Laura's Tea Room

I visited Laura's the first time in the Spring with 2 friends. We had decided we were going to visit different Tea Rooms in our state of SC every other month or so. Laura's was second on our list. We have now visited appr. 5 ( 2 in our own town of Summerville & 1 in NC, 1 other in SC). They each had something unique to offer, but Laura's has been best all round for the 'Tea Experience'. In fact, I returned just a couple of weeks ago with my grandaughter & we had such an awesome experience. The food & service was by far the best. We loved chosing a hat & our own cup and saucer. Your variety of hot and cold tea is unbelievable. It was nice that we were allowed to try differnt ones at no extra charge ( we had been charged extra at one place) . It is obvious why you are number one on the Tea Map for SC. Going to Savannah next month, I have a feeling you will still be #1 our book. All Tea Rooms should follow your lead!

Lovely setting - second floor of a nicely-restored dry goods store - airy with lots of natural light and not too cutesy. You choose your own china teacup which is a nice touch. The only fault - the iceburg lettuce salad was not worth the eating. Better to leave it off the menu, maybe a little bowl of cold soup (cumcumber?) instead.

Loved it! Everything was wonderful from the time we stepped in the door until the time we left. I highly recommend Laura's Tea Room in Ridgeway SC. Looking forward to my return visit.

Wow! If you want to impress some one,just relax with dear friends,or be with your family; this is the place for you. It could not be any easier than this experience. In fact, we were sitting there trying to coordinate every one's schedule for our next visit to again celebrate life and family. Our group was an old-fashioned 'hen party' with 10 ladies ranging in age from 12 to 83. One of the participants had some very special needs, to which Laura and her staff were very
attentive without being obvious to any one not in our group thus making our entire group relaxed and comfortable. We had the very best time celebrating our family time together--eating great food and drinking the very best tea ever. Hats off to a fabulous time!!!!!

I visited Laura's Tea Room three times during a recent, months-long stay in South Carolina.Each visit was relaxing, even soothing. The first two visits were with a friend, and we both had a fabulous time, enjoying the tasty scones, quiche, tea sandwiches, etc.

One of the best parts of the experience is the staff - attentive without hovering, friendly and sweet. They had no problems with us sitting there, chatting and taking our sweet time while we sipped tea. There was no rush to kick us out at all, which I find quite refreshing.

The tea menu had plenty of selections to choose from. As a result, we have tried several types of tea that we never would have known about otherwise! My husband joined us for the last visit, and he also enjoyed the experience. He loved tasting ne... (more)w teas, and enjoyed the ginger-peach iced tea so much that he had to buy some.

I could go on and on about how much we all loved tea at Laura's. Unfortunately, I am now back home in Illinois and won't get back to the tearoom for at least another year. However, those unhurried hours and delicious teas and treats will always be a memory I can pull up when I need some calm time.

We attended High Tea at Laura's Tea Room today and it was excellent!!!!! What a wonderful experience it was for all of us!!! We really enjoyed it! The food and service were wonderful, the tea was so good we really liked both of the vanilla teas. We had raspberry scones first, then quiche or cornbread salad. A beautiful three tiered tray of sandwiches and fruit THEN we had chocolate covered strawberries, cookies and rainbow sorbet!!!!! We really can't explain the wonderful flavors of the delicious food and tea!!! WE HAD A GREAT TIME!!!! Thanks to Carol, Eleanor and Staff.

Surpassing all expectations in a tea room, I will always come back here when traveling through SC. The antique two story charming store had a most excellent tea assortment as well as tea items!

I really could not say a single negative thing about this. I am very picky about my fine dining and customer service and this place excelled in all of them. It is an absolute must see. I plan on returning several times over.

I especially loved the variety of teas served and the service!

Absolutely delightful!
Although there are some tables downstairs at the rear of the giftshop, the main tearoom is located on the second floor and has a wonderfully light and airy ambience, courtesy of the large arched windows, high ceilings and simple but elegant decor.
Two small touches that added fun to our visit: the large collection of ladies hats which guests can choose to borrow for the duration of their visit (my wife choose a 'spiffy' pink hat) and the ability to chose your tea cup and saucer (I decided on Royal Albert)
My wife ordered high tea, which consisted of the most delicious scones served with Devonshire cream, followed by homemade quiche, a selection of finger sandwiches, fruit and finally a desert of sherbet served with finger cookies and chocolate dipped f... (more)ruit. All of the courses were very enjoyable and we smiled our way though the entire experience! Portions in each course were modest but taken together, we found them very filling.
When it came to the tea, we were spoiled with the owners' generosity. We began with a wonderfully fragrant Hibiscus tea, followed by 'Lady Londonderry', a mild but pleasingly more complex version of 'Lady Gray' and then by a pot of nicely robust 'Earl Gray'. Finally, we finished with a refreshing mint tea to clean the palate. Oh! Did I mention the peach and ginger iced tea we were served during the meal? Very nice indeed!
Our server was just precious, attentive, very friendly and met our every wish and desire.
My wife and I really enjoyed our time at Laura's Tea Room, everything was truly excellent and we left filled with smiles, more relaxed and deeply appreciative of the experience.

