Brooklyn High Low: Why The Best Afternoon Tea in Brooklyn
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Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Erin Donahue
If you want the best afternoon tea in Brooklyn, skip the hotels in Manhattan. Head instead to Brooklyn High Low and its sister space, The Parlour โ two tea rooms that sit a short walk apart in Prospect Heights and Park Slope. Together, they make a compelling case that the city’s most charming tea experience lives in the neighborhoods, not the skyline.
Note: Forgive the dookie photo quality throughout this article. They are screenshots from video footage.
Where is Brooklyn High Low in Brooklyn?
Brooklyn High Low opened first in Prospect Heights and later added The Parlour, a short walk away in Park Slope. You stay in the same cozy slice of Brooklyn but can choose between two distinct spaces that feel like different chapters of the same story.
The Parlour hides below a brownstone stoop, which sets the tone before you even open the door. Inside, both spaces lean fully into the Gilded Age New York aesthetic: warm light, mismatched vintage china, and upholstered couches that dare you to linger past your reservation. You don’t have to dress up, but the interior may influence you to wear a corset.
What afternoon tea services can you choose at Brooklyn High Low?
Brooklyn High Low feels different because you can choose from several afternoon tea tiers instead of squeezing into one fixed menu. Hereโs a quick guide to the main tiers:
| Tier | Price | Time | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cream Tea | $30 | 45 min | 8 sandwiches, a scone, clotted cream, 3 sweets, and bottomless house black tea. Prospect Heights only |
| The Classic | $55 | 75 min | 8 sandwiches, scone, clotted cream, 3 sweets, bottomless house black tea. Prospect Heights only |
| The Grand Vanderbilt | $65 | 75 min | 8 sandwiches (4 classic + 4 grand), scone, clotted cream + lemon curd, 4 sweets, bottomless tea of choice |
| The Grand Heights | $78 | 90 min | Everything above + soup course + crumpet with herb butter, unlimited tea throughout |
Tax & gratuity not included. Vegetarians receive double non-meat sandwiches.
What do you actually eat and drink at Brooklyn High Low?
The tiered stand follows the classic structure: finger sandwiches on the bottom, scones in the middle, sweets on top. The bottom plate has a mix of traditional and contemporary finger sandwiches, such as cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, and maybe a seasonal twist like cheese and fig jam.
The middle tier holds the warm scones, baked to a perfect texture and served with clotted cream and jam that transport you straight to the English countryside with each bite. The top plate has an assortment of desserts, such as chocolate-covered strawberries and chocolate mousse. You pair all of this with your choice from a dizzying array of teas with unlimited refills. A thoughtful tea list lets you select from traditional, global, florals, citrus, or caffeineโfree blends depending on your mood.
For my visit, I reserved the Grand Vanderbilt service, which was a good middle-of-the-road prix fixe without getting overstuffed with the full spoils of carbs.
What Makes Brooklyn High Low Better Than Other NYC Afternoon Teas?
I’ve sampled my way through countless tea services across New York City, and most have been disappointing if I’m being honest. My top contender for a long time was Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon, an afternoon tea spot I first visited pre-pandemic, then re-visited last year. The post I made about my experience went viral, and commenters recommended I try Brooklyn High Low. They were right!
Brooklyn High Low beats Manhattan afternoon teas on value, warmth, and detail. It offers more service tiers than anywhere else I’ve tried in the city. You get all the food and the china, but in a cozy space that feels like a friend’s most glamorous living room rather than a lobby you have to tiptoe through.
FAQ About Brooklyn High Low & The Parlour
Where is Brooklyn High Low located?
Brooklyn High Low has one tea room in Prospect Heights and a sister space called The Parlour in Park Slope; you can easily find both by searching the name in your map app.
Do I need a reservation at Brooklyn High Low?
Yes, especially on weekends. Book ahead to guarantee your slot โ walk-in availability isn’t guaranteed, so reservations are the safer move.
How much does afternoon tea at Brooklyn High Low cost?
Expect to spend roughly $30โ$78 per person before tax and tip, depending on whether you choose Cream Tea, The Classic, The Grand Vanderbilt, or The Grand Heights.
Is Brooklyn High Low suitable for vegetarians?
Yes. Vegetarians receive double the non-meat sandwiches, making it a full and satisfying service rather than an afterthought.
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is the creative studio of Erin Donahue, offering photography, videography, and content creation services for brands, hotels, tourism boards, and publications.
Based in New York City, but available globally, this multi-disciplinary digital creative left a career in the hedge fund space to pursue her passion as a travel and brand photographer, creating imagery that resonates with audiences. She approaches every project with a focus on storytelling, producing visuals that engage and inspire.
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