Is Tea Around Town Worth the Hype?

If Barbie ever swapped her pink Corvette for more sensible public transportation, she'd definitely be cruising around in the bubblegum-pink double-decker bus, Tea Around Town. This chic, mobile tea experience loops around downtown Dallas, following a route similar to the city's signature sightseeing trolley but with more flair — and a lot more finger sandwiches.

After the pink carpet is rolled out, everyone is seated upstairs at reserved tables on the enclosed top deck for a bird's-eye view of the city, while the first floor is used as a prep kitchen for the servers. The playlist is Bridgerton meets smooth jazz, with a vibe of florals and rhinestones that feels like a garden soiree meets bachelorette party. It's all content gold for the “camera eats first” crowd. Tea Around Town started in New York City and is new to the Dallas market. The ride was a little bumpy, literally and figuratively, as the company charts a new path in Big D; navigating downtown construction is no easy feat, and some audio issues meant narration was hit and miss.

They did their best to point out the obvious landmarks like City Hall, the Farmer's Market and Klyde Warren Park, along with some unexpected gems like every Beyoncé poster in town. It's a charming way to get your bearings if you're new to town or a great way to embarrass a friend on their birthday.
Prices start at $69 per person for the petite menu and $99 per person for the luxe package, which includes a few extra decadent bites like a mini lobster roll, smoked salmon toast and Ferrero Rocher red velvet mousse. Everyone receives the standard spread of crostinis, finger sandwiches, scones and cake bites — some of the standouts were a Chantilly cream cheesecake, a lemon ricotta balsamic mushroom crostini, the humble egg salad and a rich rib-eye Vruyere horseradish sandwich on rye. Don't worry about trying to finish it all in the 1.5-hour timeframe (it's a lot); they'll gladly provide you with an adorable pink to-go box.

We were supposed to taste six different hot teas in the souvenir sippy cup, but we ended up with three pours and a mocktail that didn't quite follow the online menu. The standout was maple apple cider, which felt more like an autumn harvest than a spring garden party, but no one complained.

Despite a few hiccups, Tea Around Town offers a whimsical and indulgent escape that's a great excuse to throw on your glitteriest dress and fluffiest fascinator and round up your squad for a light-hearted afternoon. If you're ready to sip, savor, and sparkle, this pink-powered ride might be your cup of tea.

The bus departs from the historic West End. If you have extra time, consider popping by the JFK Museum or continue to play tourist with other nearby downtown attractions.