Best of Toronto
The Best Afternoon Tea in Toronto
The best afternoon tea in Toronto lets you play "Queen" (or for the anti-monarchists... "merit-based elite") for a few hours. While part of a great tea is very much about the spread — divine smoked salmon sandwiches, warm scones, sweet petit fours — superb afternoon tea is made by the feeling it affords. Feel free to stick out that pinky finger while sipping at the Windsor Arms, or bring back silk gloves if headed to the Ritz. It will all fit in seamlessly if you've arrived at the right spot for an afternoon tea. Here is the list of the best afternoon tea in Toronto.
See also:
The best tea in Toronto
The best brunch in Toronto
Windsor Arms
No surprise here that the Windsor proves best in show. The posh practice has, after all, had 85 years to perfect its scones and devon cream. That's quite a few pots, all in all. Afternoon tea is served at the Windsor Arms three times daily, with a menu of elegant loose leaf teas (of course) and salmon caviar and cucumber sandwiches to nosh. A gluten-free menu is also available on request. Afternoon tea starts at $35 per person. More »
King Edward Hotel
King Eddy does his afternoon tea on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with the option to jazz up your berry pudding and egg salad and arugula sandwich with a little Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial. But if 2 p.m. is still too early for your first glass of bubbly, the standard afternoon tea comes with more than enough options including a dozen loose leaf teas, finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones ($35). The hotel even offers a kids’ version of afternoon tea with milk in lieu of lapsang. More »
Old Mill Inn and Spa
Old Mill Inn’s afternoon tea is a wallet-friendly (or should that be, “coin purse”-friendly?) option at just $20 and change per person during the week. Despite the modest price tag, it still comes with a refined list of mostly classic tea selections, along with currant and lemon scones, some tarts and other sweets, and an assortment of “finger delights” including black olive and sundried tomato and cucumber and fennel cream cheese. Add sherry or champagne for a few (several) extra dollars. More »
Library Bar at Royal York
To the backdrop of literary classics and old wingback chairs, you can enjoy Royal York’s Chantilly cream-filled pastry swans just as thousands of others have done before you. But back in 1929, guests didn’t have to worry about someone’s iPhone ruining the ambiance — just something to think about. The $35 tea includes sandwiches of P.E.I lobster and mango salad, a spread of pastries and crumpets, and your pick of about a dozen loose leaf teas. More »
Red Tea Box
Call it an “Asian” twist on Western-style afternoon tea. Red Tea Box does its tea daily from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. (and all day Sunday), allowing you to pick from a menu of tea bento boxes. Traditionalists can stick with the Madhatter’s box of sandwiches and bites, or else opt for a box with yuzu tarts and curry puffs, spicy pork, or sweet rice. Most tea bento boxes are priced $25 to $27. More »
MoRoCo
For those who want a little chocolate with their Piper Heidsieck glass of champagne. Yes, afternoon tea at MoRoCo comes standard with champagne (which explains the $48 price tag) along with your choice of hot tea or sipping chocolate. Plenty of pastries and sandwiches to eat, of course, and a kid-friendly menu for all those little ones who tag along. The latter menu includes Nutella sandwiches — can I still get that? More »
Madeleines, Cherry Pie and Ice Cream
Afternoon tea at Madeleines is a special treat for small groups with an affinity for fresh meringue. By reservation only, groups can pick ahead of time from one of three menu options that range from about $200 to $300 for the crowd. Each package includes a selection of teas and cucumber water, plus sandwiches and the sweet bites that have given Madeline her reputation. For an additional cost, party-throwers can also opt for fresh flowers and other decorations for the space. More »
DEQ
What is a list of best afternoon teas if it doesn’t include a mention of the downtown Ritz? The DEQ lounge at the Ritz-Carlton offers a delicate spread for around $40, which includes its own signature “not-so” classic teas (think sparkling wine and vodka). Served just on weekends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., DEQ pairs its spectacular skyline view with dainty little sandwiches and the obligatory pastries and scones. More »
t-buds
Afternoon tea is not just for downtown elites! t-buds up at Yonge and Lawrence does its own version daily between 12 p.m. and just after 5 p.m. The spread starts with a quiche, followed by finger sandwiches, baked scones, petit fours, and fruit. Sparkling jasmine tea for sipping, and a pot of tea to go alongside. Not too shabby for $24 per person. More »
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I will check out t-buds though
It is a tiny place, but the ambience is wonderful. Personal service is great as is the food. I've been taking my grandchildren there since they were about 5 and 6 yrs. They can don pretty hats and peruse the magnificent shop filled with teacups, laces, dolls, etc., etc.
(from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?
Yes, the price is a little higher at Windsor Arms, but I was extremely impressed with the quality of the scones and the tea. The service was great and I am happy to go there again. One of the other places, where I have enjoyed the Afternoon Tea as well is Annona Restaurant inside Hyatt.