A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach
My friend Susan and I recently stepped into a rabbit hole. I mean, an “Alice in Wonderland”–inspired café of whimsy and enchantment!
Part “Alice” fairy tale, part “Enchanted Forest,” and part High Tea destination, Alice’s Teapot Cafe in Delray Beach is a delight. “Welcome to the immersive world of Alice’s Teapot Cafe, where reality disappears and every tea tells a story.” Their quote is a good introduction to this cute café/bakery/tea-and-coffee shop, located in a large shopping center near the bustling, noisy intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Military Trail. But once you get inside this cozy venue, it’s an entirely different environment. Beautifully decorated from floor to ceiling—and be sure to look up at the gorgeous ceiling art!—it’s a sight for sore eyes.
The whimsically themed backdrops at Alice’s Teapot Cafe make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a lushly illustrated storybook. And it is more than just a charming restaurant—it’s billed as an immersive dining and entertainment experience. Alongside its signature high tea and brunch that’s served all day, this unusual eatery offers visitors a magical ambiance filled with madcap décor, regal seating, interactive moments, and musical waitstaff.
“Our restaurant is meant to be a respite from the outside world. To take the bricks off your shoulders and help you escape from reality,” says Christine Prestininzi, founder of Alice’s Teapot Cafe, a family-run business. “If I can help one person, I’m happy to do it.”
“The heart behind Alice’s Teapot Cafe has always been simple—to offer a gentle escape from a world that can often feel harsh, judgmental, and unkind,” according to Prestininzi’s daughter, Alice (and, yes, that’s her name). “We set out to create a retreat from reality.”
Soothing “Bridgerton”-style music played in the background at lunchtime while Susan and I sipped on our chai tea and nibbled on finger sandwiches, melt-in-your mouth scones with berry preserves, and a delicious assortment of desserts. The hot tea was served in individual colorful teapots, and the savories and sweets were artfully arranged on an elegant, three-tiered service tray. Our servers were warm and accommodating.
After we’d been there a little while, the live entertainment began. The hostess came out and spoke to us all about Alice’s Teapot, then broke into song—“Heaven, I’m in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak…”—sounding very good.
On a table near the front was a lovely display of handmade frosted cookies for sale, created in a tea-party theme by an art teacher at Riverglades Elementary School in Parkland. Her business is called Icing Meets Cookie. Also, along a wall by the entrance was a colorful assortment of fancy lady’s hats and fascinators. If you’d like to dress up but didn’t bring anything, you are welcome to borrow a hat or other prop for your special time there. It also makes for some fantastic photos.
In the evening, you can expect Broadway-style serenades, themed dinners, sing-alongs, and guests joining in the fun—“because here, dinner is part theater, part tea party, and completely unforgettable,” as they advertise. This venue is available for event space rentals, making it a great spot for special gatherings. While we were there, two separate parties of women were celebrating someone’s birthday, and in quite a festive mood.
Other activities at Alice’s Teapot Cafe include creative events and workshops such as art classes, “Alice in Wonderland” glow-in-the-dark painting, watercolor classes, “Dinner and Decoupage,” parents’ night out, sip and paint, adult crafts, and a flower social club.
Whether you’re planning a fun ladies’ night out, looking to dress in your finest for high tea, wanting to partake in the arts, putting together a little girl’s birthday bash, or just looking for something different and adorable for your Instagram, this is the place to be. Maybe you’ll meet the Mad Hatter!
For more information, go to www.aliceteapot.com. Photography by Susan Tutwiler.