Tea, tea shops & tea rooms of Rome: these are our picks in the Eternal City!

February 23, 2012 BuzzInRome Bars & Cafes, Food products, Furniture/Design, International Cuisine, Light Meals/Snacks, Souvenirs & Gifts, Sweets, 5

After our much appreciated hot chocolate story, it’s time to cover another winter beverage, tea, because spring seems to be arriving soon!

The ancient temple of tea in Rome is Babington’s, located in the city’s British corner. On the other side of the Spanish Steps you have the Keats-Shelley House, a very fascinating place with lively cultural activities, and just behind the corner is the British Council.

Babington is definitely an old-style place (it was founded in 1893 two English sisters) and doesn’t only offer teas, cakes, snacks and regular meals it also sells tea objects such as cups, spoons, tea kettles, pots, tools etc…Very high prices. English atmosphere.

An Eastern Asian ambiance (there is a Zen fountain!) is instead one of the main features of Makasar, the perfect destination for some relax after the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s visit. On Makasar’s shelves you can also browse interesting travel, cuisine and travel books. 250 teas can be sipped here.

In the heart of Trastevere you can find one of the city’s most famous tea rooms, Il Giardino dei Ciliegi. Among its 140 teas you can find the very rare Red Flower. Very relaxing. Modern design. Good cakes and sweets.

If you’re looking for Indian tea and cakes, nothing is better than Bibliothè, which is also a cultural center (with a free library) and a vegetarian restaurant. It’s not easy to spot as it is in a very small road, close to the Gesù church. Spices and Indian products are also on sale. Expensive.

Mostly Chinese, Japanese and Indian teas can be enjoyed at Fior di Te. Chocolate and home-brewed coffee are also on the menu of this tea room and shop in the southern suburbs of Rome, not far from the Furio Camillo underground stop. Very friendly atmosphere with nice red jars.

Let’s see the tea shops.

Biblioteq is a little shop in downtown Rome with a huge range of tea blends on offer (more than 160). Cups of all colors, shapes and material can be bought here as well as jams and marmelades to match with your choice of tea. The owner is a very friendly person who knows really a lot about tea.

On the other side of Corso Vittorio Emanuele is Te e Teiere, an institution for tea addicted Romans. Good choice of tea, pots, kettles, tool etc… in this small shop where they also organize tea culture and tasting courses.

Another downtown tea outlet is Il Giardino del Tè, not far from the Colosseum. This modern-looking shop, which is actually Rome’s oldest, also sells jams and cookies to match with your preferred tea and very good cakes.

In the Monteverde borough, Tè fondente not only proposes teas, rooboois and tisanes but also excellent chocolate and the ideal honey for your tea.

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