It must be in our stars to get to this quaint restaurant. On our way to Temecula, we decided to stop by and take a little walk in San Juan Capistrano (SJC), a little town in south Orange County. known for its beautiful Mission San Juan Capistrano, the jewel of the California Missions that welcomes over 300,000 visitors each year.
In the Old Town area, there are a few little houses that have been converted into stores and restaurants. We parked our car by the train station, and walked toward the historic district area.
If you have been to an artisan village, there is a tiny street in SJC that feels just like that. This is where we found The Tea House on Los Rios, with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating - just about 100 steps of the train depot.
The tea house's beautiful setting and friendly staff make it a truly special place to visit. It is known for its afternoon tea service, which includes a selection of loose-leaf teas, scones, salads, and pastries.
To start, we ordered a couple hot teas for the adults and a strawberry tea for the child.
For food, we ordered a scone that came with fresh raspberry compote and a chocolate ganache cake. We also got a fruit plate. Everything looked so pretty and tasted as delicious!
The service was fantastic and accommodating. Our daughter did not like what she had ordered first but the server was nice enough to exchange it for something different. We were told that we probably needed reservations if we wanted to visit again on a weekend - Apparently they are well known for their brunch as well.
This tea house is such a romantic place and it also feels very English. The tea varieties were unique and they have several of their own blends. It is truly an awesome place for a cup of mid-morning tea and fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods. The cherry on the top is the sound of wind chimes from the store next door. Just magical.
Check out their site for upcoming events. They often have a Mothers Day Brunch, Springtime menus and other garden parties! They are open Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM with last seating at 4 PM and weekends from 10 AM with last seating at 4 PM.
Quick tip:
There is a $20 minimum per person, so share the tea and order a few salads or entree items.
Website: https://theteahouseonlosrios.com
Reserve a tea time here: https://theteahouseonlosrios.com/pages/reservations
First published: 11/26/2020
Last revision: 04/18/2023
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