Moscow Tea Time Project: Where Tea Becomes Art
In Moscow, tea is more than a drink. It’s a symbol of warmth, hospitality, and fellowship. Passed down over generations, tea-drinking became a ritual performed in homes and public tearooms alike. The Moscow Tea Time Project brings this timeless tradition to life all year round through signature blends, elegant sets, themed walks, and porcelain collections.
Take a moment, slow down, and let a cup of tea tell you the story of the city.
Moscow Tea Time: Summer Season 2026
From 30 May to 6 September 2026, Moscow Tea Time project invites you to explore the city’s tea culture across dozens of locations. Sip the signature ‘Moscow’ tea blend at the Candy Box Pavilion on New Arbat, enjoy a quiet break in museum‑reserves like Izmailovo park or Tsaritsyno, grab an open‑air buffet tea on Chistoprudny or Pokrovskiy Boulevard, and celebrate cold tea at the ‘Moscow Ice Tea’ festival with over 500 cafés and restaurants, and don’t miss the Tea Rave electronic music parties on Bolotnaya Square.
Tea and Moscow
- Tea first arrived in Russia in 1638 as a royal gift.
- By the 18th century, Muscovites had been drinking tea with samovars, pastries, and pleasant conversation.
- In the 19th century, tearooms became cultural hotspots where people shared news, discussed politics, and sipped tea at 4 p.m. sharp. To this day, many Russians have heart-to-heart talks over tea.
Where to try
Enjoy themed tea sets in over 400 locations across the city, from cafés and restaurants to various hotels.
- Special Set: Moscow tea with fresh pastries or dessert — a cosy way to experience the ritual.
- Premium Set: Full tea experience with a signature porcelain set, sweets, jam, and baked goods — feel like a guest at a noble 19th-century salon.
Best Hotels for Classic Tea Experience
Top Restaurants Featuring signature set
Signature Blend: Moscow Tea
Discover the city’s signature tea, a rich blend created through historical research and a vote by the public.
What’s inside: black leaf tea, orange zest, rosebuds, wild strawberries, black and red currants, cornflower and safflower petals. In summer, enjoy it as a refreshing iced tea.
You can also enjoy Moscow tea at one of the city’s tourist information centers. Tourist and banking office of Sber (Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street, 21/7. Working hours: from 09:00 to 21:00) combines banking services with a visitor centre. Specialists fluent in foreign languages are available to assist international guests. The venue also features a full-fledged Moscow Tea Time tearoom, where visitors can enjoy signature blends and traditional local treats in a relaxed, authentic setting.
Porcelain & Souvenirs
Bring the tea tradition home with curated gifts from the Moscow Tea Festival collection:
- Moscow Tea
- Herbal blends, honey, and jam
- Elegant porcelain sets with designs of the Moscow skyline
Find these exclusive items online or at selected city shops.
A new porcelain collection that brings the image of the capital to life through design has been presented recently. Created in collaboration between the "Moscow Tea Time" project and Dom Farfora, the line brings a fresh interpretation of Moscow’s iconic red-and-white aesthetic.
The new collection will be available in Dom Farfora stores and other kitchenware shops across the city.
