The St. James Tearoom

The tradition of afternoon tea is alive and well in Albuquerque, at the elegant and opulent St. James Tearoom, opened in 1999 but looking like it’s 100 years older than that.

The tearoom is divided into several “nooks” that can accommodate parties looking for their own private tea service, as well as a library, which has seating areas that can be curtained off.

As is traditional with afternoon tea, guests receive a three-tiered platter with different courses on each tier. Savories, sandwiches, scones, pastries, teacakes, and other sweets and desserts are all made in-house, and their menu changes monthly. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus are also available, as well as a “royal tea” upgrade. The menu ranges from traditional scones and cucumber sandwiches to special themed menus; one recent menu was devoted to Arthur Guinness, and included beef and ale “pot of gold” with cheese biscuit, Irish salute cucumber cup, potato chive farl with red cabbage slaw, and Irish soda bread with lemon cord and clotted cream.