FLOATING MOUNTAIN Tea House |2nd FLOOR|

Cozy, pleasant, unassuming tea shop. I came on a rainy afternoon, sat near the large window to watch the rain fall while enjoying sips of truly special teas. Staff was extremely knowledgeable and welcoming.

This place is special. Tucked into the second story of busy Westside Manhattan, it’s a haven of calm and quiet joy. Many special teas are made with such attention to detail and exacting artistry. It was the highlight of my visit to the city. Come expecting to spend a bit of money. But to have an experience worth every Penny. If you love exceptional tea. This place is for you. We ordered 1 pot of tea enjoyed it for over an hour, and I went home with some more teas to try on my own!! Make a reservation. And enjoy your tea! Absolutely magnificent place! Thank you.

Very intimate and zen tea tasting experience. You have to take your shoes off and sit on the floor and enjoy tea the traditional way. The menu offered extensive Chinese tea offerings so we had a lot to choose from. We ended up choosing jasmine and purple robe and we were happy with both choices. It is quite expensive (85$ for 2) but you go for the vibes and experience. Service was convivial and ambiance was very relaxing. Overall fun experience.

Really nice spot to have a tea and chill. Had the Radiance which was smooth and great for the evening. They have a wide range of teas, the floor seating and proper preparations. The place is white pricey I must say. And the ambiance could be better. The first thing I smelled was stinky shoes when I walked in. Still, overall really nice experience must wish they would bring prices down or advertise better why prices are so high and decorate a bit more.

This intimate tea tasting place on the Upper West Side is a must visit if you enjoy teas. The menu is extensive, the service is very hospitable, even though the single person who was managing everything was stretched thin given how busy the place was. The experience of enjoying the growing flavor of tea with each round of serving was a joyous experience. Plan to be here for at least 90 minutes, and know that weekends can get quite busy (and a bit loud). Overall, we enjoyed the experience and will be back for more!

An amazing experience and honestly a must if you are visiting New York! The owner is so sweet and we had a lovely experience! Loved the calming atmosphere and the tea amazing! I suggest making a reservation ahead of time and the 10 dollars goes towards your purchase

Costly collection of tea from China. Beautiful interior & aesthetic. But watching a small 🪳 jump out of the teapot set in front of me today was too tall a sight to ignore... The owner didn’t argue with me when I said I would be leaving rather than trust a new teapot but I hope they do a thorough inspection and cleaning before continuing to serve people… Photos and video taken before the bug incident.

We had a lovely afternoon here. The woman who was hosting (Vivian? I think) was super kind and informed. There were three of us. We shared a white tea. One pot goes a long way! It’s a tiny place but clean and doesn’t feel claustrophobic because the furnishings are simple. Loved the vibe!

I truly loved the ambiance at Floating Mountain - a pocket of zen and serenity in busy Manhattan. I came for a solo date right when they opened (I made a reservation) and had a lovely conversation with Vivian, who was very kind, knowledgeable, and attentive with refilling my tea. My only gripe is the price. The cheapest pot for one was $28, so with tax/tip you're looking at $33+. I love sourcing loose leaf tea myself to brew at home (including from Taiwan/China), and feel like this should be priced at least $5 lower. Other tea houses like Te Company offer a similar experience with ~$15 tea pots that two people can share, though the ambiance at Floating Mountain is still unbeatable. I would still recommend this spot, but because of the price, it's difficult to justify going frequently. I'd recommend going with a friend, since splitting the pot for two price would make it slightly cheaper. Tea lovers & enthusiasts will still love this place no matter what. Just look at these photos!

It's a cool concept spot but in my opinion, just not worth it. It's cute and the owner seems very into it but to me, it just seemed like an overpriced, mid experience. I think it could be better priced and personally don't think the "experience" makes up for it. The owner comes and refills your cups, which is nice but I thought it was a little inconvenient. We also didn't stay for too long, so may be more worth it if you're looking to stick around for a couple hours. Overall, not terrible but just be prepared to spend a pretty penny.

