T-Buds

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.

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

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

Went for the mothers day brunch. The 'hot' foods were not quite warm. The scones were hard, the bread did not taste too fresh, and the quiches were a bit too salty for me. The macarons are too sugary, and no flavour I could discern. The dessert was too sweet for us, with the caramel flavored cheesecake, with caramel pieces on top and caramel sauce beside it along with candied pear, would be nicer if there was a pop of tartness. Service was a bit slow, not all tables were filled, but they might still be understaffed, we asked for a take out container 3-4 times before we got it. They were friendly, but not very attentive. We tried another high tea place the next day and my mother preferred that one. Don't think we will be returning unfortunately.

Alli (I'm not certain of the spelling, sorry!), was absolutely amazing with his knowledge of tea. Who knew that certain teas were good for making meat rubs and gravy??? I won't say which - you have to go in, have a cup or three of tea, and be pleasant ☺ The servers were all very courteous, polite, and watchful without being annoying. They knew all the food offerings and ingredients, and were very patient with my group as we tried to figure out substitutions and such. Our fault for not calling ahead to ask. The service was impeccable, and appropriately timed. The food and tea are made as you order, so it isn't instant. The tea is steeped for the appropriate time (if you prefer a lighter or heavier brew, tell the server when you order! They will change the brewing time as needed). The lounge is small, so the atmosphere really depends on who else is there. A large birthday group = very lively and loud. Mostly couples = quiet and more intimate. You do have to do up a set of stairs to reach t-buds, and there isn't an elevator or lift option. It's Toronto so parking can be a pain in the tush, but there is paid street parking all around that area. My group went on a Sunday, and parking was easy and close. No idea if there's free WiFi, but it's a tea lounge. Enjoying the tea, food, and company is the goal. I'm very impressed by everything t-buds offered, and will definitely be back! Thank you Alli for chatting with us and sharing your tea knowledge. It really was an amazing experience. ☺

Cozy little tea lounge, bright decor and delicious treats. I had the Tea Tiffin and it was a lot of food, almost too much for one person! The little sandwiches were amazing. I had Earl Grey tea and it was like no tea I've had before - maybe due to their multi-filtered water. Would come here again.

This is a superb tea experience! The customer service is excellent and the food is delicious. The owner is a tea sommelier and the teas are proof of his expertise. We are coming back!

Ordered from T-Buds for a baby shower. The food was fantastic and delivery was prompt. Staff were responsive and easy to work with. Thank you!

I wanted to love the afternoon tea experience more, though the service soured the whole experience. The layout of the restaurant makes it challenging to support any significant number of tables, which seemed to be too challenging for the staff of two servers to stop by the corner table often enough to check in. The dining experience felt cramped, like a crowded picnic with no ability to hold a personal conversation. The staircase to access the restaurant on the second story seemed to be a challenge to navigate. The tea selection seemed very immense, though more description on the tea varieties would have been helpful, such as comparable selections or pairing suggestions. The selection of foods for the afternoon tea stack were mostly good, with the scones and mascarpone being a great highlight and the petit fours and vegetarian options disappointing. The sparkling tea was embarrassingly bad. The price for two for the afternoon tea service was around $140, which was much too high for the quality and service that was had.

Great service!! It’s quiet and relaxing place. This is my second time here. The server even gave us another pot of hot water, so we can fill our own tea pot. My first time here, I love it, that’s why I’m back. First time I ordered the chocolate afternoon tea set, food was better, savoury pie and sandwiches were so good, this time I got savoury cream tea, I think the sandwich’s are pretty good, but alittle drier than I remember. But still yummy. I think I want to give 4.5 stars.