Ava GabouryThere was a time when hanging out with friends meant late nights, loud music, and a lot of drinks. But somewhere between the hungover Mondays and the slow grind of adulthood, my weekends started to shift.
These days, after a long week of emails and deadlines, I started craving something gentler—something that feels like rest but still counts as catching up. That’s how afternoon teas crept into my life.
I’ve grown fond of quiet afternoons, warm scones, and real conversations over a good cup of Earl Grey tea.
And since I work for Waterview Vancouver, I had the perfect excuse to turn this new obsession into research. I spent a few weeks sipping and snacking just to find the best afternoon tea spots in Vancouver. Check them all out here!
1. La Petite Cuillere
– Media credit: lapetitecuillere
Address: 55 Kingsway
Hours:
- Tuesday to Friday – 12 PM to 6 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +16042980088
Price: $$
La Petite Cuillere is perfect for anyone who wants the charm of a traditional English tea.
Their $68 high tea includes amazing pistachio pastries, strawberry tiramisu in little glasses, and ube silvanas that are perfectly sweet. The scones are warm and crumbly, just waiting for a big scoop of Devonshire cream.
You’ll also find tasty treats like mushroom quiche with truffle and egg salad croissants flavored with lapsang tea, which give a fun twist to classic flavors.
The tea selection is excellent too, with choices like a creamy lavender Earl Grey or a smoky Lapsang Souchong. Each tea is brewed to bring out its special taste.
| Pro Tip: If you’re thinking about having a party, ask them about private events. The place is cute and can fit up to 60 people, so it’s great for birthdays or showers. |
2. Neverland Tea Salon
– Media credit: neverlandteasalon
Address: 3066 W Broadway
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11 AM to 5 PM
Phone: +16044283066
Price: $$
Neverland Tea Salon is ideal for anyone who wants a high tea that changes with the seasons and goes all-in on the atmosphere. For $58, you can get a taste of Italy with the summer theme.
They have mortadella sandwiches on focaccia, sun-dried tomato croissants, and basil pesto chicken salad that tastes fresh. The sweets are also pretty good, like raspberry tiramisu and lemon mascarpone cake that’s light but filling.
They always refill your teapot, and you can even get a glass of prosecco or mimosa if you want. They also have options for vegan and gluten-free diets, so everyone has something to enjoy.
| Pro Tip: If you’re bringing kids, there’s a special high tea for them that costs $42. It comes with mini pizzas and cupcakes. |
3. Adonia Tea House
– Media credit: adoniateahouse
Address: 2057 W 41st Ave
Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday – 11 AM to 4:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 5:30 PM
Phone: +16042610049
Price: $$
Adonia Tea House is best for anyone who wants a classic, cozy afternoon tea with a touch of elegance.
Their Summer Afternoon Tea ($56 dine-in, $54 takeout) is a generous spread of twelve bites—think turkey pesto sandwiches, smoked salmon on endive, and a caramelized onion & gruyère quiche.
The scones (blueberry-lemon or cheese & chive) are fresh and just the right amount of crumbly.
The tea menu is creative, with blends like Irish Cream (notes of cocoa and whiskey) or Peach Vineyard Organic that make it easy to find something unique to sip.
| Pro Tip: For lighter appetites, the Mini Afternoon Tea ($39 dine-in, $37 takeout) offers a smaller but still satisfying selection. Upgrade your afternoon with a glass of sparkling wine—it pairs perfectly with the sweets. |
4. Secret Garden Tea Company
– Media credit: secretgardentea
Address: 2138 W 40th Ave
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 AM to 4 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 10 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +16042613070
Price: $$
Secret Garden Tea is a Vancouver classic—one of the city’s oldest tea houses—making it a must-visit for anyone who loves tradition with a touch of whimsy.
The Summer High Tea ($56 per person) is a beautiful mix of sweets and savories.
Their lemon tart nearly melts in your mouth. The blueberry mousse cake, and mini chocolate raspberry cake nearly rival their blueberry and peaches & cream scones served with jam and Devonshire cream.
On the savory side, their egg salad comes on fairy-pink buns, smoked turkey on petite rosemary muffins, and chicken Caesar on mini croissants. Their shrimp cocktail on homemade brioche is also one for the books.
Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free versions are available, so everyone can join in. Plus, your choice of tea comes in a proper pot, of course.
| Pro Tip: Bring the little ones for the Kids High Tea ($39, for ages 8 and under). It’s a scaled-down version of the main menu, with a unicorn pop and all the classics—perfect for a special treat or birthday outing. |
5. H Tasting Lounge
– Media credit: htastinglounge
Address: 1601 Bayshore Dr
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 11:30 AM to 12 AM
Phone: +16046916962
Price: $$
H Tasting Lounge is for fans of “Around the World in 80 Days”. Their $75 per person afternoon tea (available weekends from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM) is inspired by Jules Verne’s classic novel.
You’ll start in Egypt with a twice-baked sambousek croissant, Egyptian cheese, and potato pastry. I still think about that pistachio & currant scone served with housemade clotted cream and blood orange preserves.
From there, you’ll taste your way through the USA with olive oil poached lobster, dill and lemon, tomato gelée, and caviar. Then, on to Italy for cacio e pepe risotto with crispy bread crumb and prosciutto cracker.
