Afternoon Tea at the Taft Café: An Artful Afternoon in Cincinnati
A leisurely afternoon tea, a 200-year-old historic house, and a little world-class art on the side.
Some afternoon teas are memorable for their grand surroundings and festive sense of occasion. Others make an impression precisely because they are so easy to enjoy. Our recent afternoon at the Taft Café in Cincinnati was very much the latter.
The Taft Museum of Art, located in downtown Cincinnati's Lytle Park Historic District, is housed in a beautiful two-hundred-year-old historic home. Despite its relatively intimate size, the museum contains an impressive collection of more than 800 works of art, including European and American master paintings, Chinese porcelains, French Renaissance enamels, and decorative arts. With changing exhibitions throughout the year, there is always something new to discover.
We've visited the Taft for afternoon tea on several previous occasions, though those visits were always for themed tea events, complete with carefully planned menus, live music, and a wonderfully festive atmosphere.
Those themed teas have their own appeal, but they tend to be a little busier, more formal, and more expensive. And because our visits to Cincinnati don't always coincide with those scheduled dates, we were pleased to learn that the Taft Café had introduced a regular afternoon tea experience earlier this year.
A Leisurely Afternoon Tea at the Taft Café
The café itself is small and inviting, with windows overlooking the museum gardens. We settled into a table by the window and were soon sipping our first pot of tea, the Taft Blend, one of three seasonal selections from Churchill's Fine Teas.
Our meal began with a lovely appetizer salad, followed by a three-tiered stand filled with an inviting assortment of savory and sweet treats.
The savory selection included Coronation chicken salad croissants, cucumber and dill sandwiches, an interesting combination of cherry butter and provolone, and little cheese and herb quiches.
Next came two varieties of scones—traditional cream scones and rum raisin scones—accompanied by butter, clotted cream, and marmalade. The sweet selection was equally generous, with shortbread, Queen's cakes, Garibaldi biscuits, macarons, and spiced almond biscotti.
Everything was delicious, but what stayed with me was the wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.
Without the larger crowds and more elaborate arrangements of those earlier visits, the afternoon moved at an easy, unhurried pace. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either experience, though for very different reasons. The holiday teas have their own appeal, with festive decorations, live music, and menus created for the occasion. The regular café tea offers something equally appealing: a traditional afternoon tea in a charming setting, without having to wait for a holiday or special event.
In fact, we liked this quieter experience so much that we'll certainly be returning.
A Little Art with Your Afternoon Tea
Of course, one of the pleasures of visiting the Taft is the opportunity to explore the museum itself. Admission to the galleries is included with the Holiday Teas, while the regular café afternoon tea requires a separate museum ticket.
Our most recent visit fell in early November, just before the Taft's much-anticipated holiday decorations were installed. We caught the Edie McKee Harper: Modernist at Play exhibition, along with the museum's permanent collection and other changing displays.
There was also a particularly appropriate seasonal display in the museum's dining room, All Set for Afternoon Tea. Featuring beautifully arranged tea services and table settings, the display celebrated the traditions of afternoon tea while honoring museum founders Charles and Anna Taft, who famously hosted annual New Year's Day tea receptions.
It might have been tailor-made for our visit.
And before leaving, there's another little pleasure I wouldn't overlook: the museum's wonderfully curated gift shop. With its selection of jewelry, children's gifts, exhibition-inspired items, and both Harney & Sons and Churchill's Fine Teas, it makes a fitting final stop before heading home.
The Taft is a lovely way to spend an afternoon in Cincinnati, whether you're visiting for the art, the history, or simply a delicious afternoon tea overlooking the gardens.
And really, how often can you pair afternoon tea with a side of world-class art by Rembrandt, Gainsborough, and Turner?
At a Glance
The Taft Tea Experience is offered Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
$45 per person. Taft Museum members receive a 10% discount.
Reservations required at least 48 hours in advance.
Museum admission is separate.
2026 Holiday Teas: December 4, 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19. Tickets are $60 per person ($50 for members) and include museum admission. The regular afternoon tea experience will not be offered during December.
