High tea is known around the world for its tiered sweets-and-savories tower accompanied by scones, jam, clotted cream, and copious cups of milk tea (or straight if you prefer). Tokyo is no stranger to the allure of tea time with many hotels and venues offering seasonally themed teatime treats. If you’re a fan of the fancy this may just be the afternoon treat for you—and nowhere does it better than Tiny Toria in central Tokyo.
Tiny Toria doesn’t boast rose gardens or cityscape views but it does cozy in a way that is hard to find in Tokyo tea salons. The exterior looks simple, tucked away into a street of shops in the Suitengu-mae area between Akihabara and Tokyo stations. Inside the shop, hanging chandeliers light the shop with a warm glow and illuminate antique British wallpaper and rows upon rows of tea cups, saucers, and lacy cozies.
Every month showcases a slightly different theme of their extremely popular menu. June 2022 served up Jubilee Teatime in honor of Queen Victoria’s 70th jubilee. Look forward to sweets like Victoria sponge cake, cold citrus jelly, berry meringue, and sweet strawberry jam; savories served up are just as scrumptious, Yorkshire pudding with smoked salmon, finger sandwiches with cucumber-mint, or curried chicken salad—and, of course, scones.
The staff is similarly lovely with their kind explanations of every item on the tea tower and meticulous attention to detail when serving up the teapots (did we mention that you can choose from three pages of tea varieties).
If you aren’t in the mood for a very filling tea time—and I do mean filling—why not book ahead for one of their brunch plates like crumpets or cheese scones with sausage and salad? And do definitely reserve a slice of sticky toffee pudding, it was the real stuff! If you’re still wanting more after you’ve finished your meal but find yourself stuffed, take home a slice of their homemade cakes or scones.
The shop doesn’t seat many, so reservations are necessary and done via the website (Japanese only) or email. Book early as they can fill up a couple of weeks in advance.
