First Canadian location of famous Thai iced tea chain is about to open in Toronto

A company reputed as "Thailand's number one tea brand" is about to open its first-ever Canadian location in the heart of downtown Toronto.

If you've never been to Thailand, or merely don't consider yourself a Thai tea connoisseur, then the name Cha Tra Mue could easily mean nothing to you. For scores of people in Thailand and beyond, though, it stirs up immediate recognition.

Founded in 1945, Cha Tra Mue was among the first businesses to serve tea over ice from a small Bangkok tea shop, using teas imported from China.

As years went on, Thai milk tea and Thai black tea, always served over ice, became one of the country's most popular beverages, and Cha Tra Mue began sourcing its teas from local growers, processing them at its very own plant, all the while cementing itself as a staple on the Thai tea landscape.

Nowadays, 80 years later, the company not only sells tea and tea mixes by the canister — everything from Thai milk tea mix to green tea — but operates several cafes around the world. Thailand is, of course, riddled with locations, but Cha Tra Mue also operates cafes in Cambodia, China, South Korea, Singapore and beyond.

So, yeah, it's kind of a big deal.

Just last year, the brand made a splash by embarking on its first expansion west of the Prime Meridian with its first-ever North American location landing in Los Angeles in mid-2024, quickly followed by locations in Rosemead and Westminster, California.

Now, Cha Tra Mue is on the move once again, gearing up to open its first-ever Canadian location in Toronto this month.

Moving in on Spadina Avenue, Cha Tra Mue will be in good company among scores of other tea shops, but will stand apart with its distinct menu. Featuring star players like Thai tea, green milk tea, tea lattes, coffee drinks, and many, many varieties of tea served straight up and always over ice, Cha Tra Mue might just have what it takes to rise above the noise of its many competitors.

Hey, if it's good enough for generations of Thai tea drinkers, there's a very good chance Toronto residents will be fans, too.

If you're already salivating at the notion of trying some of Thailand's most famous tea for yourself, you're in luck, because it's coming sooner than you think. Cha Tra Mue confirmed to us that the new location will officially be soft opening on Monday, Aug. 18.

Toronto isn't the only Canadian city that'll soon be getting the Cha Tra Mue treatment in the coming weeks, either. There's also a location at 736 West Broadway in Vancouver on the way, though the exact opening date has yet to be announced.

T.O.'s Cha Tra Mue will be located at 341 Spadina Ave.