Many Charleston area churches host spring tea rooms where old favorites like okra soup, chicken salad, shrimp salad, and tomato pie, as well as desserts such as Tipsy Pudding, Hummingbird Cake, and Lady Baltimore Cake, are made and served by volunteers. The tea rooms usually operate for only a week or two in the spring and are open only for lunch. There are often gift shops offering handmade items for sale. Most offer an opportunity to tour the historic churches and grounds. Below are some of the most notable.
Old St. Andrew’s Parish Church, 2604 Ashley River Road, is hosting the Annual Spring Tea Room from March 9 – 14 and 16 – 21, 2026, with lunch served from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm. To make reservations for parties of three or more, call 843-990-6281. The reservation line opened on February 23. For more information, click here.
St. Paul’s Summerville, Tea Room and Gift Shop, is open April 20-24 and 27-30, 2026, from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm. The church is located at 316 West Carolina Avenue, Summerville. For more information, call 843-873-1991 or click here.
–Tidelines Editors
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