(212) 475-9190

90 Rivington St (nr. Orchard St.)
New York, NY 10002 40.72023 -73.98883

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown

Hours:

Sun-Thu 10am-11pm Fri-Sat 10am-1am

Price:

$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bakeries

Payment Methods:

Cash

Restaurant Special Features:

Lunch Spot

Cuisine:

Vegetarian

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Teany

Featured Review

Sandra Ramani

Contributor

Pop-electronica celeb Moby had a hand in turning a former hair salon into this relaxed, modern snack shop--though he's no longer involved. The bright space seats about 20, and is often packed with neighborhood residents, tourists and socially conscious teens. The pleasant staff is well-informed, though usually swamped. – Though primarily a teahouse--more than 96 hot teas are served, plus iced blends, tea-and-fruit purees and coolers--Teany also offers a fresh, inventive vegetarian and vegan menu in generous portions. Varied muffins, cakes and pies are so tasty, you'll never guess which…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
On sunny days, try to nab one of the three outdoor tables.
Know Before You Go:
A small space means a small kitchen; so while food is always fresh, popular items tend to sell out. Call ahead to check on your favorites.
When to Go:
Afternoon tea is served daily, either for one or two, and includes a pot of tea, two tea sandwiches and a scone per person.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “really like this place, the atmosphere is good and the food is lovely.”
  2. “The outside seating is great for people watching, yet romantic enough for a date.”
  3. “Refreshing summer teas, cozy spot.”
  4. “But the food was really excellent, and the atmosphere and decor was kind of cute, despite the claustrophobic quarters.”
  5. “They also have nice decoration and overall a relaxing place to be.”
  6. “wanted to like Moby's joint, but the food is below average and overpriced and the atmosphere is lacking.”
dessert
87.5% positive
  1. “The best dessert is the peanut butter bomb with smooth whipped peanut butter over a rich chocolate cake.”
  2. “Amazing vegan/vegetarian soups, sandwiches and desserts.”
  3. “Unfortunately the pesto salad was so big and so good that I didn't have room for any of the vegan desserts, which looked great too!”
  4. “like chocolate and peanut butter, but this cake really surprised me.”
  5. “and the vegan cheesecake was excellent.”
  6. “The only disappointment so far has been the desserts - the chocolate peanut butter mousse cake was gross.”
  7. “Try the tea service (just $14 includes a pot of tea, tea sandwiches, warm scone, dessert, and other goodies), and come by yourself or with a friend.”
  8. “highly recommend: the turkey club, cashew butter sammich, peach ginger drink, chai latté, forest berries black tea and strawberry rhubarb pie.”
drinks
90.62999725341797% positive
  1. “Afternoon tea special with finger sandwiches is outstanding.”
  2. “(go to Mcdonalds bigger portions crappy food) I went there knowing to have a small dish and something good to drink.”
  3. “highly recommend: the turkey club, cashew butter sammich, peach ginger drink, chai latté, forest berries black tea and strawberry rhubarb pie.”
  4. “Great place for tea”
  5. “They have a great variety of hot tea as well as some of there own bottled cold brand.”
  6. “went back to friends and the next day had delicious dim sum in Chinatown with automatic refills on tea and it came out to $30 for 4 people; the following day, $50 for 9 people.”
  7. “Their food is also very delicious to go with tea.”
  8. “My friend and I ordered the afternoon tea, and the sandwiches were amazing, and the scones are some of the best I've ever had (I used to live in Scotland, so I've eaten a lot of scones while having tea).”
  9. “The tea selections are a bit overwhelming.”
  10. “This is a wonderful place for true tea lovers.”
  11. “enjoyed an iced herbal tea and a cherry streudel on a hot afternoon.”
  12. “Try the tea service (just $14 includes a pot of tea, tea sandwiches, warm scone, dessert, and other goodies), and come by yourself or with a friend.”
  13. “know absolutely nothing about tea, but I've had a good luck with the great breakfasts at Teany.”
  14. “The staff is extremely friendly and quick to seat you, but give you a chance to pour over the extensive tea menu before they come back around.”
  15. “The teas were both abundant and fabulous (which came in open loose tea bags).”
  16. “Great lunchtime afternoon tea spot with a friend, can order a combo of various finger sandwiches.”
food quality
