This Elegant Ohio Tea Room Is Hiding Inside A Historic 1890s Livery Stable
I was halfway through lunch before it really sank in that this elegant little Ohio tea room occupies a building that started life as a livery stable more than a century ago.
Now, porcelain cups clink against saucers, loose-leaf tea steams from small pots, and tiered stands arrive crowded with finger sandwiches, scones, and sweets.
The historic bones are still there, but they have been completely outnumbered by china, linens, and the smell of something warm coming from the kitchen.
I had planned to order a sandwich and keep moving. Then the soup arrived, the tea kept getting refilled, and dessert made leaving feel like a very unnecessary idea.
By the time I stepped back onto the brick walkway, lunch had stretched into an afternoon.
For a former livery stable, this place has become remarkably good at making people linger.
A Historic Livery Stable Turned Tea Room
Old buildings rarely get second acts this charming. Clementine’s has occupied its current home since 1999, inside a former livery stable in the heart of the Olmsted Falls historic district.
The building dates to around 1898, long before anyone was setting tables with teapots and tiered stands inside it.
I noticed the age right away when I stepped through the door. The whole place has the settled feel of a building that has watched generations of people come and go.
Today you find a bakery operation, shelves of tea, and small dining rooms filled with vintage touches. The transformation is complete without making the history disappear.
Clementine’s itself goes back even farther than this location. The restaurant first opened elsewhere in Olmsted Falls in 1991 before moving into this building eight years later.
Finding it is easy once you reach Grand Pacific Junction, where brick walkways connect a collection of restored historic buildings.
You will find Clementine’s Victorian Restaurant at 8092 Columbia Rd, Olmsted Falls, OH 44138.
Tea Service That Feels Like An Event
The high tea here is not a token gesture with one sad cookie.
My tiered stand arrived loaded with finger sandwiches, a scone with cream, slices of banana bread, and a small parade of desserts that made me rethink my plan to order lunch afterward.
Refills of hot water come without a fight, which matters more than people realize. A good pot of tea should last longer than ten minutes.
The tea list itself covers a wide range, from classic black blends to herbal options and decaf choices for anyone who wants flavor without the buzz. I went with a decaf English Breakfast and had zero regrets.
Reservations are smart for the full tea service, especially on weekends when tables fill quickly.
Groups celebrating birthdays or baby showers seem to gravitate here, and the staff handles larger parties with practiced calm.
If you have never done a proper tea before, this is a gentle, unfussy place to start without feeling like you need white gloves.
Soups Made From Scratch Every Morning
Soup gets much praise, and after one spoonful I understood the enthusiasm.
The chicken, potato, and spinach version has a following that borders on devotion, thick with vegetables and clearly made that morning rather than opened from a can.
Chicken paprika shows up on rotation too, along with a chicken vegetable couscous that surprised me with how filling it was. The menu changes based on what the kitchen feels like making.
Bread arrives fresh alongside, and I used mine to chase every last bit around the bowl. No shame in that.
My advice is to ask what the soups are before you commit to anything else, because the rotating options often outshine the standard picks. Servers will tell you honestly which one is moving fastest.
A cup paired with half a sandwich makes a perfect lunch if you are saving room for dessert, which you absolutely should be.
Season a little at the table if you like bolder flavor, since the kitchen keeps salt on the lighter side and lets you decide.
Cold Ohio afternoons and these bowls were made for each other.
Sandwiches Worth Planning A Drive Around
Clementine’s Chicken Salad is one of the signature picks, made with oven-roasted chicken, cucumber, red bell pepper, celery, and toasted almonds on French bread.
Portions run generous, and there are plenty of other choices if chicken salad is not calling your name.
Current standouts include the French Dip with house roast beef, caramelized onions and Swiss cheese, plus a roasted eggplant sandwich with Monterey Jack, roasted red peppers and basil aioli.
The roast beef keeps things interesting too, pairing house-made beef with pickled beet relish and horseradish sauce on French bread.
Other current options range from an Artisan Turkey with apples and cranberry spread to a Trio of mini croissants filled with egg salad, tuna salad and chicken salad.
Sides stay simple, with kettle-cooked chips or macaroni salad accompanying the sandwiches.
Come hungry, because lunch here can turn into a much longer visit once the dessert case gets involved.
The Dessert Case Deserves Its Own Fan Club
There is a bakery operation attached to Clementine’s, and looking through the choices before lunch is dangerous in the best possible way.
Cheesecakes, tarts, cookies, bars and elaborate layer cakes make up a lineup that goes far beyond a token restaurant dessert menu.
Chocolate and raspberry show up together more than once. The Dark Rose combines chocolate cake, raspberry mousse, chocolate buttercream and raspberry sauce, while the White Rose takes vanilla cake in a fruitier direction.
Lemon fans get options too, including lemon tarts, Lemon Drop cake and Lemon Blueberry.
My strategy now is simple. I look at the desserts before ordering lunch, then adjust the rest of the meal accordingly.
Ask what is available that day, because bakery selections can rotate and seasonal flavors come and go.
Dessert also travels well in a box, which is useful when lunch has already done all the damage it can.
