Tea Leaf
- Price Range: $$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Street
- Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Wi-Fi: None
6 Reviews for Tea Leaf
I like Tea Leaf. I've stopped in here a number of times to get my study on. They usually play classical music and the staff is nice enough. 'Tea,' with scones and small tea sandwiches is reasonably priced but it's difficult to get over the atmosphere. While the decor inside is Victorian enough, you are in what's basically a strip mall in Waltham. It's a nice departure from the rest of Moody St. but it's difficult to deceive yourself. They also sell tea related items, some small baubles and crafty 'art wear'. It's a nice place to take mom for Mother's Day, or to stop in to if you're in the area, but I wouldn't say that Tea Leaf itself is worth the trip to Waltham.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Nice little tea place.. nice owner... reasonable selection... standard prices... Mainly English teas. Since this is a small place, check the expiration date... yes... tea has expiration dates... (many tea should be drink within 1-2 years). I did not eat there, but food do look delicious. Again... nice relaxing place (boy... now I sound like an old lady)
Free street parking in front or meter parking (for longer stay) off Moody St.
As I strolled down Moody Street in search of two things, vanilla extract and a couple of birthday presents, I stumbled upon The Tea Leaf on my way. I've heard about the Tea Leaf from reading a few reviews on Yelp but I've also driven by it several times and wondered what it would be like. This was the perfect opportunity to find out.
When you walk in, you'll find yourself not only in a tea store, but a little tea room. There is about 6 - 8 tables you can sit at and enjoy an afternoon tea with some snacks. This I did not have time for, but might possibly return to do some time. Maybe...
As my eyes darted in every which way to take in everything there is here, and when I say everything, I mean everything. Not only are there the tables in the middle of the room for tea, but along the walls are various teas you can purchase, there are various books about tea and some other material, there were tea sets (you know the ones with the floral patterns all over), they even had little tiny miniature version of tea sets, and oh soooo much more!
If you are a tea fanatic, I suggest you come in here and talk to Sally, the owner. She loves to talk tea. I even found out that they carry local honey from Waltham here. Who knew that there was a honey farm right in Waltham?! Apparently there is but the owner of the farm won't tell anyone where it is, but did let Sally know that it is near the store. He had also informed her that he had to import some bees from Italy this year because some had died off last year. That might explain why my allergies have gotten worst this year. New bees in the area! Maybe... Either way I purchased a jar of the honey, at $12 a jar, expensive, but worth it if it means suppressing my allergies since I don't take meds of any kind.
Next I still needed to get my gifts, I found the perfect book on the bookshelf near the register for my tea loving friends. And each of them their own beautiful tin can of delicious tasting tea, Pomegranate Oolong and Midsummer's Peach, by Harney & Sons.
Sally was wonderful in being able to provide me with gift bags, stickers on them, and some tissue paper. Plus, she even gave me some loose teas to try out for myself. I will most definitely be coming back to purchase the teas she allowed me to sample. Also, if you didn't know she writes a column in the Waltham newspaper every week. Check her and her store out some time. You'll find out some very interesting things about tea you wouldn't have known. For example, after meeting her, I found out in the Waltham newspaper that you can use tea to treat sunburns! Who knew?!
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
Cool (1)
Cute place, nothing too exciting.
Went there to pick up some tea for my parents. There was a large selection of tea lining one wall with a few small tables where many older ladies were having teas and scones.
Couldn't seem to get help selecting tea, and had trouble getting the attention of the owner to purchase my items.
It made me feel good to support the local business, but for the trouble of parking on Moody street, lack of service, and working around their hours I probably won't be coming back.
People thought this was:
Useful (1)
This place is adorable. All the way at the end of Moody St is a little Victorian-style tea house. I won't lie, it's got an old-lady feel to it. There will be many grandmas and Red Hat society ladies about the place. But a girlfriend and I had tea here the other day and were warmly welcomed the same way any good grandma would welcome her granddaughter's friends. A fine selection of teas served by the cup or pot (large or small) can be accompanied by any range of snacks, from scones to cute tea sandwiches to pastry. The place doubles as a kind of curio store with jewelry, stationery, scarves and purses for sale, as well as some of the art on the walls. I can't guarantee you'll actually want any of the stuff, but it gives the place a warm and cozy crowded-attic kind of feel. And, 10% off your order for Brandeis students!
The lady who appeared to be the owner of the shop was extremely nice to me and my tea-drinking companion, making special changes to what we ordered (extra sandwiches instead of sweets) and throwing in free samples of Argentine tea and fancy cucumber hand cream. She advised us to call ahead with a reservation next time as that would give us the opportunity to put in advance requests and to ensure that she hasn't run out of quiche or something. All in all, a really cute little shop that gets bumped up to five stars because of the happy vibe and the kindness of strangers.
People thought this was:
Useful (5)
Cool (2)
Looooooove this place. I used to walk up Moody to catch the Brandeis bus to campus, and stand right across from this place, gazing fondly at it. Great tea selection and lots of cutesy tea stuff too! I got an adorable little tea ball here that I use pretty often, and remember Tea Leaf each time. Ahhh, memories.
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