95.1200008392334% positive
  1. “went back to friends and the next day had delicious dim sum in Chinatown with automatic refills on tea and it came out to $30 for 4 people; the following day, $50 for 9 people.”
  2. “I'm far from vegan, but I still love the food here.”
  3. “Excellent vegetarian/vegan food”
  4. “This place is adorable and the food is good enough to satisfy even meateaters.”
  5. “The sandwiches were great and the other.”
  6. “love how the food is really fresh, the portions are generous and well presented.”
  7. “wont go again because of this, but if you have a small appetite and don't need value for money, the food is really great.”
  8. “The food is Very Good - the vegan quiche is excellent, try that or the pasties.”
  9. “Try the tea service (just $14 includes a pot of tea, tea sandwiches, warm scone, dessert, and other goodies), and come by yourself or with a friend.”
  10. “had vegan chicken salad that wasn't bad, but I could have made it at home, and eaten a lot more, and not paid $9 for it.”
  11. “the bread was perfect.”
  12. “Special teas to sip and scrumptious vegan goodies, salads and sandwiches to enjoy while sitting in a (covered) warm, outdoor cafe - what could be better on a sunny, cold afternoon on the lower east side!”
  13. “Teany's food is quite good and all-vegetarian.”
  14. “Their food is also very delicious to go with tea.”
  15. “Great lunchtime afternoon tea spot with a friend, can order a combo of various finger sandwiches.”
  16. “Yes portions are small but the food is fresh and delicious.”
  17. “the sandwiches are a fav.”
  18. “Great food, leave hungry”
  19. “Turkey sandwich was very tasty.”
  20. “The fake turkey club is really good and the crostini spreads are original and delicious.”
  21. “The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the soups are tasty but by far the best thing about Teany has to be the highly addictive vegan turkey club sandwhich.”
  22. “Unfortunately the pesto salad was so big and so good that I didn't have room for any of the vegan desserts, which looked great too!”
  23. “the food is good too- big fresh salads and tasty sandwiches.”
  24. “was facing the "kitchen", saw the disgusting food handling and unsanitary condition in which the food was prepared.”
  25. “Oh, and the food and wait staff are absolutely fabulous as well!”
  26. “My friend and I ordered the afternoon tea, and the sandwiches were amazing, and the scones are some of the best I've ever had (I used to live in Scotland, so I've eaten a lot of scones while having tea).”
  27. “But the food was really excellent, and the atmosphere and decor was kind of cute, despite the claustrophobic quarters.”
  28. “(go to Mcdonalds bigger portions crappy food) I went there knowing to have a small dish and something good to drink.”
  29. “Afternoon tea special with finger sandwiches is outstanding.”
  30. “The food was amazing (Turkey Club!”
  31. “Amazing vegan/vegetarian soups, sandwiches and desserts.”
  32. “vegetarian/vegan. the service is kinda slow, but this could be seen as a plus, if you're the type to linger over a meal and good conversation.”
  33. “wanted to like Moby's joint, but the food is below average and overpriced and the atmosphere is lacking.”
  34. “The Teany Bagel is delicious!”
  35. “Great teas, great food, great people scene.”
  36. “In NYC, where dinner typicly follows sticker-shock, Teany is a great place for a good, unique meal that leaves you feeling satisfied and your wallet feeling full.”
  37. “The food is AMAZING and I was quite impressed with the sangria.”
  38. “The teas are great, but the real lure for me is the food.”
  39. “For all the oinkers out there complaining about Teany's small portions, I thought it was a descent amount of food, not too much like a Tex-Mex place, but not like an amuse-bouche that constitutes as an entree at Nobu.”
  40. “really like this place, the atmosphere is good and the food is lovely.”
  41. “The scones are sweet and the ham and cheese sandwich is rich and filling.”
menu variety
78.5699987411499% positive
  1. “I'm not a vegetarian, but I thought the menu had a nice variety of veggie choices that anyone, including me, could enjoy.”
  2. “They have a great variety of hot tea as well as some of there own bottled cold brand.”
  3. “The tea selections are a bit overwhelming.”
  4. “everything on the menu is excellent and has a homey deliciousness!”
  5. “Teany has a huge selection of teas and some excellent vegan fare.”
  6. “The staff is extremely friendly and quick to seat you, but give you a chance to pour over the extensive tea menu before they come back around.”
