Tea Leaf

Waltham, United States

3.7

Closed now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 781-891-1900
Website:
www.thetealeaf.us
Address:
487 Moody St, Waltham, MA, 02453
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
100 ftMoody St @ Maple St
140 ftHigh St @ Moody St
170 ftMoody St @ High St
Categories:
QR code
Download QR Image Download vCard

Map

Streetview

Activate map

Bussiness info

Take-out
No
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Outdoor Seating
No
Wi-Fi
No
Good for Working
No

Today

Today 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Closed now
Local time (Waltham) 9:51 AM Friday, November 29, 2024

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday 11:30 am – 5:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Located in the heart of historic downtown Waltham, MA, The Tea Leaf is a charming 20 seat tearoom offering traditional three-​course Afternoon Tea or A La Carte menu items including soups, sandwiches, quiche, and desserts. We offer a large selection of teas to choose from in our tearoom and yes, we now serve coffee by the cup and tea by the cup or pot. Reservations are required.

We also host small bridal and baby showers as well as birthday tea celebrations.

Our Tea Shop offers dozens of brands and blends of quality tea, loose or bagged. A large selection of teapots, tea cups, cozies, tea wallets and other tea-​related «must haves».

The Tea Leaf Gift Shop boasts fashions, classic rain slickers, hats, handbags and accessories as well as jewlery, Victorian greeting cards, tea-​related books, journals, and Laura Childs Tea Mystery novels!

Our hours are Wednesday through Sunday 11:30am to 5:00pm with

convenient, free, off-​street parking to the rear of our building.

History

Established in 2005.

Established by Waltham resident and tea lover Sally Collura, The Tea Leaf is located on Moody Street in Historic downtown Waltham, MA.

It took several years of research and tea classes and two years of searching to find the perfect location, then nearly a year to renovate to create just the right setting for a classic tearoom.

Sally wanted a relaxing atmosphere where one could sit and sip a great cupof tea, read a book or chat with a friend.

With a background in retail, Sally couldn’t open a tearoom without including such treasures as Victorian art prints and greeting cards, candles, bath and spa products and gift items, encouraging customers to explore every nook and cranny of the tea shop and gift shop.

Meet the Business Owner

Sally C.

Business Owner

Waltham resident and elected official with a love of all things tea and experience in management and retail.

With a solid background in retail, manufacturing and business management, and certified and trained in Tea instruction, Sally consults others who aspire to open their own tea business.

Tea Leaf also recommends

Marcou Jewelers

2

reviews

Jewelry

Sally C. says,

«Reliable, honest and dedicated, three generation, family owned jeweler.»

Bonworth

Accessories

,

Women’s Clothing

Sally C. says,

«Best ladies clothing store ever! Sizes x-​small to x-​large reg. fit and petites. All their clothing is top quality, machine washable and budget priced»

Related places

You might also consider:
20
ft
Antojitos Cafe
489 Moody St
670
ft
Dunkin’ Donuts
591 Moody Street
760
ft
Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream
367 Moody St
1
mi
Kefi’s Kitchen & Coffee
142 Main St
1
mi
L’Espresso USA
264 Calvary St
1
mi
Dunkin’ Donuts
859 Main St

Vicinity

Near this location:
30
ft
African Market
481 Moody Street
60
ft
Driving Lessons With L & M
479 Moody Street Apt 12
70
ft
Little India
475 Moody St
70
ft
H2 Hair & Beauty
481 Moody St
90
ft
Nonna’s Italian Bar & Grill
469 Moody St
90
ft
Wellness Center of Waltham
88 Maple St

