You don’t need to be in a picturesque village in the United Kingdom to experience a romance à la Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, nor do you need to be a white rabbit to join Alice’s very own tea party in *Alice in Wonderland*. This wonderful novel begins at *Tiempo de Cerezas*, a tea house that recently opened in Mexico City—in the Santa María la Ribera neighborhood, to be precise.
Amid teapots, pastel colors, and vintage teacups, this place is a true tribute to English teahouses. You can even enjoy afternoon tea, famous for its teas served with baked goods and pastries.
This Mexican spot is no exception; afternoon tea includes scones, finger sandwiches (with hard-boiled egg, cucumber, and tuna), a slice of the iconic Victoria sponge cake, and tea of your choice for $450 per person. Just like English tea house traditions, you must make a reservation in advance for this service.
It’s worth mentioning that they also offer a standard menu featuring a variety of teas imported from the United Kingdom, coffees, frappés, and pastries (prices range from $68 to $210). We were surprised by the “snowflakes,” a very popular dessert in England consisting of a base of ice cream, condensed milk, and cream, which are blended with fruits and other delicious ingredients: mango, matcha, banana, cherries…
A poem, a love story, and plenty of tea
This project was founded by Paulina and Tariq, a couple who will warm your heart; and how could they not, when their story began ten years ago when they met on a web forum where they were discussing *Game of Thrones*.
Paulina is Mexican, and Tariq is from Kent, a county in southeastern England. It was right in this region where they lived (and fell in love) in recent years—they visited every tea house in their city together!
They arrived in Mexico City very recently to found Tiempo de Cerezas, and we can’t help but note that the name of this tea house alludes to the French poem *Le temps des cerises* by Jean-Baptiste Clément, which uses the cherry blossom season as a metaphor for falling in love.
That’s just how romantic everything is here: the decor, the atmosphere, and, of course, the teas.
If you want to experience a true English teahouse in Mexico City, visit this spot located at Sabino 194, Santa María la Ribera; it’s open Wednesday through Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Remember to make a reservation (for afternoon tea only) via Instagram.
