Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions but we have compiled the following for your convenience.

I’ve just been invited to tea, but have never been before. What should I expect at afternoon tea?

Congratulations! Enjoying afternoon tea is a special treat and we are thrilled you are experiencing your first tea with us. We hope that you have a wonderful time with loved ones while enjoying our freshly prepared menu items and fine loose leaf teas. TranquilaTEA is an oasis from the hustle and bustle of everyone’s hectic schedules. We are an English style Victorian tea room, with our own American twist of course. At afternoon tea we like to celebrate the finer things in life.

We assure you that you will not leave hungry. Our afternoon teas consist of several courses and are very filling. If you would prefer something lighter, cream teas (pot of tea and scones) and dessert teas are available as well. See our menu for all the traditional tea party options.

Where are you located?

We are located right on Main Street in historic downtown Waynesboro, PA.  TranquilaTEA is in a late 1800s era brick building that is pink with green shutters and awning. Right over the border from Maryland, we are minutes away from Hagerstown. We are 70 miles from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and about 60 miles from Pennsylvania’s capital, Harrisburg.

Do I need to make reservations?

Yes, reservations are highly recommended.  We frequently have all tables occupied, especially on weekends and holidays and would not want anyone to be disappointed if no tables were available. We do welcome walk -ins when time and space permit, but reservations guarantee a tea time for your party. The gift shop opens at 10am, and our kitchen opens an hour later, with the first reservations starting at 11am. For your leisure, we schedule each tea party for 1 and an half hours. If you are in a hurry (which we hope you aren’t!) you can finish in less time, but we hope you will sit down, relax, and be our guest while catching up with family and friends over the delightful repast known as tea time.  During the week there is generally more flexibility with reservation times, but to better serve you we have two seatings on Saturdays: First seating is at 11am and the second seating is at 1:30pm. Call us at 717-765-TEAS (8327) for all reservations.

Why do you need an accurate head count for my party?

Everything we serve at TranquilaTEA, besides the bread, is made in house. We strive to offer creative, one of a kind menus, using local and seasonal ingredients when possible. That means long before you walk through the front door we have begun planning and prepping for your party to ensure a wonderful experience. All the desserts and scones must be baked, soups made, fresh produce procured, etc. All those wonderful little tea sandwiches and attention to detail take time to make.  For this reason, we must have an accurate headcount.  You are responsible for the number of people in your reservation and we have a 24 hour cancellation policy. In the event someone in your party does not come to the tea party, we are happy to either box the food to go or it can be served for the rest of your party to enjoy.

I have special dietary restrictions, can I still enjoy tea at TranquilaTEA?

When making your reservation please inform us of any and all dietary restrictions. With advance notice, we can often accommodate your request. Gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan meals are available with advanced notice. To our guests with allergies, please be aware that all of our food is prepared in a common kitchen. We often serve items with common allergens including eggs, dairy, gluten, and nuts. For this reason, if you have life threatening allergies please exercise caution.  We are happy to accommodate special dietary requests when possible. A $5.00 fee will be added to all gluten free meals.

Do you allow children?

Yes! We have very fond memories of tea parties with our mothers and grandmothers as children and are honored to be a part of your child’s special tea time memories. We know that every child is different, so we do not place age restrictions on our younger guests. We just ask that your child be able to sit through a tea time (approximately 1+hour) without disturbing other guests. If your child begins to cry or create a disturbance please kindly excuse yourself until  she/he has calmed down. Themed tea parties are also held throughout the year for children. Join our mailing list and/or like us on Facebook to be the first to know about special event teas.

Your child is welcome to have the same tea party you are enjoying, but for those with smaller appetites or for picky eaters The Little Empress Tea is tailored for children 10 years of age and younger. We do not allow sharing or outside food since children meals are available. We look forward to sharing the wonderful experience of tea time with your little one!

Where do I park?

Metered street parking is available along Main Street. Waynesboro also has a public parking lot less than a block behind TranquilaTEA Tea Room and Gift Shop at 25 N Potomac Street (behind Trinity House). Be sure to obey all parking signs.

I’ve been invited to tea, what ever should I wear?

Whatever makes you happy! We do not have a formal dress code.  We’ve seen everything from evening gowns to shorts and a tank top. That being said, most people opt for business casual or church attire.  If you are feeling extra fancy, wear a hat! (We have hats and boas available for those who want to dress up).

I’m interested in hosting a special event, can I have it at TranquilaTEA?

Absolutely! We would love to be a part of your special occasion. Hosting your event at TranquilaTEA allows you to actually enjoy your time with your guests instead of stressing over all the details and event planning. Let us do all of the work! Baby showers, birthday parties, bridal showers, retirement parties, if you want to celebrate it, we do too! Please call us at 717-765-8327 to speak with our event coordinator for more information.

What is rooibos tea?

Rooibos is an herbal tea grown in South Africa. “Rooibos” is Afrikaans for red bush. It is caffeine free and technically not tea at all, since it does not contain camellia sinensis. It has an earthy flavor and is high in antioxidants. Rooibos is extremely popular in Africa and has been gaining in popularity in the States due to its health benefits.  With over 60 flavors of tea on our menu, we have something for everyone. Black , green, herbal, and rooibos teas are all available.

Do you really tie all of those cucumber sandwiches?

Yes! Since 2004, we have lovingly hand tied every single one of our signature Traditional Cucumber Dill tea sandwiches. That is thousands of little bows each year! It is our most popular sandwich and while our menu often changes, it is the only sandwich that is always on the tea tray. Many customers have told us they keep the ribbon as a remembrance of their special day at TranquilaTEA and look forward to what color the ribbon will be next time. It signifies our attention to detail and commitment to providing our guests with a one of a kind tea time experience like no other!