A Sanctuary of Sips and Stories: The Tea House on Canyon Road
At the very top of Canyon Road, where the galleries thin out and the road feels quieter, sits one of Santa Fe’s most beloved gathering spots: The Tea House at 821 Canyon Road. It’s the kind of place where conversations linger as long as the steam rising from a teacup, and where locals and visitors alike find a moment to slow down.
“We own the tea house on Canyon Road,” Cole Campbell shared during a recent interview on KSWV Radio. “We serve American Bistro Fair. Tea, espressos, we also added cocktails this year.”
Cole and his wife, Brittany, purchased The Tea House in September 2024, turning a longtime Santa Fe institution into their permanent home and passion project. “September of 24 we purchased it…of 2024,” Cole said. The couple, originally from Texas, had been visiting Santa Fe for more than two decades before making the leap. “We really feel like we have a home here in Santa Fe,” Brittany said. “The community has just been incredible.”
More Than 80 Teas From Around the World
What first draws many guests is the tea list — a menu that reads like a global journey. “The thing that makes us probably the most special is that we have over 80 tea selections from all over the world,” Cole explained. “We have fantastic oolongs, greens, blacks. We have great caffeine-free options as well.”
The teas come from a wide range of origins. “Japan, China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Germany,” Cole said, noting that they work with “between 10 and 12 vendors.” The Tea House is also beginning to blend teas in-house, with plans to source more local and Native American ingredients. “We’re starting to blend in-house as well,” he said. “We’re actually trying to source more local Native American ingredients.”
For those who are loyal coffee drinkers but curious about tea, the staff is ready to help. “We do offer a lot of tea lattes as well,” Cole said.
And yes — there are tea-infused cocktails, too. “We are infusing all of our cocktails with different types of teas,” Cole said, highlighting partnerships with New Mexico distilleries. It’s part of a growing cocktail menu that complements the relaxed atmosphere.
A Scratch-Made Kitchen With Something for Everyone
Beyond tea, The Tea House offers a full breakfast and brunch menu, served Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We have a full breakfast brunch menu,” Brittany said. “A really full great menu for whether you’re looking for a fresh sandwich, salad, our soups are incredible.”
The kitchen is largely gluten-free and built around scratch-made recipes. “We have a scratch-made kitchen that’s 99% gluten-free,” Cole said. “We really try to focus on gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options.”
A Patio Like No Other
Still, if there’s one feature that captures the magic of The Tea House, it may be the patio.
“We have a fantastic year-round dog-friendly patio,” Cole said. “We have cherry trees, apricot trees, peach trees, and apple trees. And it’s just, there’s not another place like it in Santa Fe.”
During colder months, guests can sit in heated greenhouses that maintain the outdoor feel. “On a day like today, the greenhouses are perfect because you still have the feel of the patio, but then you have the enclosed heating element,” he explained.
It’s a place where people stay — sometimes longer than they planned. “People sit for an hour and a half, two hours sometimes,” Cole said. “If you haven’t experienced our patio, if you haven’t experienced the vibe of the tea house, I think it’s second to none.”
Brittany described the atmosphere simply: “It just makes it all worth it and feels like we’re doing what we’re supposed to and creating a great little community spot.”
Health, Hospitality, and Knowledge
Tea isn’t just about flavor — it’s also about wellness. Guests often walk in looking for something specific. “Absolutely, all the time,” Brittany said when asked whether customers seek teas for sleep, congestion, or altitude adjustment. “Our baristas, our staff’s very knowledgeable and can point anyone that comes in in the right direction.”
Cole added that many caffeine-free blends include ingredients like turmeric and ginger. “Ginger is your best friend,” he said.
Looking ahead, the Campbells are deepening their tea program even further. They plan to introduce tea flights, afternoon tea ceremonies, and expanded teaware offerings. “We’re going to T-Expo in March, and we’re really excited to bring back the knowledge with us,” Cole said. “I think that’s something that the tea house has been missing for the last several years is really a great tea program and that knowledge from the owners.”
Giving Back to the Community
Community connection is at the heart of their mission. The Tea House is partnering with local schools, hosting pop-up dinners and supper clubs, and bringing back its Apres Summer Music Series.
“We’re trying to give back to the local community,” Cole said. “I think that’s probably our biggest thing to give back to the community.”
They’re also introducing a special focus on locals in the morning hours. “From 8 to 10, we want to offer complimentary either tea or coffee for locals,” Cole said. “If you haven’t given the tea house a chance in a while… those are the hours that we really want to start focusing on.”
Brittany summed up their gratitude simply: “I would just like to thank Santa Fe for giving us a chance in this opportunity.”
Go Local, Go Different
Being part of Santa Fe’s small business ecosystem also means engaging with city-led initiatives like Go Local, Go Different through the Office of Economic Development.
“Santa Fe is so small and supportive, and partnering with Go Local, Go Different, it’s just, they’re incredible, all that they do for you,” Brittany said. “They’re just there to help us out, and that just really supports our small businesses.”
Cole added that programs like this push business owners beyond their comfort zones. “I think the different programs, just like this one, the Go Local with the interaction and the community focus, I think they help us think outside the box.” He continued, “I just think that the different ideas that these local programs are doing are just a great way for us to get out of our comfort zones and they’re certainly community-driven. They’re fantastic.”
A Place to Slow Down
In a city known for art, culture, and conversation, The Tea House feels like a natural extension of Santa Fe’s spirit. It’s a place for first dates, solo mornings with a journal, long brunches with friends, or simply sitting under the trees with a warm cup in hand.
As Cole put it, “We embrace the culture here and we embrace Santa Fe and we want to be a part of this community here.”
For menus, upcoming events, and more details, visit santafeteahouse.com — and then take a drive to the top of Canyon Road. The tea will be waiting.
In this special “Go Local, Go Different” edition of KSWV Radio, Brittany and Cole Campbell share how they made Santa Fe their permanent home after purchasing The Tea House at 821 Canyon Road in 2024. With over 80 teas sourced from around the world, tea-infused cocktails featuring New Mexico spirits, and a scratch-made, 99% gluten-free kitchen, the couple is blending global flavors with deep local roots. From dog-friendly patios and heated greenhouses to pop-up dinners, live summer music, and complimentary morning tea hours for locals, this conversation highlights how The Tea House is creating a welcoming community space in the heart of Canyon Road.
