This Arizona Tea Room Sits Inside An 1895 Victorian Home, And Friends Still Return Years Later For Its Scones

Coffee cups hold back the curtains at one Arizona tea room. That tiny detail tells you a lot about the place before the first scone even lands.

The house dates to 1895, and lunch still happens in its old bedrooms. One room was once shared by two boys.

Another served as the main bedroom, and now it holds teacups instead of pillows.

The scones come from the founder’s original recipes. They arrive warm, with clotted cream and jam, plus lemon curd and Chantilly cream on the tea service.

I like how a recipe can outlast owners, decades, and a whole lot of birthdays.

Friends who met in another state still gather here years later to celebrate. I believe that kind of loyalty says more than any sign out front.

So what keeps them coming back?

A Victorian Porch Waiting In Historic Catlin Court

Lunch at The Spicery In Our 1895 Home starts on a porch, which already beats most dining rooms. The tea house sits in Glendale’s Historic Catlin Court, a pocket of old homes turned shops and eateries.

From the street, you’ll spot a white picket fence and antique touches outside. Welcome signs and florals greet guests at the front door, so the mood starts early.

The menu covers two big lanes. There’s a classic American lunch with quiche, salads, and homemade rolls.

Then there’s afternoon tea, served in courses with tiny sandwiches, scones, and sweets.

That mix matters more than you’d think. A friend craving soup and a roll can sit beside someone who wants the full tea ceremony.

Nobody has to compromise, and nobody leaves the table grumbling about where to eat.

It also helps that the place feels like a home rather than a restaurant. The building was a family house for decades before it ever served a single scone.

You’ll feel that history in the rooms, the windows, and the way the tables fill each space.

For Arizona day-trippers, this is an easy West Valley stop with a real old-fashioned payoff.

The Families Who Lived Here Long Before The Teapots

Victor and Lilly Messenger built the home in 1895. Arizona wasn’t even a state yet, which gives this house serious bragging rights.

In 1936, Harold and Mae Brewster bought the property. Their family left a lasting mark, since one dining room was once a bedroom for two of the Brewster boys.

Decades later, Martha Campbell founded The Spicery inside the house. Her recipes became the backbone of the kitchen, and that includes the beloved scones still made today.

Then came a new chapter in 2022. Lorraine and Bud Zomok bought the home with partners Sue Berntsen and Kenn Clark.

They reopened it with a clear goal of keeping its vintage look, menu, and specialty teas intact.

That choice is rarer than it sounds. New owners often want to put their own stamp on everything.

Here, the team chose to protect what guests already loved.

So when you sit down for tea, you’re joining a long line of people who called this place theirs. Some lived here.

Some cooked here. Plenty more just came for lunch and kept returning.

Not bad for a house with more than a century of stories.

Six Dining Rooms, Each With Its Own Personality

Six dining rooms fill the house, and no two feel alike. That’s great news if you like a little variety with your sandwiches.

The Victorian Tea Room wears a soft pink Victorian look. It once served as a bedroom for two of the Brewster boys, which makes it a sweet bit of history.

The Blue Room was the original main bedroom. Now it’s a dining space, and somehow it feels right that the coziest room still hosts long, relaxed visits.

Then there’s The Library, right in the middle of the restaurant. Built-in cabinets, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and a fireplace give it a storybook feel.

Across the rooms, you’ll find antiques, lace tablecloths, and fresh floral centerpieces. Each teacup and teapot is unique, so your place setting may not match your neighbor’s.

Small touches are part of the fun. Coffee cups even serve as curtain tie-backs by at least one window.

Good luck not taking a photo of that.

Original architectural details remain throughout the home. Instead of a big open dining hall, you get rooms that feel like visiting a well-loved relative’s house.

Scones Worth Driving Across The Valley For

Warm, homemade, and made fresh daily. Those three facts alone could fill a parking lot.

The scones at The Spicery In Our 1895 Home come from founder Martha Campbell’s original recipes. They’re baked from scratch every day, so the kitchen isn’t coasting on yesterday’s batch.

On the tea service, scones arrive with clotted cream and jam. You’ll also see lemon curd and Chantilly cream, which turns each bite into a small decision.

Scones and shortbread come together as their own course. They aren’t lumped in with dessert, and honestly, they deserve the spotlight.

Here’s why they matter so much. Scones are the most mentioned item in many conversations about this tea room, right up there with quiche.

Even people who found other parts of their meal less exciting tend to single them out as the best part.

That’s a strong record for something so simple. Flour, butter, a hot oven, and a recipe that has outlasted an ownership change.

I can’t imagine a better reason to plan a reunion lunch. Bring friends, split the toppings, and argue cheerfully about whether lemon curd beats jam.

Three Courses Of Tea That Ask For A Little Planning

Planning ahead pays off here. The three-course tea requires reservations at least two days in advance.

Why the wait? The kitchen prepares everything fresh, so it needs time to get each course right for your table.

The service features delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones, and fresh-baked desserts. A mini quiche is one of the signature pieces, and the chicken salad bite stands out among the savory treats.

Several tea options appear on the menu, including the Royal Tea and the Duchess Tea. There’s an adult tea, and a special children’s menu caters to younger guests.

The tea list runs deep. Choices include the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth blends, plus Caramel Almond Fruit for anyone craving something cozy.

Tables can pick teas to share.

Expect to slow down. The experience is designed as a leisurely visit of about 90 minutes, served on elegant china.

Fair warning, though. Many guests leave pretty full, so skipping a big breakfast might be the smartest move you make all day.

The kitchen has been accommodating with modified menus for some dietary needs too. Mention any concerns when you book, and the team can let you know what’s possible.

Quiche, Rolls, And A Lunch Menu With Real Comfort

Not in a tea mood? The lunch menu has your back, and it doesn’t feel like an afterthought.