Sharing is technically possible, though nobody says you have to.
Upstairs Seating With A Different Mood
Two floors means two moods. The main level keeps things quieter and closer to the bakery case, while the upstairs room buzzes with more noise and energy.
I have sat in both. Upstairs feels livelier and works well for groups who want to talk without whispering.
The staircase is narrow and a bit steep, which is exactly what you would expect from a building of this vintage. Anyone who prefers to avoid stairs should request a table on the ground floor when booking.
Tables upstairs sit close together, so you will hear snippets of your neighbors’ conversations. I found that more charming than annoying, since everyone seems to be in a good mood.
Decor leans country rather than strictly formal, with wood, florals, and vintage bits scattered around. One visitor suggested the word farmcore instead of Victorian, and that description stuck with me.
Either floor gives you the same menu and the same warm welcome from the staff.
My pick depends on the day. Quiet catch up downstairs, birthday celebration upstairs, and both work beautifully.
Bringing Kids Along Works Better Than Expected
Tea rooms can sound like grown-up territory, but Clementine’s actually has a dedicated kids menu.
Pizza, PB&J, macaroni and cheese, and chicken fingers keep things simple for younger diners who are less interested in adventurous lunch decisions.
There is even a Kids High Tea option for children who want the full tea-room treatment.
Mother-and-daughter outings are common, and the tiered tea stand makes the meal feel special without requiring anyone to dress formally.
I would still suggest requesting ground-floor seating with very young children if you would rather avoid the staircase.
The dessert case does most of the persuading when it comes to good behavior anyway.
It is one of those places where grandparents, parents, and kids can all find something that works.
Shops And Brick Sidewalks Right Outside
Lunch is only half the outing. Grand Pacific Junction surrounds the restaurant with restored storefronts selling candles, ice cream, vintage items, and assorted small treasures.
I wandered for a solid hour afterward. The brick walkways and old buildings make it easy to lose track of time.
Most of the neighboring shops keep their own hours, and a good number close on Mondays. Clementine’s often stays open when its neighbors are dark, which is handy but means the browsing portion of your trip needs better timing.
Weekends bring the fullest lineup of open doors, along with more foot traffic and occasional village events. Parking sits nearby and is generally free.
Photographers will find plenty to point a camera at, from the wooden porches to the flower planters lining the walk.
My suggestion is to eat first, then shop, so you are not juggling bags at a small table.
The whole district makes an easy afternoon for anyone visiting from elsewhere in Ohio or coming in from out of town to see family.
It is one of the most walkable little pockets around Cleveland’s western suburbs.
Hours That Ask You To Plan Ahead
Here is the catch. Doors open at 11 am and close at 4 pm, which means this is strictly a daytime destination.
Tuesdays are closed entirely. I learned that the hard way on one poorly planned trip.
Every other day of the week follows the same schedule, including Sunday, so weekend brunch style visits are absolutely possible if you arrive early enough.
The kitchen occasionally runs out of popular items later in the day, particularly certain soups and desserts. Coming closer to opening improves your odds considerably.
Calling ahead at 440-235-1223 is worth the thirty seconds, especially if you want the full tea service or you are bringing more than four people.
Last seatings happen well before the 4 pm close, so do not stroll in at 3:50 expecting a leisurely meal.
I usually aim for around 11:30 on a Wednesday or Thursday. The room is pleasant, the staff has time to chat, and everything on the menu is still available.
Treat it as a lunch plan rather than a dinner one and you will never be disappointed by a locked door.
Perfect For Celebrations Large And Small
A 92nd birthday party happened at one of these tables recently, and by all accounts it went beautifully. Four people, good service, excellent food, and a lot of laughing.
That story stuck with me. It says more about a restaurant than any menu ever could.
Baby showers, bridal luncheons, mother daughter days, and reunions all fit naturally into this space. The tea service gives a gathering structure without requiring a banquet hall.
Larger groups have reported smooth, coordinated service where every plate arrives at once. That takes real skill in a kitchen this size.
Reservations are essential for anything beyond a small party, since the dining rooms are compact and fill up fast on weekends.
The upstairs room works especially well for groups who want to talk freely without worrying about volume.
Decorations are not really needed. The china, the linens, and the tiered stands handle the atmosphere on their own.
I have started suggesting this place whenever someone asks where to take a relative visiting from out of state. It photographs well, feeds people generously, and leaves everyone in a good mood.
Honest Tips Before You Go
No place is flawless, and I would rather you go in with clear expectations. On busy days the service can drag, and occasionally an item runs out before the afternoon ends.
Flag your server early if you need something. They are friendly but stretched thin during peak hours.
Skip the macaroni salad if bland sides bother you, and put your money toward the kettle chips or a cup of soup instead. That swap has never let me down.
The name says Victorian, but the decor leans rustic country. Adjust your mental picture and you will enjoy it far more.
Bring cash or a card, check the hours before driving over, and remember Tuesdays are a lost cause.
Parking is simple, the building is small, and the stairs are steep, so speak up about seating preferences when you arrive.
Go for the soup, stay for the scones, and leave room for whatever is calling your name from behind the bakery glass.