A sweet taste of Downton Abbey in Wickford RI

by Cris McCullough

Holiday madness is upon us! We all are in need of a soothing balm for mind, body and spirit. Try a de-stress with high tea at Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage, located in Wickford, Rhode Island. Nestled amidst quaint colonial buildings, this place offers a unique food experience. Inside, the rustic cottage is a quaint, doily and lace decorated tea room and is often filled with tables of friends amiably chatting. 

Tables were set with real china and silverware. Soon after, our server brought us a lovely Earl Grey tea, placing a three tiered china server in the center of the table laden with scones, delectable sweets and an assortment of delicate finger sandwiches. We were instantly transported to the High Tea ambiance we’ve come to associate with Downton Abbey.

I asked our server, Lindsey, about the inspiration for Sweet Marie’s and found out that she was the owner, Lindsey Andrews, and as our exchange continued here’s what she had to say:

What was your inspiration for Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage?

I’m originally from Coventry R.I. and moved to New York in 2010 to pursue a career in fashion design and production. I returned to Rhode Island in 2015 and re-entered the restaurant industry. My goal when starting this business was to create an atmosphere with beautiful aesthetics, comforting music, good food and good energy, a soothing balm for body, mind and spirit.

Sweet Marie’s is named in honor of my grandmother, Marie Louise, and for her warmth, charm, and love of tea. Those who sit at Marie’s table are welcomed with love and gratitude, and we hope to deliver this experience to our customers when taking any seat at Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage. 

Why choose a tea room as your concept?

Our goal was to create a unique, whimsical, and cozy experience for our customers and a revival of a tea shop to Wickford Village was the perfect fit. Our high tea includes a prix fixe menu offering a three-tiered serving of scones, sandwiches, and sweets. Each of our guests can indulge in a sweet and a savory scone, four tea sandwiches, and three petite sweets. We complete your experience with bottomless Earl Grey Tea for $26 per person. In addition, we offer a proposed selection of thoughtfully crafted cocktails, as well as wine from Gooseneck Vineyards.

We are always sensitive to our customer’s dietary restrictions, so please advise us in advance when you make your reservation. We are open Thursdays through Sundays. Call us at 401-626-1647 to make your reservation.

How can someone de-stress with high tea?

Sweet Marie’s strives to offer its community a charming and intimate setting to celebrate special moments with friends and family. We look forward to sharing our unique experience with those who stroll the streets of Wickford during the holidays and summer months, the locals who have come to be part of our story, and those searching for a private venue to host showers, birthday teas, and book clubs.

Do you offer any holiday specials or gift certificates? 

We are so excited to celebrate the holiday season with our community and will be participating in this year’s Festival of Lights. Gift certificates are available for purchase in store! You can find Sweet Marie’s Tea Cottage at 25 W Main Street in North Kingstown Rhode Island.