Alice in the Village is a small tea room and gift shop located in Mystic Village, CT that sells a charming variety of trinkets and boasts over 80 blends of tea. The shop offers a whimsical, themed experience, deriving its name from Lewis Carrol’s beloved classic Alice in Wonderland. Known for their teas and treats, Alice in the Village features a selection of “Drink ME!” beverages, such as bubble teas, chais, slush teas, and matchas, along with sweet or savory “Eat ME!” snack items.
The service we received was exceptional and, perhaps because the store was not busy, wait times were no longer than five or six minutes for our food and drinks. The shop was clean, the shelves and displays were neat and visually appealing. The woman at the counter was friendly, patient, and efficient when taking and preparing our orders.
The atmosphere was everything that was promised, from the outside window display to the ceiling decorations and shelves lined with themed merchandise, such as mugs and children’s books picturing iconic characters from the tale. The offerings were diverse and nothing was tacky, with stuffed animals, delicate tea sets, and everything in between.
The confectionary shop has a small, separate dining room with a couple comfortable couches and some tables to wait for and enjoy your food at. In the warmer months, there is also additional outdoor seating available.
Pricing was on par with other restaurants, with most teas, hot or iced, costing $5.50 for 16oz. Some drink options, such as the White Rabbit Slush teas, a favorite in the summer, and sweetened matchas are slightly more pricey at $6.00. Our total cost for our two drinks, scone, and macaron was $17.
We started with our drink orders: a Mango Butterfly Pea Tea ($5.50), and a Brown Sugar Milk Tea with tapioca boba ($5.50). The Butterfly Pea Teas are fan-favorites for their color-changing ability, achieved through the shop’s use of a layered lemonade base and fruit syrup top. The flavor was slightly sour and refreshing, though the sweetness of the mango syrup balanced the taste beautifully. The milk tea had a rich, sweet flavor that was not overpowering. Overall, both the presentation and taste exceeded our expectations, with both teas being served in adorable cups with cat themed lids.
In addition to our beverages, we purchased a Cheddar and Chive Scone, which was $3.50, and Cookies n’ Cream macaron, which was $2.50. When buying macarons in bulk, there is an option to get a dozen for $27. The scone was warmed for us, which was an appreciated service and elevated the taste. The scone was buttery and moist, and had a subtle tangy flavor due to the cheddar. The macaron was a perfect sweet bite, with a soft center and delicious filling that perfectly rounded out our selection of menu purchases.
