International Tea Day falls on May 21, and this year it arrives with a theme that goes well beyond the cup, “Fostering Growth and Inclusion." The theme is a call to build a stronger, more equitable tea ecosystem, one that supports smallholder farmers, promotes sustainable practices, and ensures that the millions of people whose lives depend on tea are not left behind by the industry they sustain. The United Nations established International Tea Day to highlight tea's contributions to livelihoods, cultural heritage, and the sustainability of agrifood systems — placing tea-growing communities, not just the beverage, at the centre of the conversation. Tea, after all, is not simply a drink. It is an economy, a ritual, and in many parts of the world, an entire way of life.
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India's relationship with tea is as layered as the country itself, grown in misty high-altitude gardens, processed by hands that have done this for generations, and drunk in ways that vary so completely from region to region that it is almost impossible to believe it is the same leaf. And across every city, town, and highway in between, the chaiwala's cup, pulled strong, sweetened generously, and handed over before you've finished asking, remains the most democratic drink the country has ever produced. On International Tea Day 2026, venture into full cups of tea that support growth and inclusion from these places across India, where tea tells a story that the rest of the world is still learning to read.
The Champagne Lounge, The Oberoi, Mumbai
The location, off the magnificent lobby with panoramic views of the sea, provides an unparalleled flavour of Mumbai. Sipping tea or champagne with pillowy sandwiches, exquisite pastries, and crème caramel as the sun sets is a sensory delight. The tea offerings here are all about classics and some favourites like Darjeeling, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, chamomile, peppermint that pair well with their finger sandwiches, warm scones, and such delights. They also have British High Tea, Indian High Tea, and Mumbai High Tea.
Address: Lobby Level, The Oberoi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400021 [1]
Timing: 8 AM - 11:30 AM
Price: INR 3,000 for two
Nadis, Srinagar
Sustainability is central to Nadis' ideology, with activities such as employing bamboo straws and glass bottles, recycling, and buying products from local farmers and merchants to boost the region's economy. Kehwa is the pinnacle of Kashmiri tea, and at Nadis, it is raised much higher. Fragrant, sweet, and flavoured with rose petals and almond slivers, it is served in a garden brimming with tulips, pansies, and peonies, accompanied by local breads and biscuits. Add the snow-covered Zabarwan range in the background, singing birds on apple trees, and the hospitality of kind hosts, and you have a wonderful experience.
Address: 34.158335, 74.901599, Harwan Rd, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 191121
Timing: 6 AM - 11 PM
Price: INR 1,000 for two
Darjeeling Lounge, ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata
The lounge boasts tantalising beverages and delectable bites, offering every guest an indulgent high tea experience. Here, you will find a curated selection tended to with the same devotion as a fine wine cellar. First flush Darjeeling teas from storied estates like Margaret's Hope, alongside Darjeeling Oolong, Darjeeling Silver Tip, Saffron Silver Tips, Rose & Hibiscus Tea, and Harmutty carry delicate, almost ethereal notes of hazelnut and almond, best enjoyed without milk or with only a whisper of it. Blends such as Silver Moon, Geishan Blossom, Namring First Flush, 1837 Black Tea, Sencha, and Gyukuro Samurai offer a more daring experience, balancing tannin and fruit in equal measure. Assam and Chinese teas complete this celebrated collection, honouring the entire leaf. If you’re really curious, inspired by Dalhousie's street chaa near the Stock Exchange, Share Market Chai is a popular beverage among all. It consists of Assam tea with strong spices and Gondhoraj cookies.
Address: G9WX+G3 ITC Royal Bengal, 1, JBS Haldane Ave, Tangra, Kolkata, West Bengal 700105
Timing: 24 hours
Price: INR 1,500 for two
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The Lady Connemara Bar & Tea Lounge, Taj Connemara Hotel, Chennai
Taj Connemara, which dates back to 1854, exudes timeless grandeur, and its English Afternoon Tea in The Lady Connemara Bar & Lounge is as legendary as the hotel itself. The English Afternoon Tea custom has been resurrected to provide modern-day lounge clients with a taste of colonial heritage. Guests may select between three tailored trademark experiences: Classical Afternoon Tea, Celebration Afternoon Tea, and Best of Madras. It is recommended that you try the Best of Madras High Tea Experience. The tiffin menu included Aachi's handmade crisps, ellu podi urgaa idli, tiny adai with ginger chutney, and millet kuzhi paniyaram with smoked tomato pachadi, evoking a bygone period. Along with these snacks, you can enjoy a lime and mint coconut cooler while sampling a variety of sweet treats such as nannari and cardamom cake, filter coffee mascarpone tart, palm jaggery mysore pak pops and so on.
