Luxury fashion houses aren’t just about what you wear anymore—they’re about where you eat. From Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café to Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar, designer brands are expanding their influence into the culinary world, creating restaurants that are as much about the experience as they are about the menu. These aren’t just places to grab a bite; they’re carefully curated spaces that reflect the brand’s essence, offering customers a new way to engage with high fashion.

And now, Louis Vuitton is taking things even further with Le Café Louis Vuitton, its stylish restaurant inside the 57th Street flagship in New York City. And with the launch of its brand-new high tea service, the café is cementing itself as the latest must-visit destination for those who appreciate both fashion and food.

The newly introduced afternoon tea, now available daily from 3 to 5 p.m., takes the classic ritual and elevates it with a distinctly Louis Vuitton spin. Traditional tea sandwiches get a luxurious makeover with egg salad infused with black truffle and delicate cucumber sandwiches paired with herb remoulade. The pastry selection is equally indulgent, featuring a cocoa tart with milk chocolate mousse and salted caramel, along with a signature hazelnut and vanilla entremet plated with the precision of a designer handbag display. To drink, guests can choose from a curated selection of herbal tisanes, rich coffee, and, of course, champagne—because a Louis Vuitton experience should always include a little sparkle.

Afternoon tea has been making a major comeback, not just in classic hotels like The Plaza and The Carlyle but in designer cafés and high-end restaurants around the world. It’s more than just a meal—it’s an event, a reason to linger, sip, and savor. The resurgence of tea culture is nostalgia for old-world elegance and a modern craving for indulgent and transportive experiences. Sitting down for a carefully prepared high tea is a ritual that, let’s be honest, has the Instagram appeal of a perfectly plated spread.

That’s exactly why luxury brands are leaning into food and beverage. Tiffany & Co.’s Blue Box Café turned its iconic “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” moment into a full-fledged dining experience, inviting guests to enjoy breakfast and afternoon tea surrounded by signature robin’s egg blue walls. Ralph Lauren’s Polo Bar takes a different approach, offering clubby steakhouse fare that feels as timeless as the designer’s signature aesthetic. With Le Café Louis Vuitton, the fashion house is taking things in an ultra-chic, European-inspired direction, blending French tradition with New York sophistication.

Of course, there is some serious culinary pedigree behind it. The menu is led by Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christophe Bellanca, formerly of Essential by Christophe, and Executive Pastry Chef Mary George, previously of DANIEL. They worked in collaboration with acclaimed French chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric, alongside restaurateur Stephen Starr, to create an experience that feels effortless but is executed with the precision of a couture gown.

The café, which also serves breakfast and lunch, has already made waves with its approach to “luxury snacking,” featuring dishes like Le Croque “Louis Paris,” a steamed scallop soufflé, and an elevated take on a classic burger.

The setting itself is just as intentional as the food. Located on the fourth floor of Louis Vuitton’s Manhattan flagship, the café doubles as a cultural space, featuring a library of over 600 titles curated by editor Ian Luna. It’s designed to be more than just a restaurant—it’s a place where craftsmanship, creativity, and gastronomy intersect. Every detail, from the menu to the interior design, reflects the brand’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

Reservations for Le Café Louis Vuitton are available via Resy, with the café open to both Louis Vuitton clients and the general public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. With the launch of high tea, Louis Vuitton is proving that luxury isn’t just something you wear—it’s something you experience, one impeccably plated bite at a time.