Among the fashionable socialites of London, high tea has been a cherished tradition since the Victorian era. In Southwest Florida, however, the practice is rarer. Our wondrous weather doesn’t exactly beg for hot beverages, hearty finger sandwiches and scones in the middle of the day. But in its finest execution, high tea has an irresistible pageantry that transcends geographic settings. The refined ritual ought to be experienced everywhere. Just ask the regulars at Forever Fiore.
Owner Luara Maximo opened Forever Fiore as a floral boutique in Fort Myers in 2017. Back then, she focused on flower hat boxes and other arrangements brimming with fresh and preserved blooms. The São Paulo native, who moved to Fort Myers with her family in elementary school, added a teahouse in mid-2019. “I realized we needed a space where guests could relax, unwind and connect,” she says. Luara started studying and exploring the world of tea. The drink’s ancient roots, historical traditions and health benefits fascinated her. When the pandemic struck, it slowed the shop’s momentum. Luara shuttered the Fort Myers location she owned with a friend and, in 2023, relocated to Naples, where the clientele seemed more receptive to the cultural and culinary atmosphere she was cultivating.
Photography by Christina Bankson
forever fiore tea salon pastries
Guests enter the floral-clad tea salon on Fifth Avenue North to find marble tables spaciously arranged under elegant chandeliers. Tufted banquettes and pink upholstered chairs stand beside stools in soft emerald tones—all swaddled in the alluring scent of freshly cut roses. “The ultra-feminine feel is intentional,” says Luara, who layered French art and contemporary pieces, lush velvet and silk fabrics, preserved flowers, coffee table books on fashion and art, and floral patterns to create an Old World vibe. “I wanted to transport people to a different place,” she says. “You should feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale garden.” The soft drum of bossa nova music from Luara’s native Brazil permeates the space.
For the global tea curation, Luara partners with California-based Art of Tea, which sources fair-trade, 100% organic looseleafs. Selections like classic Earl Grey and blended jasmine-blueberry green teas arrive in pink and white bone china, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and tiered trays loaded with a colorful array of imported French petits fours and house-made tea sandwiches and cupcakes.
The undeniable charm and elegance of Forever Fiore’s high tea ties into the growing demand for indulgent, immersive dining and drinking experiences. “Tea is not just a beverage; it is a timeless ritual that connects us to centuries of tradition, inviting us to slow down, savor the moment and allow our minds to unwind,” the owner says. Europe may have a few hundred years’ head start on the practice, but at Forever Fiore, Luara is making up for lost tea time.
Photography by Christina Bankson