By the Teashore

My mom and I made a reservation on Resy for the Sunday of their opening weekend at 11:30am. At the time their website stated tea service would begin at 11:30am. If I had known that was not the case, I would've changed my reservation to a different weekend. Upon arriving, we had to wait about 5 mins before being seated and were then told that tea service began at 12pm and they would not be taking any tea set orders until that time. We came specifically for their tea service, so decided to order our tea (which is separate from the tea tower) and wait to order our food. We shared a pot of the Breakfast at Tiffany's, which was quite good! At 12pm we both ordered the Maverick tea, which is advertised as coming with 2 sandwiches, 2 scones with jams and clotted cream, a small salad, fresh fruit, mini quiche, macaron, lavender tea cookie, and wave treat. We received the tea over 1 hour after ordering it and were confused at what we received in comparison to what was on their menu. There was one scone looking item for each of us rather than 2 and upon tasting it both of us were pretty sure we'd received the early gray scone only although they had a second scone flavor: blueberry orange. There was no lavender tea cookie, clotted cream, mini quiche, or wave dessert, which had instead been replaced with one chocolate piece. After we asked our server about the missing items, the owner came over apologizing profusely and very kindly comped both of our teas. Though we felt bad as this is a brand new small business and did end up paying for one of our teas. Clearly, the owner is putting a lot of effort in, and I hope she's able to find more staff and work out some of the kinks in the months since.

Too often, tea spots get one thing right and miss the other: beautiful surroundings with forgettable food, or great menus in uninspired spaces. By the Teashore delivers perfection on both fronts, and at a price that makes it surprisingly affordable. Every element here feels so carefully considered, from the colors and decor to each table setting. (Even the bathroom is pretty!) The food is outstanding (special shout out to the chicken curry sandwiches and earl grey & lemon scones) and the service matches it. A big part of the magic comes from Angela, the owner. She personally manages the details that make the experience so special, and her passion is clear in everything from the atmosphere to the menu. Talking with her was a reminder that this isn’t just a business, it’s a labor of love, a place where she’s created space for people to escape for lunch during their work week or linger over a weekend celebration. If you’re looking for a tea experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food, By the Teashore is one of those rare places that gets it absolutely right, and makes it accessible enough to enjoy often. 10/10 recommend!

By the Teashore is an absolute gem! The owner has done an amazing job transforming a charming older home into the perfect spot for high tea. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen, from the beautiful paint colors inside and out to the unique wall art, including a stunning display of vintage hand-held mirrors. The atmosphere is both elegant and welcoming, and you can tell so much care went into creating it. The food is outstanding. We loved all the tea sandwiches, especially the curried chicken, and the cucumber cream cheese and egg salad were fantastic too. The scones were wonderful (I had blueberry orange, and my daughter had Earl Grey and lemon), and the macarons were absolutely superb. The service was warm and attentive without ever being overbearing, and the prices were lower than we expected, an incredible value for such a special experience. This place is truly exceptional and well worth the drive if you’re not nearby. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who loves high tea or just wants a delightful and memorable outing!

Brought my friend here for her birthday. What a lovely ambiance this tea shop has. Displayed is a well- curated collection of antiques and tea cups and plates that accent the brightly painted blue and white walls. It instantly transports you into a time when things were finer and daintier. The food was scrumptious. We had egg salad sandwiches, the orange and blueberry scones. The scone were a true delight. Fluffy, golden small batch made. The staff were pleasant and welcoming. A definite wonderful way to start a day in Halfmoon Bay. It’s a charming, memorable experience. Angela, thank you for the attentive service and the touching story about your motivation for this By the Teashore. We love it ! PS - best looking vintage bathroom in Halfmoon Bay! 12/2025 update - Another memorable visit to By The Teashore. Brought my sister this time. She loved the experience! We might have a new Christmas tradition :-) The Christmas vibe was so charming. The snowflake project such a simple, delightful, and mindful activity. The Christmas specials were quite tasty. I enjoyed the potato corn soup flavors. Who knew that quinoa and cranberries could taste so good. The little tower desert was almost too pretty to eat. scrumptious! Thanks for the excellent service and memories made.

I came here with my friends for my birthday and we had such a wonderful time! All the staff was very attentive even though we were a large group of seven people. The food was phenomenal and the tea blends were top notch! We will absolutely be coming back. My only criticism is that we wished we could control the steep time of our teas. One green tea came out a bit over steeped, but otherwise everything was great. It was definitely worth the hike from Napa county!! I'll be thinking about those scones forever!

I've never been a fan of tea, I've always been a coffee person but came for the afternoon tea experience and ended up drinking at least three cups of tea because it was just so so so so good. Unfortunately my friends and I came too early for the afternoon tea tier platter they serve but honestly it's all the more reason to come again! The owner was so sweet, she'll make some small talk with the customers which personally I LOVE, makes your time here feel all the more welcoming. We ended up learning that the french toast is a personal recipe she makes for her family on Christmas morning so it was so sweet to know she was willing to share that with other people. The place is lovely with very charming decor and the staff is very nice. My table ordered their feeling peachy tea, the oatmeal, and a the french toast.

As a guy, I don’t get invited to many tea times so when I went to By The Teashore I wasn’t sure what to expect. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. From the friendly greeting from the owner Angela. To the outstanding service provided by the staff. Delivery of yummy treats, spectacular visual, delectables, and wide discernment of teas I was blown away. Highly recommended to anyone be they a group of friends. Or for a romantic date. This jam and half Moon Bay is not to be missed. I’d rate 10 stars if I could.

