Epic Restaurant at the Fairmont Royal York
For mothers who still keep a picture of the Queen on the wall and a set of fine china in the cabinet, Epic Restaurant at the Fairmont Royal York hotel offers an afternoon tea spread straight out of a Jane Austen novel. The Royal Tea Stand menu includes such Victorian mainstays as cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, toasted crumpets and orange-chocolate madeleines. Sip a choice of teas (loose leaf, naturally), including Earl Grey and Egyptian camomile, while you take in the posh white tablecloths and ornate multi-staged sandwich platters. Only the best for Mom.
Where: 100 Front St. W., 416-860-6949.
How much: Royal Tea Stand, $25.

Le Méridien King Edward
Served in the aptly named Victoria’s Restaurant, the King’s Tea offers the standard stiff-upper-lip-style meal, but with a few twists. The menu has a wide selection of finger sandwiches, from the traditional cucumber to the more exotic wild mushroom and Boursin quiche. Delicate pastries include orange marmalade shortbread, Battenberg squares and scones with cranberries and Devonshire cream. The tea itself is courtesy of Twining. If Mom is the type to enjoy a wee nip in the afternoon, upgrade to the Indulgence Tea, which adds a glass of bubbly or sherry to the meal.
Where: 37 King St. E., 416-863-9700.
How much: King’s Tea, $28; Indulgence Tea, $39.

The Old Mill Inn & Spa
The Old Mill Inn has been in the afternoon tea business since 1914, so they ought to know how to do it properly. The afternoon tea menu provides delicate finger sandwiches (choose from the ever-so-traditional options of smoked salmon, watercress and cucumber), fresh fruit tart, shortbread cookies and scones served with Devonshire cream and Scottish preserves. Mom can enjoy a cup of Dragonmoon tea, the Old Mill’s house blend, while reminiscing about the last royal visit.
Where: 21 Old Mill Rd., 416-236-2641.
How much: M–F $18, Sa–Su $20.

Red Tea Box
Looking for a less “Rule, Britannia” take on tea—or one without tourists at the next table? Try this cozy eight-table restaurant, where afternoon tea has a decidedly Asian bent. Served in bento boxes, options include the Southeast Asian tea box, which comes with passion fruit crème tartlets and coconut chicken–sweet rice parcels; and the Tea Feature box, which contains a caramelized Asian pear lime tart and marinated spicy pork topped with peanut and pineapple sauce. If Mom is more of a traditionalist, the Madhatter’s Tea Party offers the usual sandwiches, sweets and scones.
Where: 696 Queen St. W., 416-203-8882.
How much: all boxes $25-$27.

La Tea Da
For those less concerned with regal-sounding names or the distinction between high and low tea, the La Tea Da Tea Room in the Beach offers a less stuffy approach to afternoon tea. The sixth annual Mother’s Day High Tea includes a medley of sandwiches, fresh-baked scones with butter, cream and jam, petits fours, and a gift package of organic rose petal white tea and truffles from The Nutty Chocolatier.
Where: 2305 Queen St. E., 416-686-5787.
How much: Mother’s Day High Tea, $25.

Tea at Home
Didn’t wake up early enough to make Mom breakfast in bed? Make up for it by assembling an at-home afternoon tea. Stores like Say Tea and the Tea Emporium are one-stop shops for DIY tea parties that would make a duchess (and likely Mom) proud. Stock up on pots, cups, cozies, filters, balls, pincers, jams and biscuits, and choose from literally hundreds of teas—from Assam Heeleakah to wild strawberry. The only thing left to worry about is cutting the crusts off the cucumber sandwiches.
Where: Say Tea, 2362 Bloor St. W., 416-766-5425; The Tea Emporium, 351 Eglinton Ave. W., 416-488-4061.

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