  7. “Teany is a great little shop with a wide selection of quality teas.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “Though small, Teany is a really nice place to just hang out and catch up with friends.”
  2. “They also have nice decoration and overall a relaxing place to be.”
  3. “It is not a good place for large groups but great when taking a break with one or two friends.”
  4. “Another friend of mine had given me the thumbs up concerning the place, so I decided it would be a nice place to catch up with an old friend, and I was really impressed.”
  5. “This is a great place for a nice relaxing and light lunch (go during the weekday).”
  6. “In NYC, where dinner typicly follows sticker-shock, Teany is a great place for a good, unique meal that leaves you feeling satisfied and your wallet feeling full.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff is extremely friendly and quick to seat you, but give you a chance to pour over the extensive tea menu before they come back around.”
service
79.40999984741211% positive
  1. “Great teas, great food, great people scene.”
  2. “The service was otherwise decent.”
  3. “Oh, and the food and wait staff are absolutely fabulous as well!”
  4. “vegetarian/vegan. the service is kinda slow, but this could be seen as a plus, if you're the type to linger over a meal and good conversation.”
  5. “service is always fast and the staff is great.”
  6. “Outdoors offers the great opportunity to people-watch while indoors you get to groove to Moby's electic mix of cafe-appropriate music.”
  7. “Tonight, I called several minutes ahead to place an order and spoke to such a smug, rude b-tch.”
  8. “Try the tea service (just $14 includes a pot of tea, tea sandwiches, warm scone, dessert, and other goodies), and come by yourself or with a friend.”
  9. “The staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the soups are tasty but by far the best thing about Teany has to be the highly addictive vegan turkey club sandwhich.”
  10. “arrived a few minutes later, received a very rude and cold attitude when she realized that I was there to pick up the order.”
  11. “The staff is extremely friendly and quick to seat you, but give you a chance to pour over the extensive tea menu before they come back around.”
  12. “Very friendly and cheerful staff.”
  13. “The wait staff is really friendly and they always seem to have a smile on their faces.”
  14. “was treated well and I came from a state of great customer service so I thought for it being NYC and a small Tea Cafe' i got what I should of.”
  15. “Terrible service!”
  16. “went back to friends and the next day had delicious dim sum in Chinatown with automatic refills on tea and it came out to $30 for 4 people; the following day, $50 for 9 people.”
  17. “The outside seating is great for people watching, yet romantic enough for a date.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “wanted to like Moby's joint, but the food is below average and overpriced and the atmosphere is lacking.”
  2. “Well I went to NYC for a vaca and I to start I have a big appetite but first of all for everyone complaining about portions: i do not believe there was anything hidden on the theme and setting attached to Teany it was exactly what it was meant to be.”
  3. “Teany has a huge selection of teas and some excellent vegan fare.”
  4. “Yes portions are small but the food is fresh and delicious.”
  5. “For all the oinkers out there complaining about Teany's small portions, I thought it was a descent amount of food, not too much like a Tex-Mex place, but not like an amuse-bouche that constitutes as an entree at Nobu.”
  6. “(go to Mcdonalds bigger portions crappy food) I went there knowing to have a small dish and something good to drink.”
  7. “love how the food is really fresh, the portions are generous and well presented.”
  8. “wont go again because of this, but if you have a small appetite and don't need value for money, the food is really great.”
  9. “The prices are reasonable.”
wait time
37.5% positive
  1. “The staff is extremely friendly and quick to seat you, but give you a chance to pour over the extensive tea menu before they come back around.”
  2. “arrived a few minutes later, received a very rude and cold attitude when she realized that I was there to pick up the order.”
  3. “vegetarian/vegan. the service is kinda slow, but this could be seen as a plus, if you're the type to linger over a meal and good conversation.”
  4. “Tonight, I called several minutes ahead to place an order and spoke to such a smug, rude b-tch.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/11/09