Really, really great tea shop. A lot of thought has gone into this place, and it shows. We came specifically for the tea service, but they also offer breakfast. For the tea service there are different options of how many items you’d like, or you can order a la carte. I chose the middle choice, which included two sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream, jam and lemon curd, salad, a mini quiche, fresh fruit on a skewer, a lavender sugar cookie and a meringue. My sandwiches were curried chicken salad (Coronation chicken) and egg salad, and the scone was Earl Grey and lemon. The sandwiches are assembled fresh when you order. The scones are made fresh every day. The quiches and cookies are also made in-house. They even make their own lemon curd and clotted cream! My niece ordered the larger option to share, and it included a beautiful blue sugar ocean wave with a gummy shark inside. Very creative. There is a wide variety of tea options. Tea is served in individual teapots with tea cozies, and individual strainers and rests. The waiter gave us the suggested amount of steep time, which is an added touch I always appreciate when ordering tea. We ate outdoors, but peeked inside just to see the decor. The walls are covered with art, photos, handheld mirrors, all sorts of things, but it’s so well done that it doesn’t look cluttered. The chandeliers are amazing. There are some shelves where they’re selling individual vintage tea cup and saucer sets at very reasonable prices. The owner came out to visit with us and told us about what inspired her to open the teashop, and all the different foods they make fresh in house. The location is great — it’s on Main Street, but a few blocks from the busiest part. We had no trouble parking, and were close enough to wander through the Main Street shops. By the Teashore doesn’t have to be this good, but it is. I’ll definitely be back.

Really, really great tea shop. A lot of thought has gone into this place, and it shows. We came specifically for the tea service, but they also offer breakfast. For the tea service there are different options of how many items you'd like, or you can order a la carte. I chose the middle choice, which included two sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream, jam and lemon curd, salad, a mini quiche, fresh fruit on a skewer, a lavender sugar cookie and a meringue. My sandwiches were curried chicken salad (Coronation chicken) and egg salad, and the scone was Earl Grey and lemon. The sandwiches are assembled fresh when you order. The scones are made fresh every day. The quiches and cookies are also made in-house. They even make their own lemon curd and clotted cream! My niece ordered the larger option to share, and it included a beautiful blue sugar ocean wave with a gummy shark inside. Very creative. There is a wide variety of tea options. Tea is served in individual teapots with tea cozies, and individual strainers and rests. The waiter gave us the suggested amount of steep time, which is an added touch I always appreciate when ordering tea. We ate outdoors, but peeked inside just to see the decor. The walls are covered with art, photos, handheld mirrors, all sorts of things, but it's so well done that it doesn't look cluttered. The chandeliers are amazing. There are some shelves where they're selling individual vintage tea cup and saucer sets at very reasonable prices. The owner came out to visit with us and told us about what inspired her to open the teashop, and all the different foods they make fresh in house. The location is great -- it's on Main Street, but a few blocks from the busiest part. We had no trouble parking, and were close enough to wander through the Main Street shops. By the Teashore doesn't have to be this good, but it is. I'll definitely be back.

By the Teashore is a lovely spot full of homegrown charm. I took my friend for tea as a celebration and everything was great! We opted to order sandwiches, tea, and scones a la carte which fit what we were looking for. The biggest reason I was excited about this place was the gluten-free vegetarian options. The owner was so sweet and had put a ton of time into ensuring dietary restrictions can be accommodated. She explained she uses blue sugar to indicate the GF options and bakes them on their own tray on the top rack so nothing gets contaminated. Very thoughtful and helpful! I think they are still working a few things out, but the passion and care is so clear, and I know it will only get better! I'm excited to bring some other friends, especially when their vegan menu expands (which is apparently on the way!)

Made a reservation months ago but requested outdoor seating. The day before, they confirmed my reservation and that they were able to accommodate. We arrived and sat quickly. We ordered 4 sets - Half Moon Teas which comes a choice of two Sandwiches, one Homemade Scone with Strawberry Preserves, Homemade Lemon Curd and Homemade Clotted Cream, Spring Mix Salad with Herb Vinaigrette, Fresh Fruit, Macaron, Lemon Lavender Tea Cookie. I selected Cream Cheese and Cucumber sandwich, Curried chicken and Earl Grey scone. Service was a bit slow and they didn't automatically give us milk and sugar, but they were really nice. They gave our friend an extra little treat to celebrate her engagement. All the food tasted good and fresh. The scone was moist and I loved the chicken curry sandwich. I would definitely return and understand that they are still relatively new. Definitely a cute spot for tea.

I saw this spot randomly on IG one day promoting that they're recently opened. I was very excited and booked everything online (i like that they offer a "special request" section if you want your reservation to be even more special). I even dressed up for the occasion lol. Upon arriving, u might have to find parking on the street since it's in the downtown area of Half Moon Bay. I love the pink aesthetic from the outside, the tables and chairs set up a cute little vibe for u and ur gfs to chit chat. We got sat inside of a corner per our request. The interior has many things to look at. We ordered the mid tier set. The wait was quite long for a couple of pastries and tea, i would say almost 45 minutes or more. We got the beef radishes and egg sandwiches choice. Tasted great, i liked the beef one more, the egg salad was ok, quite bland. I also like the half moon cookie. I believe my total was somewhere around $50. For a nice tea time with my mom, it's not bad and i would come again another time. The inside is quite intimate, so if you're not ready to share what you did last weekend with strangers, I would recommend to sit outside lol!

My friend and I came for Sunday afternoon tea! The tea house is adorable and decorated so quirky. The tea menu they had at the restaurant was much larger than the one online, we had many options to choose from. We both did the "half moon tea" option which came with two sandwiches. I've done a few afternoon teas and assumed the sandwiches would be small tea size, but they were big sandwiches! Just fyi if you're not too hungry. All sandwiches are made to order in house. I had the chicken curry which contained craisns which I loved the sweet and savory combo, it was delicious. I also had the egg salad which was pretty good too! The scones were huge & baked perfectly, still so soft on the inside. It was paired with homemade lemon curd (which was to die for) & homemade clotted cream! Our service was great and attentive & the owner was even there and she was lovely! This is such a cute place for a girls afternoon & the price point is great too!

10/4/25 - Amazing experience! My boyfriend and I went here to celebrate our early anniversary and it was a wonderful time! The owner was so sweet and let us change our time last minute, because luckily they had an open spot for afternoon tea! We ended up going with the Maverick Tea set and did a pot of Pu-erh tea! I think out of all the tea times I've gone to, this one is the most worth it and the price is fair! Loved coming here and the staff were all so sweet! Also fun fact! The owner said most of the stuff was from her own house! So cool! Note that they did extend their hours to 4 pm btw, so more chances to try the afternoon tea!

A lovely tea room, offering delicious afternoon tea and warm hospitality. Last month, after an early showing of the last Downton Abbey movie, we had a 1:30P reservation for afternoon tea. We arrived just in time (account for traffic toward HMB in October!) and waited a few minutes in the sitting area while our table was being prepared. Vintage photo albums, photos, and a variety of teapots, dishes and serveware to look at. There were about three other tables of patrons in various stages of dining and one part of the room set up for a party of 10 yet to start. After we were seated, our orders were taken promptly. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait long at all before our teapots and food arrived. We skipped breakfast to make the early movie time and we were pretty hungry! Service was cheerful and attentive throughout our visit. We opted for the Half Moon Tea each and split an extra sandwich. The table fit everything, but just so. Everything tasted fine. The highlights for me were the lemon lavender cookie (it is what it says it is!) and sandwiches - roast beef, curry chicken and egg - each on pillowy soft bread. They just hit the spot. By the Teashore is far from home for me, so I can't visit often but if I plan on being in the area, I hope to return for another afternoon tea.

My recommendation is to give this place another month to pull it together. Location good, parking available but staff couldn't tell us if the handicapped spot next to the tea shoppe was for customers? Cute ambience inside and out We had a reservation for 1:30 but waited over 20 minutes to get a table and only when we pressed as my friend with a cane needed to sit. Strangely the owner never made eye contact with us as she hosted, went to kitchen, served tea, etc. Only 1 tea pot came out, no silverware. There was a tiered tea tray for each of us which was overkill on a small table and no plates for our food. We ate off the tea tray, strange. The food was tasty enough. Not much of a selection of sandwiches or tea yet. They said more will be coming. We had to ask for silverware. I love tea shops and I'll give this place another try but they should check out Lovey's or Lovejoys to see how tight space can be efficiently utilized.

I know this place has just opened, so I am bumping my review up a little bit to three stars. I have notes! They don't have a parking lot, but it was easy enough to find street parking. I wasn't super familiar with Half Moon Bay, but it's pretty easy to find/navigate around. This is a cute location, right on the main street of HMB, and it's nicely decorated. The bathroom has a very chic Art Deco look! We had a 1:15 reservation, and got there a few minutes early, and waited to be seated. The place was pretty full, and the staff seemed busy and harried. We did finally get seated with menus. Then, eventually, someone came to take our order. There are three different tea options, and it was a little hard to tell the difference between them, so we got the middle one. The menu wasn't super clear if the tea food comes with a pot of tea, but we both ordered tea. And then waited. They brought our food out before our tea came out. The waitress said, as she put down our food, "Oh, didn't someone bring you your tea?" which was kind of an obvious question since there were no teapots there. The food looked good, but we noticed that they just give you the three-tiered tray, and there's no plate to eat off of. Also, there was a fork and spoon there, but no knife, which you actually need for putting the delicious lemon curd on your scones. We did ask the server to bring us a knife, but she never did. After a few minutes of eating sandwiches, the server brought our tea out. Except oops, the tea that my friend had ordered wasn't available (which we just found out about now). And her second choice also wasn't available. So she ended up settling on Earl Grey, which came out fairly quickly. I understand that places run out of things, but it would have been good to learn this earlier in the meal, not halfway through the service. As you can see from my picture, for whatever reason, they don't use some kind of filter with the tea service, so you end up with tea grounds in your cup. I have been to a lot of teas over the years and never had an experience like that. The food we had was tasty, but I felt like there were just a lot of misses with the service. And they really need to get some strainers/filters for the tea and plates to eat off of. I'd probably try this place in the future, but I'd give it time to grow and fix some of these foibles.