Definitely a cute, calm, small little tea shop that was calm and nice to see out onto 72th Street on the UWS, but the tea was SO overpriced wow. For a SMALL teapot the size of a normal mug, it was $40+ - my friend and I got the pot for two of the Duck Shit tea, and it was flavorful, roasted, but not nearly worth the price. The shop keeper also wasn't very friendly. The reservations are $10 (which gets deducted from the total) and only allows for 90 minutes. I second comments from previous reviews on not getting the value for the overpriced tea here.

A little pricy but I'm sure worth it for a tea enthusiast. As it is, we had a good time but I don't think we were "expert" enough to fully appreciate it. Between 5 people we got 3 different teas and I can say they were all good and vastly different. I was also fun to sit, relax, sip our teas, and watch the owner as she prepared our teas. It lasts for many pours so she'd come over every so often and add more water into each of the teapots

Wildly overpriced. The show they put on felt a bit ridiculous. Floating Mountain is clearly just profiting off of Chinese culture, using the whole tea preparing process as a "show", which allows them to sell a tiny pot of tea for $50, when the amount of tea leaves given per pot costs cents (maybe $2 if you including sourcing and shipping). The ambiance and location doesn't even make up for it. Update: Rather than focusing on defending the price, I hope one day they realize this is some degree of appropriation.

High grade tea served in a beautiful peace space. Calm ambiance and lovely service. Pot for one ranges from $28-$55 Pot for two ranges from $30-$65

The ambiance was amazing. This a a true tea house with no food served. So you definitely want to eat before you go. It's on the pricier side.

Ran across their instagram page and decided to come here with a friend on a cold, gloomy Friday. This place was the perfect place we needed to just relax. There was such a big selection of teas, but I wish they actually described the flavor of the tea more than where they originated from. The place is actually quite small and you can see all the customers from the moment you walk in. We requested seating by the window online couple days before we actually came here (highly recommended). The person working does a tea ceremony like gesture to prepare the tea and each time she pours more water in. We were able to drink about like 6 times and left feeling satisfied. For the price, I think the experience is worth it!

I've been coming to Floating Mountain for a few years it's a favorite especially for unexpected rainy days. The price is higher then what most would consider paying for tea but I find the quality and overall experience to be worth it. The owner is very passionate and knowledgeable of the tea she sources and is lovely to talk to when she is at the shop. I love that it feels like a little oasis in such a busy city. I have had some really great conversations here as well because the environment just lends to it. I miss the later, evening hours they used to have but understand that's not possible anymore. Floating Mountain is a gem for tea lovers and enthusiasts

I'm so bummed about this experience. It felt a little pretentious and extremely overpriced. The ceremony was very different from the traditional Chinese tea experiences we've had before and the tea tasted surprisingly mid. We couldn't get much flavor from our tea since they only brewed it for less than 5 seconds. Didn't seem like the woman working knew much about the teas they offered. We left with more questions than answers regarding our selections and inquiries about the ceremony. It felt like a $10 CUP of tea when we ended up spending much much more (two pots was over $100).

Floating mountain was my first tea room experience and I had wonderful time. The vibes were very welcoming and relaxing, and the tea service was excellent. If you're looking for something different for a first date, this would be a great idea. Will definitely be coming back again.

Food: no food allowed here. Tea: we ordered Da Wu Ye Dan Cong (Big Black Leaf from Single Tree) and Dan Cong Ba Xiang (Single Tree Eight Immortals). I LOVE tea and am starting to get deeper into tea culture and tasting, this was an amazing unique experience. They also have plenty of books about tea for you to browse. It is expensive but service is amazing, they come to refill your pots without you needing to ask. You can generally resteep oolongs for like 5-8 pours. I love the Japanese, ground seating ambiance. Very unique! You need to book reservations!!!'

The selection of tea is amazing and loved the ambience of the place. An extra bonus is the tea house has great taste in music!

Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for an experience at Floating Mountain. The shop is located on the second floor of UWS and across from a yoga studio. Super zen and the space's ambiance was lovely. We came on a Sunday afternoon at 3:30. Make sure to make a reservation here! The space is tinyyyy and only fits about 5 or so tables. Service was so sweet. One lady manned all five tables and always made sure our tea was full. She explained to us the basic steps of the tea ceremony, and made conversation with us every time she repoured our cups. We ordered the Phoenix Mountain Oolong tea. Man- it was pricy. For $18ish per person, we maybe had 4 cups of the tiniesttt cups of tea. I was not expecting it to be so expensive. The tea quality was decent, but definitely very diluted towards the end of the four cups. I don't think it was worth $18 per person. Also be forewarned, the teahouse is usually back to back with reservations- at exactly 5 we were asked to leave as the next party had arrived.

Tranquil. I was a little hesitant to go as I've never been to a tea house and my knowledge of tea is whatever I read on the package (will this help me sleep?) Don't be hesitant. Go! Enjoy. Bring a friend that you haven't chatted with in awhile. I guarantee this place is more conversational than a restaurant.

This cute little oriental tea house is on the second floor of a busy street but once ensconced within its calm Zen-like interior, it is as though we were transported to another world. We got lucky and bagged one of the 5 tables one Saturday afternoon. Leaving our shoes at the entrance, we made our way across to the tatami mat where the tables are and sat on seat cushions. We were excited about their extensive selection of specialty teas from various regions of China. All teas are served gongfu style starting with an elegant ritual involving the warming up of the tea vessels and utensils with hot water. The tea is then brewed in miniature earthen tea pots and then served in little tasting cups. The higher leaf-to-water ratio results in fuller flavour teas, whose essence and fragrance can be enjoyed even after several steepings, as with our Ba Xian and Da Hong Pao. Service was knowledgeable and attentive. Our teapots were topped up with hot water in a timely manner. This is the perfect place for enjoying quality tea and quiet conversations.

Husband and I did the private tea ceremony it was a really cool experience. If you are interested in learning about Chinese teas check this place out. The owner is very informative and it is a really cool experience.

this place was very zen, I wish they served some small bites with it but it was very relaxing and calming. Also was a high-touch experience, so while the price of the tea is quite expensive for one pot for two/three, consider the fee all part of the experience/service/ambiance. It is a quaint spot you can go for some solitude or time to just have cozy tea conversations mid-day. this place has big windows, lots of natural light and beautiful decor. i felt peace and quiet leaving than when i first entered this spot- a must-have while in the hustle and bustle of manhattan!

Pleasant little shop tucked away in an unassuming stairwell, but Floating Mountain is an idyllic spot that brings forth Elina's passion for her craft. The room is unassuming yet cozy and perfect for conversation. The tea selection is fantastic and spans a wide range of flavors. And last but not least, Elina herself brings a sort of mystique into the room. Definitely recommend

My friends and I have been talking about coming to this tea house for months. We finally got a chance to meet up here and are so happy we did! To enter the establishment, press 4F on the buzzer. After you are buzzed in, you walk up the staircase and see the tea house dooron the left side. There are 2 window cubby that seats 3 people cross-legged comfortably. There are 3 tables on a lower step if you don't want to sit cross-legged. So many tea choices: green, white, dark fermented (pu'er), wulong cha, wu yi mountain, and red. We settled on 3 choices: Pu'er: Liu An Hei Cha - The Golden Thread WuLong Cha: Lao Huang Zhi Xiang - Old Tree Orange Blossom White: Bai Mu Dan - White Peony We were able to catch up in this serene environment for an hour and half. What a lovely way to get away from the busy world to have a few minutes of peace. Hope you have a relaxing time.

Such a great hidden gem! We were looking for a place to warm up on a cold winter day and found this tea house on the second floor thanks to yelp. You have to take off your shoes at the entrance, and sit on the mats on the ground to drink the tea. It's so cozy, and you really feel like you stepped into someone's living room. We were well attended to, and as soon as we finished our cups of tea, the owner would come by and refill the pot with fresh hot water without us ever alerting her. It was a beautifully relaxing experience and can't wait to stop by again.