We so enjoyed our visit today!! High tea was such an elegant experience. I can't wait to share the details of my visits with my friends.

What a delightful experience. Have been several times with family and friends. Has been a special treat and wonderful way to relax everytime. All the staff is friendly and makes the experience more special. The shop downstairs is something to enjoy before or afterwards.

Having visited tearooms around the world and having visited Laura's Tearoom on several times, it is with ease that I rate it excellent!

I have been to Laura's twice, both times with relatives from New England. Both of my guests loved it! The atmosphere, servers, and table settings, and food are all delightful. It shows that a lot of thought has been put into this tea room. I can't wait to go back again, perhaps with another relative!

This was an amazing experience!By far, this is the best tea house I have been to. The people here were so friendly and the food was delicious! My grandmother and I came here and it is now a tradition to come back whenever she is in town. I loved the variety of tea(I would suggest the blackberry sage!)The great thing about this tea house is that it has a calm and cozy atmosphere. I would highly recommend Laura's!

Laura's Tearoom was delightful. The food was delicious and the service was excellent. What a beautiful setting for an elegant tearoom.

Ladies, what a fantastic way to treat yourself! The Timberlake Birthday Club traveled from Chapin, SC to Ridgeway for 'High Tea' in Laura's Tea Room and we were amazed! The lovely hats make it fun, the teas are wonderful and the best scones anywhere. You must allow yourself extra time for browsing and shopping as there is so much to see. Ridgeway has a hidden treasure in Laura's Tea Room and we plan to visit again.

As the other ofthe birthday people that visited lauras`s tea room on the 27th of february,I would like to add my review to your list but my feelings are the same.In addition to totally enjoying the afternoon with my mom and two sisters,I have invited two other moms and their daughters to possibly join us in June for a birthday celebration or one with just the five of us at a later date due to our busy schedules.Either way,we will be coming back for a truly enjoyable time in the future.Thanks for allowing us to have a truly wonderful opportunity to visit and enjoy a truly female bonding experience.Amy H.Reynolds

Most pleasant enjoyable afternoon I've spent in quite awhile.

My mother, sisters & I had an amazing time at the tea room. We were there on Fe. 27 for a double birthday celebration and couldn't have had a better time. The owner & staff were all so sweet and just made us feel so relaxed. So much so, we have already made a reservation for June for another party. Thank you to Carol and the whole staff!!

Laura's tea room is a spa for the soul, spirit and mind. Step back into an atmosphere of yesteryear that will bring charm and delight to your senses. From the moment you view the lovely old mercantile building from the outside until you leave, you will be delighted and soothed with lovliness.

Allow time to leisurely shop in the store as you enter or before you leave. There is something unique there waiting for you to take home or a special gift to bless someone else with.

The charm of the store is that it has been rennovated true to it's original design and purpose. As you meander the shelves, cases and aisles, you can't help but think of an earlier time when locals depended on this mercantile for the goods they needed to maintain daily life and business.

... (more) Beneath the glass of the big square table, you can read orders folks in the area had placed on scraps of paper recently salvaged from an old desk drawer. Their quaint wording and way of handwriting help you understand the people who once relied on The Thomas Company Store.

Besides the charming appeal of the building,historical interest and items for sale, is the atmosphere of Lauara'. A graciouness and caring abound. You are truly welcome at Laura's Tea Room.

Once the time comes to go upstairs fo your tea, be prepared to have fun like a little girl in grown up skin! On the 1st level you will find charming display of hats etc. to choose from. DO choose a hat to wear! It truly sets the tone for your tea room experience.(A hostess will gladly take your picture for you and your party.)

At the top of the next set of steps is a beautiful display of teas cups and saucers from an extensive collcetion.Here you can choose one to match your outfit or one that strikes your fancy. This is all part of the fun!

The large room with a ceiling that goes on forever is separated by an array of white columns. Within each section are tables of all shapes and sizes done in a very frou frou eclectic style making your setting special from the rest!