Overall - we had a nice experience at By the Teashore. It's cute, quaint, and well decorated. I can see parking being a hit or miss depending on how busy it is. We went on a Sunday at 1pm and was able to find parking pretty close. I want to give this place a 5 stars so bad but you can tell that this is still pretty new to them being that they just opened. The place is tiny. Like very very small with walking room so narrow, it's easy to knock over someone's 3-tier plate. We came in for our reservations (looks like they are doing reservation only for now) and was packed at the front of the door until someone came to the front. Every worker saw how busy it was but kind of just ignored/looked away to go to the kitchen without saying anything like "we'll be right with you" or any assurance that they are aware there's a bunch of people bundled up hoping to ask a question or check in. Glad we got there around 1:30 because if we came any earlier than 11:30, teatime would not be available. They were already sold out of a lot of things we were hoping to get. I noticed a lot of people not getting utensils and having to ask for it, including us. We were not provided any forks for our salad. And no spoons for our tea. Remembering small things like this can help avoid having to walk back and forth in such a small space. Other than that, you can tell that everyone is trying their best.. it just needs a bit more time to really get in the groove of things and take some of the feedback that customers provide! The staff are sweet and attentive. The roast beef sandwich and blueberry scone was my favorite. We had the caffeine free red tea because they were out of the fruit tea, but I'm glad I tried this one because it was soooo good with milk and sugar. Will be coming back again!!

Not sure about the negative reviews but my experience was nothing other than stellar. The vibe of the front as you walk up is quaint and charming. The options were plentiful. They have a breakfast menu 10-11:00. Lunch 11:00 until close. Breakfast is simply three or four items with tea. The lunch menu offers three levels of tea service . The tea selections are plentiful you can choose from traditional, green tea or flavored teas. You can also request honey and milk to go with your tea. We opted for selection number two on the menu. It consisted of a variety of two sandwiches, salad two scones and desert. I'll start with the amazing ingenuity of the "Ocean wave" it was a blue candy wave filled with vanilla ice cream and a gummy shark sitting on graham cracker "Sand". Loved the presentation as well as the desert, which also came with a macaroon and a 1/2 Moon lemon lavender cookie. The next level were the savory and sweet scones homemade accompanied by homemade clotted cream, homemade lemon curd and strawberry jam. The absolute hands-down, best scones I've ever had. Lastly, were the sandwiches, chicken salad and roast beef with horseradish. I would've preferred to have the chicken on a more denser bread such as a rye or similar, but the chicken salad itself was delicious and plentiful. The roast beef was tasty and tender, and just the perfect amount of horseradish. Everything on the plate seemedseemed to have been homemade, including the cookies (with the exception of the macaroon). The attention, to detail presenting the food was admirable. The owner made the clotted cream and the lemon curd. It's obvious she planned and created this intimate tea house to make you feel at home. I'm looking forward to my next reservation to try different menu items.

What a sweet tea house, new to the peninsula. Charming interior, friendly attentive service, tasty bites to sip and enjoy. A great addition to the downtown area...brunch on the weekends, tea service during the week as well, Ala cart available!

If you're seeking a slice of Victorian charm with a dash of indulgence, By the Teashore Tea House offers a delightful experience that transports you to another time and place. This traditional tea house, nestled in a quiet part of Main Street, exudes the elegance of a Victorian parlor, with its ornate furniture, floral wallpaper, and soft, ambient lighting--perfectly capturing the cozy, refined atmosphere of an English tea house. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with the rich scent of brewing tea and freshly baked goods, setting the tone for the meal ahead. The service is impeccable; the staff is attentive without being intrusive, always ready to offer a recommendation or refill your teacup with a smile. I opted for the classic English breakfast, which came with perfectly scrambled eggs, a generous portion of sausages, fresh fruit, and, of course, a steaming pot of traditional English tea. The scrambled eggs were light and fluffy, complemented by the savory richness of the sausage. The fruit was fresh and vibrant, a refreshing contrast to the rich, comforting flavors of the eggs and sausage. The tea selection was extensive, and the Earl Grey I chose was fragrant and soothing--just what you'd expect from a place that takes its tea seriously. What truly sets By the Teashore Tea House apart, though, is the ambiance. The Victorian English decor, with its mix of stained glass and art deco lamps, antique furniture and cozy seating nooks, feels like stepping into a forgotten era where time slows down and every sip of tea is a moment to savor. The porch is pretty in pink with vintage chairs. It's the ideal spot for both casual afternoon tea with friends or a special gathering.

Brought my friend here for her birthday. What a lovely ambiance this tea shop has. Displayed is a well- curated collection of antiques and tea cups and plates that accent the brightly painted blue and white walls. It instantly transports you into a time when things were finer and daintier. The food was scrumptious. We had egg salad sandwiches, the orange and blueberry scones. The scone were a true delight. Fluffy, golden small batch made. The staff were pleasant and welcoming. A definite wonderful way to start a day in Halfmoon Bay. It's a charming, memorable experience. Angela, thank you for the attentive service and the touching story about your motivation for this By the Teashore. We love it ! PS - best looking vintage bathroom in Halfmoon Bay!

Dined today at 10:30 AM, 09/26 to celebrate a birthday. I do have multiple notes on things for improvement but one thing I want to prioritize is the lack of food safety and lack of resolution to it. We were served a brownie for the birthday celebration and shortly after consumption we felt extremely nauseous. We had already paid for our meal but subsequently started to feel worse and noticed there was visible mold on the brownie remaining. Upon review of the initial photos taken, there is additional mold on the ones we had consumed. We alerted our server immediately and very nicely showed her the mold on the remaining piece to which she replied, "Oh" and walked off with it without a word. We waited an additional 10-15 minutes hoping for some form of resolution or acknowledgement to which there was none. We decided to leave and before we could make it to the car just a block away, my partner puked their guts out. I did as well not too long after. While we were willing to overlook the various other shortfalls, food safety is unacceptable. We would like someone from management to reach out and resolve this promptly because this is extremely concerning. I have attached pictures as evidence. This was a very disappointing and unfortunate birthday celebration.

