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Treat friends and family to a decadent and nostalgic lunch buffet in the beloved L.S. Ayres Tea Room™ at the Indiana State Museum, where you can indulge in favorites including chicken velvet soup, tea-time sandwiches, miniature desserts and more.
Need to Know
We make every effort to accommodate walk-ins, but reservations are strongly encouraged. Buffet pricing includes gratuity and sales tax. Payment will be collected upon arrival. Payments may be made individually for each experience. Credit card or e-payment are encouraged. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the reservation to avoid seating conflicts. Cancellations will be permitted up to and including the day of the reservation for parties of 12 guests and less. No penalty will accrue for last-minute cancellations of 12 guests and less. Contact us at 317.232.1637 to learn the cancellation policy for parties of 12 guests and more.
The original Tea Room opened in 1905 on the 5th floor of the L.S. Ayres department store at the corner of Washington and Meridian Streets. It was so popular that in 1929 it was moved to the 8th floor and was expanded in size. For 85 years, it was the place to take children (dressed in their best, including hats and gloves) to learn proper manners, for families to gather in celebration of special events, and for women to see the current fashions as shown in “That Ayres Look” style shows. It became very dear to the community, but at a low point in the vitality of downtown, the May Company closed it in 1990.
After several years of sold-out crowds at special holiday-only Tea Room lunches in the Indiana State Museum’s old building, public interest resulted in the museum adding a recreation of the Tea Room to its plans for its new building – in our current location on Washington Street. It opened with the rest of the new building in May 2002, and is a popular location, especially during the holiday season.
The L.S. Ayres Tea Room™ is inspired by the original Tea Room located in the L.S. Ayres department store at the corner of Washington and Meridian Streets prior to its closing in 1990. Though smaller (64 seats instead of nearly 400), the Tea Room at the Indiana State Museum features reproductions of originals including columns, window treatments, wallpaper, carpet and chandeliers – and even the treasure chest. Tea Room favorites are created from authentic recipes and staff display the same proper etiquette offered at the original Tea Room.
The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites offers diverse event hosting options, from modern chic space to stunning nature-filled views. Rentals of the L.S. Ayres Tea Room for groups of 15+ guests are available year-round.