Afternoon tea aficionados are in for some real treats! Here are six iconic places to take afternoon tea across Canada.

For those who love the ritual of afternoon tea, four o’clock strikes, and one pines for a dainty teacup in the shadow of a silver-plated three-tier stand. Sitting in overstuffed leather chairs while a tea attendant pours hot water into a stout china teapot is blissful. Here are six iconic places to take afternoon tea across Canada.

Afternoon tea aficionados love the formality of polished silver, crisp linens, and luminous china paired with homey scones and a humble cup of tea. The act of taking tea slows downtime in our rushed world. Savoring the moment to lovingly study each delicacy before it’s sampled, usually in one bite, is luxurious.

The History of Afternoon Tea

The Duchess of Bedford started the afternoon ritual in 1840 by accident. She was hungry in between meals, so she started having tea, bread, biscuits, and cake at 4 pm.

And then she invited a few friends to join her. Those friends were also on the royal court, and word spread to Queen Victoria, who instantly loved the idea. By the 1880s, Queen Victoria had adopted the afternoon meal with official tea receptions at the palaces.

Afternoon tea is a lovely ritual for Anglophiles and tea lovers worldwide. Photo courtesy Jill Wellington from Pixabay

As a quintessentially British ritual, Queen Elizabeth II still takes afternoon tea. And according to insider sources, her favorite tea is Earl Grey.

Afternoon Tea in Canada

As part of the Commonwealth, you will find afternoon tea across Canada more regularly than in the States. The Hudson Bay Company initially brought tea to Canada in 1716.

Find afternoon tea in homey, chintz-clad tearooms or regal hotel lobbies from the Maritimes to British Columbia. And savor the regional differences as flavors meld and cultural influences dot menus across the provinces.

Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia

The quintessential afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress in Victoria, BC, is so popular that it’s a tourist destination. For over a hundred years, the Lobby Lounge has hosted ladies in hats and attendants in plaid.

Enjoy the refinement of a bygone era in a light and airy lobby with swoopy palms and coffered ceilings. Find your grandmother’s floral china pattern while a baby grand plays the standards in the background.

The Empress Lobby offers an elegant environment for taking tea with a baby grand piano. Photo by Catherine Parker

Tea stewards circle the lobby dotted with tables and sofa vignettes describing 21 different types of tea. The ever-knowledgeable attendants guide guests through the selection, then meticulously present and pour their tea tableside.

The three-tier stand holds signature savory delights like the heirloom cucumber on rye with fennel pollen, pink peppercorn, and whipped dill cream cheese. And the chevre tartlet boasts whipped rosemary goat cheese with quince jelly and blood orange.

The Fairmont Empress in Victoria, British Columbia, is one of the most popular teatimes across Canada. Photo by Catherine Parker

Then find the signature Empress raisin scone round and high on its own plate. It is served with house-made clotted cream along with strawberry and lavender preserves.

The desserts offer a nod to British Columbia’s Scottish heritage with shortbread. And the Aiyaha Chocolate Delice is the signature chocolate cake with hints of honey and blackberry.

Open year-round and serving tea from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., reservations are strongly recommended. Located in the lobby of the Fairmount Empress at 721 Government Street.  Adult tea is $78CAN with champagne available.

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Quebec

Perched high above Quebec City’s Old Town, the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is an icon of eastern Canada. Initially built by the Canadian Pacific Railroad in 1893, its green roof and towers are instantly recognizable. What an ideal spot for afternoon tea.

Riverside view of Chateau Frontenac. Photo by Tracy Ellen Beard

Though Quebec shares its history with France, tea is still served in the Place Dufferin. With views of the St-Lawrence River, guests enjoy afternoon tea on specially-designed china from England.

In a modern twist, tea starts with kombucha flavored with elderflower. And the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac serves Lot 35 tea. Find traditional Earl Grey alongside Japanese green tea and Chinese jasmine tea.

Find cucumber sandwiches next to the Jamon open-face brioche sandwiches on a contemporary three-tier stand. The scones are served with house-made Devonshire cream along with preserves.

Le Château Frontenac offers signature English china with a modern twist for its afternoon tea overlooking the St-Lawrence River. Photo courtesy Fairmont Hotels

The mignardises, or small bite-size desserts, vary according to the chef’s delight. You will always find the French favorite—assorted house-made macarons—and a signature chocolate gâteau. In the background, enjoy the jazz tunes of Mademoiselle Fizz. Champagne is available.

Afternoon tea is served Saturday from 2  to 4 pm. Find the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac at 1 rue des Carrières in Old Town.

Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, Quebec

Another great place for afternoon tea across Canada is Fairmont, Queen Elizabeth, in Montreal. In the iconic downtown hotel, the Roselys Restaurant offers afternoon tea on floral china blending traditional and modern tea flavors. Enjoy a bold tea like the Grand Bazaar Spice, or make it an event and sample the subtle floral Madame Butterfly tea.

Wearing a jacket for serving, the tea steward presents a traditional silver-plated, three-tier stand. First, taste the French influence with a savory foie gras macaron. Then the Japanese make a mark with a maki cucumber sandwich that raises the bar on the quintessential tea time favorite.