Too often, tea spots get one thing right and miss the other: beautiful surroundings with forgettable food, or great menus in uninspired spaces. By the Teashore delivers perfection on both fronts, and at a price that makes it surprisingly affordable. Every element here feels so carefully considered, from the colors and decor to each table setting. (Even the bathroom is pretty!) The food is outstanding (special shout out to the chicken curry sandwiches and earl grey & lemon scones) and the service matches it. A big part of the magic comes from Angela, the owner. She personally manages the details that make the experience so special, and her passion is clear in everything from the atmosphere to the menu. Talking with her was a reminder that this isn't just a business, it's a labor of love, a place where she's created space for people to escape for lunch during their work week or linger over a weekend celebration. If you're looking for a tea experience that's as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food, By the Teashore is one of those rare places that gets it absolutely right, and makes it accessible enough to enjoy often. 10/10 recommend!

I drove to Half Moon Bay just to try "By the Teashore" for tea on a Friday afternoon. My friend and I shared the fancy tea option with a pot of Irish breakfast tea: we chose the curried chicken sandwiches, ham sandwiches, mushroom soup, corn chowder, quinoa salad, and yummy scones! Everything was nicely presented and the service prompt... My only suggestion would be to add more seasoning to the corn chowder (salt & pepper was not available on our table) Otherwise, it was all delicious!

This place is adorable & has great potential! I went Sunday for brunch & the tea was delicious & the food. We got the oatmeal and eggs and sausage. However, I was under the impression we would be able to get the 3 tiered tea service as the website said tea service was from 11-3 but when we came into the tea shop the servers told us it was at 12. So, we weren't able to enjoy the classic tea sandwiches and scones but I hope that will be fixed and will come back for that! One more thing was that their menu said "dairy free available" for the yogurt parfait which I wanted to get but when I asked the server she said they had no dairy free yogurt yet. I would recommend maybe taking that off of the menu for the time being so people aren't under the impression that there are dairy free options. Overall, it's the cutest spot & the owner is a very kind lady! I wish them all the luck and I will be back :)

Very warm and friendly atmosphere. Angela was awesome!! Went there to celebrate my wife's birthday. Tea was perfect!!! The staff paced everything perfectly for our experience. The paired food was delicious and matched perfectly with the tea. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who would appreciate a great pot of tea and perfectly matched treats to go with it. You will enjoy it!! Thank you Angela!!!

Very lovely tea room! I've only been to one other tea room before in downtown SF and loved it so I was excited to see this spot pop up on my TikTok. My partner and I made the half hour trek from South San Francisco and it was definitely worth it. We each got our own tiered plate. My favorites have to be the blueberry scone and curry chicken sandwiches. Everything was delightful and beautifully presented. The portions are good, but remember, it IS afternoon tea, so you aren't really coming here to get a large meal. The place itself is small but beautifully decorated. A big part of tea rooms is the ambience, so I do appreciate the beauty the owner put into this place! As others mentioned, this place just recently opened so it is expected that they are finding their groove and still learning. With that being said, they are adjusting wonderfully and were very kind and attentive. At not one moment did I see anyone standing around idly, all the servers were busy running around and providing great service. Wishing this small business all the success! Can't wait until they have crumpets. ;)

By the Teashore is an absolute gem! The owner has done an amazing job transforming a charming older home into the perfect spot for high tea. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen, from the beautiful paint colors inside and out to the unique wall art, including a stunning display of vintage hand-held mirrors. The atmosphere is both elegant and welcoming, and you can tell so much care went into creating it. The food is outstanding. We loved all the tea sandwiches, especially the curried chicken, and the cucumber cream cheese and egg salad were fantastic too. The scones were wonderful (I had blueberry orange, and my daughter had Earl Grey and lemon), and the macarons were absolutely superb. The service was warm and attentive without ever being overbearing, and the prices were lower than we expected, an incredible value for such a special experience. This place is truly exceptional and well worth the drive if you're not nearby. Highly, highly recommend to anyone who loves high tea or just wants a delightful and memorable outing!

We came in for a morning slot and were sad to realize that they do not offer the tea service all day, which makes sense given that tea is typically brunch/lunch but really needs to be made more obvious online. We overheard other parties in the same situation. After ruling out the tea service menu options, there were only a few limited breakfast items to choose from. I hope in the future they expand the breakfast menu or start offering tea service for the whole day. The children's menu looks great and we would have liked to been able to order the pancakes or eggs. We went with the French Toast instead and it was unique and delicious. The whipped cream on top was amazing. The tea menu is much more limited than I'm used to seeing in a tea parlor and they were out of a few teas so that really limited options. It also seems like the tea service doesn't include the actual tea, which is different from any other tea place I've been to. We ordered a "bottomless" tea pot, but it was never refilled for us. We also got an earl grey scone, which is very small and yet is served with a large amount of toppings that would be impossible to use on such a little item. Unfortunately the clotted cream was really bad, it had gone sour and was not edible. The scone itself was flavorless and a texture I've never encountered. Maybe it was gluten free? We weren't able to eat it, which was sad since it was over $8. The tables were very wobbly, which made the dining experience uncomfortable. And the sugar should be provided with its own spoon so that you don't have to use the wet teaspoon/eating spoon to get more sugar. The staff were sweet to us and I did appreciate that in comparison to other tea shops in the Bay, this was more affordable. A new restaurant should be given grace and a second chance! This review is not an admonishment, but a well-intentioned commentary on what needs work. I love high tea and would really love this spot to thrive!