20 reviews of Tea Leaf

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Northborough, MA
My experience was all positive. I loved the tea choices, but since I don’t have any favorites, I asked Sally (owner) to select a fruity tea for me. She chose a strawberry with kiwi which was sweetened lightly (just enough) and was delicious. I was thrilled to see I had a whole pot right next to me. I would have had more than 2 cups if I were paying attention.
She also had gluten free tea sandwiches all ready for me since I had called ahead. They were all very good; My favorite was the chicken salad, a very unique recipe with a little zing plus lemon. My taste buds perked right up and so did I. My friend loved the old fashioned egg salad, which is hard to find, on a pumpernickel bread.
Then we had a plate of sweets. Mine of course were gluten free, including a «to-​die-​for brownie and cupcake. In a nutshell, this place is good for everyone out there. I wish I lived closer, but I will take others there to visit.
Next time, I plan to shop there, as she has so many unique items. a perfect place to browse at your leisure.
Place rating: 5
Watertown, MA
As a regular I could not be more satisfied with the Tea Leaf. Sally is friendly and accommodating. There are a large selection of teas. Seasonal tea sandwiches are always very good. Two fresh scones per person with home made strawberry preserve. Some reviewers mentioned being annoyed by it being «by appointment only» but this is how tea rooms operate and it ensures those in attendance are well taken care of. As someone who aspires to own her own tea room some day and coming from someone who has visited quite a few tea rooms in Boston including having afternoon tea at some of Boston’s finest hotels, I can assure you, you will not be disappointed in the Tea Leaf!
Place rating: 1
Quincy, MA
My wife went there to take my mother and daughter for Mother’s Day. She emailed beforehand asking to order a la carte. The owner said that she could not do it on Sunday due to Mother’s Day but would make an exception on Saturday. Upon arrival with her guests, however, my wife was told she was required to order the regular high tea — much more expensive than she intended. The owner changed her mind. My wife had driven all the way from the South Shore and she had her guests so she would have been embarrassed to leave.
This is wrong. In fact I think illegal bait and switch. I may complain to the Attorney General’s office and the Better Business Bureau. Not a way to do business.
Place rating: 5
Waban, MA
Wonderful little tea shop that serves a full tea service with all kinds of sandwiches, sweets, scones and more wonderful choices of teas than one then possibly imagine. The shop is filled with teas, pots cups and assorted other items. The proprietor is gracious, thoughtful and very helpful. We had a wonderful time there.
Place rating: 5
Winchester, MA
What a wonderful experience! The Tea Leaf is like being on a Hollywood Movie Set. What atmosphere… what great food and owner, Sally Collura is the perfect hostess and chef. The tea was fabulous brewed perfectly, and the scones and crumpets were to die for. This was a total experience. Call for reservations… you won’t be disappointed… either for lunch or high tea!
Place rating: 5
Wayland, MA
This is actually pretty unusual in this area: a tea room in the British style. Sally offers a pot of tea, and the standard British additions such as scones with whipped cream and jam or finger sandwiches. Sally is so personable that I think part of the reason to go is for her pleasant personality. We enjoyed our tea and scones very much. Sally informed me that coffee is a bad word here, only included on the menu under duress of occasional demand. So I would recommend that when you are in Rome…
Place rating: 4
Sparta, NJ
Came back to the Tea Leaf for the second time during graduation weekend and wasn’t disappointed. Great scones, pastries and finger sandwiches with a generous pot of your choice of teas. Sally is very attentive and sweet. Now that my son is remaining in Boston post-​graduation we will be back!
Place rating: 5
North Reading, MA
Hi Sally! Long time customer. My friend make reservations for a birthday celebration for me. Thank you so much for a wonderful birthday celebration! My Mom couldn’t make the ride as she is elderly; she has many fond memories of visiting your establishment! My friend is now a new fan! Looking forward to seeing you again in July!
Place rating: 5
Boston, MA
I had the pleasure of my first visit to The Tea Leaf this afternoon. The owner, Sally has quite an extensive tea menu and I was quite impressed with her knowledge of tea as if she has her PhD in tea. I chose Vanilla, it was decadent. Then, as other reviewers have mentioned, the scones arrived. And were they good. Heaven! Next, an assortment of lovely little sandwiches and desserts. Everything was served on beautiful, old English china. When my girlfriend and I got chatty (we overstayed our visit), Sally very pleasantly offered to get us fresh, hot tea. What more can you ask? I purchased the vanilla tea and look forward to many more visits to The Tea Leaf. On another note: I read some of the other reviews, which were a painful reminder of my college-​waitressing days where people expect the impossible and assume much. Case in point: Sally is a one-​woman operation. Everything is made from scratch. To run a tea house by one’s self is a quite a feat. So uninformed guests glance around and think, ‘But there’s an empty table there,’ or ‘We can squeeze those strangers in at our table.’ People: There is only one Sally running around taking great care to please her guests. Sad, ladies, just sad. As for reservations («appointments,» how gauche…), this would be an absolute necessity so the sole proprietor can give good service to every guest. I saw Sally serve my table of two, serve another table of 6 women, answer several phone calls, greet an acquaintance and her two small children and all the while, giving us very good service. Another thought: Great place to for a get together with girlfriends, celebrate a birthday, or have an elegant bridal/​baby shower. How about a mother/​daughter tea? The possibilities are endless.