Amazing place, the owner is so friendly, passionate and welcoming. Good for solo, date, friend hang and groups all alike. There are two window seats which seats 1-3, bar (2-3) and floor tables (2-8). So many different chinese teas and a sort of tea ceremony is done. The menu is expansive. You can do pot for one or two and share. You take off your shoes at the door and put them in the cubby or corner, which I appreciated :) My only gripe is the bathroom is in the basement, its not on the same floor. Such a zen, meditative tea house thats worth the trek up to W72nd. :) I went today Sunday.

Like Shakira's hips, the five-star reviews don't lie. This is a teahouse made and managed with love by a Russian tea lover who wants the world to share her love of tea. The menu offers an incredibly varied array of tried and unknown Chinese varietals, always steeped to perfectly timed perfection. The atmosphere is as quiet and tranquil as a Buddhist monastery, and like those monasteries, you can't wear shoes indoors. Note: The bathroom is way downstairs at the end of a somewhat questionable hallway. Just think Karate Kid thoughts as you're walking to it.

Floating Mountain has been on my radar for so long and I'm glad I finally got a chance to stop by on a rainy day to soak in the peaceful atmosphere. The shop is located on the second floor. Take off your shoes at the door and you have your choice of seats inside. Of course, the most desirable (and aesthetic) seats are right by the window but the floor seating with the taller tables is more comfortable on your legs/back. The tea menu is super extensive and can be a little daunting but they've written amazing descriptions that had me picking like a pro. During my 3 hours there, I had the Honey Orchid (definitely a new favorite) followed by the Cinnamon Bark. The owner came around to pour each cup, so it's a perfect experience for the tea newbies. I had such a relaxing study session at Floating Mountain and will definitely be back with a friend for afternoon tea sometime!

This place was delightful. We were in NYC for just a day, and it was pouring. What better way to spend a couple hours than inside somewhere warm with tons of tea choices and a delightful view of the city? We sampled quite a few teas, and the woman who runs the place gave us personalized attention, explaining the different notes various teas would provide and providing a lovely tea experience. I purchased a small sample and enjoyed its smooth quality.

I've been to every tea house in the city, and I've been to many across the world, and Floating Mountain remains one of my favorites I've ever been to. Tea is a hobby if mine, and I'm particularly into the type of tea (dancong oolong) that Elena specializes in. That doesn't actually incline me to like Floating Mountain more -- if anything it would make me harsher and more picky (as I am with Puerh Brooklyn). However, not only do Elena's teas and her preparation of them hold up, they're actually world class. They're extraordinary. Well worth the visit. I will say that, while nice teas are readily apparent when you drink them, some of the quality might be lost on you if you're not massively invested in tea.

We came here after a lazy brunch for a date! Bf's younger sister joined at the last second and added to the fun of the experience! A unique place to catch up with friends or to have a serene tea date with yourself or partner. We arrived mid afternoon around 2 pm and seated ourselves at a table (note there are no chairs and the tables are low laying -- prepare to sit on the floor) after removing our shoes at the door. There is a lot of natural light in the area that floods the room -- but not overwhelmingly so and adds to the serene ambiance. We were given three menus and explained that the teas are refilled until we no longer want anymore, which was awesome in our book. Our party of three ordered one red tea that was delicious, aromatic, and full bodied (I believe it was the second one of the red teas -- all the names are in a different language (I believe Chinese)). We stayed for about two and a half hours and during which, passed the time with exciting and interesting conversation and later snuggles. Eventually, we decided to relinquish our spot for the numerous people waiting and headed out. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and we will be back!

Swell place to study. It's cozy, quiet, and I love the variety of teas they have. Cool place to spend some time catching up with friends though I wish the tables by the windows were higher. It's a little off the beaten path. I wouldn't have noticed it without a word of mouth reference. Bathroom in the basement is very tidy.

