Frequently Asked Questions

The Experience

  • The Tea Room is an intimate, reservation-only tea experience created by Laura Hodges Studio in the heart of Catonsville, Maryland. Our Signature Tea Service invites guests to slow down, explore thoughtfully selected loose-leaf teas, and enjoy the ritual of tea in a warm, intentionally designed setting.

  • Our Signature Tea Service is a 90- minute hosted experience that unfolds gradually throughout your visit.

    You'll begin with a seasonal welcome drink before being invited to the tea bar for a guided tasting of three distinct loose leaf teas. Led by our Tea Curator, you'll explore each tea's aroma, color, flavor, and origin while learning more about how teas from around the world are grown, harvested, and prepared.

    Following the tasting, you'll select a tea from our collection to enjoy as your personal pot.

    As you settle in with your tea, a selection of seasonal bites will be served throughout the remainder of the experience. Our current menu includes a freshly baked scone followed by two petite bites, with accompaniments such as locally sourced jams, honey, and butters featured throughout the season.

    Our teas, bites, and accompaniments will evolve throughout the year.

  • Our Signature Tea Service is a little different from a traditional afternoon tea.

    Tea is at the heart of the experience. Your visit begins with a guided tasting and continues with a personal pot of tea selected from our collection. A selection of seasonal bites is served gradually throughout the experience.

    Rather than arriving all at once on a traditional tiered stand, each element is thoughtfully paced so you can enjoy the tea, food, and conversation as the experience unfolds.

  • Each Signature Tea Service lasts approximately 90 minutes. As the experience includes a guided tasting followed by tea service, we encourage guests to plan to enjoy the full 90 minutes.

  • The Tea Room is intentionally intimate, with seating limited to six guests per service.

    Depending on reservations, you may enjoy the experience alongside other guests. This small setting allows our Tea Curator to personally guide everyone through the tasting while keeping the experience relaxed and conversational.

  • Yes. Our tea selections, seasonal bites, welcome drinks, and accompaniments will change throughout the year.

    Part of the experience of returning to The Tea Room is discovering something new with each season.

  • Our collection includes a variety of teas and herbal infusions, including caffeine free options. Our Tea Curator will be happy to help you select something that suits your preferences.

Reservations & Arrival

  • Yes. Our Signature Tea Service is available by advance reservation.

    Seating is intentionally limited to six guests per service, so we recommend reserving in advance to secure your preferred date and time.

  • We recommend arriving approximately 5 to 10 minutes before your reservation.

    The guided tea tasting begins at your scheduled reservation time, so arriving a few minutes early gives you time to settle in before the experience begins.

  • As each service begins with a guided tea tasting, we encourage all guests to arrive on time.

    If you arrive after the tasting has begun, we’ll be happy to welcome you into the service already underway.

  • The Tea Room accommodates up to six guests per seating.

    For gatherings larger than six guests or other special requests, please reach out to our team so we can share any available options.

  • Children ages 12 and older are welcome to experience The Tea Room when accompanied by an adult.

    Guests under 12 are also welcome when accompanied by an adult and the entire six person session is reserved by the same party.

  • If space is available, we're happy to help add another guest to your reservation. As each service is limited to six guests, additional seats are subject to availability.

    Please contact us before your reservation so we can confirm whether another seat is available.

  • Please contact us as soon as possible if the number of guests in your party changes. Our menu and service are prepared specifically for the number of guests reserved, with ingredients and items ordered in advance based on our reservations.

    Our standard cancellation policy applies to individual seats within a reservation. Changes made at least 48 hours before your scheduled service are eligible for a full refund for the canceled seat.

    After that time, we are unable to offer a refund, as preparations and ordering for your reservation will already be underway.

Food & Dietary Needs

  • Our Signature Tea Service includes a guided tasting of three seasonal loose leaf teas, followed by a personal pot of your selected tea and a progression of seasonal bites served throughout your visit.

    Our current menu includes a freshly baked scone followed by two petite bites, with accompaniments that may include locally sourced jams, honey, and butter.

    Our menu changes seasonally, so individual items may vary from one visit to the next.

  • At this time, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions or food allergies.

    Our menu includes a variety of ingredients, and food is prepared and served in an environment where common allergens may be present. If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction, please consider this before making your reservation.

  • The Signature Tea Service is designed as a tea focused experience accompanied by a small selection of seasonal bites. It is not intended to be a full meal.

    We share this distinction so guests know exactly what to expect and can plan accordingly before their visit.

Cancellations & changes

  • We understand that plans change. Reservations may be canceled for a full refund up to 48 hours before your scheduled seating.

    Because our service is thoughtfully prepared for each reservation, ingredients and other items are ordered in advance based on the number of guests attending. Cancellations made within 48 hours of your reservation are therefore nonrefundable.

    With our limited seating, we appreciate as much notice as possible if you are unable to attend.

  • Reservations may be rescheduled more than 48 hours before your scheduled service, subject to availability.

    Please contact us if you need assistance changing your reservation.

  • On rare occasions, illness or other unforeseen circumstances may require us to cancel a scheduled service.

    If The Tea Room needs to cancel your reservation, you will receive a full refund to your original form of payment. We will also provide information about rebooking so we can hopefully welcome you for another service soon.

Visit the tea room

  • The Tea Room is located in Catonsville, Maryland.

    704 Frederick Rd.

    Catonsville, MD 21228

  • Street parking and nearby public parking are available throughout downtown Catonsville. For parking locations and availability, please visit https://parkcatonsville.com/

    We recommend allowing a few extra minutes before your reservation to park and make your way into The Tea Room.

  • Please contact us before your reservation if you have questions about accessibility or would like to discuss accommodations for your visit.

  • Our Signature Tea Service is a reservation only experience, with advance booking required.

  • Yes! We offer a wide variety of loose leaf teas and tea accessories for purchase. You can shop our collection following your visit to The Tea Room or anytime through our website.

    Shop The Tea Room Here

  • Yes. Gift cards are available for those who would like to give The Tea Room experience or something from our collection as a gift.

    Gift cards can be purchased through our website and used toward a future reservation or retail purchase.

    Shop The Tea Room Gift Cards Here

  • The intimate setting of The Tea Room makes it a lovely place to gather for birthdays, celebrations, and other special occasions.

    Our standard seating accommodates up to six guests. Please contact us if you are interested in reserving the full Tea Room or would like to discuss a special gathering.

  • We'd be happy to help. Please contact The Tea Room with any questions about your reservation or upcoming visit.

    hello@thetearoom.cafe

    We look forward to welcoming you.

Close-up of a white plate with a fried food item, two small ramekins of sauce or butter, and decorative flowers on a menu. In the background are three glass teapots with different teas, all on wooden coasters. There is also a small dish with various sauces or jams on a wooden board.
A breakfast table with a white plate holding a piece of fruit bread, garnished with lavender and herbs, accompanied by a small dollop of butter and a small container of honey. Next to the plate is a spoon and a butter knife. There is a cup of tea on a saucer, a glass of bubbly rosé wine, and a small wooden tray with honey and jam jars.
A bright, stylish dining area with framed botanical prints on a cream wall, white marble tables with gold lamps, wooden chairs, a mustard cushion along a window with white curtains, and a black brick column.