Place rating: 1
Boston, MA
It doesn’t say anywhere prominent that this is by appointment only. We went in here to be rudely turned away. I understand its by appointment, but we we’re potential customers trying to understand what the store had to offer and all we got was brusque rudeness.. never sampled the food and I guess we never will…
Place rating: 5
Washington, DC
I decided to visit The Tea Leaf after purchasing a Living Social for an afternoon tea for two. The Tea Leaf is not your typical spot for high tea. It is a small, crowded shop filled with teas, tea accessories, and a few tables scrunched into a corner. One woman owns and operates the shop, and she was very attentive to our needs. All this lends the place charm and makes it feel quaint and intimate.
The afternoon tea consisted of scones, tea sandwiches, mini quiche, sweets, and as much tea as you can drink. Since I visited the establishment four years ago, I do not remember the exact details of the savories, the sweets, or the tea, but I know that those scones continue to haunt my dreams. I ordered the wedding tea and found it suitable. I had no complaints about the tea sandwiches or the quiche. The tea platter was loaded up with more cookies, pastries, and sweets than we could possibly consume in one sitting. Oh, but those scones!!! they were not too sweet and not too dry. In all my food travels, I have yet to find scones that moist.
I give The Tea Leaf five stars for the quaint atmosphere, great service, and incomparable scones. I eagerly await the next time I can visit Waltham so that I can stop by The Tea Leaf and pick up a bag of heavenly scones.
Place rating: 1
Lynn, MA
I have not even been to this place and the customer service record is already stained for me! I bought a groupon for light tea for my mother and I to shore. She called to make a reservation and the lady could not have been in more of a rush to get her off of the phone. «I am much to busy serving tea to talk to you right now» She said she would call back within half an hour. Once it hit about two hours we gave up and we are not even going to bother.
Place rating: 2
Somerville, MA
YE INTRUDERS BEWARE: MAKE AN APPOINTMENT! This place made me want to cry at least twice during Sunday tea, seeing several earnest, tea-​loving hardworking folks turned away for lack of «appointment.»
Anyhoo, the owner, Sally, turned away a lovely grandmother-​daughter-​grandson trio who were waiting patiently for at least 10 minutes for Sally to turn up from whatever cave she disappeared into for 10 – 15 minutes to politely ask for a table. Sally told them they needed an appointment, and turned them away. And it was COLD, folks, like really COLD.
Then, a sweet 70−90ish (I’m bad with ages, k?) year old couple came in to browse the menu and again, Sally turned them away because they hadn’t made an «appointment.» I wanted to offer them two spots at our table, come ON! Sally also, being in her cave, completely lost 2 – 4 additional customers because I guess bell-​ringing doors are not in fashion in Watch City? There were completely empty tables, although they were covered in tea house billing ephemera.
There were three tables, then Sally on a full-​on 8-​person table with her billing/​accounting books, and another table filled full o’nonsense that could have easily seated 3 – 5 couples.
Why so much tea and non-​tea related items everywhere, (e.g. wigs) which can’t even be called knick-​knack, nor brick-​o-​brack, why so cramped, when you could have a tea counter and seat lovely grandmother-​daughter-​grandson and million-​years-​old adorable couples? I don’t understand this business model and you’ll have to dig me out of the cold, cold, ground before I do.
That said, my mother and I did enjoy the «low tea» of brownie-​like scones, pot’s o tea (pots made in China I must add), and assorted Costco desserts for $ 48 dollars if nothing else that we’re fancy ladies and it was COLD, people!
I suggest, maybe, posting somewhere that this place is APPOINTMENT ONLY!
Place rating: 4
Braintree, MA
Lovely place! Really enjoyed our time there. Great selection of tea and books! Good for small groups and a leisure afternoon. (Just be sure to call and make appointment!)
Place rating: 3
Waltham, MA
BY APPOINTMENT ONLY! I was down the street at the comic book store and stumbled upon this place. I walked in and was informed by the shopkeep that I needed an appointment. But then she was nice enough to clear off the table for us after i explained to her we were just walking by and the shop caught our eyes. It was really nice if you’re planning on spending an afternoon chit chatting with your friends over a vast list of teas and pastries.
I had to take off a star due to the whole appointment only, since it doesn’t have the welcoming feel. If there are tables available, then allow people to sit, and if everything is booked up, tell walk-​ins it’s all booked and advise them to make make appointments. Having it as appointment/​reservation only makes it a tad weird.
Unless this has something to do with their stock count, but seem to me the pasties weren’t freshly made there.
Place rating: 5
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
I love it there! The food is fantastic the price is extremely reasonable especially for the quality. The vegetarian sandwiches were to die for and my meat eating friends said that their’s were amazing as well. Sally is so nice and offered to take our group photo! We took our time and enjoyed the atmosphere. I would recommend this place to everyone. I plan on going back soon! If you are looking for something relaxing to do with your friends this is for you.
PS The reservation was very simple. I even called when they were closed and left a message. She got right back to me during business hours.
Place rating: 2
Ashland, MA
I am English and my friend is Irish, so we went for afternoon tea and we were very disappointed. Not only was the service very slow (2 hours) but the place was cluttered and the impression we got from the kitchen area not very clean.
