Nestled in Bridge Square, right before the River Walk, sits a soft green storefront adorned with painted hummingbirds and blooming florals. From the outside, Cottage Tearoom & Fare looks almost as if it were plucked from a storybook. Step inside, and that feeling deepens.
Owned by Steve and Lisa Bolduc, the space offers more than just a place to drink tea — it offers a breath of fresh air.
From the first steps into the store, one is invited in by the scent of warm popovers and Earl Grey. The natural light bathes the store, illuminating the exposed brick and various bird paintings hanging on the wall. All is quiet, except for the sounds of clinking china and conversation. Everything moves slowly here, and deliberately so.
Relaxation. That’s what Cottage Tearoom & Fare offers. A place to breathe, to forget about life, and enjoy a full pot of tea — that you steep yourself!
The store offers its vast selection of tea, with more than a dozen varieties sitting behind the counter, each unique in its own right. Rest assured, you can’t make the wrong choice.
Menu items, which include classic high tea selections such as quiche, mini-tea sandwiches, and popovers, each pair wonderfully with the warm, comforting aura of a cup of tea. Personally, a popover with cinnamon butter is my go-to.
For those looking for a place for a first date, perhaps Cottage Tearoom & Fare is perfect for you. I must warn you, there is no frivolousness to it; it’s purposely simple. It’s meant to shift focus to the person — or people — you are sitting with. There’s something about sipping tea from a porcelain cup that makes every conversation feel a little more intentional.
In a world that often moves too fast, Cottage Tearoom invites you to slow down — to sip, to sit, to breathe. I invite you to experience that sweet, slow rhythm of small-town life if you ever get the chance.
