Travelling Samovar Tea House

As an avid tea lover I’ve been wanting to try this place out for months but never gotten around to it. Having a walk down Rathdowne I decided today was the day, and boy am I glad I did! The staff is lovely and have so much knowledge about the tea process and brewing.
This month they have a Japanese theme and I had the tasting of three Japanese green teas wich were absolutely amazing!
Stronlgy recommend this place, even in summer since they seem to have a good selection of ice tea as well.

Run, don’t walk to the Travelling Samovar. Once through the doors, you’ll be transported to a magical place, worlds away from any place you’ve been to in Melbourne. Beautiful Indian tapestries, hanging lanterns, and a roaring fireplace — this is the place you’ll want to hang out in for an entire day.
The gorgeous collection of samovars, from whence the shop takes its name, are not only displayed — they’re used to make samples of tea for anyone to try. (Samovars are originally from Persia, I learned, but made inroads into Russian culture and have spread with Russian immigrants wherever they’ve moved.)
The afternoon I visited, I got to try two types of tea before perusing the extensive menu — complete with tasting notes for all the types. Feel overwhelmed? You can do a mini tea tasting for $ 10 to sample quite a few. Next time I’m going I’m definitely doing that, but for starters I went with their chai. It’s a gorgeous blend, and you can even get it in a terracotta cup to take home (at no extra charge!), plus it comes with a refill. Amazing!
My friend and I were given the Wifi password and seated directly next to the fire, settling in for an afternoon of freelancing while being waited on hand and foot. They’re low pressure: one of the co-​owners even refreshed my friend’s delicious herbal tea with hot water, instead of trying to get him to buy a second cup. The two women who own it are utterly delightful — and their cookies and other baked goods are delectable.
This is my new favorite spot in Melbourne.

There are few things in life better than a good cup of tea: and at travelling samovar, that is what you get, every time.
The décor reflects the many cultures which have a rich tea heritage, and there is plenty of tea paraphernalia available to purchase — teapots, gaiwan, piao, etc. There is also a nice courtyard area out the back.
The tea menu is detailed, with plenty of options from different regions and in different styles (black, oolong, green, white, puerh, herbal). When the ladies bring the tea over, they will show you how to infuse your tea, and you are in total control of how strong your infusions are.
The selection of cakes often includes gluten free options, and tea infused delicacies. There is no extended menu at the moment, sadly.
The staff themselves are welcoming, friendly and very willing to share their knowledge and enthusiasm about tea with customers.

What an adorable space! Whether you love tea or don’t know the first thing about it — the Travelling Samovar is a great place to learn.
Dedicated to traditional methods and the simple joy of tea brewing, the owner Pascale sure knows a lot about tea and will happily share her knowledge with anyone that walks through the door.
Visiting on a very hot afternoon, I stopped in for some refreshing iced tea. My eyes went straight past the iced tea menu when I spied tea sorbets. Opting for the White Tea, it was served like tea infused crushed iced, with an additional bottle of the white tea that could be sipped separately, or poured over the sorbet. The tea itself was delicious, refreshing and not too sweet nor bitter. I preferred pouring it over the sorbet and using it like crushed ice for my drink.
Tea and tea gifts (pots, cups etc) are all on display and for sale. Sipping happily, Pascale told me about her travels and showed off her prized tea collection. She also sat down and showed me some unique brewing methods and sampled some more tea. This time hot, but equally refreshing despite the heat outside.
I will definitely be back with my tea-​loving friends or whenever I feel like something different to my beloved long black.

The Travelling Samovar is a gem on Rathdowne St. The staff are friendly and knowledgable. The cakes are delicious and their savoury treats are equally great.
The nicest thing about this cosy tea house, is you can pop in for a quick cup, or sit for hours sampling the extensive menu without any worry. Tea can be taken at your pace.

Every tea tells a story and everyone at the Travelling Samovar can tell you that tea story.
A warm and eccentric décor, complete with open fire place helps you to forget about the outside world and all your troubles. Very few problems aren’t softened by a good cup of tea or even a cheeky chai.
Pascals and her staff have an exceptional talent for remembering customers tastes, preferences and pets names.
Katya’s Eastern European cakes and treats are beyond the Devine.
This little treasure if a store is my happy place to go to!
Don’t forget to check out the elegant bathroom.

«Every tea tells a story» is on the door and the website of this specialty tea house in North Carlton and it is true of everything from the moment you walk through the door until you leave again. Decorated with a mixture of the international collection of co-​owner Pascale and the kitsch and quirky, The Travelling Samovar pays homage to the origins of the Larson and Thompson teas that they serve.
Whether you’re in the mood for a quick cuppa, a warming chai, or a specialty oolong with brewed with multiple infusions in a yixing clay teapot, this place will keep you happy. If you’re interested in learning about the tea, its origins, cultures and stories, the global Pascale will serenade you with tales. Bec will enchant you with some of her own blends and if you’re peckish — Katya in the kitchen will cook you something special and tasty.