News Release - The Huntington’s Historic Tea Room to Reopen May 24

• The original 1911 building has been restored and a new outdoor pavilion opens onto the Shakespeare Garden.
• Press Preview on April 24.
• Dining reservations can be made beginning May 10.

SAN MARINO, Calif.—The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens announced today that following a three-year closure, its iconic, historic Rose Garden Tea Room will reopen to the public on May 24, 2023. Dining reservations can be made beginning May 10 through OpenTable.

The Tea Room closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then it underwent a major 18-month renovation.

Building renovations include the restoration of the front of the original 1911 building; a sweeping new outdoor dining area on the east side, facing the Shakespeare Garden; and the improvement of functionality in its service areas. Additionally, on the west side of the building, the room that faces the Herb Garden has been renovated and will be made available for private rentals. At capacity, the entire space can serve 169 people, including the front room known as the Tea Room, the Herb Room on the building’s west side, and the outdoor Shakespeare Room on the building’s east side. The project was developed by The Huntington with Architectural Resources Group.

The Rose Garden Tea Room will continue its elegant tea service with a selection of teas, seasonal house-made scones, and a variety of savory and sweet offerings, including smoked salmon with dill cream cheese and caviar; banoffee tart with dulce de leche, banana jam, and caramel crunch; and buckwheat financier with lemon pistachio glaze. A high tea option will include champagne and such items as lobster salad in phyllo with Maldon sea salt and shaved black truffles.

The $11.2 million project broke ground in late 2021 and is being funded entirely through philanthropic gifts.

“This renovation celebrates one of our most beloved historic structures, acknowledging what has been one of the area’s most iconic dining destinations since it first opened to the public many decades ago,” said Huntington President Karen R. Lawrence. “These innovative upgrades will make for an extraordinary tea experience. The Shakespeare Garden pavilion expands our capacity and creates a fluid space between indoors and outdoors that our visitors will love.”

Built in 1911, the Rose Garden Tea Room was designed by architect Myron Hunt to serve as a billiard room and bowling alley for Huntington founder Henry E. Huntington. Hunt also designed Henry and wife Arabella Huntington’s residence (now the Huntington Art Gallery), the Library building, and the Huntingtons’ garage (now the MaryLou and George Boone Gallery).