My mom and my sister went to San Francisco last weekend. While walking around the downtown, they stumbled upon Samovar Tea Lounge located just across from Yerba Buena Gardens. Mom said that their she had the best Russian tea she ever tried. And my mom knows tea. Especially Russian teas. She grew up in Russia.

They also told me that Samovar Tea Lounge has a nice selection of deserts and appetizers including blinchiki. Surprisingly, there is a plenty of Asian dishes in the menu as well. Samovar Tea Lounge has 2 locations - 1 in Castro and one in Mission district. I am definitely going there next time I am in the city…

Samovar Tea Lounge
http://www.samovartea.com/

498 Sanchez St
San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 626-4700
Directions

730 Howard St
San Francisco, CA
(415) 227-9400
Directions

Russian Tea Room in New York is one of the oldest famous Russian restaurants in the United States. It was opened in 1926 by former Russian Imperial Ballet members. The restaurant has changed a few owners, was closed down a few times, and has recently reopened under a new owner but unchanged decor and atmosphere. New York Magazine article describes the interior as “vibrant red-and-green room with its samovars, its Christmas-all-year excess”. History has been happening in the Russian Tea Room and I would strongly recommend visiting it, if ever in New York.

New York Magazine article

Wikipedia article

Russian Tea Room
150 W 57th St.
New York, NY 10019
(212) 974-2111
Directions

As a person who basically ‘grew up on tea’ I miss that afternoon cup of black tasty tea when I go out for lunch. Of course, there is always green tea in Chinese food places, but it is nothing special. A popular Russian restaurant in Chicago, Russian Tea Time offers an afternoon tea service every day 2:30 - 4:30 pm in addition to regular hours and meals. I would go there just for that every day. Here is an anonymous quote I found about this restaurant: “Russian Tea Time is the only restaurant I can think of that reminds me of the quality of dining when I was a young girl. In those days we took such dining for granted. Today your type of ambiance and food are a unique experience.”

Russian Tea Time
http://www.russianteatime.com/
77 East Adams St.
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: (312)360-0000
Fax: (312)360-0575
Directions

Katia’s is a place to visit when in San Francisco. It is a home-style restaurant that offers good food for decent price. The service is better than average, the menu has variety of russian dishes. The atmosphere is friendly and cozy. This place is located on the 5th Ave and Balboa. I heard some good reviews about it from a bunch of different sources.
http://www.katias.com/

Katia’s Russian Restaurant
(415) 668-9292, (415) 668-9298
600 5th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94118
Directions

Russian Tea house is another bakery that serves traditional Russian food in Campbell (2080 South Bascom Ave). The best way to get there is by taking 880S towards 17S, then take Hamilton exit, go East on Hamilton, and make a right on Bascom Ave. I haven’t been there myself but heard a lot of good reviews. Seems like it’s a small family owned business that has been around for a while.

Russian Tea House
(408) 879-8077
2080 S Bascom Ave
Campbell, CA 95008
Directions