New York, NY – December 16, 2025 – Yoshoku, the intimate kaiseki-inspired, fine dining destination at Waldorf Astoria New York, has unveiled a modern Japanese Afternoon Tea that marries the hotel’s legendary afternoon tea tradition with the inventive spirit of Yoshoku’s cuisine. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Ry Nitzkowski, this distinctive service combines seasonal flavors, artisanal teas, and curated indulgences to offer guests a refined and immersive journey.
“At Yoshoku, we’ve reimagined the storied tradition of afternoon tea through a Japanese lens, blending the elegant service guests expect from Waldorf Astoria New York with the seasonality, precision, and sense of discovery that define the restaurant,” said Nicholas Bathurst, Director of Food & Beverage at Waldorf Astoria New York. “It’s a thoughtful Western interpretation of Japanese cuisine that honors the evolution of an iconic New York ritual.”
The Japanese tea service at Yoshoku blends the elegance of Waldorf Astoria New York with the thoughtful simplicity of Japanese craft. More than a classic afternoon tea, the experience takes quiet cues from kaiseki, emphasizing balance, seasonality, and artful presentation. Guests enjoy Japanese-inspired tea sandwiches, warm scones, and delicate pastries. Standout bites include the wagyu pastrami with yuzu pickle, 1000 island, shaved cabbage, and Havarti cheese; tsukemono, featuring house pickles and whipped sudachi cream cheese; and warm scones such as a cream scone brightened with sudachi zest. For an added touch of indulgence, guests may opt for a caviar service featuring Oscietra or White Sturgeon, accompanied by warm nori taiyaki, potato chawanmushi, and yuzu miso tofu cream.
The pastry tier, created by Executive Pastry Chef Jennie Chiu, continues the narrative with matcha yuzu cake, soba cha maple verrine, and houjicha hazelnut choux. These desserts are presented on an artful seasonal tower adorned with soft greenery and foliage. Designed to evolve throughout the year alongside the menu, the display pays homage to kaiseki’s deep appreciation for nature and the shifting seasons.
Complementing the bites, Yoshoku offers a curated selection of loose-leaf teas from Kettl, sourced directly from distinguished growers across Japan. Tea options include Kumamoto Blended Wakoucha with honey and citrus notes; Uji Genmaimatcha with nutty, toasty flavors; Miyabi Sencha infused with toasted almond and wild grass; and Shizuku Gyokuro, which evokes dashi stock and pine. Guests may also enhance their experience with matcha lattes or traditional ceremonial matcha for an additional fee.
Yoshoku’s Afternoon Tea can be further elevated with thoughtfully paired libations from the restaurant’s beverage menu. Guests may choose from premium Champagne, including Krug Grand Cuvee and Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle, artisanal Japanese sake, or signature cocktails such as the Kirakira, made with Komasa Gin, lemon, and Champagne. Nonalcoholic options, including the Shikoku, feature inventive ingredients like red shiso-yuzu cordial and Kimino sparkling yuzu.
Priced at $135 per person for the core tea service, the Japanese Afternoon Tea at Yoshoku invites guests to enjoy a contemplative, artful, and playful reinterpretation of a classic New York tradition. Combining Chef Nitzkowski’s kaiseki sensibilities with the storied elegance of Waldorf Astoria New York, this service offers a distinctive way to celebrate seasonal flavors, Japanese craftsmanship, and the timeless ritual of afternoon tea.
Hours of Operation: Tuesday – Saturday
Seatings Available: 11:00am, 11:15am, 11:30am & 1:00pm, 1:15pm, 1:30pm
Pricing: Starts at $135 per person (full menu attached)
Booking: To reserve, visit Resy
Yoshoku at Waldorf Astoria New York is located at 301 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10022.
Follow Yoshoku on Instagram: @yoshokunyc
Follow Waldorf Astoria New York on Instagram: @waldorfnyc
About Yoshoku
Located just steps from Park Avenue, Yoshoku is an intimate fine dining destination within the Waldorf Astoria New York that reimagines kaiseki through a distinctly New York lens under Executive Chef Ry Nitzkowski. Anchored by the iconic “Wheel of Life” mosaic and neoclassical murals celebrating the rituals of food and gathering, Yoshoku offers a deeply seasonal six-course tasting menu, personalized à la carte options, and a modern Japanese afternoon tea experience. Guided by the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, Yoshoku celebrates natural textures, subtle imperfections, and quiet elegance to create a contemplative and artful dining experience.
About Waldorf Astoria New York
Waldorf Astoria New York has been a fixture of New York City society for more than a century, earning its place as a beacon of sophistication and elegance in the cultural capital of the world. When the hotel opened in 1931, it had such grandeur that Hilton founder Conrad Hilton declared the property “The Greatest of Them All.” Following complete transformation led by renowned architects, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, with interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the property retains the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York while ushering in a new era for the hotel and building upon Conrad Hilton’s vision. The 375-room hotel features some of Manhattan’s largest rooms and suites that embody the spirit of New York. Above the hotel sits 372 private residences, ranging from studios to four bedrooms, with interiors designed by Jean-Louis Deniot and access to 50,000-square-feet of amenities. In addition, hotel guests, residents and visitors have access to a holistic wellness program, including a state-of-the-art fitness center along with Guerlain Wellness Spa spanning 22,000 square feet. Unmatched culinary offerings include Lex Yard, a standout signature restaurant helmed by acclaimed Chef Michael Anthony, the return of Peacock Alley in partnership with renowned Mixologist Jeff Bell and Yoshoku, a Japanese dining experience. The property also features 43,000 square feet of modernized event space including a striking new opera-inspired Grand Ballroom set to be the crown jewel of New York City’s entertainment scene. Visit waldorfastorianewyork.com for more information or follow the hotel on Instagram at @waldorfnyc and on Facebook at @WaldorfAstoriaNewYork.
