Afternoon Tea at Cambridge Tea House: A Cozy English Escape in Columbus

Old World charm, traditional afternoon tea, and a little taste of England in the heart of Ohio.

There are certain tearooms that quietly become part of your travel routine. For us, Cambridge Tea House in the historic Columbus suburb of Marble Cliff is one of them.

We don't live in the area, but whenever our travels take us through Columbus, we try to find time for a visit. After a handful of very enjoyable afternoons here, it's become one of those places we always look forward to returning to.

And it's not difficult to understand why.

A Little Bit of England in Ohio

With its Old World cottage appearance, Cambridge Tea House looks as though it might have been lifted from an English village and set down in this lovely, historic neighborhood.

Inside, the atmosphere is every bit as inviting.

Windows on three sides fill the dining room with natural light, while red leather booths, red-and-white toile curtains, and beautifully coordinated toile china lend the room a distinctly English character. It's thoughtfully decorated and charming without feeling overdone.

There's nothing pretentious about Cambridge Tea House, and that's part of its appeal. It's the sort of place where you can settle into a booth, enjoy a proper pot of tea, and forget the outside world for an hour or two.

The dining room is small, and the tables are frequently full, but the atmosphere generally feels lively rather than hectic. Service has been consistently friendly and attentive on our visits, and the food has never disappointed us.

A Particularly Memorable Visit

One of my fondest memories of Cambridge Tea House actually has very little to do with the food.

During the COVID pandemic, when restaurants had finally begun reopening for indoor dining, we were eager to return. After months of picking up takeout meals and eating in the car, the prospect of sitting down in an actual tearoom felt like luxury.

We made a reservation as soon as we could.

The staff had clearly taken great care with the arrangements. Tables had been separated, and protective partitions had been installed to give diners some peace of mind.

I still remember how wonderful it felt to sit down, order a pot of tea and a scone, and enjoy something that had once seemed so ordinary.

After months of disruption and uncertainty, it felt like finding a little oasis.

Perhaps that's one of the reasons Cambridge Tea House has remained such a favorite of ours. Sometimes an afternoon tea is memorable not because of an elaborate setting or an extravagant menu, but simply because of how it makes you feel.

Afternoon Tea, Your Way

One of the many things that sets Cambridge Tea House apart is that it doesn't insist on a one-size-fits-all approach to afternoon tea.

There are several options, depending on your appetite and how indulgent you're feeling.

For the complete experience, the Traditional Afternoon Tea is presented on a classic three-tiered stand. It includes your choice of three savory finger sandwiches, a generously sized freshly baked scone with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and two miniature desserts.

The sandwich choices are more interesting than the usual cucumber-and-egg assortment, with options such as orange chicken salad, curried egg salad, and herbed goat cheese with cucumber.

And, of course, there's a pot of tea.

Cambridge Tea House serves Harney & Sons loose-leaf teas, with an extensive selection ranging from traditional English Breakfast and Earl Grey to flavored black teas, greens, oolongs, and herbal infusions.

If you're looking for something a little lighter, there are two appealing alternatives:

Tea and Sweets offers a two-tiered presentation with a scone, clotted cream and jam, three miniature desserts, and a pot of tea.

Cambridge Cream Tea is even simpler: two scones served with clotted cream and jam, accompanied by tea.

I especially like having these choices. Sometimes you want the full afternoon tea experience, complete with sandwiches and sweets. Other times, a pot of tea and a good scone are all that's needed to make an afternoon special.

For younger visitors, there's a Prince or Princess Tea, with child-friendly sandwiches or other light selections, fruit, cookies, and a beverage served in a teacup.

It's a thoughtful touch that makes Cambridge Tea House a lovely destination for a family outing.

More Than Afternoon Tea

Although we generally come for tea, Cambridge Tea House also serves breakfast and lunch, with a menu that includes scones, quiches, homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches.

It's the sort of menu that feels entirely at home in a traditional English-style tearoom.

And before leaving, it's worth taking a moment to browse the small selection of tea-related gifts and Harney & Sons teas available near the checkout.

I always think that one of the pleasures of visiting a good tearoom is being able to take a little something home to remind you of the experience.

The Tea Traveller's Verdict

Would I recommend Cambridge Tea House?

Without hesitation.

It's not the largest or most elaborate tearoom we've visited, but it doesn't set out to be. What it offers instead is an authentic-feeling, comfortable setting, thoughtfully prepared food, good tea, and consistently pleasant service.

The atmosphere is traditional without being stuffy, and the variety of tea services means there's something to suit almost any appetite.

Perhaps the best recommendation I can give is that, despite living some distance away, we keep coming back.

For me, that's the mark of a good tearoom.

And the next time our travels take us through Columbus, I already know where we'll be stopping.

At a Glance

Location: 1885 W. Fifth Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, in the historic village of Marble Cliff.

Phone: (614) 486-6464

Atmosphere: A cozy, traditional English-style tearoom with Old World cottage charm and a bright, welcoming dining room.

Afternoon Tea: Traditional three-tiered service with finger sandwiches, a freshly baked scone, miniature desserts, and Harney & Sons loose-leaf tea.

Price: Traditional Afternoon Tea, $26 per person; Tea and Sweets, $19.50; Cambridge Cream Tea, $15.50. Prices subject to change.

Reservations: Recommended, especially on weekends. Specify which tea service you would like when booking, as availability may be limited.

Opening Hours: Wednesday–Thursday, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Kitchen closes at 2 p.m. Check the website for current opening times.

Website: www.cambridgeteahouse.com

The Tea Traveller's Tip: If you're not hungry enough for a full afternoon tea, don't overlook the Cambridge Cream Tea. Sometimes a proper pot of tea and a good scone are all you need.