This post is sponsored by Kramers, but as always, all opinions are my own.
I partnered with Kramers, aka my favorite DC bookstore, to try their Cherry Blossom afternoon tea this spring, and I honestly couldn’t recommend it enough. Here’s the thing that got me: a full afternoon tea in Dupont Circle for just $29! In a city where hotel teas can run you three times that, that’s a genuine steal.
Everything’s made in house, the scones are SO good, and you get to do it all surrounded by books, which makes it a pretty perfect afternoon if you ask me. The cherry blossom version was a limited-time spring thing, so that exact menu comes and goes with the season, but Kramers runs afternoon tea year-round with a rotating theme, so you can absolutely still book it. Let me put you on to why this one’s worth your time, Nomsters, whether you’re a tea person, a book person, or just here for a very good scone.
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Why is Kramers a Standout Spot in Dupont Circle
Kramers has been a DC institution since 1976, and it was one of the very first bookstores in the country to put a real cafe under the same roof. So this isn’t a hotel tea room doing tea because it’s expected, it’s a beloved bookstore-cafe that clearly cares about the food. The whole tea’s made in house, the leaves come from Pearl Fine Teas (a women-owned DC purveyor that specializes in rare, single-estate teas), and at $29 a person it’s one of the best afternoon tea deals in the city, full stop. It’s a more casual, browse-the-shelves-after experience than a classic hotel-style tea like the afternoon tea at Reynolds Tavern in Annapolis, and I’m here for it.
What’s Included in Afternoon Tea at Kramers
The tea comes as a tiered tower, and everything on it’s made in house. Here’s what to focus on.
The Scones
Start here. The scones were the standout for me, and you’re going to want to slather them with the clotted cream and lemon curd they serve alongside. Don’t be shy about it. Seriously, do not skip the scones.
The Tea Tower
Beyond the scones, the tower comes loaded with savory tea sandwiches (think smoked salmon and cream cheese, and a spicy egg salad) plus a rotating lineup of little sweets like macarons and tartlets. It’s a proper spread, and for $29 it’s genuinely a lot of food, easily enough to double as a light lunch. Everything’s plated on a tiered tower, so it feels like an occasion even on a random weekday afternoon. There’s also a gluten-free version if you need it, which I love that they offer.
Cherry Blossom Latte or Matcha
During the cherry blossom run they had a special cherry blossom latte and matcha, and the seasonal tea itself was a Japanese sakura green tea made with real cherry blossoms. Whatever season you go, ask what the featured tea and drinks are, because that’s half the fun of a rotating menu. You can upgrade to champagne or a mimosa too if you’re making it a whole thing.
Is Kramers the Same as Kramerbooks?
This is the spot a lot of DC folks still call Kramerbooks and Afterwords Cafe, its original name going all the way back to 1976. It rebranded to simply Kramers around 2020 after a change in ownership, but it’s the same iconic Dupont Circle bookstore, restaurant, and bar in the same corner building. So if you’ve been searching the old one and getting confused, that’s why. Same place, shorter name.
More Than Afternoon Tea
The reason I love Kramers so much is that the tea’s only half of it. It’s a full bookstore, so you can browse the shelves before or after and make an actual afternoon of it. They also had the cutest cherry blossom merch during the season, and I walked out with a tote I’m still using and loving. It’s the kind of place where you come for the tea and walk out with a book, which is exactly what a good bookstore-cafe should do.
The Vibe and Experience
Kramers sits right on Dupont Circle, steps from the Metro, and it’s got that warm, lived-in, everybody’s-welcome energy. It works for a low-key date, a catch-up with a friend, or honestly a solo afternoon with a book and a pot of tea. There’s a full bar and it’s a well-loved brunch spot too, so it’s the kind of place you can keep coming back to for totally different reasons. For another Dupont Circle hang with a different vibe, Casamara’s rooftop is a fun one to pair it with.
Good to Know
- 📍 1517 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036, right on Dupont Circle
- Afternoon tea’s served Monday to Friday, 2 to 5PM. The Cherry Blossom version was a limited spring offering, so check the current seasonal menu before you go
- Price: $29 per person, with sharing options if there are two of you (they had $39 and $49 tiers during the cherry blossom run)
- A gluten-free version of the tea tower’s available
- Reservations and walk-ins are both welcome. Book by phone or on OpenTable
- Steps from the Dupont Circle Metro (Red Line). No on-site parking, so take the Metro or plan on street parking
- It’s a full bookstore, restaurant, and bar, so browse the shelves and see the current menu on their website
Is Kramers Afternoon Tea Worth It?
Definitely yes. Kramers gives you a full, in-house afternoon tea in one of DC’s most charming neighborhoods for $29, and you get to browse books while you’re at it. It’s perfect for a date, a birthday, or a treat-yourself afternoon. If you’re building a proper tea crawl, CUT’s afternoon tea in DC is another one worth adding to the list.
Have you guys checked out Kramers yet?! If you go for the tea, tell me what the featured seasonal flavor is when you visit, Nomsters. Save this one and send it to your favorite tea-and-books friend!