a taste of summer to your gathering with a vibrant and flavorful peach sangria. Infused with the sweet essence of ripe peaches and perhaps other fruits, this is a delightful and shareable drink that adds a festive touch. Get my refreshing and very popular peach sangria recipe here.

A glass pitcher and two mason jars filled with peach-infused water sit on a wooden table, reminiscent of an easy peach sangria recipe. Fresh slices are floating in the beverage, and a whole peach along with a few wedges are placed next to the jars. A blurry green background is visible.
Peach Sangria

Watermelon Sangria

For a truly refreshing and summery vibe, watermelon sangria is a fantastic choice. The juicy sweetness of watermelon combined with wine and other fruits creates a light and flavorful beverage that’s perfect for a warm afternoon tea party. Get my recipe for homemade watermelon sangria here.

Peach Bellini

For a touch of Venetian elegance, consider serving Peach Bellinis. This simple yet sophisticated cocktail combines the sweet, velvety puree of fresh peaches with the crisp effervescence of Prosecco, creating a light, fruity, and celebratory drink that’s perfect for a special tea party. Get my simple peach bellini recipe here.

Two champagne flutes filled with a frothy yellow-orange drink are garnished with peach slices. Below the flutes, two whole peaches and several peach slices are arranged on a stone surface with greenery in the background—a perfect presentation for your favorite peach bellini recipe.
Peach Bellini Recipe

Tea Party Food Ideas: The Art of Presentation

Remember, how you present your tea party treats enhances the overall experience:

  • Tiered Elegance: Utilize tiered serving stands to display your food beautifully and save table space.
  • Pretty Platters: Arrange sandwiches, scones, and sweets artfully on platters, paying attention to color and texture.
  • Delicate Details: Use your prettiest china, teacups, and linens to create a charming ambiance. Consider garnishing savory items with fresh herbs and sweet treats with a dusting of powdered sugar or fresh berries.

Tea Party Food Ideas: Planning Your Perfect Menu

When curating your tea party menu, keep these tips in mind:

  • Guest Count: Adjust quantities based on the number of attendees.
  • Balance is Key: Offer a good mix of savory and sweet items to cater to different preferences.
  • Prep Ahead: Choose recipes that allow for some preparation in advance to minimize stress on the day of the party.
  • Consider Dietary Needs: If you know of any dietary restrictions, be sure to include suitable options.
serving tea in vintage teapot at Easter brunch

Final Thoughts About These Tea Party Food Ideas

When it comes to planning your tea party menu, it’s wonderful to embrace the timeless elegance of classic tea party fare like delicate finger sandwiches and crumbly scones. These traditional treats evoke a sense of charm and nostalgia that’s integral to the experience. However, don’t feel confined by tradition alone!

Feel free to sprinkle in other tasty delights that might not always be considered quintessential tea party food. The goal is to create a spread that you and your guests will truly enjoy, reflecting your personal style and the occasion. So, go ahead and mix in those mini quiches, flavorful dips, or even a fun twist on dessert – the most important ingredient is the good time you’ll have with family and friends.

Thank you for visiting the blog today!

Enjoy your day! xo

Stacy Ling bricksnblooms logo
A collage of four images: zucchini quiche, a layered cake with edible flowers, a tea set with forks and a rectangular cake, and croissants filled with a creamy mixture and grapes.
afternoon tea party menu pics
afternoon tea party menu ideas
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Stacy Ling

Stacy Ling is author of the best selling book, The Bricks 'n Blooms Guide to a Beautiful and Easy-Care Flower Garden, and writes the blog Bricks ’n Blooms from her 1850 farmhouse located in zone 6b northern New Jersey. She is a master gardener who’s been gardening for over 25 years and enjoys sharing her passion to help beginners find their inner green thumb, as well as discover a love for all things plants and flowers. Stacy loves to bring the outdoors inside her home and decorates with a comfy, casual, and cottagecore style. Come grow stuff and create beautiful spaces with her.

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12 Comments

  2. Nothing at the Vintage Home site per the link for the parmesan rosemary crackers. Can you help/contact Michele?

    Reply

  4. I have to try the grapes in my chicken salad, I live with the celery police up here…
    Yummy looking menu this month!

    Reply

  5. So many yummy tea party foods you all shared. I always love your monthly themes. This is a great one Stacy!

    Reply