t-buds, Food & Tea Lounge in Toronto

Don't let this unassuming tea spot fool you. I've had high tea numerous times in London UK and at some of Torontos' high-end hotels. This place rivals Harrod's, IYKYK. The selection of teas was amazing. So much delicious treats we couldn't finish. Thank you to the owner and Angel for making our birthday celebration so special.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Classic Afternoon Tea Platter, Cream Tea 2 Scones and a Pot of Tea, Fresh Scones, A Flute of Sparkling Tea, Savoury Cream Tea

The restaurant is very tiny and crowded. We had a reservation but still be sent to a side table that I could see the back of kitchen and washroom. The light inside is so dim that cannot have any good pictures.

The food has weird food to combine with pastry such as onions and washroom. I will not visit this place and would not recommend it.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 3

The staff were incredibly accommodating to our needs as first time parents and went the extra mile while they had a packed house. The food was amazing as usual. Thanks again for making our special day extra special!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Classic Afternoon Tea Platter

Polite, friendly service. Tasty food. Clean store. Will happily return.

Vegetarian options: Available with prior arrangement.

Parking: I parked a few hundred metres away and walked.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: The Tea Tiffin

I was very excited to book this as an afternoon tea with my partner, however, it was quite disappointing. There were many, perhaps too many, tea choices, I think about 75+. The food menu was very confusing, as you book different meals of food at once, it's not an a la carte menu. So there was no choice in what was served, except for dietary restrictions.
There was a large quantity of food, but only the scones were good, with a mascarpone/whipped cream mixture to spread.
The layout was quite strange, and where we were seated you had to ask 2 tables to move to get out. Because of this, our server did not return after giving the plates of food, so there was no opportunity to order anything else or get a tea refill.
With tip, it was $75 per person, which you would expect from a place with better service and food quality

Kid-friendliness: This location is not kid friendly, with no high chairs or kids menu

Wheelchair accessibility: A very narrow set of stairs, and not enough floor space when tables were full, means that even a cane user would find this location inhospitable.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Everything was delicious. And the staff was very nice. The price was affordable

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: A Full Afternoon Tea Box

Nice high tea place. Every sandwich was distinct and no repeats, pretty tasty. Scones were luke warm but acceptable, not dry or stale.

I was going to say the service was good, and that the server offered to explain the items and refill our pots.

But the afternoon set was supposed to come with a flute of sparkling tea according to the printed menu and we never received it! I only realized it at home afterwards. Not sure if the menu was outdated.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 2

We recently had Afternoon Tea for two people at T-Buds. The sandwiches were not great. But the best bite was the mushroom puff pastry. Scones were just fine (no proper clotted cream here for the scones sadly). Sweets were shared between two guests and very small. This venue is small and hot in the summer. There are A LOT of tea options here so maybe go to enjoy a cup of tea!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

We recently had Afternoon Tea for two people at T-Buds. The sandwiches were not great. But the best bite was the mushroom puff pastry. Scones were just fine (no proper clotted cream here for the scones sadly). Sweets were shared between two guests and very small. This venue is small and hot in the summer. There are A LOT of tea options here so maybe go to enjoy a cup of tea!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

I took my sister there for a special occasion and was a little disappointed in our second visit. The first time I was impressed but not so much yesterday.

After our appetizer of chick pea salad and a tart, my plate was never removed even after I said I was done. So I ate the entire afternoon tea off this tiny little plate. I thought it was a bit ridiculous, so I just brushed the crumbs off onto my saucer.

Also, we only got a small pot of tea between two people which is not enough and when we asked for the pot to be refilled. The girl went in the room and continued to chat to her other colleague instead of tending to her customers, which was also very rude. She only came back after a long time and by then we just wanted to leave. Also they never checked to see if we would like anything else in between courses.

This tea was not cheap, I paid close to $105 for two of us. It just makes it way to high for poor service.

I will not be returning to T-buds in the future.