Hong Kong is represented by a deconstructed BBQ pork spring roll. Meanwhile, England brings you a savory tartlet with braised short rib, porcini mushroom, truffle, and potato hay.
| Pro Tip: The teas are sourced from O-Five Rare Tea and Tealeaves, making this a true treat for tea lovers. |
6. Patisserie Fur Elise
– Media credit: patisseriefurelise
Address: 847 Hamilton St
Hours:
- Thursday & Friday – 1 PM to 8 PM
- Saturday & Sunday – 11 AM to 6 PM
Phone: +16046841025
Price: $$
Patisserie Fur Elise is set in a cute Queen Anne-style Victorian house from way back in 1893. It’s 49 bucks a head, and you and your friends can chill for two hours (or an hour and a half if you book the 11 am slot on weekends).
The prosciutto, brie, and basil croissant is just as good as the cucumber sandwiches. If you’re feeling fancy, they’ve got smoked salmon mousse cones, egg salad buns, and roast chicken quiches.
As for sweets, the ruby-chocolate-dipped lavender madeleines are so good you’ll want more.
| Pro Tip: If you’re bringing kids, they do a Junior tea set for anyone under 12 for $30. |
7. Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
– Media credit: notch8restaurant
Address: 900 W Georgia St
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, Sunday – 6 AM to 12 AM
- Friday & Saturday – 6 AM to 1 AM
Phone: +16046621900
Price: $$$
Notch8’s Garden Party Afternoon Tea is for those who love blooming flowers, playful garden décor, and a menu that feels like summer.
The themed event will run from Thursday to Sunday (May 29 to September 21, 2025), with seating available at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. Every table has playful little garden touches and the food is delicious.
Their lavender honey scones actually tasted like someone had snipped a sprig straight from the garden. I scraped up every bit of mascarpone cream and strawberry jam, and I have zero regrets about it.
The coronation chicken has a kick to it and the short rib tartelette is so rich you might almost forget about the rest.
There’s a huge tea selection too, from Lavender Earl Grey and Flora’s Berry Garden to Grand Bazaar Spice and a refreshing Long Island Strawberry.
| Pro Tip: You can actually order the whole thing to go. If you’ve got a backyard or even just a sunny balcony, you can turn any afternoon into a garden party. |
8. Tea Thyme Cafe
– Media credit: teathymecafe4385
Address: 4385 Main St
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, Monday – 12 PM to 6 PM
Phone: +17788823228
Price: $$
Tea Thyme Cafe is for anyone who wants a break from the city buzz—somewhere you can actually hear the clink of teacups and breathe in the smell of fresh scones.
Their Afternoon Tea Set ($48.95) arrives on a graceful three-tiered stand.
Their scones are warm, with a hint of citrus. The cucumber sandwiches are crisp and simple, and the mini tarts are piled high with whatever fruit is in season.
Picking a tea is almost as fun as the food. “Fall in Love” smells like tropical fruit and tastes like it too. The “Crimson Orange” pours a deep red, with the scent of blood oranges and hibiscus.
If you want something classic, the Creamy Earl Grey is as classic as it gets.
| Pro Tip: Tea Thyme transforms into a private party haven—think bridal showers or birthdays where up to 24 guests each get their own tower of treats, laughter echoing over pots of tea and towers of sweets. |
9. Palate Kitchen
– Media credit: palate.kitchen
Address: 848 W Hastings St
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 4 PM
Phone: +16044281313
Price: $
If you love soaring ceilings, sun-drenched mezzanines, and a mix of old-world charm and modern style, Palate Kitchen is your kind of place. The atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between elegant and welcoming, just right for a leisurely afternoon tea.
Their High Téa ($59) is as beautiful to look at as it is to eat. You’ll find all sorts of treats on the tiered tray: airy macarons filled with not one but three kinds of chocolate mousse, and a glossy fruit tart piled high with berries and creamy mascarpone.
Don’t miss the tiny Tonka choux pastry, either. It’s small but mighty, with a gooey salted caramel center.
The savory bites hold their own too. The cucumber chicken sandwich has a satisfying crunch from the fresh peppers and greens. Meanwhile, the mini burger is everything you want in a slider: juicy, a little bit messy, and with cheddar oozing over the patty.
| Pro Tip: If brunch is more your speed, Palate Kitchen has you covered there as well. Their brunch menu is just as impressive, so it’s worth stopping by in the morning for a taste. |
10. UNNI Pastries
– Media credit: unnipastries
Address: 1773 Robson St
Hours: Monday to Sunday – 8 AM to 9 PM
Phone: +16048287476
Price: $$
Unni Pastries is where you go if you want a relaxing vibe—no stiff formality here. It’s 65 CAD per person, minimum of 2 dining for 2 hours.
The egg salad sandwiches are fresh, and the cucumber cream cheese ones are surprisingly good. Their cheese and fruit boards are also arranged carefully.
But it’s the desserts that stand out the most visually. Mini cheesecakes and crème brûlée arrive with carefully piped frosting and decorative touches that make them feel almost too pretty to eat.
They also take care of vegetarians. They’ll add extra cheeses and veggies so you don’t end up with a boring plate.
| Pro Tip: Get their premium afternoon tea box. It’s got even more options and you can enjoy it whenever you want, with no time limit. |
