You’ll feel like royalty at these 9 afternoon tea spots in Ottawa
5 Minute Read
Afternoon tea will transport you to a garden in the English countryside or a cozy shop along the Thames. Historically, delicate pastries and delectable finger sandwiches were served to fill the long gap between lunch and dinner. Nowadays, afternoon tea is more of a special occasion. Many people dress up and head to the tea shop to celebrate birthdays, engagements or new babies over cups of tea, buttery scones and oodles of clotted cream.
The good news is you don’t have to travel overseas for a tasty brew steeped in tradition or a modern spin on a classic experience—Ottawa offers afternoon tea galore at shops and historic sites across the city.
Best value: Tea and Cake
Where: 19 Bridge St., Almonte, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$
This quaint tearoom in the adorable small town of Almonte is an elegant yet affordable high tea near Ottawa. With sandwiches, scones, savouries and sweet treats, you can satisfy your every craving in a cozy shop that feels like Grandma’s living room. Tea and Cake offers an extensive list of blends steeped in tradition, and you can also sample homemade lemon curd or cream with your desserts.
Best macarons: Quelque Chose Westboro
https://www.instagram.com/p/C__NjPDxOuT/
Where: 379 Richmond Rd., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$
Quelque Chose is a French take on a quintessentially British tradition, offering an extensive collection of black tea, white tea, green tea and herbal tea. Indulge in your perfect cup of Kusmi tea while you enjoy finger sandwiches, fresh scones, croissants with creme fraiche, fruit salad, and mini desserts. But the real showstopper is their specialty macarons. Each afternoon tea comes with three macarons of your choice from over 20 flavours such as caramel London fog, lemon poppy seed and matcha latte.
Vegetarian, gluten-free and kid-friendly options are available. Quelque Chose also offers a smaller afternoon tea for a reduced price.
Trendiest decor: The Vanitea Room
Where: 551 Somerset St. W., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$
Inspired by the tearooms of Europe and the Middle East, the Vanitea Room serves a timeless afternoon tea. Expect fluffy traditional butter scones, classic savouries like cucumber sandwiches and quiche, plus delicately crafted desserts like mousse and tarts. The tea itself is from the Sloane collection, an aromatic everyday luxury. They also offer a vegan and gluten-free option.
Best scones: Cafe Latte Cino
Where: 2020 Tenth Line Rd. #2, Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$
Head to a casual cafe to sample fresh-baked treats prepared daily in Orléans. This community hub is a spot for neighbourhood residents to enjoy traditional finger sandwiches, such as cucumber or egg, and indulge in a variety of sweets, including cheesecake and brownies, to complement their tea. The tiered tray will also come with delectable fresh scones and jam.
This spot also offers premium coffees, sandwiches and crepes for the non-tea drinker of the group.
Best royal treatment: Zoe’s at Fairmont Château Laurier
Where: 1 Rideau St., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$$
Zoe’s afternoon tea is located within Ottawa’s own castle, which has been newly renovated for a grand, palatial look. This service has a CAA/AAA Diamond designation for its curated selection of teas, sandwiches and desserts, including signature English scones. Savouries like herb goat cheese and tomato jam on crostini or egg salad and radish on brioche toast are paired with desserts like chocolate and orange blossom financier cake for an artfully plated teatime.
You’ll feel like royalty, which is no surprise, considering real-life monarchs like Queen Elizabeth and the King of Siam have dined there over the years. Zoe’s also offers a Princess & Prince tea menu for children under 12 to experience their very own fairy tale.
Best for dietary restrictions and allergies: Tartelette Bakery Cafe
Where: 175 Main St., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$
If you want fresh flavours, head to Tartelette Bakery Cafe for a high tea menu that’s updated seasonally. Sample eats like crisp croissants, smoked salmon buns and scones with cream and jam. Desserts like delectable strawberry shortcake, fruity tarts, chocolate hazelnut petit fours and intricately decorated icing cookies are displayed artfully on a three-tiered tray. For tea, classic varieties like Earl Grey are available alongside fruity blends like peaches and cream.
Tartelette offers vegetarian and halal afternoon tea alongside a kids’ menu served with hot chocolate. Just make sure to inform them of your restrictions when booking so they can accommodate you.
Best non-traditional spin: Carmelito Cafe Barrhaven
Where: 605 Longfields Dr., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$
When you walk into Carmelito Cafe, you’re transported to a pastel paradise. Eclectic vintage furniture in bright colours and striped wallpaper make this establishment perfectly photogenic. Taste an Italian twist on afternoon tea with desserts like ricotta-filled cannoli, lemoncello cream horns and tiramisu. Sandwiches include cucumber mint cream, chicken cranberry and chef’s choice quiche for a tier of delectable savoury bites. You can choose from a selection of premium hot teas or iced teas like peach, lemon or hibiscus for a refreshing drink to sip on.
Seasonal
Best traditional service: Tea on the Lawn at Billings Estate National Historic Site
Where: 2100 Cabot St., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$
Have you ever wanted to dine like a Victorian? At Ottawa’s oldest surviving house, built in the 1820s, you can. This high tea is served outside with a view of the historic home and gardens. Tea is served in dainty porcelain cups alongside freshly baked goods made in-house. Dine on finger sandwiches, scones with jam and Devon cream and assorted desserts before heading into the museum to learn more about the estate.
Make sure to reserve early for this experience, which is only offered during the summer and holiday seasons.
Best outdoor afternoon tea: High Tea at Laurier House
Where: 335 Laurier Ave. E., Ottawa, ON
Afternoon tea price: $$$$
Available between May and September, tea at Laurier House is served on the emerald green veranda of this heritage home. Guests will experience the charming splendour of this late 19th-century site while dining on teas, sweets and savouries. Working Title Kitchen, a local restaurant, prepares food.
Free admission to the museum, the lavish former home of two of Canada’s longest-serving prime ministers, is included with the service.
Planning your visit
Since most afternoon teas prepare their food just for you, it's best to reserve in advance.
Some shops need just 24 hours’ notice, while others require 48 or more. Popular or seasonal afternoon teas can fill up months in advance, especially during holidays like Christmas and Mother’s Day, so do your research to avoid disappointment.
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