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 2

Super cute and delicious afternoon tea. Amazing tea selection, scones with cream and jam were to die for! Very friendly staff and a small cozy space. Great place to have a quiet relaxing afternoon tea that is surprisingly very filling as well!

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Special Afternoon Tea

Enjoyed afternoon tea with my husband. Tea host(s) were very friendly and obliging. Hosts were knowledgeable and accommodating of our dietary requests (veg & pescetarian), and requests were seamlessly accommodated. When our food arrived, our order was correct. Service was paced appropriately for afternoon tea service (remember folks, this is afternoon tea, a ritual/experience, not a Tim Hortons drive-through). Food was good. Tea was good. Atmosphere was comfortable smart casual. We both really enjoyed it, and we both agreed, we must make it a more regular habit.

Vegetarian options: There are plenty of tasty vegetarian options. Tea sandwiches can be selected per preferences. Most all other items served with the afternoon tea are vegetarian friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Special Afternoon Tea, A Flute of Sparkling Tea, Tea Sandwiches

Food is good, but tea is extremely subpar.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Food: 3 Stars
Service: 3 Stars
Ambience: 4 Stars
Value: 3.5 Stars
Overall: 3.4 Stars

Walking into T-Buds, I was immediately struck by the warm and inviting ambiance of the tearoom. The decor is reminiscent of a traditional English tea house, with soft lighting, elegant floral arrangements, and comfortable seating. The tearoom is small and intimate, making it ideal for a small party or an intimate gathering with friends.

To begin with, one of the highlights of the high tea experience at T-Buds is the pot of tea that comes with the tea service you choose from the menu. As a tea enthusiast, I was thrilled to see the wide variety of teas available to choose from, each with its unique flavors and characteristics. From classic black teas to aromatic green teas, fragrant floral teas to soothing herbal infusions, T-Buds has something to suit every palate.

I opted for the Organic Tie Kwan Yin buds tea, a classic oolong tea literally translated as “iron goddess of mercy”. it has a sweet, floral aroma and a light, smooth, delicate flavour. The tea leaves were of high quality, resulting in a perfectly brewed cup of tea that was aromatic and satisfying.

However, one of the best things about T-Buds is that it offers an affordable high tea experience. Unlike some other high tea places that can break the bank, T-Buds offers a reasonably priced menu without compromising on quality. The high tea menu is priced competitively, making it accessible to a wider range of tea lovers. This is definitely a big plus for those who want to enjoy a high tea experience without emptying their pockets.

The service at T-Buds was friendly and attentive, though there were a few minor hiccups. The teas were brewed to perfection and served at the right temperature. However, there were a few delays in getting our food, and we had to remind the server a couple of times. Nevertheless, the overall service was satisfactory, and it did not significantly impact our overall experience.

The taste of the food at T-Buds was enjoyable, though not outstanding. I ordered the Chocolate Afternoon Tea. The finger sandwiches were fresh and flavourful, with classic fillings such as cucumber and smoked salmon. The scones were warm and crumbly, and the clotted cream and jam were a delicious accompaniment. The pastries were well-presented, but I felt that they lacked the wow factor in terms of taste. They were pleasant, but not particularly memorable. I would have liked to see more creativity and innovation in the flavour combinations and presentation of the pastries to elevate the overall dining experience.

My overall experience at T-Buds with my friends was pleasant and enjoyable. The cozy and inviting atmosphere, extensive tea menu, and affordable prices were definite highlights. The service was friendly, though there were some minor delays in getting our food. The taste of the food was enjoyable, though not particularly memorable, and I would have liked to see more creativity in the flavours and presentation of the pastries. The variety of options and accommodation of special dietary needs were commendable, though there could be more diverse options for those with specific dietary restrictions. Despite these minor areas for improvement, T-Buds offers a charming and affordable high tea experience that is worth considering for tea lovers who are looking for a cozy and intimate setting to enjoy tea with friends.

kellychan360

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 3

Absolutely delicious. Highly recommend. Mini cottage pie and the pavlova were my favourites. Much better value that pricy hotels downtown. Also very friendly and helpful staff who gave me samples of tea

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5