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The 10 Best Spots for High Tea in Toronto
Oh, Toronto! The bustling city of soaring skyscrapers, warm-hearted people, and, of course, stellar tea houses!
From exclusive luxury hotels serving dainty finger sandwiches and delicate pastries alongside aromatic teas to bohemian lounges that weave tea-tasting experiences with board games, high tea in Toronto is a delightful fusion of traditional and avant-garde.
Are you curious about where to find the best high tea spots in Toronto? The answer to that question may depend on what you’re looking for: upscale glamour, a cosy neighbourhood haunt, or a quirky fusion locale.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our list of top spots for a high tea in Toronto, irrespective of your preference. So do put your feet up, don your fanciest hat (metaphorically, of course), and read on.
Holts Café
Website: https://www.holtrenfrew.com/en/services/restaurants/holts-cafe
Address: Holt Renfrew Bloor, 50 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M4W 1A1, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-355-2832
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday – 11 AM to 5 PM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 5 PM
If you are in the mood for a high tea to level up your day, Holts Café on Bloor Street is a place that demands your attention. Positioned within the iconic Holt Renfrew department store, this café is a place to rest your shopping-weary legs.
The minute you step in, you are greeted by a chic, modern ambiance and a vast selection of teas that will make any tea aficionado’s heart flutter. Go for their subtle lavender earl grey, or be bold and try the zingy ginger lemon.
But high tea is equally about the food, and, oh boy, Holts Café does not disappoint. Classically inspired and presentation-perfect, the finger sandwiches and pastries here have been described as tiny works of art.
No cookie-cutter fare here; every nibble is infused with an authentic gourmet flair. One can’t help but appreciate the attention to detail at Holts Café, from the careful presentation of food and tea to the thoughtful service.
| Local tip: For a refreshing change, try their seasonal fresh fruit tea! |
Shangri-La Lobby Lounge and Bar
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/toronto/shangrila/dining/bars-lounges/lobby-lounges/
Address: 188 University Ave, Toronto, ON M5H 0A3, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-788-8281
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Wednesday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
- Thursday and Friday – 11 AM to 12 AM
- Saturday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
In Shangri-La Lobby Lounge and Bar, you will discover one of Toronto’s best spots for high tea. The name Shangri-La has become synonymous with luxurious leisure, and this lounge and bar certainly live up to the hype.
Nestled inside the Shangri-La Hotel, the lobby lounge offers a sophisticated setting that flawlessly blends traditional high tea culture with a dash of modern elegance. High ceilings, ornate decorations, airy spaces—the aesthetics are a delight!
Let’s chat about tea. Shangri-La has a selection that spans the globe, from vibrant Indian chai to calming Japanese sencha. And, oh, the sweet and savoury creations that accompany the tea!
The choice is expansive—think cloud-like scones that melt in your mouth, rainbow-coloured macarons tensioned with flavour, heavenly finger sandwiches. It’s like walking into a fairy-tale dreamscape of culinary delights designed to arouse your taste buds.
| Local tip: Their Eastern Afternoon Tea is an ingenious spin on the classic high tea, with Asian-inspired sweet and savoury treats. |
Bampot House
Website: https://bampottea.com/
Address: 201 Harbord St, Toronto, ON M5S 1H6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-537-5959
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday – 8 AM to 2 AM
- Saturday and Sunday – 11 AM to 2 AM
Bampot House is a place that truly challenges the traditional concept of high tea. Here, in a cosy, whimsical, and slightly offbeat setting, you are drawn into an atmosphere of camaraderie and conviviality.
When it comes to tea, Bampot boasts a wide array, with options for both traditional tea lovers and adventurous souls. It’s not just a drink here; it’s an introduction to a cultural mosaic.
You might sip Moroccan mint tea while playing a word game or sample a strong Scottish brew between bouts of a mystery board game. Speaking of board games, they are an integral part of the Bampot experience!
The atmosphere here is relaxed, friendly, and totally engaging. Try munching on some of their delicious, homemade food and pastries while you soak up the casual yet vibrant atmosphere.
| Local tip: Bampot’s chai latte is a gorgeous, creamy indulgence. Don’t miss out on this one! |
Crimson Teas
Website: http://www.crimsonteas.com/
Address: 415 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5T 2G6, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-432-3139
Operating hours: Tuesday to Thursday – 11 AM to 8 PM
Crimson Teas is known for the mind-boggling selection of teas that it offers. Take a quick glance at their shelves, and you’ll see an array of colourful containers, each holding a universe of flavour and aroma.
From the classic, beloved Earl Grey to the more elusive, fairy-tale-sounding Blossoming Tea, there is a tea for every mood and moment. While the teas often steal the limelight, let’s take a moment to appreciate the serene, almost Zen-like ambiance here.
With warm, muted nuances, the place invites you to slow down, embrace the calm, and let the teapot do the talking. And trust me, it’s a conversation you want to partake in!
Though known for its expansive tea collection, Crimson Teas doesn’t shy away from upping the ante when it comes to the food element of high tea. With a rotating selection of pastries and cakes that continually inspire “oohs” and “aahs” from guests, they’ve got taste and texture down to an art!
| Local tip: Do ask them about their latest tea arrivals; they are known to bring in limited-edition teas from around the world frequently! |
The Omni King Edward Hotel
Website: https://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/toronto-king-edward?utm_source=gmblisting&utm_medium=organic
Address: 37 King St E, Toronto, ON M5C 1E9, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-863-9700
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
An enduring emblem of Toronto’s rich history, the Omni King Edward Hotel exudes a sense of elegance from every corner. Its high tea is served in a Victoria-era-inspired setting that evokes a sense of nostalgia and charm.
