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10 Of The Best High Tea Spots In Canada

Pinkies out! From Victoria to Amherst, Nova Scotia, these are the best spots for a royal-worthy afternoon tea.
chefs prepare trays of high tea at best high tea spot cafe linnea Café Linnea. Photo, Sarah Hervieux.

Between deciding whether you want tea or coffee, which jam you want to use on your scones, and which assortment of sweet and savoury finger foods to eat first, a complete afternoon tea requires a surprising amount of choices. To save you from decision-making fatigue, we’ve rounded up some of the best high tea spots across the country. While the simplest option for tea aficionados in Canada is often to make the trek straight to the closest historic Fairmont hotel — including classics like the Empress in Victoria and the Palliser in Calgary — these local spots should be on your must-visit list.

Best High Tea In Canada

White Heather Tea Room, Victoria

While tea at the Fairmont Empress is renowned (and you should probably try it once for the experience), locals know that White Heather Tea Room serves afternoon tea at half the price and is equally as delicious. The tea room offers three sizes of tea, so you can accommodate for individual budgets and appetites: The Big Muckle Tea ($40), The Not So Wee Tea ($37), and The Wee Tea ($26). They also offer a made-to-order gluten-free option ($40). The White Heather is smaller and cozier than other places, so be sure to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Big muckle tea from best high tea spot The White Heather in Victoria, three tier tray of treats with flowers and blue teapots on table by windowPhoto, Jenny (Chih Yuh) Cheng

Neverland Tea Salon, Vancouver

Everyone and their mother in Vancouver seems to talk about Neverland, and for good reason. The owners are passionate about what they do, and they’ve pulled the best parts of their high tea adventures into their tea salon. Prices start at $22 for TINKERBELL’S High Tea for kids and go up to $48 for their TAKE ME TO NEVERLAND Bubbly High Tea. They also offer a Tipsy Tea menu. Regardless of which tea set you choose, enjoy their all-you-can-drink tea and vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free/dairy-free options.

High tea set with three tier stand of treats, glasses of bubbly, and china tea sets on table in front of pink couch at best high tea spot neverland in vancouverPhoto courtesy of Neverland Tea Salon

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Brasserie Kensington, Calgary

While high tea at Brasserie Kensington is served on traditional tiered serving stands and fine china, the food takes a more experimental approach. As their tagline says, “This is not your grandma’s high tea… but your grandma is welcome to come!” Featuring bites such as duck rillette banh mi and passion fruit gelee, be sure to bring along the adventurous foodie in your life. As with most high tea services, reservations are required beforehand, and Brasserie will ask you about dietary preferences when you call. It’s served every Saturday and Sunday at $35 per person. For every high tea purchase, $1 is donated to a local charity.

High tea treats on tiered stand including fruit gelee, cookies, and scones and jam at best high tea spot calgary, brasserie kensingtonPhoto courtesy of Brasserie Kensington

Café Linnea, Edmonton

Although it’s the highest-priced high tea on our list at $65 a ticket, Scandinavian and French cuisine–inspired Café Linnea makes their monthly high teas an event. Using locally sourced ingredients, their menu (which changes each month) includes creative twists on traditional finger foods, and patrons rave about the surprising savoury foods — from raw oysters to daikon snacks. To top it all off, the restaurant is also beautifully designed with Scandinavian simplicity.

A server holds a triangular 3 tier high tea tray set at best high tea spot cafee linnea in edmontonPhoto, Sarah Hervieux

Little Bird Patisserie & Café, Saskatoon

It seems like the high tea craze hasn’t really caught on in the Prairies yet (or the East Coast, for that matter), but a spot in the Paris of The Prairies is helping to set the trend. The popular Little Bird Patisserie & Café, famous for its cruffins and macarons, offers a reservation-only high tea every Sunday. Their high tea is moderately priced at $35 a person. However, note that they currently cannot accommodate any dietary restrictions.

two tiered tray of afternoon treats on white table with purple flowers in jug at best high tea spot little bird patisseriePhoto via @littlebirdpatisserie/Instagram

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Windsor Arms Hotel, Toronto

In a city with so many options, from the hip, Instagram-worthy Kitten & the Bear to the luxe Shangri-La, the Windsor Arms is the perfect mix of chic and old school. The hotel has hosted its traditional afternoon tea service since 1927, and it doesn’t look like it will go away any time soon. Prices begin at $38 per person on weekdays, go to $45 on weekends, and increase near holidays.

Man in blue suit pours tea from fine bone china at afternoon tea with three tiered serving tray at best high tea spot windsor arms hotelPhoto courtesy of the Windsor Arms Hotel

Prince of Wales Hotel, Niagara-on-the-Lake

The Drawing Room at the Prince of Wales Hotel features beautifully plated food, a luxuriously furnished room, and fresh-cut roses — there’s a reason they liken themselves to an indoor “whimsical garden party.” They now host a candlelight tea service in addition to their regular afternoon tea. Starting at $36 per person, the menu also allows for upgrades (if you’re feeling particularly fancy, why not add a Canadian cheese plate and top it all off with a mimosa?). 

Sitting room with velvet and floral couches, chandelier, detailed white walls and red rug featuring fine china tea sets at best high tea spot prince of wales in niagara on the lake

The Vanitea Room, Ottawa

The Vanitea Room is a gorgeous tea salon in Ottawa with “a modern day afternoon tea” ($45) available daily from 12–4:30 p.m. They offer a vegetarian set, and gluten-free or vegan sets are available if reserved 48 hours in advance. There are also additional “champagne diet” options (bottomless mimosas or bellinis, anyone?) available Wednesday through Sunday. Enjoy the menu as you admire the opulent interior.

Interior with black velvet chairs, wall mural, chandeliers at best high tea spot vanitea roomPhoto courtesy of The Vanitea Room

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Salon de thé Cardinal, Montreal

Montreal has no shortage of afternoon tea spots, but when it comes to eclectic ambiance, Cardinal definitely stands out. With 1920s décor and antique finds for their dishes, you’ll feel transported to another time and place. Open Thursdays through Sundays, go admire their chandelier, baby grand, and velvet couches as you enjoy tea for two ($40), or choose your own à la carte tea and snacks.

Bird's eye view of best high tea spot the Cardinal in Montreal, room with 1920s deco ft. chandelier, staircase, red & black checkered floor, tables and chairs, red velvet couchPhoto, Daniel Francis Haber

Birkinshaw’s Tea Room, Coffee House & Restaurant, Amherst

Named after the grandfather of one of the owners who was a butler for English aristocracy, Birkinshaw’s has old-school charm and more. They serve a range of afternoon teas, such as their classic Birkinshaw, their Maritimer tea made with regional produce, and their global fusion Passepartout tea, to name a few. When reserving full tea services, you’ll need to leave a 30 percent deposit. In addition to serving full afternoon tea, they also have daily cream teas (scones and tea) available.

cream tea set with tea in fine china and scones at best tea spot birkinshaws in amherstPhoto, Eleanor Bradbury

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