Your hostess will explain the tea rictual and advise you on each course that will be served. The 1st course consists of quiche or soup. Either choice is a winner. The tray of tea sandwiches are tea party dainty, delicious and delectable. More tea is served and then dessert. A sweet delight topped off with another tea - this one special just for dessert!

By the time you leave Laura's you will have been entertained;served by charming servers; whisked away from strees and transported to a time of slower and simpler days. And to top it all off, you will be refreshed to face the next week because the experience at Laura's, like a trip to a spa with lasting effect. It is an 'Awwww-some experience!'

We had a fabulous time in Laura's Tea Room. The teas were subtle and varied, the food was wonderful and the atmosphere relaxing and inviting. We especially loved the extensive hat selection and trying on all different sorts before settling in for our 3 hr tea. I've been to High Tea in at the Empress in Victoria BC and I highly recommend Laura's Tea Room as an equally high quality experience.

Went with my sister-in-law and we had a wonderful time, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable tea. It was my first time and would deffinately go again.

Loved it. My sister-in-law and I didn't know what to expect, our first visit, but it was wonderful. From picking out a hat to wear, our cup to drink out of and the wonderful quiche and finger sandwiches to dessert. Very relaxing atmosphere. Will definitely go again!

For an after Christmas girl's retreat, seven of us enjoyed the high tea. We all had so much fun wearing our big hats and sipping tea in our beautiful china cups. The food and tea were very good. We definately will be back for another venture.

Had my first experience at the tea room for my birthday. It was wonderful, coming from California one would think there would be many like Laura's, but Nope- this tea room is outstanding & Good and Filling!! Cannot wait to come back

Had my first experience at the tea room for my birthday. It was wonderful, coming from California one would think there would be many like Laura's, but Nope- this tea room is outstanding & Good and Filling!! Cannot wait to come back

I am from Pennsylvania and this was my first visit to Laura's Tea Room with a good friend who lives near the tea room. The food and tea were excellent from the scones to dessert. The owner was so personal that you felt at home instantly. Her mother prepares the food from her own recipes and 'wow' - so good! I would love to have those recipes. The first floor has a really nice gift shop too. Next visit to my friends the tea room is at the top of the list.

We had a very relaxing and wonderful experience at Laura's. We enjoyed browsing through The Thomas Company Store and then going 'upstairs' to the Tea Room. When entering the tea room, you may choose a fun 'hat' to wear, from their 'eclectic' selection, as well as a tea cup of your choice.

The atmosphere includes a variety of table settings and antiques in the beautifully restored building. Upon arrival at our attractive table setting, there waiting for us was a lovely glass of blackberry iced tea. A great way to quench our thirst! The server then began to explain the variety of teas, the service of the food and then took our orders. She came back with hot water to warm our tea cups before pouring our teas. We then had our choice of quiche or cornbread salad (scrumptious) for the 1... (more)st course. Then we had our variety of tea sandwiches with 'grandma's zuchinni bread' (Mmmmm). After the tea sandwiches, an array of mini desserts to include chocolate covered strawberries were served. Lastly, after finishing our high tea, we were given a demitasse cup filled with a peppermint gingseng tea, to complete our experience! Just a note... One of the cooks who prepared our delicious food is a gracious 88 year old lady who delighted in making us feel welcome and 'full'! It was a fun day and we can't wait to go back.

I have visited Laura's Tea Room on several occasions and have always had a wonderful experience. I recently took a friend for her first visit to the tea room and she loved it! The owners take great care to establish a warm and welcoming atmosphere, their choice of tea is always delightful, and the food is delicious. Laura's Tea Room is a real treat! Please don't pass up an opportunity to visit.

The Thomas Company, located with Laura's Tea Room, continues to have a lovely selection of unique items and gifts. Plan your visit to include time for the Thomas Company also!

I came here for my bachelorette party and it was wonderful. We tried on hats and sat down to a beautiful table for tea, scones, sandwiches, quiche, dessert. I can't wait to come back again!!!

I've enjoyed high teas in London and Oxford, but Laura's Tea Room out shone them all! Tastefully decorated, and beautifully served, Laura's will definitely be a place I'll take visitors and family alike in the months ahead.

My friends and I had a truly wonderful experience at this tea room. This was the first tea room that actually warmed our tea cups with hot water before our tea was served. I wished we could have seen a list of teas that we could have selected from; instead, we were offered tea of the day. I really appreciated that we were allowed to play bridge after having our savories...we saved desserts for later.