Thai Afternoon Tea-Café Chili, Brooklyn
Hello Steepers! Today I am sharing my experience at my first Afternoon Tea in Brooklyn, and my first Thai Afternoon Tea! I cannot deny that I can be susceptible to Instagram ads, and there were a few tea influencers talking about this experience at Cafe Chili. So I was skeptical about whether it was overhyped, BUT I was not disappointed! I had a great time at one of my most memorable afternoon teas, which serves the afternoon tea experience ALL DAY.
A Little Bit of History: Café Chili, located at 172 Court St. in Brooklyn’s Cobble Hill neighborhood, was established in 2012 as a vibrant Thai kitchen offering an inviting, casual dining atmosphere with a touch of culinary sophistication. From its inception, the restaurant has aimed to transport diners “into the best of Thailand at every bite,” blending authentic flavor profiles, like green curry, drunken noodles, and pad Thai, with a warm, communal vibe. Over the years, it has built a strong local following, praised for both its refreshing vegan options like the “emerald green veggie dumplings” and its welcoming outdoor private garden, creating a cozy ambiance. Today, Café Chili is known as a casual spot where bold Thai spices meet Brooklyn charm in every dish.
The Experience: So, this is a normal restaurant that serves regular Thai cuisine in addition to the afternoon tea experience. Obviously, I came specifically for the afternoon tea. The afternoon tea at this spot is anything but traditional, in the best way. You don’t get a choice of sweets or savories. It’s based on the chef’s selections. The chef’s selection change daily, and even from party to party, so you never quite know what you’ll get. But they’re happy to accommodate dietary restrictions.
Pumpkin Spice Chai in the summer!
My sister and I were seated in the back garden. It feels more like a neighbor’s backyard than a typical restaurant patio, which makes the whole experience extra cozy. One major perk with the afternoon tea experience: you’re not limited to just tea. That makes it a great place to bring friends who aren’t big tea drinkers. You can choose from bubble tea, coffee, coconut water, soda, virgin cocktails, or traditional tea to accompany the afternoon tea experience. I especially loved that they offer fall flavors year-round!! My sister had a pumpkin chai and I had an apple cider in May!
Instead of a classic three-tier tray, the food is presented in a unique, beautiful display that blends sweets and savories together. Unless you’re very familiar with Thai cuisine, it can be a fun mystery figuring out what you’re eating. The day we went, the chef’s selection included an egg soufflé tart, fried broccoli cubes, a curry puff, a Thai tea tart, pork and veggie dumplings, macarons, a fruit tart, spicy tofu cubes served in a mini boat, glazed pork, and a pear-apple tart. No scones, but we didn’t miss them because there were a variety of other things to eat.
The presentation was stunning. Service was warm and friendly, though a bit slow, but understandable, as it seemed like one person was handling all the tables in the garden. Just a heads-up: you only get one cup of tea or drink initially, not a full pot, but they did come around toward the end and offer refills, so be sure to ask!
As of Today: This is such an affordable afternoon tea at only $38 pp!! And they serve the afternoon tea experience all day! You can get afternoon tea for dinner if you want! I don’t know a lot of places (or any that I tried) that offer afternoon teas in the evening! So this is an extra special twist! The menu is not available online since the Chef’s specials change, but honestly, I kind of love the mystery.
My Rating: 5/5 teacups! This is truly a unique, affordable, ALL DAY afternoon tea experience. I loved it! If you want a fun twist to the traditional afternoon tea experience, this is the tea for you!
