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Philadelphia is our cup of tea, quite literally: there are numerous places to enjoy tea in a variety of atmospheres all across the city, including the elegant Mary Cassatt Tea Room and Garden at the Rittenhouse Hotel. (Photo courtesy Rittenhouse Hotel)

As summer begins to fade into fall, the crisp weather will make for the perfect tea-sipping clime.

Plus, the tea industry is headed to Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania Convention Center September 9-10 for the launch of World Tea East, an organization aimed at supporting the expanding demand for specialty tea and related products in the U.S.

Basically, it’s tea time in Philadelphia. And we’re here to help you out in partaking in all things tea Philadelphia has to offer, from tea houses to elegant afternoon teas to tea-soaking spa treatments.

Our definitive tea guide, below:

Tea Houses

• Premium Steap: Designed to be more of a tea boutique than a sit-down tea house, Premium Steap offers the finest, full-leaf, premium teas from around the world. More than 100 varieties of tea are available from the take-out tea bar. The shop also offers products that allow tea drinkers to enjoy the perfect cup at home or work.

• Ray’s Cafe & Teahouse: This spot, located in the heart of Chinatown, serves teas from Taiwan in a casual atmosphere. Diners can sip tea while munching on Taiwanese entrees and homemade cookies and desserts in an authentic setting.

• Tea Country: The idea began as a theoretical class project for four MBA students at Eastern University and grew into a bricks-and-mortar retail tea shop that specializes in selling and serving gourmet loose-leaf tea four days a week. Call for free tea tastings: (215) 276-2051.

• Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop: This quirky spot in Northern Liberties is a place to restore the spirit and wow the palate. Their line of 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions offer a window into the international world of tea.

• TBar: Tbar is an urban tea bar retreat for tea lovers, as well as tea newcomers. With their selection of loose leaf teas, “specialtea” drinks, tea sweets and savories, and tea-based health and beauty products, it’s a tea lover’s paradise.

More information, below, on the best spots for afternoon tea and tea-centric spa treatments.

Afternoon Tea

• The Four Seasons Hotel’s Swann Lounge: This is the place to go for a relaxed afternoon tea after a day of exploring the many museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Tea sippers can choose between “Social Tea” and “Royal Tea,” both of which include tea, scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and fruit tartlets. The “Royal Tea” includes the addition of an alcoholic beverage like sparkling wine. It’s available Monday-Friday, 2-3:30 p.m and Saturday 3-4:30 p.m.

• Nineteen (XIX): The café here, a penthouse restaurant with a sweeping view of the city, has tea service that includes a selection of loose-leaf teas elegantly served with tea sandwiches, plus rich pastries and scones. It’s only available during the winter season, but it’s worth the wait.

• The Rittenhouse Hotel’s Mary Cassatt Tea Room and Garden: For a traditionally elegant high-tea experience, visitors should head to the Mary Cassatt Room, serving afternoon British tea and cocktails. One menu option allows sippers to add champagne to their tea, which they can drink outside in a floral garden just beyond the tea room’s French doors.

• The Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia: A lovely afternoon awaits at the Ritz, where guests can sample an array of light British fare, including tea, sandwiches, pastries and champagne, in the grand, neo-classical Rotunda lounge.

• Tea With an Accent: Tea drinkers looking to enjoy a warming drink in an ornate and feminine Victorian tea house should look no further than Tea With an Accent, offering afternoon tea five days a week. A harpist occasionally plays music as patrons enjoy their tea served on fine china and with silver cutlery, surrounded by crisp table linens, fresh flowers and candles.

Tea Spa Treatments

• The Adagio Day Spa & Tea Room: Spa mavens have discovered the use of herbal tea infusions in their facials, which is believed to assist with detoxifying and de-aging the cells. The Adagio Day Spa & Tea Room has created this “tea facial” as its signature treatment. A cup of herbal tea to drink is included with all services.

• Antoinette Day Spa and Salon: Spa-goers can relax over lunch and a steaming cup of flavored tea while waiting for a massage or any other spa treatment here, a full service spa attached to a Victorian tea room that’s decorated with a tea cup chandelier.