Inside a Japanese Tea House in SoHo

Italian and Japanese traditions, architecture, and culinary influences converge inside this tranquil Manhattan tea house. Founded by Italian entrepreneur Silvia Mella in collaboration with Tea Master Keiko Kitazawa, the blend of cultural influences can even be found in the name. Sōrate, which means “calm down” in Venetian dialect, also contains the Japanese word, “sora,” which means “sky.” Inside the intimate space, visitors can sit down for traditional tea and matcha ceremonies, or grab a drink and snack to go!

On March 28th and April 9th, you can join owner Silvia Mella for a tea tasting inside Sōrate with Untapped New York Insiders! This experience is free for Insiders, a $35 value. Not a member yet? Sign up today with code JOINUS and get your first month free. Limited spaces available.

Founder-Led Tea Tasting at Sorate

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Sōrate is located at 103 Sullivan Street inside an early 20th-century building. The interior design by Venezia-based Studio Architecture Amaa blends contemporary aesthetics with historic details, such as the original tin ceiling. The cozy space is swathed in serene neutral tones and natural materials like wood and stone. A long counter runs the length of the space with room for just four patrons. This limited capacity allows for meaningful interactions and personalized attention. The overall effect is a warm and inviting atmosphere that beckons you inside from the large storefront window.

On the menu at Sōrate, customers will find ceremonial-grade matcha and a variety of high-grade green teas sourced from a single farm in Ujitawara-cho. As the Sōrate website notes, “This small countryside town in Kyoto prefecture is where the farmer Nagatani Soen invented the method of manufacturing Japanese green tea in the middle of the Edo period.”

Customers can choose to enjoy their matcha prepared the traditional way—with warm water—or with a modern twist with a choice of milk, served hot or iced. A variety of teas including Sencha, Gyokuro, Hojicha, and Genmaicha along with specialty drinks like a Sparkling Iced Matcha with a hint of yuzu (a common refreshment in Japan), and caffeine-free options such as Kombucha are also available.

To accompany these beverages, Sōrate offers a selection of light wagashi or traditional tea ceremony sweets. Indulge in matcha-infused desserts or grab a Sorashi Lunch Box, an original creation that combines Italian ingredients like prosciutto, robiola cheese, and freshly grated bottarga, with Japanese elements of velvety black sesame tofu, pureed nori, pickled radish, and candied yuzu.

What sets Sōrate apart from other tea houses—besides its decor and high-quality teas—is its dedication to sharing tea rituals. On a solo road trip through the Japanese countryside, Mella noticed that frequent tea breaks brought a sense of serenity and stability to her day. This ritual was reminiscent of daily Italian habits she was familiar with back home, like a morning espresso. She was inspired to take what she learned in Japan, and what we already knew from Italy, to create a space where people could take part in calming rituals in the United States.

At Sōrate, guests can join a variety of tea ceremonies conducted by Tea Master Keiko Kitazawa and tastings led by Mella. At these experiences, guests will learn about the intricate rituals and traditions of tea preparation while tasting a variety of beverages and food offerings. Learn more and book your experience here.

Mella describes Sōrate as her “love letter to Japan which taught me mindfulness, and Italy, where I learned to appreciate the beauty in all things.”

Join Untapped New York Insiders for a founder-led tea tasting on March 28th or April 9th where you’ll get to sample a variety of teas and learn more of Mella’s story!

Founder-Led Tea Tasting at Sorate

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Next, check out The Forgotten Forest Hills Tea Garden