Tea Time in Brussels: Corinthia Afternoon Tea Review
Hello Steepers! Today, we are traveling to Belgium enjoying the Astoria Tea Time at the brand-new Corinthia Brussels.
A Little Bit of History: If you love a little bit of history with your brew, the Corinthia is a dream. This property is housed in the legendary Hotel Astoria. Built back in 1910, it has hosted everyone from royalty to world leaders. It recently underwent a massive restoration to become the Corinthia, and walking inside feels like stepping straight into a classic fairytale.
The Experience: My friend and I had a 3:00 PM reservation, but due to a sudden break in our schedule, we showed up early at 1:30 PM to see if we could be accommodated. They could not have been nicer. We spoke to the manager, and he had absolutely no problem seating us early.
The Corinthia is a serious luxury property. We had literally just gotten off the plane a few hours earlier and were unable to check into our hotel to freshen up. Because of that, we were a little underdressed and looking very much like rumpled travelers in such a beautiful place. Still, the staff was wonderful. They sat us early without a single blink, treated us with absolute warmth, and did not judge or criticize our casual attire in the slightest.
It was a Sunday, and the room was not crowded at all. As part of the experience, you are offered a complimentary glass of champagne. They also offered us a non-alcoholic alternative, as well as a refill when we were done.
One quick thing to note if you plan a trip with friends: this is a prepaid service. Unfortunately, one person in our group couldn't make it at the last minute because of a delayed flight. We took a risk booking it for the day we landed, but the Corinthia only offers their Afternoon Tea on certain days (more on that below)! Keep that in mind when booking your slots, as your payment is locked in ahead of time.
When the food arrived, the presentation was beautiful. Instead of the traditional three-tiered towers, the savory bites were served on individual plates using unique place settings, like a delicate glass leaf and a vibrant flower dish. The menu itself is premium, featuring fine teas and unlimited refills. Best of all, you can change your tea selection whenever you want. I love tea places that don't force you to lock into just one blend! They freshly brew a whole new pot each time, too, so it's not just a top-off of hot water.
Let’s get into the food:
The Savories: We started with a cute, breakfast-inspired dish of scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheese served right in a delicate eggshell on a bed of salt. The salt presentation was a little odd, but it was pretty to look at! The savories also included lime with stracciatella and smoked salmon, a truffle croque, and a crispy Cannelé with Belgian Grey Shrimps.
The Pastries: Next up were four desserts displayed inside a stunning, custom structure of individual pastel pedestals at varying heights. Our waiter told us it was handmade and designed to replicate the architectural columns of the Corinthia. It was really beautiful. The sweets included a Strawberry, Basil, and Lemon Tartlet; a Mint and Blueberry Pavlova; a Nibs, Jivara, and Lemon creation; and a gorgeous Pistachio, Raspberry, and Tarragon Entremet. I don’t even know what I liked best, everything was delicious!
The highlight for me came at the end. Instead of the classic British scone, they served a local twist: a warm Brussels waffle with vanilla chantilly and rich Belgian chocolate sauce.
During my time here, I learned that there isn't actually a single thing called a "Belgian waffle." Instead, there are two distinct, popular styles: the Brussels waffle and the Liège waffle (though almost every city has its own variation). Brussels waffles are light, rectangular, and feature deep pockets. They are usually described as crispy on the outside, though I didn't find mine particularly crunchy. That said, the hot Belgian chocolate sauce on top might have softened it up a bit! In contrast, Liège waffles are smaller, doughy, and oval-shaped. They are made with a brioche-style dough and pearl sugar that caramelizes into a sweet, sticky crunch. I got to try both during my trip, and they are both amazing.
One thing to keep in mind is that Brussels (and Belgium as a whole) has a very slow pace of service, even slower than Europe’s typical "no rush" mentality. We were never rushed, even after we had finished our meal. The service was lovely.
As of Today: The price for this experience is €90 per person (approximately $100 usd), which includes that glass of champagne. Afternoon tea is only served Friday to Sunday from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. My friend and I were leaving on Wednesday which is why we went the day we landed and were very underdressed for such a gorgeous experience. It is by reservation only, so make sure to book ahead and you have to pay in advance. HOWEVER, like I mentioned that I was able to move up my reservation, if you don’t have one, try to walk in and see if they will accommodate! You can check out the full menu here.
My Rating: 5/5 teacups! It was a lovely experience all around in a beautiful hotel. Definitely worth a trip if you are in Brussels!
Want to hear about more great tea spots? Sign up for my afternoon tea newsletter to stay up to date with the latest!
