Afternoon Tea at The BonBonerie: A Sweet Cincinnati Tradition

A delightful afternoon tea tucked inside one of Cincinnati's most beloved neighborhood bakeries.

There are tearooms you visit for a quiet afternoon of leisurely conversation, and there are places you visit because the food is simply too good to resist. The BonBonerie in Cincinnati falls firmly into the second category.

Tucked into the charming, historic neighborhood of O'Bryonville—with its independent boutiques, vintage shops, and art galleries—The BonBonerie has been something of a Cincinnati institution since opening its doors in 1983. And judging by the crowds that regularly fill its café, its popularity shows no signs of waning.

First and foremost, The BonBonerie is a bakery. And an exceptional one at that. Known throughout Cincinnati for its beautiful cakes, pastries, and wedding confections, it has built a loyal following over more than four decades. Its cakes and pastries are made by hand in their own kitchens, right down to the doughs, icings, and fillings. The café rounds things out with homemade soups and a tempting menu of breakfast and lunch favorites.

And fortunately for those of us who love afternoon tea, all that baking expertise makes its way onto a very appealing three-tiered tea stand.

Afternoon Tea, BonBonerie Style

While I wouldn't describe The BonBonerie as a traditional tearoom, its afternoon tea is every bit as thoughtfully prepared as those served in more formal surroundings.

The three-tiered stand arrives with an assortment of delicate finger sandwiches, slices of French quiche, freshly baked miniature scones, and an enticing selection of handcrafted desserts from the bakery.

And here's where The BonBonerie really shines.

When a bakery has spent more than forty years perfecting its cakes and pastries, you would expect the sweet portion of afternoon tea to be something special. And it is. In fact, the quality of the food is the principal reason we return again and again.

Tea drinkers are equally well catered for, with more than fifteen selections from Elmwood Inn Fine Teas, including traditional black, green, and white teas, and caffeine-free infusions. For those inclined toward something a little more celebratory, mimosas, cocktails, mocktails, and wine are also available at an additional charge.

A Lively Little Café

Over our many visits, we've discovered that the atmosphere can vary considerably depending on the day — and where you happen to be seated. On one occasion, we enjoyed a lovely window table that felt pleasantly tucked away from the main dining area. On our most recent visit, we found ourselves seated directly beside a large birthday celebration. The tea tray was as beautiful as ever, the food was delicious, and our server couldn't have been nicer, but the noise level made for a less relaxing afternoon.

It's simply the nature of a popular café where space is at a premium. I recommend booking a later seating, around 1:30 or 2:00 p.m., when the lunch crowd has generally begun to thin out. But even then, a peaceful afternoon isn't guaranteed. Come for the wonderful food and cheerful atmosphere, and consider a quiet table an added bonus.

No Reservation? Try These Lighter Tea Options

One particularly nice feature of The BonBonerie is that you don't have to book a full afternoon tea to enjoy a little taste of the experience.

The café also offers two lighter options.

The Breakfast Tea is a charming miniature version of a traditional tea, with a freshly baked mini scone and an assortment of petite sweet and savory breakfast treats, accompanied by tea or coffee.

The Tea Lunch takes a more savory approach, with an assortment of finger sandwiches, a pastry or two, and a choice of soup or fresh fruit, along with tea.

Both are lovely alternatives if you're in the neighborhood and haven't planned far enough ahead for the full three-tiered experience.

There is one small caveat, however. Regular café dining is first-come, first-served, and The BonBonerie's popularity means you may find yourself waiting for a table, particularly around lunchtime or on Saturdays.

My advice is to allow a little extra time, relax, and enjoy the atmosphere. Whatever you order, the food is worth waiting for.

The Tea Traveller's Verdict

Would I recommend afternoon tea at The BonBonerie? Definitely.

It's not the sort of tearoom where you settle into a quiet corner and forget about the world for a couple of hours. But what it may lack in tranquility, it more than makes up for in warmth, character, and exceptionally good food.

Book ahead if you'd like the full afternoon tea experience, or simply stop in and sample one of the lighter tea options.

Either way, arrive hungry. You won't be disappointed.

At a Glance

Location: 2030 Madison Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, in historic O'Bryonville.

Phone: (513) 321-3399

Atmosphere: A cheerful, bustling neighborhood bakery and café rather than a traditional, quiet tearoom.

Afternoon Tea: Three-tiered service featuring finger sandwiches, French quiche, fresh mini scones, handcrafted bakery pastries, and a selection of specialty teas.

Price: $34 per adult, plus tax and gratuity.

Reservations: At least 24 hours' advance notice requested for traditional afternoon tea. I recommend booking a week to ten days ahead, particularly for Saturdays.

Best Time to Visit: My preference is a later afternoon tea seating, around 1:30–2:00 p.m., to avoid the busiest lunch period.

Opening Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Closed Sundays for regular café service.

Website: www.bonbonerie.com

The Tea Traveller's Tip: Don't overlook the bakery while you're there. It's worth a visit all on its own.