Blissful brews: Toronto's best tea shops
Whether looking to study the art of the tea sommelier or just trying to break your coffee habit, these special-tea shops pack a diverse selection of loose leaf brews from around the world, each with its own travel story. Sommeliers will happily tell you about the history of this beloved plant, creative ways to use it and prepare it, and send you away with a sweet smelling beverage to keep you warm and cozy on cold winter days.
Tao Tea Leaf Ltd
934 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2J2Being a founder of Toronto’s first tea festival gives this tea house and store some serious street cred. Here, you will find Yixing clay and cast iron teapots, filters and trays and an array of loose leaf in tin canisters (including a whole collection of the past winners from the North American Tea Championship). Stay and relax in the salon while you’re served a traditional Chinese-style tray with a blend chosen for you. If you’re lucky, you may receive a tasting or a Chinese Gongfu tea ceremony that will teach you about the cultural background of tea.
House Of Tea
1017 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M4W 2K9House of Tea is a family-owned business with more than 280 varieties of imported loose leaf. Most of the tea here is sourced from single plantations in China and Northeast India. The spacious shop floor displays an impressive selection of multi-coloured teapots and mugs that will make you feel like Alice in Wonderland. Consult their website, because it will teach you everything you need to know before stopping in to stock up or find a unique gift. Or, ask an in-house tea enthusiast to blend one of their own custom creations, made just for you.
Tealish
367 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2M8The small, ultra-modern Tealish does things a little differently. They offer themed series. The Desserts collection features delectable dulce de leche and lemon meringue, while the Love Yourself Wellness collection includes the Sleep Fairy, which will mellow you out after a busy day of running through the 6. The teas are packaged like treasure, wrapped in silk pyramid teabags, and the collection of brewing accessories like infusers and spoons will up your loose-leaf game at home. Although this is not a sit-down cafe, staff members do encourage you to stay and, as their Instagram says “have a cup of positivitea.”
Tsaa Tea Shop
412 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1P3Tsaa is both a teashop and popular hangout in Danforth Village. The staff at Tsaa take tea personally, because they see it as a cultural tradition they hope to pass on. Tsaa has a mid-sized seating area where you can make yourself comfortable alone or with a small group. Unlike most chain cafes, the Tsaa team will serve your tea on a tray at just the right temperature. When you’re ready to take something home, their shelves boast a curated collection of over 125 globally sourced herbal elixirs of endless tastes and flavours.
Say Tea Limited
2362 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6S 1P3Walking into Say Tea Ltd in Bloor West Village is sort of like entering a tea library. One of the more established of the independent specialty shops, Say Tea Ltd is run by some true-brew aficionados. Their collection is always changing and currently hosts approximately 230 blends – optimally enjoyed with their delicious shortbread and preserves. Unlike some trendy teashops, the folks at Say Tea Ltd don’t take themselves too seriously. They will tell you the number one rule is that “there are no stringent rules.” Don’t let anyone tell you how to drink your tea!
Samadhi Tea House
8-160 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 3K7A well-kept secret in Kensington Market, Samadhi Tea House is a Bohemian-style specialty shop with everything you need to heal the body or simply feel your best. Staff members curate a variety of loose-leaf tea blends, including the popular blooming flower teas. Samadhi also carries exotic spices and traditional Ayurvedic herbs from abroad. This is both a teashop and a café and in true Kensington fashion, it welcomes meditations, live music and other gatherings.
Pippins Tea Company
2098 Queen St E, Toronto, ON M4E 1E1Pippins Tea Company is an English-style tea and gift emporium in the Beaches. They offer more than 150 flavours of white, black, green and herbal teas (including high quality loose leaf imported from Sri Lanka) as well as branded, bagged teas like Yorkshire and Taylors of Harrogate. Plus, since Pippins is a bona fide collector of high-end tea wares, with Dutch tea cozies and over 100 imported designer teapots, the staff can easily help you craft a tea-themed gift that’s fit for the royal family.
