There is something incredibly exciting about Afternoon Tea. It makes any day extra special and features little treats that you don’t get to have any other time. A place that epitomizes that feeling is the Ritz Carlton. When I heard the Chicago hotel was getting ready to bring back an afternoon tea menu for the fall, I was all in.
Executive Pastry Chef Toni Roberts prepared a preview for me of what to expect during this year’s Spooky Tea and Festive Tea services. It did not disappoint.
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The Tea
Although the experience begins with a glass of champagne, it is all about the tea. As soon as you sit own you are shown the tea menu to choose what you’d like. The selection covers unique flavor blends made just for the Ritz Carlton. There’s also an old favorite for those a little less adventurous.
Choices for tea can vary, but this is what they had for my experience:
- Crema Earl Grey, a traditional English black caffeinated tea.
- Grapefruit Grove Elixir, caffeine and citrus filled with grapefruit peel and essence, orange slices, tangerine, carrots, apples, and hibiscus
- Mallorca Melon, a mixture of tangy and sweet, with cantaloupe, pineapple, honeydew, orange, and hibiscus, and without caffeine.
- Autumn Harvest Cram-Apple, a decaffeinated blend of cranberry, apple, elderberry, rosehips, and hibiscus.

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Spooky or Festive
Afternoon tea at the Ritz Carlton in Chicago is starting this fall with the Spooky Tea. This tea service has been built around Halloween with a menu to die for. Then, in December, there will be a holiday themed Festive Tea.
The menu for the two different tea services is basically the same, but the presentation and naming of the items will represent the holiday. This is the Spooky Tea menu. I was able to try most of these and you can see the notes on some of my favorites.

Finger Sandwiches
- Crabby Crab Salad – Made with peppers and lemon aioli
- Skulls, Skulls, Skulls – Smoked salmon with capers and a dill spread. A classic finger sandwich done just as it should be.
- Crunchy Mummy – A mix of olives, borsin spread, and pullman. Another that you must try. “Open Face” Sandwich. Cornichons with grainy mustard cream cheese
Quiche
- Carbonara Quiche – A combination of bucatini, smokey mushrooms, and parmesan cheese. A quiche made of pasta? It’s a must try and my favorite of the food items.
Freshly Baked Scones
- Traditional and Pumpkin Spice – Served with house made lemon curd, apple butter, and clotted cream. Both scones were fresh and tasty, but the pumpkin spice was a standout.

Pastries
- Poison Apple – Green apple Cremieux with graham Cracker
- It’s a Full Moon – Lemon cake with blood orange jam and silver dust
- Monster Under the Bed – A combination of blackberry mousse and pistachio ganache. This concoction may sound weird, but it really worked.
- Jack-O-Cannoli – This cannoli is filled with pumpkin spice ricotta and dipped in chocolate. If you eat one thing at the tea service, this should be it. Best cannoli I’ve had in ages.
- RIP – A crispy hazelnut chocolate bar. This makes for a perfect finish.
The Spooky Tea service is available Saturdays and Sundays October 19-27.
The Festive Tea service will take place Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, November 29-December 22. Dates for 2025 afternoon tea events have not yet been announced.
Who to Take to Tea
I went to the Afternoon Tea preview with a close friend, but it’s appropriate to go with whomever you want. It’s popular with couples and families. For an ultimate parent child experience, you might consider booking the afternoon tea in conjunction with the Ritz Carlton’s American Girl Package. The Chicago American Girl Place is just next door to the hotel. The package includes valet parking, an American Girl doll bed, turndown service for one child and one doll, and an American Girl keepsake.
Things to Know
Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carlton is $85 per person, including the food, tea, and a complimentary flute of champagne. Reservations are necessary and can sell out so you should book your preferred date as soon as possible on their website.

The Torali Italian Steakhouse is the location for the tea service. The dress code is smart casual. I wore a sundress. You don’t need to get fancy, just leave the tank tops, jeans, and shorts at home.
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