Lovely venue for high tea. The decor and atmosphere are fantastic. The food and tea selection was good. Bonus points for having gluten free and vegan options. Our server, Travis was great. He was very friendly, highly attentive and accommodating.

I waited a few weeks before going to By The Teashore in Half Moon Bay. Five stars because it was what I expected it to be and had a very enjoyable time. I made sure to read everything about the place before making my reservation (high tea is serves after 11:00) and checking out the menu. Being a tourist town going mid week is your best bet. The restaurant is very small and it's not a place you're going to pop in for a fast meal. It's not a super fancy high tea but the food was simple and fresh. The lavender cookie was the only thing I didn't like. I think having a little more dessert bites would have been nice but I do have a sweet tooth. The tables are small so again go mid week if you can. Our bill came to $80, that includes 20% the tip. Very nice place to chat and visit with friends.

Has potential but needs to get its footing. Sharing feedback/recommendations about tea service because I really want them to improve and succeed! Positives: Decor is adorable. Earl Grey Scone was delicious; egg salad and curry chicken sandwiches were a big portion and tasty. Accommodating owner. Kind servers. Room for improvement: - Website doesn't mention that tea service isn't served until noon but learned when we arrived at 11:30 am. Important information for people to know when making a reservation! Owner was accommodating and let us wait and linger over tea before ordering food so we could have tea service. - Asked if we wanted sugar and milk which didn't come. Had to ask for sugar and 5 packets of Splenda were brought to the table. After asking, a sugar bowl arrived. The amount of milk brought was maybe a tablespoon for 4 pots of tea. - Presentation of food. A 3-tiered tray per person was overkill and two of us had tiers that were almost bare (2 grapes and half a strawberry on one; 1 cookie and more fruit on another). Scones came separately. It's common at tea for at least 2 people's tea food to come, shared, on the same 3-tiered tray; also, if combined that way and including the scone, the fruit would go farther and there'd be more room on the table (and staff would have less to wash). Minuscule amount of dressing provided for lettuce; honestly, no need for bland salad; fruit was great. - We asked about lemon curd and jam Was told they ran out of lemon curd but would bring jam. After asking again, both lemon curd and jam arrived. No clotted cream. This is standard tea fare and listed on website. - Table linens too short and wrinkled. Suggest longer white tablecloth and either crisp overlay--or even ironed overlay with a piece of glass tabletop so don't have to wash/iron linens as often. Also puzzled to hear cook was at lunch at the end of the breakfast shift/start of lunch shift; seems like odd timing. Seems like tea should be offered all the time and the main focus at a tea place and you'd would want the cook present that entire time. Suggest offering/adding breakfast once the tea service is perfected. Will try again after they get their "sea legs". :)

As a guy, I don't get invited to many tea times so when I went to By The Teashore I wasn't sure what to expect. It was an experience that I'll never forget. From the friendly greeting from the owner Angela. To the outstanding service provided by the staff. Delivery of yummy treats, spectacular visual, delectables, and wide discernment of teas I was blown away. Highly recommended to anyone be they a group of friends. Or for a romantic date. This jam and half Moon Bay is not to be missed. I'd rate 10 stars if I could.

A delightful full tea. Sandwiches are delicious. The staff is attentive and friendly, and the decor is a Victorian delight. Very bright and frilly.

Took a friend for tea lunch. We both had the curried chicken sandwich and the blueberry scone was delish! Love the decor. I had the rose tea. Great tea variety! Finally a unique HMB spot among the many taquerias and Italian restaurants. Don't let the bad reviews steer you. This is not a big meal chow-down place. It's classy and beautiful. We loved it and will be back!

Since its opening 3 weeks ago and reading the critical Yelp reviews, I was honestly concerned about about my upcoming visit. I planned a "Girls Day Out" in Half Moon Bay to conclude with "Afternoon Tea" at "By the Teashore". Full disclosure--I am a perfectionist, and wanted a memorable experience for my good friends. I am happy to report that our experience was quite delightful! The food was thoughtfully prepared and delicious! After our party of 4 was seated next to the window, we decided to share two trays of "Mavericks" and to add more food if necessary. We wanted to sample everything and was pleased with our selections. Our adorable tea pots were brought out with care. Soon after, two trays of food arrived and we quickly dove in. This pic was taken after we realized we had forgotten to take a photo. We ordered each one of the sandwiches and EVERY sandwich was delicious! We enjoyed it so much we ordered three more! The curried chicken salad sandwich was our favorite, followed by the Roast Beef with Horseradish spread, Egg Salad and cucumber and cream cheese (in that order). The spring salad was refreshing, scones were moist and tasty (especially with the homemade clotted cream, lemon curd and Strawberry jam). Mini quiche was basic. The top of the tray was filled with a picturesque small "bowl", hand-made of blue sugar (that looks like hand blown glass), representing an ocean wave, sitting on top of a small mound of "sand" (aka finely chopped and refined graham crackers). In the bowl was a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It sat next to an edible flower and a sweet lavender shortbread cookie shaped like a crescent moon. While I agree with the other reviewers on the lack of table space (tea pots were quite large), I also realize it would be ridiculous to suggest changing at this point. We throughly enjoyed our experience and left with happy memories and fully bellies! In fact, one of the friends is looking forward to bringing her mom there in a couple of months. And I will definitely recommend to others!