Quiche is the star of the regular menu. Daily specials have included combinations like vegetable feta and chicken taco, so it’s worth asking what’s in the oven.

Salads round out many plates. One version features fresh greens with strawberries, candied nuts, and a light strawberry vinaigrette.

Soups also make an appearance.

Then come the homemade rolls. They show up warm alongside entrees, and resisting a second one takes real willpower.

Those same rolls also become something else entirely. The kitchen turns them into bread pudding with a butter rum sauce, which is a clever way to make a good thing even better.

The crew arrives early each morning to make everything from scratch. That explains why the dining rooms often smell like a bakery before lunch begins.

Lunch at The Spicery feels simple, fresh, and comforting. It’s the kind of meal that works for a quiet weekday break or a catch-up with an old friend.

Iced and hot teas pair nicely with any plate, including fruity options like raspberry hibiscus.

Save Room For That Rolling Dessert Tray

Dessert here doesn’t hide on a menu card. Servers bring out a dessert tray so you can see your options up close.

That’s a dangerous tactic, and it works. Past selections have included banana cream pie, pineapple cake, and a raspberry-topped pound cake.

The tray changes, so don’t count on a specific slice being there. Popular pies can sell out, especially later in the lunch rush.

On the tea side, sweets come as their own final course. Shortbread pairs with the scones earlier, while the last plate brings a selection of fresh-baked treats.

Plenty of guests swear they’ll skip the rolls to save space. Then the rolls arrive warm, and that plan usually falls apart.

My advice is simple. Order your entree, enjoy it, and consider splitting dessert with whoever came along.

Sharing also means more forks on more slices. That’s how you end up tasting both the pie and the cake without anyone feeling guilty.

And if you can’t fit another bite? A dessert tray this pretty is still worth a look.

Consider it a preview for your next visit to this Arizona favorite.

Birthdays, Showers, And Princess Teas Feel Right At Home

Birthdays come up again and again at The Spicery In Our 1895 Home. The tea room has even been named Best Place for a Birthday Party in the West Valley.

It’s easy to see why. Small rooms make a group feel like they have their own space, and the vintage setting turns any lunch into an occasion.

Bridal showers and baby showers fit naturally here too. Private events can be hosted on select days and evenings for parties of 30 or more guests.

Kids get their own fun. Princess Tea Parties run on select Sundays in 2026, featuring a three-course tea, make-and-take crafts, singing, games, and photo opportunities.

That Sunday detail is worth noticing. The tea room is normally closed Sundays, so these parties are special-event days.

Grandparents planning a first real tea party with grandkids will find plenty to love. So will groups of friends marking milestones together.

One group of September birthday friends returned after a few years away. That’s the heart of this place in a nutshell.

Call ahead for event details, since dates and formats can change through the year.

Charm Bracelets And Festivals Just Outside The Door

Here’s a fun twist. Your tea visit can turn into a scavenger hunt.

Historic Catlin Court hosts seasonal events, and The Spicery takes part. Glendale’s Front Porch and Old Towne Marketplace and the Scarecrow Stroll both bring extra life to the neighborhood.

During these events, a charm trail invites guests to collect charms from participating shops. Some longtime fans have filled multiple charm bracelets over the years.

The tea room joins in with seasonal menu items and specialty tea experiences. Autumn-inspired gifts and decor show up during fall happenings.

Holiday seasons bring extra cheer too. Past Mother’s Day and Easter events have drawn guests back for themed visits.

Downtown Glendale’s shops add to the appeal. You can browse before lunch, stroll after dessert, and call the whole thing a mini adventure.

For budget-minded Arizona explorers, that’s a strong deal. One parking spot can cover lunch, shopping, and a seasonal festival in a single walkable afternoon.

Keep an eye on the event calendar before you go. Timing a visit with the Scarecrow Stroll might be the easiest way to make a regular lunch feel like a holiday.

Hours, Reservations, And Shady Street Parking

Timing is everything at this tea house. It’s open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and closed Sundays.

You’ll find it at 7141 N 59th Ave, Glendale, AZ 85301. That’s right in Historic Catlin Court, an easy drive from much of the Phoenix area.

Lunch service runs roughly from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome for lunch, but reservations are smart, especially on Saturdays.

The three-course tea is different. It runs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and needs a reservation at least two days ahead.

Arriving near opening can help. The house is small, and every table can fill during busy stretches.

Street parking is available nearby. Snagging a spot under a shade tree is a real win, especially during an Arizona summer.

Prices change over time, so check with the tea room when booking. Ask about current tea options and any seasonal specials too.

Bring a little patience and an open schedule. This isn’t a grab-and-go stop, and rushing would miss the whole point of a slow Victorian lunch.

Why This Old House Keeps Its Friends For Years

Some restaurants chase trends. The Spicery In Our 1895 Home keeps doing what it has always done well, and that steadiness is its charm.

The recognition backs it up. Along with its birthday honors, the tea room has been voted Best Brunch and Best Comfort Food in the West Valley.

Warm service is a big part of the picture. The staff come across as people who genuinely enjoy working there, and that energy makes a meal feel personal.

First-timers fit right in. Plenty of guests try their very first tea room experience here, and the friendly pace makes it easy to learn as you go.

Then there are the details. Mismatched teacups, lace, fireplaces, and old bedrooms turned dining rooms give every visit a slightly different feel.

Above all, it’s the food made from original recipes. Scones, rolls, and quiche connect today’s guests to decades of earlier visitors.

That’s how friends end up returning years later. They aren’t chasing novelty.

They’re coming back to something that stayed true.

If you’ve got a birthday, a reunion, or just a free Tuesday, this Arizona tea room is a lovely place to spend it.