Family Friendly Manhattan

Storybook tales attract newest generation of the cup and saucer crowd.

Believing a little one would sit still and remain quiet during afternoon high tea is quite the impractical thought. Luckily, for scores of tea enthusiast parents, many tea rooms in Manhattan accommodate little patrons. Now parents of young children don’t have to worry about affected tea drinkers scoffing at the sight of children in close proximity.

On the Upper West Side, the unpretentious Alice’s Tea Cup (102 West 73rd Street; 212-799-3006) pays tribute to the beloved Lewis Carroll tale. This magical and whimsical tea room founded by Haley and Lauren Fox features servers adorned with fairy wings as they take orders for Mad Hatter and Jabberwocky specials for two. Step down into the entrance of this neighborhood favorite and you will find yourself feeling as if you are entering a wonderland. Pass the to-go display of cakes and scones to find a wide selection of fairy wings, skirts and a quirky collection of fairytales, handbooks and guides for sale. After being seated in either of the two rooms take a look down at your table; some of the glass tabletops include memorabilia. Look up and you will find verses from the story decorating the top of the walls. Assortments of children’s books are readily available to keep little readers entertained while they wait.

Across town on the Upper East Side, Alice’s Tea Cup, Chapter II (156 East 64th Street; 212-486-9200) boasts a much larger downstairs café and the wonderful addition of an upstairs area with a looking glass room for private parties. Children who frequently visit the West Side location will find their photos on the wall of Chapter II’s upstairs Fairy room. If you are seated downstairs, you will notice many of the tables are actually antique Singer sewing machines. The health conscious need not worry; the always healthy menu at the West Side location appears here along with some welcome extras. Although a notable mural of Alice lines the steps to the second floor; it is the bathroom that is the real artistic attraction for the younger guests and will have lines to view it. It features a looking glass for several hand painted wall pictorials of the Carroll story.

Alice's Tea Cup