Lovely owner and interior but what a disappointment. Give them a couple of months to iron out all the wrinkles. The 16 year old waitress was clueless. Our food took 45 minutes to arrive. The fruit was 2 slices of oranges and a small strawberry, the salad was composed of about 15 lettuce leaves with a half of a cherry tomato. And let's talk flies. OMG - I was using a menu to try to keep the flies off of our table. I've had tea, high tea before and this was very expensive for what we actually received. So disappointing. At least we were able to buy pumpkins on the coast and shop in stores on Main Street. The pot of tea was good, the blueberry scones were delicious. We made the mistake of going there on an empty stomach and had a l p.m. reservation. Don't sit at the table by the front counter.

This is a cozy spot and for those who remember the English Rose (back in the day) it will bring good memories. The mismatched china, the eclectic decor, etc are all very charming. The service was incredibly slow - we got there at opening but waited over 30 minutes for our food to arrive. When it did (we shared one of the afternoon teas) it was delicious but very small portions. I would not mind except that, for the price, we should have had more. They seemed a bit disorganized; at first there was no staff then several servers, bus people arrived but it still seemed like they were short staffed and scattered. All in all, if you love authentic English afternoon tea this is a welcome new spot. Just wish we got more for the money and the wait. I am not sure I would make the drive over the hill again for this.

I want to leave 0 starts to this place but we there is no option. We went for an afternoon tea and we didn't get our order even after 1.5 hours!!! In the end we had to leave because they said it is going to take longer. WTF. Like why would it take this long to assemble a tea platter?!! Please avoid this place at all cost, there are so much better tea places where you get good experiences!!

Reviews Cory Colligan 3 reviews Run dont walk to this amazing tea room in Half Moon Bay. It took us less than an hour to drive from Dublin. It far exceeded our expectations. I had met Angela, the owner during a recent trip to HMB as she was setting up. We drove over last ... More 1 Lily Lee Local Guide·17 reviews·3 photos 4 weeks ago Brought my friend here for her birthday. What a lovely ambiance this tea shop has. Displayed is a well- curated collection of antiques and tea cups and plates that accent the brightly painted blue and white walls. It instantly transports ... More Photo 1 in review by Lily Lee Photo 2 in review by Lily Lee Photo 3 in review by Lily Lee 4 Haley Chin 3 reviews·5 photos a month ago Too often, tea spots get one thing right and miss the other: beautiful surroundings with forgettable food, or great menus in uninspired spaces. By the Teashore delivers perfection on both fronts, and at a price that makes it surprisingly ... More Photo 1 in review by Haley Chin Photo 2 in review by Haley Chin Photo 3 in review by Haley Chin Photo 4 in review by Haley Chin+2 2 Lori Holmlund 4 reviews·5 photos a month ago By the Teashore is an absolute gem! The owner has done an amazing job transforming a charming older home into the perfect spot for high tea. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen, from the beautiful paint colors inside and out to the unique ... More Photo 1 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 2 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 3 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 4 in review by Lori Holmlund 2 Reviews By the Teashore Google review summary 5 4 3 2 1 4.6 (25) Reviews All scones6 sandwiches5 chicken curry3 french toast3 +6 Sort by Most relevant Newest Highest Lowest Cory Colligan 3 reviews Run dont walk to this amazing tea room in Half Moon Bay. It took us less than an hour to drive from Dublin. It far exceeded our expectations. I had met Angela, the owner during a recent trip to HMB as she was setting up. We drove over last ... More 1 Lily Lee Local Guide·17 reviews·3 photos 4 weeks ago Brought my friend here for her birthday. What a lovely ambiance this tea shop has. Displayed is a well- curated collection of antiques and tea cups and plates that accent the brightly painted blue and white walls. It instantly transports ... More Photo 1 in review by Lily Lee Photo 2 in review by Lily Lee Photo 3 in review by Lily Lee 4 Haley Chin 3 reviews·5 photos a month ago Too often, tea spots get one thing right and miss the other: beautiful surroundings with forgettable food, or great menus in uninspired spaces. By the Teashore delivers perfection on both fronts, and at a price that makes it surprisingly ... More Photo 1 in review by Haley Chin Photo 2 in review by Haley Chin Photo 3 in review by Haley Chin Photo 4 in review by Haley Chin+2 2 Lori Holmlund 4 reviews·5 photos a month ago By the Teashore is an absolute gem! The owner has done an amazing job transforming a charming older home into the perfect spot for high tea. Every detail was thoughtfully chosen, from the beautiful paint colors inside and out to the unique ... More Photo 1 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 2 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 3 in review by Lori Holmlund Photo 4 in review by Lori Holmlund 2 Cory Colligan 3 reviews 3 minutes ago New Run dont walk to this amazing tea room in Half Moon Bay. It took us less than an hour to drive from Dublin. It far exceeded our expectations. I had met Angela, the owner during a recent trip to HMB as she was setting up. We drove over last Saturday to celebrate a birthday. From the minute we walked in, we were taken in by the lovely, homey, cozy, eclectic decor. There were six of us and we were personally welcomed by Angela. We were so overwhelmed by the attention to detail, a special platter for the birthday girl, the fact you can order the sandwiches you like, the tea you like, the fact that they bake during the day to ensure freshness, there is a salad included, fresh fruit, you get a full sandwich, not a little square. You can order extra sandwiches at a minimal fee. Everything is home made. We were delighted with our selections. Their egg salad is the best I have ever tasted and the following day I was craving it!! Angela visited our table quite a few times and told us her story. We all had questions about how she purchased decor items. Since we had the 2:00 seating, we were able to visit a little longer. Not like other places where they literally ask you to leave. We all absolutely RAVED about everything. Very reasonably priced as well. After we left, we all headed down to the beach to watch the sunset!! The perfect end to the perfect day. You WILL not be disappointed!!! It's quite a gem!! 1

Walked into this place at 1055 to check it out. Asked if there any available for right now... they said no we are completely booked. She said that with a straight face as every table was empty save 3... one table outside occupied and 2 tables inside occupied otherwise the place and ALL other tables were devoid of humans. These well over 10 tables that were unoccupied as well as 3 + outside unoccupied...

