Your Teaism Memories: Dupont Circle & Penn Quarter
Introducing our From the Archives series, featuring memories from the Teaism community. We will be collecting stories throughout 2026 to celebrate our 30th Anniversary.
Our first batch includes stories related to our Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter locations. Thank you for sharing with us!
From Dupont Circle
Both Teaism and my life in DC began in 1996, the year I moved here after graduate school. I never liked coffee and have always embraced the tea traditions of my Irish and Scottish ancestors, so I was drawn to Teaism immediately. Over the years, it has been my calm space — a place to breathe, celebrate, reflect, and simply pause.
Teaism has been woven through so many stages of my life. Given my love of tea (some might call it an addiction, but I prefer “love”), it was only fitting that my wedding shower was held at the Penn Quarter location. While on maternity leave with my first child and living near the Dupont location, I would walk the baby down to the Metro, hand her off to my husband coming home from work, and savor a few quiet moments of solitude at Teaism. After my second child was born and we moved farther up the Red Line, I’d leave the baby with my mom, drive my older child to daycare, and stop into Teaism for a brief escape before the day fully began.
My Scottish mother and I shared many pots of tea and scones there when she visited, and after her unexpected death, it was also a place where I could sit quietly and grieve. My love for Teaism has since been passed down to my now 18-year-old daughter. It’s the place she requests for breakfast dates with her mom, and no matter how busy life gets, I always say yes. We have our standing order — eggs and salmon, ginger scones, bai mu dan, and darjeeling — and she gets mildly annoyed when her younger sibling wants to join us.
During the pandemic, when so many beloved places were struggling, I said more than once that the one business whose closure would truly devastate me was Teaism. I’m so happy to celebrate 30 years of Teaism alongside 30 wonderful years of life in DC.
– Mary
When I recently moved to the Dupont Circle area and started exploring DC, I was searching for a true tea place — somewhere that really understands tea culture. In the U.S., that’s surprisingly hard to find.
When I discovered Teaism, I was honestly shocked in the best possible way. It combines so many things I truly love: jazz music, healthy and delicious food, and tea served the right way, with care and atmosphere. I immediately became a huge fan of the format.
What makes it even more special is the feeling of the place itself. It’s peaceful, inspiring, and full of interesting people. It has become one of those rare places that genuinely feels like home — somewhere you can come to relax, recharge, reflect, and prepare yourself for the next life challenges.
I really want to thank the founders and team for creating something so meaningful for the community. I truly enjoy being a regular visitor, and I’m grateful places like this exist.
Happy 30th anniversary — and honestly, it feels like this is just the beginning.
– Maksym
From Penn Quarter
We had been outside since 6 AM. All ten of us, including my dad in a wheelchair, dressed up and absolutely freezing. I don’t think I’ve ever been that cold for that long in my life.
We had tickets to a secured viewing area along the parade route, and they had us waiting in this tunnel forever — and then it was just mayhem. Nobody was moving. Nobody knew where to go.
We had backup tickets too, to a space inside the Newseum — I think it was above Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant — so we headed there, but that line wasn’t moving either.
By 10:30 I was done. Cold, exhausted, and I desperately needed a bathroom. Thank God Teaism was opened. It was crowded but not chaotic. The wait to the bathroom wasn’t terribly long and I was relieved. I just remember walking in and feeling like I could breathe again. Warm, calm. That was 16 years ago and I still think about it.
I still come in for the chai, the French toast, the udon noodle soup with shrimp and the bathroom (the upstairs one). Happy 30th. Here’s to many more.
– Khadijah
I was first introduced to Teaism as an undergraduate at American University in 2007. A friend of mine worked part-time at the Penn Quarter location.
As Filipina in the middle of mainland culture shock, I was so happy to discover familiar flavors at Teaism.
– Cherisse
I’m still in the DC area and I make it a point to go to Teaism and recommend it to everyone visiting. Here’s to many more years of tea!
First mail order of tea [from the Penn Quarter tea shop] came during COVID. What a pleasure to sip your teas during that difficult period!
– Sandra
I have so many fond memories of Teaism over the years!
You all have had a tremendous impact on the DC community beyond just the amazing teas and food you all provide. It has been an honor to do photo exhibits at your different locations over the years.
Also, thank you for hosting so many DC EcoWomen events over the years.
Teaism is a catalyst for positive change — bringing together foodies, tea lovers, artists and environmentalists.
Thank you so much to everyone on the Teaism team for all your hard work!
Happy 30th anniversary!
– Roshani
