A review of the multi-course Turkish Tea for Two at the Baccarat Hotel in New York. Five courses from savory bites to a frozen dessert.
Afternoon Tea at the Baccarat Hotel New York
The Baccarat Hotel New York offers an elegant afternoon tea in the Grand Salon, a luxuriously appointed room on the second floor directly across from the Museum of Modern Art. The setting is refined and intimate, with crystal chandeliers and cozy seating nooks that make it ideal for a relaxed, indulgent experience.
I joined Alexis for a special three-and-a-half-hour Turkish Tea for Two called the Sultan Abdulaziz. Gabrielle, the Baccarat’s tea sommelier, curated this multi-course service with clear attention to detail, from the concept through to each savory bite and the final spoonful of dessert.
Before the first course arrived I enjoyed a Rosewater Lemonade: delicate, fragrant, and very refreshing.
Do I Need to Make a Reservation for the Sultan Abdulaziz at the Baccarat?
The Sultan Abdulaziz is the Turkish Tea for Two, served Wednesday through Sunday from 1 PM to 4 PM. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance.
How Does Turkish Tea at the Baccarat Work?
The Sultan Abdulaziz is a fixed five-course afternoon tea that includes the food items listed on the menu; you do not choose individual dishes. Tea is selectable, though the Dunes du Sahara—served in a distinctive golden camel teapot—comes highly recommended. Additional tea options are noted on the menu for those who prefer something different.
Grand Salon Setting: ★★★★★
The Grand Salon is an extravagant, softly lit space that feels both grand and intimate. Crystal accents and thoughtful table arrangements contribute to a memorable ambiance that complements the meal.
Baccarat Hotel Tea Service: ★★★★★
Service throughout the afternoon was attentive and gracious. Staff anticipated needs and ensured a comfortable pace between courses, which added to the overall sense of luxury.
Baccarat Hotel Turkish Tea Savories: ★★★★★
The savory sequence begins with a golden stand of small bites: walnuts, almonds, dried apricots, caperberries, dates, and figs—two of each for the pair. Portions felt well judged; though the first course is light, subsequent plates grew more substantial.
The second course was a standout. On a single tier were pistachio financiers, date “bacon,” and a filo purse filled with lamb and feta. The filo purse deserves special mention: its delicate, crisp pastry, gently spiced lamb, and creamy feta made it an exceptional bite. It requires a knife and fork, and is worth savoring slowly.
Before the final savory course the tea is served, presented in the signature golden camel teapot.
Baccarat Hotel Turkish Tea & Tea Selection: ★★★★★
The tea selection has evolved since my last visit and now offers a range of choices. I opted for the recommended Dunes du Sahara, a green tea with fresh mint, which arrives with visible mint leaves and is steeped so it stays bright and never bitter. The tea service is timed to accompany the final savory course, enhancing the flavors of the meal.
The Baccarat maintains four of the ornate golden camel teapots used for this service; they are notable decorative pieces that also serve a functional role in the presentation.
The third and most substantial savory course arrives on a three-tiered tray. From the top down: sunflower fennel simit (a Turkish sesame bread), chicken pastilla, and an assortment of dips. The bottom tier includes apricot saffron jam, hummus, baba ghanoush, and tzatziki—perfect accompaniments for the simit. By the end of this plate, I felt pleasantly full but still ready for dessert.
Baccarat Hotel Turkish Tea Sweets: ★★★★★
The final course is a refreshing, not-too-sweet finish: a scoop of frozen labneh—yogurt-based cream cheese—served in a chilled crystal goblet with candied kumquats and rose halva. The tang of the labneh paired with the floral halva and bright kumquat is a balanced, elegant conclusion to the meal.
Baccarat Hotel Turkish Tea Overall: ★★★★★
The Baccarat delivers an exceptional afternoon tea. The Sultan Abdulaziz demonstrates the hotel’s flair for creative, well-executed tea services that stand out in New York. Between the sumptuous setting, polished service, thoughtful tea selection, and memorable food, this experience ranks among the best afternoon teas in the city.
LOCATION: Grand Salon, Baccarat Hotel New York | 28 W 53rd Street | New York, NY 10019 | 212.790.8800
TURKISH TEA AFTERNOON TEA HOURS: Wednesday – Sunday, 1 PM – 4 PM (reserve at least 24 hours in advance)
COST: Sultan Abdulaziz Turkish Tea for Two — approximately $300 for two people
//Afternoon tea courtesy of Baccarat Hotel New York. All content and opinions expressed here are my own.//