I made reservations three weeks in advance for high tea at By the Teashore. We even drove an hour and a half to get there--because what says "treat yourself" more than overpriced tea and tiny sandwiches and a lovely Sunday drive? Parking was street-only, and the handicap spot was half-blocked by what looked like leftover construction debris. Not exactly the royal welcome I had in mind. We walked in and instantly realized the place was tiny--about 10 tables total. The décor was aggressively "grandma's attic meets thrift store explosion," which somehow made the room feel even smaller. Before I could even say my name, the hostess hit us with, "We're short-staffed and the cook is out sick..." Uhh, okay? Sounds like a management issue, not a me trying to eat scones issue. When they finally tried to find our reservation, the list looked like a game of Where's Waldo--names everywhere. The waiting area had four chairs total, and we snagged the last two. From my vantage point, most tables only had pots of tea and not much food in sight. The guests looked comfy--like they'd been there since the Revolutionary War and had no intention of leaving anytime soon. After about ten minutes of observing this chaos, we decided to bail. Judging by other reviews I've since read, we probably dodged a soggy cucumber sandwich-sized bullet. Moral of the story: if you want tea by the seashore, maybe just pack a thermos and sit by the actual shore.

The food is excellent! I enjoyed the French toast especially! The servers were very efficient and friendly! The ambience is quite welcoming!

Beautiful place and environment! Loved the decore inside and outside seating. me and my puppy loved it. Service was good our server recommended great options, was really helpful and attentive! The pretty in pink tea is so yummy

My family and I had lunch at By The Teashore a couple weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon and it was so lovely! The service and ambiance were wonderful. I had the egg salad and cucumber cream cheese sandwiches and the earl grey scone. Everything was delicious. We will be back

Today we celebrated my mom's 80th birthday party with 16 women. By The Teashore could not have been more accommodating and caring. Everyone loved the ambience and the food was delicious. It was obvious there was a lot of passion and care put into every meal. I highly recommend this little gem in Half Moon Bay.

Great ambience and food was delicious! I will be coming back again. Also loved the scones along with the tea

my first time at a tea house & it was great! i had a rose tea and the half moon service and i had the egg salad & curried chicken sandwich. the egg salad was my favorite. everything was great, definitely will be back!

Great new place in Half Moon Bay. The owner was very nice, staff very attentive and the food and tea perfect. I had the French toast and it was great. The presentation of it was nothing I've ever encountered before but seriously decadent. We also had the parfait. It was also delicious and many might think that you can make one at home but the presentation of this was great and the taste amazing. I had a black tea I have never had before, it was smoky flavored, reminded us of camping but very good. I look forward to going back to try lunch and afternoon tea.

Beautiful decorations. Servers are very sweet. Unfortunately that's where our good experience ended. My friend and I drove from San Jose and arrived before our reservation. Although many workers walked past us, no one came to check us in for at least ten minutes. We were then told that a table was available but hadn't been bussed yet. No problem. We also work in the food industry. Bussing a table takes 5 minutes, tops. We then stood there for thirty minutes watching three servers and the manager (4 grown adults) run around in circles to clean and set up 3 tables. I still have no idea how they managed to take a 2-5 minute task and stretch it into a 30+ minute chaotic production. It was impressive to watch. A woman I assume is the manager or the owner, repeatedly walked by sighing "We're trying to seat everyone. We're trying". I watched her sweep under the same table multiple times. Like sweep, put the broom away, then come back with the broom and sweep the same spot again. At least one other group had arrived before us and was also waiting to be seated. At that point, after standing for 35 minutes past our reservation (45 minutes total) not even being offered a drink of water or a seat to wait, we decided to just leave. I feel bad for the servers, honestly. They seem like sweet girls who haven't been trained and are being led by a disorganized, chaotic manager. No communication beyond huffing, "We're trying, we're trying". Disappointing to say the least. I'd be surprised if they stay open much longer if this is how they continue to operate.

The quality of food/drinks and the visual aesthetic of this place were nice; if only the physical experience of eating here allowed for any of that to be enjoyed. We were only able to sit on the patio even though there were upwards of 5 empty tables inside, and contrary to the patio's advertisement, there are no heaters. When we asked to move inside because of the wind, we were told that the owner said that couldn't happen. We were sitting next to a table that did not get bussed/cleared for the entirety of our meal, and our own table was extremely wobbly (our requests to get a napkin to out underneath it were never honored), making it feel like we had been completely forgotten. In addition, the portions of food were extremely small for the price. These things paired with the strange and unwelcoming attitudes of all of the employees made us feel like it was somehow an intrusion to dine here. This experience was overall disappointing, even though we traveled over an hour in hopes of experiencing a new and interesting tea spot.