Address: Binny Rd, near Spencer Plaza Mall, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600002
Timing: 3 PM - 11 PM
Price: INR 4,000 for two
Aujasya Cafe, The Leela Ambience, Gurgaon
Health and wellness go hand in hand, and at The Leela, if you're looking for indulgence without guilt, you must order from their Aujasya menu. Meaning vigour of life in Sanskrit, the new menu features food that's balanced (micro and macronutrients as well as flavour profiles) and leaves you feeling satisfied but not heavy. They've worked with the best chefs around the country, locally available ingredients (and recipes) and nutritionists. Turmeric Ashwagandha tea and Turmeric Tulsi infusion are two of its standout products, both of which are based on substances traditionally connected with Indian health practices. Patrons may also try the Paradise of Kashmir blend and Blueberry Green Tea, which are both part of the café's balanced and thoughtful beverage selection.
Address: The Leela Ambience, 8, National Highway, Ambience Island, Kapas Hera Estate, Gurugram, Haryana 122016
Timing: 9 AM - 10 PM
Price: INR 4,000 for two
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Exotic Blooming Teas, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
Tucked away in Banjara Hills is this tea shop in Hyderabad, a well-kept secret that only true tea aficionados know about. Here, you’ll find more than 20 types of artisanal green teas with fresh flavours like hibiscus, oolong, lavender, rose and peach. Brewed subtly and strongly, the place smells divine no matter what. If your heart fancies more, you can also try their many bubble teas, such as the coconut bubble tea and take home all your favourite leaves. Additionally, besides regular honey, you can choose from seven types of honey to add an extra something to sweeten the flavour.
Address: Exotic Blooming Teas, Rd Number 7, Syndicate Bank, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana 500034
Timing: 9:30 AM - 9 PM
Price: INR 200 for two
Dolly’s - The Tea Shop, Kolkata
India's first female tea taster opened her own tea business in Kolkata in 1988. Dolly Roy, who goes by Dolly, launched Dolly's – The Tea Shop inside Dakshinapan Shopping Complex. Dolly's been serving exceptional blends and educating people how to enjoy tea the way experts do, long before tea rooms and lounges were trendy. Try raw tea, particularly Darjeeling tea without milk, also referred to as liquor cha in the community (no, it isn't made with alcohol; we prefer tea made with tea leaves). And also the Mango Tango if the heat rushes to your head! You can also purchase tea to take home. With vintage, retro music playing in the background, the atmosphere is terrific. There is something for everyone, including herbal infusions, speciality blends, and black and green teas.
Address: Shop No. G-62, Ground Floor, Dakhinapan Shopping Complex, 2, Gariahat Rd S, Dhakuria, Jodhpur Park, Kolkata, West Bengal 700068
Timing: 10:30 AM - 7:30 PM. Closed on Sundays.
Price: INR 200 - INR 600 for two
The Tea Room By Blossom Kochhar, Hauz Khas, Delhi
This little slice of joy is possibly one of the sweetest-smelling places around. They’ve got an extensive tea and coffee menu that’s got everyone from a tea purist to a well-read vegan covered. Yes, there’s a visible slant towards healthy eats with wheat grass shots, low-fat dressings and all, but they serve amazingly indulgent spiced coconut crepes and hot chocolate too. The tea menu is a journey into another world: Delhi Chai Time, Cream Tea, Bombay Cutting Chai, Organic Tulsi Muluthi, and Organic Lavender! One of their signature dishes is a "Glow Kombucha" tinged with guava and basil and presented in its own adorable bottle. It's something you'd photograph before tasting it.
Address: No 1, Hauz Khas Village, Deer Park, Hauz Khas, New Delhi, Delhi 110016
Timing: 9 AM - 9 PM
Price: INR 950 for two
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The Drawing Room, The St. Regis, Mumbai
Nestled inside The St. Regis, The Drawing Room is the kind of place where you can have a quiet, slow afternoon. There's plush seating, live piano playing, and soft clinking of teacups now and then, so you can fully lean into the experience of high tea. The tea menu is elaborate and moves between classic and contemporary, where there are options like their signature tea, black tea, green tea, tisane, herbal tea, and much more. Pair your tea with a sandwich or a light bite for a fully indulgent high-tea experience.
Address: Level 9, The St. Regis, 462, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013
Timing: 9 AM - 11 PM
Price: INR 5,000 fort wo
Kongsi Tea Bar, Bengaluru
Kongsi Tea Bar is one of the top favourite bubble tea spots in the city, and they offer a whole range of boba tea that people can't get enough of. Everyone’s go-to orders are always Thai Milk Tea, Green Tea with Milk, and Taiwanese Bubble Tea with Brown Sugar. They also offer fruit teas such as Strawberry and Passion Fruit Tea. They are present in a few locations in the city and available online as well.
Address: No. 62, Sannidhi, 11th Main Rd, 4th T Block East, 4th Block, Jayanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560011
Timing: 11 AM - 12 AM
Price: INR 400 for two