$18 each to share a teapot of extremely dilute tea. They put the tea leaves of your choice in a small teapot, pour hot water over the leaves and IMMEDIATELY pour this into your cup. Many many times. As a result, the tea never steeps and is flavorless. Left me nauseated. As a tea aficionado I would never drink tea this way, and the only reason I let let it slide is bc it's supposed to be a "tea ceremony". I imagine the reviews for this place are high because a) all Yelp reviewers care about is service and not quality of food and b) maybe they were bought. There is nothing remotely authentic about this tea service, and as an Asian person it's borderline offensive to watch as white people in dreadlocks prepare this awful tea according to their recollection from a study abroad experience. Anyway nothing against the people who run this business but as a whole the experience was inauthentic and tasteless.

Small but cozy spot ! The waitress was wonderful and very attentive. I would reccomend this spot for studying, a date or even a buisness meeting. I would reserve in advance so you can get the sit near the window

This is an extraordinary tea house. The style is steeping individual small cups of tea one at a time, so that each cup gets the perfect amount of flavor from the leaves. The owner takes care of all of this for you, so you just sit and enjoy one perfect cup after another. Her technique is almost mesmerizing to watch. And her depth of knowledge about all of the different teas is crazy. I've come here twice, and I want to keep coming back.

I don't know if it was tea, Elina or combination of both :) but experience exceeded my expectations. Elina puts her energy in every cup she serves and it makes all the difference. Will be back soon.

Very cozy and relaxing place with stylish decor and beautiful large windows to people watch on the street as you sip your tea from a wide variety of aromatic choices. Soothing music plays quietly in the background and a diffuser spreads aromatherapy through the space. Very friendly owner and overall great experience very unusual for New York and great to slow down the pace of life in the city for a second

Such a lovely place. Loved the tea, the cozy tranquil setting, and how nice the owner was. They found a spot for us, despite what was a very busy day for them, 1.5 hours before our reservation. Writing this review many months after our visit, but this place deserved a great review and I'd rather write it late than never.

So happy it has returned to the UWS after a year of hiatus due to Covid19. Limited hours, but I will take it for some tranquility and serenity in the throes of an everlasting pandemic. Experience new tea flavors, savor the peace, and enjoy the company.

An out-of-the-way little tea room on the 2nd floor of a building on 72nd, Floating Mountain offers a serious menu of teas, personally imported by the owners. For now they have Chinese teas but the plan eventually is to broaden out. Not that there's any shortage felt in limiting themselves to China--the menu has maybe 50 teas, from white to green, to oolong to black (or red, as they call it here), and more. They prep the teas for you, giving you a perfect cup. Relaxed, airy, with comfy floor cushions for seats and some street views from the windows, Floating Mountain is lovely and unexpected. Aside from purchasing individual teas (~7 for a cup, ~20 for a pot with unlimited re-steeps), there are tastings you can buy, and also ceremonies you can book by appointment. I think there may be a daily free tea ceremony, at 11am-12pm, but you should double-check. Tea snobs and connoisseurs will, I think, be pleased. The more casual tea drinkers may just enjoy the ambience and the quiet, careful preparation, which serves to highlight the flavor of the teas.

My friend and I stumbled across this tea spot on a rainy day and it was perfect. The shop is hidden upstairs, the entrance is a little tricky to find, but well worth it. The decor is simplistic and perfect for the environment. My friend and I sat at the table closest to the window so we could watch it rain outside while we were able to be in an indoor cozy spot drinking tea. The lady working there who I assume owns the shop was great! She was so knowledgeable about the teas and did a fantastic job of showing us the proper way to brew the teas. She was very attentive and every time we started to finish our tea she would brew some more. She brewed and poured the teas the traditional way it is supposed to be done.

An incredible hidden sanctuary and tea house in the upper west side. Overall: 4/5 Drinks: 4.5/5 Service: 5/5 Decor: 4/5 Price: 3.5/5 High quality loose leaf tea brewed fresh in front if you in a tea service. There's an obvious attention to quality, with a precise temperature and process by which they serve the tea in small batches. The woman came by really frequently to make sure our cups were fresh and full. The cups are super small so hard to drink a lot of tea but you can definitely get through a number of rounds. The prices are expensive though - for a pot of tea was about $16-17 at cheapest, but you're partly paying for service and experience.

