The best afternoon teas in Vancouver

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by YVONNA CHOW (@glamouraspirit_)

When it comes to afternoon tea, this Vancouver institution doesn’t do anything by halves. Inside the grand Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Notch8 transforms its private tea salon into a different immersive wonderland throughout the year. Expect elaborate décor, imaginative savouries, exquisite pastries and freshly baked scones, all served with suitably luxurious ceremony. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neverland Tea Salon | High Tea (@neverlandteasalon)

Who says afternoon tea has to be serious? Certainly not Neverland, where the décor is whimsical, the teacups are charming and the whole experience feels like stepping into a tasty delicious fairy tale. This beloved Kitsilano spot offers more than 60 varieties of tea, along with beautifully presented tiers of savoury bites and sweets. Its rotating themed menus keep things interesting: the Regency High Tea channels all the romantic extravagance of a period drama.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Secret Garden Tea Company (@secretgardentea)

A Kerrisdale favourite since 1995, Secret Garden is practically synonymous with afternoon tea in Vancouver. The charming dining room, pretty table settings and traditional three-tiered service are everything you’d hope for from a proper tea party. Expect a carefully assembled selection of finger sandwiches, savoury bites, scones and delicate desserts, accompanied by an excellent range of loose-leaf teas. The Creamy Earl Grey is a particular favourite.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lisa (@lisasdailythings)

If your idea of afternoon tea involves plush surroundings, impeccable service and perhaps a cheeky glass of bubbly, Bacchus has your name written all over it. Located inside the luxurious Wedgewood Hotel, this elegant restaurant brings old-world European sophistication to the ritual, with exquisitely prepared finger sandwiches, seasonal pastries and freshly baked scones. Its limited-edition teas are an invitation to visit again and again.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by miyu | YVR Foodie Adventures (@miy0283)

Afternoon tea gets a little more eclectic at this stylish Mount Pleasant gem. With its velvet couches, dramatic chandeliers and striking vintage-inspired interior, La Petite Cuillère offers a decidedly contemporary take on an English tradition. The menu is equally creative, incorporating tea into many of its handmade savoury and sweet dishes, while house-blended teas make the beverages every bit as interesting as the food. Vegan, gluten-free and other dietary options are available, too. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ADONIA Tea House (@adoniateahouse)

Sometimes you want the full royal treatment without the royal price tag. Enter Adonia, a welcoming little Kerrisdale tea house that has been keeping Vancouverites happily caffeinated since 2003. Its traditional afternoon tea features a generous assortment of homemade finger sandwiches, pastries, sweets and scones, accompanied by your choice of tea. There’s also a smaller eight-piece version for lighter appetites, along with vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives available by advance reservation. It’s intimate and unpretentious.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by H Tasting Lounge (@htastinglounge)

Afternoon tea with a side of waterfront glamour? Yes, please. Inside the Westin Bayshore, H Tasting Lounge serves up a playful, contemporary experience that takes inspiration from both European and Asian culinary traditions. The gorgeous Art Deco-inspired interior makes a stylish setting for artfully presented sweet and savoury creations, while the lounge’s signature cotton-candy bonsai trees add a little theatrical magic. Its themed experiences can be especially fun, including a Winnie-the-Pooh-inspired tea celebrating the Hundred Acre Wood. Between the creative food and Coal Harbour setting, this one is anything but ordinary.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chedden (@chddnmri)

Housed in a picturesque Victorian heritage home dating back to 1893, Pâtisserie Für Elise feels like the sort of place where a storybook heroine might stop for tea. Inside, the intimate, beautifully decorated rooms provide the perfect backdrop for a traditional afternoon tea featuring savoury bites, scones and French-inspired pastries. It’s romantic, slightly nostalgic and wonderfully photogenic.