Maybe our expectations are higher than most people but at a tea room I expect real china, butter for my scones and real clotted cream, not whipped cream, very hot tea and the right utensils to eat the food. I do have to say the cranberry scones were excellent, however, I would not go back again, there are plenty of tea rooms around that exemplify what a real tea room should be like.
Place rating: 3
Boston, MA
Just my Groupon and me for a little me time with tea one fine cloudy Saturday. I arrived nearly 5 minutes late for my afternoon’s reservation, but had to wait 10 minutes as Sally ran a touch frantically around serving the already seated parties, and then later to set up my table.
I ordered the Chai, which came hot in a full heavy teapot, but wasn’t as strong as I would have liked.
My plate of 5 little sandwiches (egg salad, cucumber cream cheese, artichoke parmesan cream cheese, smoked cod, and chicken avocado) and a mini quiche like those easily purchased by the boxful at Costco were served first. The bread were soft and crustless. The smoked cod a touch salty.
Then came the tower with the plate of sweets on top (cherry tartlette, rainbow cake with raspberry, that which resembled a seven layer bar, and a piece of a simple cookie bar that was later revealed to be a lemon bar — no, not the typical custard sort with a shortbread crust), and the two triangles of berry scones (one cranberry, and the other blueberry) with the sweetened dairy-​rific whipped cream and the tasty strawberry preserves on the lowest tier.
I watched my sugar cube melt into oblivion in the porcelain tea cup filled with hot Chai before I poured in some milk, and enjoyed three cups of this with my afternoon’s snack. I downed the entire plateful of sandwiches, the quiche, the tartlette, and about half the scones topped generously with the preserves and whipped cream, and took the rest home in a styrofoam clamshell.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t as relaxing a time as I had hoped. For one, the noise level of this place was rather high with three of the tables filled with parties of 3 – 4 seated right next to one another. But also, I’m dinging them a star down to three because service was a bit lacking — while I overheard each item described to each of the parties within earshot (and all the parties are within ear shot in this place seeing as each table is set right by each other), mine was simply placed on my table and that was that. Way to make a singleton feel special.
Place rating: 4
Waltham, MA
My boyfriend and I had been looking for a nice place for afternoon tea for some time now and when we finally stumbled upon a groupon for the Tea Leaf, we thought we’d try it out.
The lady who runs the shop is very nice but you can tell she is very very busy. Once I called, we booked a date for 2 weeks later on a Sunday) since they’re only open on limited days, as other reviewers have mentioned.
When we arrived on that day, I noticed that the place is very small and cluttered with antiques and other things. I felt that there was too much going on and it wasn’t an upscale tea place as I had imagined. We sat down and got the orders from the groupon — since the groupon is only for one person, my boyfriend had to order something for a min of $ 8 so he got a quiche. The food that arrived was really good, especially the sandwiches. And I’m glad I brought my boyfriend because there is no way I could finish all that food alone.
As for the tea, we got the China green because we love green tea and thought it was quite enjoyable. The honey pot and sugar cubes added a nice touch. This morning tea turned into our lunch because we were so full afterwards. I would say 4 stars for delicious food, decent service, but taking off 1 star for the cramped space.
I would definitely go again though, but I think I’m going to try the Taj for high tea first and compare. :)
Place rating: 4
Boston, MA
A friend told me about the Tea Leaf and suggested we have a get together.
By appt only we made a reservation. You can order A La Carte or choice the 3 course special. The 3 course special is $ 23.00 which includes tea, scones, tea sandwiches, quiches and sweets.
The price was a little steep for me so I opted for A La Carte since I wanted to have the option of buying some things to take home. Even for lunch $ 23 seemed a bit more than I wanted to pay and more than I wanted to indulge in.
However, in the end it was worth it and I would recommend it since it does give you plenty to eat and a sample of everything. Cod, chicken, cucumber, and egg sandwiches. Cranberry and Blueberry scones (best ever). A mini quiche bite. Cookies, strawberry and sweets and of course tea.
The 6 of us had a fun time and shared 4 pots of tea, good food and laughs.
Sally’s tea is a pot of tea. Meaning there are several cups in a pot. Originally we thought we would each get a pot but we had more than enough. Getting 6 pots would have been too much.
The Peach Ginger was one of my favorites so I placed an order since she was out. This only gives me a reason to go back again. Go back again, yup after walking up and down Moody street I brought Mr. G back to look at the tea pots.
Well wouldn’t cha know it we sat down for tea! This time I went for an iced Strawberry which was perfect. I did get a simple teapot which I have been using everyday since I got it and am waiting to hear back about the special pots soon to arrive. I am excited to see the «Elephant» teapot. My daughter loves elephants and now I love tea.
I am also looking forward to getting another (or two) scone. With whipped cream and strawberry these warm cranberry or blueberry treats were melt in your mouth delicious. These were my favorite out of all the things I tried.
Living Social and Groupon recently had specials. The fine print states 1 voucher per party. So if three of your friends want to buy one for the 4th friend to go free you should make plans to go often since only 1 coupon from the table will be accepted at a time. It can be a disappointment if you don’t check into it. We called ahead to check and in the end it all work out well.
Cheery O