Carry on Tea & Sympathy
“But if you're hunting for good British products, this is the place to go, regardless of the importing cost.”
“I found this place via a random yelper's help because I was looking for Jaffa cakes.”
“I also got some breakfast tea for a friend's bday and the most adorable Alice in Wonderland tea pot.”
Carry on Tea & Sympathy
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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Cute, but I don't like that you can't browse through the products as they're all mostly behind the counter. The employee who was there when I went wasn't very interested in engaging with the customers. I had a question or two but wasn't able to ask because he just wasn't paying attention. That was very off-putting. Also, so expensive and needlessly so, even though things are imported and all.
Came here to get some British candy for my Brit coworker (secret Santa in the house; feeding him some nostalgia).
Very cute little shop. I loved that they had a good selection of things to choose from, and many different "holiday" boxes of treats. Bear in mind, this is definitely a pricier place to go – but if you're craving the British dairy milk and not the Hershey's – it's your best bet!
The staff was really helpful- I would probably come again to visit the actual tea/food joint 🙂
To be honest, I chewed down an entire UK import dairy milk bar but I digress even in my guilt at the price and calories, I can't really tell the difference! The Hershey's version is certainly sweeter and has a different after taste. The UK one has a slightly more pleasant after taste- but I don't mind the Hershey's, I'm a cavity-prone, soda guzzling American after all!
This store has what I like to call the ABCs of English chocolate: Aero, Bounty and Crunchies. They sustained me in my summer abroad in London and now they are an "occasional" treat during those "few" times in the semester when I feel "just a tad" stressed.
This shoppe (taking it too far there?) also has hobnobs and biscuits, tea, lots of Keep Calm and Carry On merchandise, and Christmas crackers. Oh, and shopkeeps with charming accents. Come in here and stock up on treats during your inevitable wait to get in next door.
My dealer for my chocolate drug of choice: Cadbury's Double Decker. I got hooked onto the Double Decker when I was in London for 6 months last year. I don't know why Cadbury's doesn't distribute this in the US. They'd make a killing.
Yes, they sell other British stuff but why would you want to get anything other than a Double Decker?
I buy my mom chocolate oranges from here around the holidays. I don't know if she really likes them as much as I do cause I figure I'd love to get them as a gift!
Seriously, this is a great store, full of all things from blighty. If you're in need of your London fix, but haven't the cash to get there, have a sampling of this store to hold you over.
A good place to kill some time if you are waiting for table right next door at Tea & Sympathy. They mostly sell tea pot sets here that were also used next door. The entering door was even painted like a London phone kiosk!
The star was being deducted here as I overheard someone else discovered that the food they bought had passed the expiration date. But other than this small occasion, I was pretty satisfied with my short tour.
I have a very fond memory of coming to this place with an old friend I hadn't seen in over 10 years.
She brought me here because it was quirky and unique and really added to my experience in NYC. Having been here a few times, I was really sick of doing a lot of the touristy stuff my friends hadn't done yet.
We each picked a tea and I bought a crap ton of my favorite british sweets that I thought I wouldn't be able to find in the states. The candy is not cheap though, and I"m not entirely sure it's cheaper than ordering a few boxes of your favorites online, but they have so much variety that it'd be great for trying new things to see you'd wanna order in bulk, too. I bought one of each of a bunch of things and spent close to $50. But I savored every bite. Mm.
When the tea came, brewed by a young gentleman with a charming accent (I was told that they only hire UK boys to work here?), we sat by the window on a bench and watched the rain fall and warmed ourselves with delicious tea while reminiscing about old times. And eating delicious candy!
What a great experience. not a NY native, but I always remember and suggest this place when people ask me about New York City.
Certainly a destination for anyone with cravings for all grocery items British. Set out like a traditional grocery store, the shelves are stacked floor to ceiling with biscuits, sweets, crisps, tea pots, obscure royal plates – all served up with friendly British staff.
Given there are a couple of stores like this in the area, I actually rate this one a little higher, as the staff do actually smile and engage.