Morning Buzz: Alfred Tea Room

Every time I visit Los Angeles, I make sure to find a new restaurant or cafe to visit. And there are plenty. I’ve been pretty fortunate with finding places that I have either returned to two or three times during the same trip or I’ve recommended to friends. The Alfred Tea Room in Melrose Place is no exception.

On the corner of Melrose and La Cienega is the high-end shopping area of Melrose Place. Tucked away between a couple of clothing stores sits the Alfred Tea Room, a newly opened tea and boba cafe, where every drink is handcrafted and carefully curated for the perfect flavor. The shop itself is quite charming. Open daily, the small shop is dimly lit with soft bubblegum pink walls. A neon sign saying “tea, yes. you, maybe.” adorns the wall giving the room some eclectic flair and local art hangs over a communal bar.

A generic menu is located on the wall, with tea, hand-whisked matcha, and local ‘on-tap’ beverages including kombucha and cold brew coffee. Samples of the specialized tea are presented for one to smell, ranging from the traditional teas to those that are more herbal and floral. My favorite is the Rose White, a light floral tea best enjoyed with a little bit of honey. A close second? The Earl Grey. I went home with two 4 oz bags of each.
A boba menu is also available, mixing chai and milk teas with locally made tapioca balls. I opted for the rose milk tea boba, an incredibly floral, sweet, and refreshing drink, perfect even for the slightly chilly weather in Los Angeles in late November.

For something different, a Grab-n-Go section has juices and smoothies from Clover Juice, kombucha, and on-the-go meals. Notably for purchase are the adorable diner mugs, in the same bubble gum pink or in mint green for $10.

Not much of a tea drinker? For a coffee alternative, check out Alfred Coffee & Kitchen!