Was on the search for a tea house in the UWS and found this gem (thank you fellow Yelpers!). It's on the second floor of what seems to have been previously an apartment building back in the day. When you get there, you must ring the doorbell and get buzzed in. Upon entering, you must remove your shoes. The vibe in here is totally chill, zen with beautiful minimalist decor. One of my girlfriends and I shared the Lu An Gua Pian green tea and it was tasty. The perfect tea after a heavy brunch elsewhere lol. We were served in cute tiny tea cups and sat in a cute nook by the window. Elina, one of the owners was really sweet as her staff! I will definitely be coming back.

Cranky old woman yelled at me for not taking off my shoes and speaking too loud, when I asked if they had London fog lattes hahahahah! This is not a Starbucks, it's amazing. I drink Kusmi and Harney & Sons usually, so I have a decent palette for tea, I thought this was just going to be some bland Chinese teas with unnoticeable variations. No, that wasn't the case. The takeaway tea I took pissed me off when I got back to Chicago...that I didn't buy more. Gorgeoussssssss delicate but super strong black tea, the woman recommended it. It's like a sanctuary inside. Absolutely amazing. Love this place.

One of New York City's newest tea houses, this gorgeous space offers both the much needed respite from the urban clamor and a wide offering of excellent and hard-to-find teas. The owner is incredibly knowledgeable about her offering and her meditative approach to guiding one through her 60+ types of teas is both informative and enjoyable.(I could easily spend a lifetime going through her 30+ oolong teas!) The layout of the space is clean and, being on the second floor overlooking the street below, makes you feel as if you are in a place far from the rush of the city. Calm jazz mixes with the soft sounds of boiling water and helps to create a memorable day. I can't count how many times I've been back, but I encourage anyone who comes to NYC to stop by this beautiful spot for tea and a time to relax. Ask about her events, live music gatherings and meditation series. These are also very worthwhile!

What a lovely way to spend a rainy day. Very relaxing atmosphere and simple decorations. The two teas we tried were really fabulous (a Smokey red tea and a tea with floral notes). All the teas are simply tea leaves-no flavored or mixed tea. It's for the true tea enthusiast. The owner was very hospitable. She helped us choose some tea to take home too!

This tea house is the epitome of zen! It's so cozy and I love the alcoves near the windows so much! I went here with a friend from Australia who had brought loose tea from AU with him for me. The owner let us use one of their pots to try our tea (after purchasing their tea of course) and the two ladies that worked their tried some of our tea too! As a major tea enthusiast (I was in a tea society in Australia) I can definitely recommend this shop. The tea is high quality Chinese tea and not too pricey. Will definitely be going back one day, hopefully soon!

I came here last week with a friend and had an amazing time. The owner Lina is extremely warm and welcoming. She gave us some information on the different teas and where they came from, but you can also read up on it from the menu.This place is good to just come and relax and have some girl talk which is what we did. Eventually I'd like to try them all which will take a while since there are so many!

Incredibly Zen, beautiful decor, and amazing service. The hostess is super knowledgeable and the tea varieties were amazing and plentiful.

This place is magical! Sitting by the window with a friend and pot of tea is one of the best experiences on the UWS. Highly recommend Floating Mountain for the ambience, service, and tea.

A well designed, serene and cozy spot with an amazing selection of premium teas. The owners are super knowledgeable/informative and are really focused giving their customers the best experience.  The whole vibe is just incredibly lovely and relaxing...a much needed place for a moment of zen and some delicious tea!

Overpriced mediocre tea. Gets crowded very easily and can definitely find better tea rooms/parlors that provide a better experience in the price range that they are selling their tea

Been meaning to try this place for awhile, but was very disappointed in the service. The woman serving us was very rude - definitely didn't make me or my friend feel comfortable or welcome. As someone who isn't an avid Chinese tea drinker, she made us feel stupid when asking questions like do you have any tea iced (no), or general recommendations. When spending $20 on a cup of tea, I expect a very different kind of experience. Do not go!