At a tea house, time spent at the table matters almost as much as the infusion you choose. Sometimes you want a garden; at other times, a room for conversation on a cold afternoon. These five places have different formats, from a tea house with a wide selection to a bistro where you can stay for a meal.
1. Infinitea
Infinitea, in Cotroceni, occupies a house whose garden and rooms encourage an unhurried visit. The menu goes beyond a choice between black and green tea: Japan Genmaicha combines tea with roasted rice, while oolong, rooibos and fruit blends open other possibilities. Begin with a familiar flavour or ask for a recommendation based on what you enjoy.
For two people, ordering different infusions alongside a dessert offers a chance to compare. Roasted-rice tea tastes quite different from floral or spiced blends, a distinction easier to notice if you do not immediately add sugar. Infinitea suits an afternoon where conversation is the main plan, with the garden another reason to visit when weather allows.
2. GreenTea
GreenTea is on Strada Dr. Burghelea, in the Hala Traian area. The house has four themed rooms — Classic, Japanese, Indian and Little Paris — plus a garden. Choosing a different table can change the mood even on a return visit. It is a good address when you want somewhere with character rather than a quick coffee stop.
The selection includes black, green, white and oolong teas, as well as herbal and fruit infusions. Read the ingredients rather than choosing only by a poetic name, and ask for brewing guidance. You can add a snack from the house selection. For a longer meeting, check the events programme, as some evenings feature live music.
3. Ceai la Vlaicu
Ceai la Vlaicu, at 47 Strada Aurel Vlaicu, occupies a house with a garden near Bulevardul Dacia. The offering has expanded into a bistro, so a meeting that begins with tea can continue with food. That is practical when some friends have already eaten and others still need a meal.
The garden is the main attraction on a warm afternoon. In colder weather, it remains a place for conversation indoors, with a broader menu than a traditional tea house. Check the day’s tea selection and food. The appeal is a neighbourhood stop you can extend without moving to another restaurant.
4. Serendipity Bistro
Serendipity, at 12 Strada Dumbrava Roșie, has a garden worth a detour when walking around Icoanei. It operates as a bistro with coffee, drinks and food, retaining a connection to its earlier tea-house format. Tea can be the start of a meeting without everyone having to order the same kind of thing.
Garden tables are the attraction in warm weather, particularly on an afternoon when you have time to stay. If visiting with a group, specify its size and your preference for outdoor seating. Choose Serendipity for its setting and flexible menu; if you want a specialised tea tasting, check the day’s selection first.
5. Ramayana Café
Ramayana suits evenings that run late, with rooms inspired by Eastern interiors and a menu connecting teas with snacks and meals. The decoration and the possibility of staying after many cafés have closed give it a distinct role in this selection. Its Bucharest opening hours are advertised as round-the-clock.
Choose your drink by ingredients and how spiced you like it: a blend with spices differs markedly from a simple herbal infusion. The food menu lets you turn a stop into a late meal. For quiet conversation, ask which room best suits your group; an evening lounge can be livelier than an afternoon tea house.