DO NOT GO THERE!!!

by Amir91078

What made it unique or special?I wish I would have read some of these reviews before going to this sh--hole. I was facing the "kitchen", saw the disgusting food handling and unsanitary condition in which the food was prepared. The waitor was cutting slices of cake and LICKING HIS FINGERS right before serving it to customers, without washing his hands.

We really only wanted tea, we bought some for home.

Tonight, I called several minutes ahead to place an order and spoke to such a smug, rude b-tch. First, she told me they were very busy.

She says "for future reference", teas can be bought online. So, I thought..really? so I should pay $8 dollars to wait 5 days to ship tea across the river? is it that big of a deal to put the already pre-canned teas in a bag, you cu-t? (I didn't say this to her)

She hung up the phone on me.

I arrived a few minutes later, received a very rude and cold attitude when she realized that I was there to pick up the order.

I simply took my tea and left...for the second and last time.

It’s appalling how owners allow such treatment of customers.

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: too many to list
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/11/09

STAY AWAY FROM THIS SH--HOLE!!!

by tseka23

I wish I would have read some of these reviews before going to this sh--hole. I was facing the "kitchen", saw the disgusting food handling and unsanitary condition in which the food was prepared. The waitor was cutting slices of cake and LICKING HIS FINGERS right before serving it to customers, without washing his hands.

We really only wanted tea, we bought some for home.

Tonight, I called several minutes ahead to place an order and spoke to such a smug, rude b-tch. First, she told me they were very busy.

She says "for future reference", teas can be bought online. So, I thought..really? so I should pay $8 dollars to wait 5 days to ship tea across the river? is it that big of a deal to put the already pre-canned teas in a bag, you c-nt? (I didn't say this to her)

She hung up the phone on me.

I arrived a few minutes later, received a very rude and cold attitude when she realized that I was there to pick up the order.

I simply took my tea and left...for the second and last time.

It’s appalling how owners allow such treatment of customers.

  • Pros: NONE
  • Cons: TOO MANY TO LIST
4 Star Rating: Recommended

12/03/08

I LOVED IT!!

by AmbianceSalon

Well I went to NYC for a vaca and I to start I have a big appetite but first of all for everyone complaining about portions: i do not believe there was anything hidden on the theme and setting attached to Teany it was exactly what it was meant to be. (go to Mcdonalds bigger portions crappy food) I went there knowing to have a small dish and something good to drink. I was treated well and I came from a state of great customer service so I thought for it being NYC and a small Tea Cafe' i got what I should of. Thank You Teany and staff

  • Pros: reserved and a healthy way to relax from the real world
  • Cons: off the beatin path almost didn't find Teany being from Wisconsin
3 Star Rating: Average

03/05/08

Great food, leave hungry

by BrookeNYC5

I really like this place, the atmosphere is good and the food is lovely. However, the portions are so tiny, I always leave hungry. The size of the portions are actually embarassingly small! I wont go again because of this, but if you have a small appetite and don't need value for money, the food is really great.

  • Pros: Food is great
  • Cons: Need a magnifying glass to check there is actually food on your plate
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/10/07

Excellent vegetarian/vegan food

by tstafford

We always go to Teany when in NYC. The food is Very Good - the vegan quiche is excellent, try that or the pasties. I'm not one to always finish my plate, but even I think the portions are a bit small here. Sometimes I think the prices are a bit high, but then I remember that we are in New York! The raspberry lime rickey is a great alternative to the tea. The only disappointment so far has been the desserts - the chocolate peanut butter mousse cake was gross.

  • Pros: Delicious vegetarian/vegan meals
  • Cons: Portions are a bit small, prices are a bit high

The Details on Teany

Place Categories:

  • good vegetarianvegan food
  • great veggie place
  • really friendly wait staff
  • amazing sandwiches
  • great bottled teas
  • cold attitude
  • great customer service
  • cozy great lunchtime afternoon tea spot
  • unique meal
  • big pesto salad
  • rude btch
  • amazing veganvegetarian soups
  • polite waitstaff
  • amazing dessert
  • big fresh salads
  • really good fake turkey club
  • disgusting unsanitary condition
  • unique wallet
  • nice variety
  • kinda slow service
  • disgusting food handling
  • great little shop
  • warm cafe
  • great outside seating
  • perfect bread
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