What is "tea house"

n. (alternative spelling of teahouse English)

A tea house is an establishment which primarily serves tea and other light refreshments. Sometimes the meal is also called "tea". Although its function varies widely depending on the culture, tea houses often serve as centers of social interaction, like coffeehouses. Some cultures have a variety of distinct tea-centered houses of different types, depending on the national tea culture. For example, the British or American tearoom serves afternoon tea with a variety of small cakes.