Find plain and raisin scones with clotted or Devonshire cream, both traditional and satisfying to Anglophiles. Although I think The Queen Elizabeth Hotel’s scones taste like an oil-based scone recipe instead of the butter recipe.

With fun and flirty floral china, enjoy afternoon tea at Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal. Photo by Catherine Parker

The desserts offer a fusion of classics along with delicately prepared modern flavors. The matcha tea and chocolate cake pop with geometric lines. And the thimble-sized fruit tart garnished with an edible flower is a dainty work of art. Then the chocolate, milk foam, and maple plaquette nod to Canada’s beloved flavor.

The Queen Elizabeth Hotel offers a special tea menu for guests under 12.

Afternoon tea is served Thursday through Sunday from 2 to 4:30 pm. Find Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel at 900 Boulevard René-Levesque Quest in downtown Montreal.

Prince of Wales Hotel in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta

Perched on a hill in the national park hamlet of Waterton Park, Prince of Wales Hotel offers afternoon tea with a Scottish flair. In the lobby, find a wall of windows overlooking Waterton Lake and the beauty of this Western Canadian location.

Perched above Waterton Lake, the Prince of Wales serves afternoon tea with a Scottish flair. Photo by Catherine Parker

Originally built in 1927, the Prince of Wales Hotel is one of Canada’s grand railway hotels. The timber-framed building offers soaring ceilings and wood details throughout the property.

Dressed in traditional Royal Stewart tartans, tea attendants cater to guests, some wearing hiking boots.

Find traditional teatime favorites like scones and cucumber tea sandwiches. Missing are the china teacups. Instead, the Prince of Wales Hotel uses more rustic pottery, fitting for a national park setting.

Take a break at the Prince of Wales Hotel with scones, shortbread, and cucumber sandwiches. Photo by Catherine Parker

Along with petit fruit tarts, enjoy the house-made Scottish shortbread. The Prince of Wales Hotel serves Tea Forte in assorted flavors; children can substitute lemonade.

Open seasonally from the last week of May until mid-September, find the Prince of Wales Hotel at Alberta 5, Waterton Park, Alberta.

Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia

Afternoon tea is bliss, and afternoon tea in one of the most beautiful gardens in Canada is nirvana. Tea at Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island is in the original family house, where you can take tea while enjoying a view of a white trellis dripping with roses.

Take tea in a garden house overlooking one of the most beloved gardens of western Canada, Butchart Gardens, north of Victoria. Photo by Catherine Parker

A bit less formal than a hotel afternoon tea, The Dining Room at the Butchart Gardens uses white bone china and a three-tier stand. And the dining room features lots of potted plants with indoor and patio seating.

Start with the traditional English Trifle, a delightful layered dessert of Chantilly cream, sponge cake, and berry compote. Then sample the signature house-made scones with seasonal preserves and Devonshire cream.

Enjoy tea in the original family house at the Butchart Gardens. Photo courtesy Butchart Gardens

The cucumber, pickled ginger, and dill weed tea sandwiches offer a twist on the classic. The wild British Columbia salmon with capers and red onions celebrates the local seafood.

Indulge the sweet side of afternoon tea with a variety of desserts. The bergamot chocolate truffle offers an herby twist on the classic. And the strawberry lemon napoleon is the taste of summer.

Find the tea selection drawing inspiration from the garden as well. The rose congou is a Chinese congou tea with rose petals. And the bachelor button tea is a Chinese black tea with bergamot, rhubarb, and blue cornflowers.

Located north of Victoria at 800 Benvenuto Avenue in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. It’s open every day, even on holidays, with seasonal hours. Admission to Butchart Gardens is required since the Dining Room is within the garden.

Regent Seven Seas Cuisine

For cruisers departing from Vancouver or Montreal on a Regent Seven Seas cruise, afternoon tea is served on board at 4 p.m. Enjoy tea with fluffy scones and house-made clotted cream while cruising the west coast’s Inside Passage or the east’s St. Lawrence River.

Cruisers can enjoy a variety of tea sandwiches depending on the itinerary, though you’ll always find traditional cucumber sandwiches and roast beef brioche. Plain scones are always perfect; find other varieties, like raisin and almond.

On port days, afternoon tea stewards circle the Horizon Lounge with a rolling tea cart. And every afternoon tea offers a pianist.

For sea days, the themed afternoon teas are popular with the Chocolate Tea Time—a Regent must. With an array of chocolate desserts, find a buffet with an impeccably prepared Chocolate Charlotte Russe, Chocolate Torte, and a chocolate fountain.

Cruisers out of Canada can enjoy chocolate teatime aboard Regent Seven Seas. Photo by Catherine Parker

Another cruise favorite, the Crepe Tea Time, offers chef-prepared crepes and an assortment of fillings.

For the Regent Seven Seas tea time, you’ll find white teacups, white linens, and petit silver teapots. Tea Attendants wear white gloves, and champagne is always available. In addition to having great afternoon tea across Canada, we offer many more great suggestions for what to do in Canada on Wander.