A luxury experience like no other, the high tea at King Edward doesn’t merely walk but pirouettes on the line of culinary finesse. You’re promised indulgent sandwiches and pastries, each a small canvas of flavours, textures, and colours.
But tea is the hero of this story. Resting on an exquisite menu of teas, all painstakingly chosen for their taste profiles,
The Omni King Edward Hotel transforms high tea into an elevated, sensory experience. It feels less like a meal and more like a personally choreographed ballet of flavours!
| Local tip: Make a reservation ahead of time; this place is a crowd favourite, especially on weekends! |
Kitten and The Bear
Website: http://www.kittenandthebear.com/
Address: 1414 Dundas St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1Y5, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-926-9711
Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Kitten and the Bear isn’t your average tea spot. It combines the quaint charm of an English tea room with a hint of sunshine-filled optimism, meaning it’s bubbling with personality.
When you walk into Kitten and the Bear, the first thing you notice is how utterly enchanting the place is. Painted in sunny shades and adorned with cheerful elements, Kitten and the Bear is the epitome of bright, warm, and homey.
Their tea selection? It’s adorable and delectable. Offering a curated list of loose-leaf teas and homey hospitality, Kitten and the Bear is the embodiment of the phrase “less is more.”
The food, though, is where this cute café really shines. Famous for their delightful hand-made scones, artisanal preserves, and drool worthy clotted cream, Kitten and The Bear flip the script on high tea with their home-like, comfort-food approach.
| Local tip: A jar of their house-made jam makes for an excellent souvenir—and a chance to enjoy a little piece of this darling spot at home! |
Four Seasons Hotel Toronto
Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/toronto/
Address: 60 Yorkville Ave, Toronto, ON M4W 0A4, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-964-0411
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Let me entice you with a high tea experience that dreams are made of: Four Seasons Hotel Toronto! This iconic, internationally-renowned brand radiates luxury and opulence, effortlessly weaving them into an unparalleled, enchanting afternoon tea escapade.
Within the gilded walls of this five-star hospitality haven, you’ll discover d|bar, an elegant, contemporary lounge, and the home of high tea at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. The tea selection offered here is nothing short of breathtaking.
From ambrosial classics to rare, exotic blends, the concoctions served here are not only delicious but poetically enchanting.
| Local tip: Keep an eye out for their limited-time specials; they are truly an unforgettable treat! |
After Queen Tea Shop
Website: https://www.afterqueen.net/
Address: 7355 Bayview Ave, Thornhill, ON L3T 5Z2, Canada
Contact details: +1 647-627-8580
Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday to Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Located right in the heart of Toronto is the wonderfully cosy After Queen Tea Shop, a true haven for all the tea lovers out there. This place overflows with charm, personality, and heaps of character.
As you step into the place, you’ll instantly connect with the lively vibes of precious teas, tantalising eats, and friendly staff. This place does more than just serve tea—it celebrates it in all its fragrant glory!
The tea menu at After Queen Tea Shop is an adventurous mix of beloved classics and some daring new flavours, ready to delight the seasoned tea connoisseurs amongst you.
And let’s not even get started on their high tea menu—it’s an impressive feast of fresh and innovative nibbles that look as good as they taste.
| Local tip: Don’t hesitate to ask their expert staff for recommendations—they’ve got a knack for nailing the perfect tea and food combo! |
Windsor Arms Hotel
Website: http://windsorarmshotel.com/
Address: 18 St Thomas St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E7, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-971-9666
Operating hours: Open 24 hours
Tucked away in vibrant Toronto, you’ll find the Windsor Arms Hotel—a true icon steeped in grandeur. The place oozes a rich history that beautifully seeps into their exceptional high tea experience.
Now, onto the main event: the tea! Windsor Arms Hotel takes your tea experience to whole new levels with their spectacular range of rich, fragrant teas.
Prepare your taste buds because the pastries and sandwiches accompanying the tea are no less than heavenly. With every bite, you’re in for a taste explosion.
Simply put, the high tea experience at Windsor Arms Hotel is matchless—one visit, and you’ll be making up excuses to keep coming back and exploring their tantalising tea medley.
| Local tip: Don’t rush off right after your tea break—take a leisurely stroll in their gorgeous courtyard. It’s the chill-out session you didn’t know you needed! |
Icha Tea
Website: http://ichateashop.com/
Address: 235 Spadina Ave. Unit 4, Toronto, ON M5T 2E2, Canada
Contact details: +1 416-546-6292
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 12 PM to 9 PM
- Friday and Saturday – 12 PM to 10 PM
Time to put that java aside and steep into Toronto’s very own “Rivendell” of tea—Icha Tea . Despite popping against the backdrop of the bustling metropolis, walking in here feels like a tranquil journey into a world where time dances to the rhythm of tea brewing.
Brandishing a free-spirited contemporary aesthetic, this stylish tea lounge engulfs the senses with a serene allure. With a creative blend of minimalist design and an aura of sophistication, Icha Tea overflows with an inviting personality that pulls you in.
Whirling onto the menu, Icha Tea’s range of authentic Asian teas blends traditional aromas with exotic, modern accents. The star attraction is the Pu’er tea, a complex, fermented tea with a bold flavour palette and a lavish finish.
They even have tea-tasting sessions, Asian-fusion cooking demonstrations, and tea-mixology workshops. Here, you are not just a guest but a participant in an experience larger than yourself.
| Local tip: Stay updated with their events calendar on the website, as these events, especially the mixology workshops, tend to sell out quickly! |
