March 22, 2010 – Tea rooms have been always been a part of Montréal’s cultural history, thanks to the Brits, who brought their cherished traditions from across the pond to here. From the downtown core and radiating out, the choice of places to enjoy a cuppa in Montréal, from upper crust to cool and casual, has never been more tasteful.
Hip and ready to sip
La Maison du Thé Cha Guan
Relatively new to the tea scene, Cha Guan ("tea house" in Chinese) on Monkland Avenue has great service and a relaxed ambiance. You can park it on chairs or relax on traditional floor cushions, order your tea with dessert (the green tea red bean cheesecake is a must) and enjoy the good stuff in your cup along with the laid-back feel. With its knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices, a repeat visit to this sweet tea salon is definitely worth it.
L’Esprit du thé
Not to be outdone in the tea department, trend-setting Mile End is also home to some excellent tea salons. In fact, owners Bettina and Fabrice Perrin have given this hipster enclave a polished touch with L’Esprit du thé, which offers more than 200 flavourful brews to thrill your palate. They also serve tea-infused chocolates—yum!—and regularly host tea workshops.
Camellia Sinensis
Now a bastion of the Quartier latin, Camellia Sinensis continues to give tea aficionados reason to sit and sip. With more than 150 teas that regularly cull from China, Taiwan, Japan, India and Sri Lanka to choose from, it’s impossible not to find a tea to suit your taste buds. Pop in for a cup before or after a movie at the Cinéma Quartier Latin, right across the street, or try their workshops and tea tastings on the weekend. They also have a boutique kitty corner to the Jean-Talon Market.
Kusmi Tea
From Russia to Paris and now Montréal, the over-140-year-old Kusmi Tea house now boasts a brand-new home, the first in North America, on fashionable Saint-Denis Street. Inhale the fragrant aromas of more than 125 infusions as you linger in its bright-white boutique stacked with colourful round tins or choose a delicious blend to brew chez vous. While the teas feature their signature Russian blends (Saint Petersburg, Prince Vladimir, Anastasia, etc.), they have excellent greens and invigorating herbals you’ll also want more of.
The classics
The Ritz-Carlton Montréal (closed for renovations until the end of 2010)
The British upper crust might have brought the afternoon tea ritual to Montréal, but it’s the Ritz-Carlton, one of the city’s oldest hotels, that carries on the custom. The classy hotel on Sherbrooke Street is a perennial favourite among guests who come to enjoy a bit of England’s high tradition, which includes tea served in fine porcelain cups, tiered trays topped with cucumber sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and an assortment of sweets. To be enjoyed in the sophisticated Café du Paris or the lovely Jardin du Ritz, next to its lovely duck pond on warm-weather days.
Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth
At the heart of downtown, the “Queen E”, as Montrealers call it, lives up to its name, serving tea in its refined and tasteful setting. Guests can sit back and enjoy this afternoon pick-me-up along with an assortment of sweet cakes and pastries. If your company prefers coffee, this prestigious hotel also keeps up the delectable Viennese tradition with a wide range of roasts to choose from. And if you can’t resist giving in to your inner gourmand, wander over to the Beaver Club Restaurant’s Boutique Gourmandise for sweets and treats to take away.
Cha Guan la Maison du Thé
L’Esprit du thé
Camellia Sinensis
Kusmi Tea
The Ritz-Carlton Montréal
Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth
