Palm Court, nestled within the historic Drake Hotel in Chicago, is a quintessential destination for high tea enthusiasts. With its stunning ambiance, highlighted by elegant floral arrangements and a soothing fountain, this restaurant offers an unforgettable experience. Many visitors, like Eloise J. Li and Brandon, rave about the friendly service and the delightful atmosphere, often enhanced by live harp music on weekends.
Their curated three-tiered food offerings strike a perfect balance between sweet and savory, with praise for the robust flavors of their teas and the delectable bites, including a Midwestern twist of offering a second round of a dish. While some reviewers noted the dinner rolls presented as scones might raise eyebrows, the overall experience remains delightful, particularly during special events like Halloween themed teas.
Attentive service ensures guests feel valued, as servers such as Sead go the extra mile, even offering to capture memories with pictures. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a lavish afternoon, Palm Court is a must-visit. It successfully blends elegance with warmth, making it a cherished staple in Chicago's dining scene.
Amenities and More
Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Fast service
Great cocktails
Great dessert
Great tea selection
Live music
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Solo dining
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Happy-hour drinks
Happy-hour food
Small plates
Spirits
Vegetarian options
Wine
Dining options
Breakfast
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating
Table service
Amenities
Bar on site
Toilet
Atmosphere
Cosy
Historic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Family friendly
Groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Tourists
Planning
Brunch reservations recommended
Lunch reservations recommended
Reservations required
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Kids' menu
Parking
Paid multi-storey car park
Paid parking lot
Paid street parking
Parking
Valet parking
Photos
Reviews For Palm Court
Eloise J. Li
Jun 22,2025
I had a great time here for afternoon tea. What a beautiful floral arrangement and fountain. It was really busy, but the service was friendly. Would definitely come again! My only critique is that they give you dinner rolls and call them scones. I didn't mind too much, but it is a little strange. On the weekends, they even have a harp player. The price is more reasonable than other 5 star hotels in Chicago. The historic setting was a major factor in me choosing this afternoon tea over another location
Octobertiger (lady tiger)
Jun 12,2025
If this review is helpful, please make sure you leave it a like .My bestie and I decided to have a lovely Christmas High Tea here at the Palm Court in the Drake Hotel . The atmosphere was wonderful. The tea had a lovely robust flavor. The 3 tier curate food was tantalizing . I know that they do High Tea all throughout the year, so I would definitely recommend you go here. Make sure you dress appropriately. You will definitely want to take pictures and enjoy this lovely occasion.
Brandon
Jun 8,2025
Palm Court at The Drake is my go-to for an elegant, unforgettable high tea. The stunning setting, live harp music, and top-tier service make it a Chicago classic. Unlike most high teas, they offer a second round of one dish—a unique Midwestern touch. Everything from the tea to the scones is perfection. A must-visit! #PalmCourtChicago
Athena Lai
May 26,2025
This is my second afternoon tea experience in general, and it definitely did not disappoint. Starting with the dining ambiance, we went in the afternoon while the harpist was playing, love the lighting and little fountain inside the dining area, as if it replicate an outdoor dinning experience without facing the cold Chicago weather. The service was also amazing, our server explained the teas and items on the tea stand patiently. Throughout our time there they were also very attentive and refill the food upon request. The food itself was amazing too. We came during Halloween time so the items were themed. The muffin and cornbread are super delicious and we j small bite sizes. All the sweet and savory dishes were just as memorable too
K M
May 26,2025
Went for high tea with friends. Sead our waiter was very attentive and offered to take our picture at the end by the palm! Highly recommend for high tea. Best tea I’ve had in Chicago.
Elena Morris
Apr 4,2025
Afternoon tea at The Drake is always such a special treat! It’s hard to pick a favorite from the incredible spread, but a few standouts were the cucumber tea sandwich, the scone, the lemon custard, the pecan cups, and—oh my goodness—the macarons. I also tried the 7 Citrus tea, which isn’t something I’d normally choose, but it was recommended, and I absolutely loved it. The ambiance was elegant, the staff were attentive and warm, and the food was truly exceptional. Cheers to the chef for such a memorable experience! I had a wonderful time celebrating with a dear friend for our birthdays, and this will definitely be a cherished memory. Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge in a delightful afternoon tea experience!
Kathleen Flores Villanueva
Mar 19,2025
Honestly best afternoon tea service in the city. Been coming to Palm Court for years and have never been disappointed. Although the place may be dated, the service and everything else makes up for it. I like how they offer refills on any of the food selections and you can be specific with what you want more of, unlike other afternoon tea services in the city. It’s also reasonably priced!
Sunny Park
Mar 13,2025
I loved my high tea experience here. The interior is absolutely stunning and magnificent. It’s like you’re in a movie! We were seated right next to the beautiful water fountain in the middle. Our server Javier was phenomenal and provided the BEST service for us. He gave us recommendations for our tea selection and explicated everything so seamlessly. He was so personable and checked up on us often. The finger food was 10/10 and tea was 10/10!! I highly recommend this experience if you haven’t tried it out yet!
Reviews For Palm Court