3 Tea-riffic Rhode Island Spots For Wintertime Sips With Your Favorite People

Coffe and I, we were quite the pair! I used to start my day by drinking no less than two soup-bowl-esque mugs. Over the last few years, however, I’ve really started to appreciate a nice hot cuppa tea now and then. Especially because too much java and I find myself getting a little jittery. And that’s how I came to discover these three terrific local spots (we’re not talking Lipton in a styrofoam cup here) for an afternoon or evening tea break and a nosh.

Some time at Tea in Sahara on Governor Street in Providence feels as though you’ve stepped into a scene straight out of daily life in Marrakesh or Essaouira. Also, tbh, I never liked mint tea until I ordered it at TIS and the owner did the Moroccan high pour (which is all about hospitality) for me. This comfortable and welcoming cafe also features traditional lunch and dinner favorites from the owner’s native country which in recent years has been popular destination for celebs like Jessica Alba, Lupita Nyong’o, and Shailene Woodley (they’ve all uploaded on IG from Marrakesh).

Aesthetically speaking, we’re talking some top shelf cottagecore. It’s very shabby chic meets Miss Honey’s cottage from the 1996 movie Matilda. And in addition to hot tea, finger sandwiches and sweets, they also have vino from Gooseneck Wine (which is based a stone’s throw away on Brown Street in the Village) and tea-infused craft cocktails. You can’t just pop in, though. They book up weeks in advance. Go to  SweetMariesTea.com to book a January 2022 tea for you and your best pal and see more about this whimsical tea room.

The heated dining bubbles at Chaska in Garden City are a sweet spot for some hot tea, naan bread, and fried avocado tacos. Like Sweet Marie, they also offer creative tea-infused cocktails that are perfect pre-New Year’s sips to enjoy with either your s.o. or your best pals. We were there yesterday and give it high marks for food, atmosphere and service. Just hop on Open Table via your smart phone to reserve one today, it’s that easy.

As always, if you frequent one or all of these places, please do let them know you found them via Patty J and PattyJ.com.