Amelie CameronI don’t know if this is an unpopular opinion, but I’ve always thought that tea is much better than coffee. Tea has a lower amount of caffeine, so I don’t have to worry about heart palpitations. Plus, it’s a powerful antioxidant and stimulant for the brain!
Because I love tea so much, I’ve scoured Toronto as much as I can just looking for tea shops. If you’re wondering where to buy tea, here are my recommendations.
Icha Tea
Address: 235 Spadina Ave. Unit 4
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday—12 to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday—12 to 10 pm
Contact Number: +14165466292
Icha Tea takes its inspiration from the Chinese phrase “yi cha jian,” which literally translates to “one tea space.” So, its main goal is to become a one-stop shop for people who love all things related to tea.
You can find the classic tea options here, such as herbal, green tea, oolong tea, and matcha. There are also floral teas. My favorite is Crimson Glory Rose, which is made with freeze-dried rose and has an aromatic fragrance and lightly sweet flavor.
Teas sold here are usually cured and fresh leaves, but there are also tin cans available if you want something quick and accessible. This shop has tea accessories as well, which is great if you’re new to tea brewing and you don’t know what tools to get.
| Pro Tips: This shop often hosts events, such as tea tastings and holiday celebrations. If you’re looking for a unique venue for a birthday party or wedding, consider booking this shop. |
Tao Tea Leaf
Address: 934 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—11 am to 7 pm
- Saturday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16477283858
Tao Tea Leaf is another tea shop that mostly features Chinese tea. The bestsellers are black tea, oolong, and green tea, but there are also teas that aren’t widely known; for example, this store has ancient tree pu’er teas, which hail from villages and mountains.
Because of the many options, I feel easily overwhelmed here. That’s why I tend to gravitate toward blended teas. My favorite is the milk oolong because I really like its milky aroma and rich, creamy flavor.
You can find various tea wares available. I enjoy browsing the collection of teapots, teacups, and trays. If I see an accessory that’s adorable, I get it to add to my collection.
| Pro Tip: Do you want to improve your tea-brewing skills? Then, you might want to join a tea workshop hosted by Tao Tea Leaf. |
Tsaa Tea Shop
Address: 412 Danforth Ave Ground Floor
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday—10 am to 2 am
Contact Number: +16473421981
Tsaa Tea Shop sells an array of 125 globally sourced loose-leaf teas from different countries all over the world. Because of this, you’ll undoubtedly spend a long time simply browsing their selection.
You can find teas from any of the major categories, such as herbal, rooibos, green, and black. There are also blended teas, which are my favorite. My go-to choice is grape sencha because of its fruity flavor (a combination of grape, cranberry, and raspberry).
There might be bubble tea offerings if you visit the physical store. I haven’t tried the bubble tea here yet, but I’m planning to in the future.
| Pro Tip: Give a friend who loves tea as much as you do a gift card for Tsaa Tea Shop! |
House of Tea
– From: torja_toronto_japan
Address: 1017 Yonge St
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—12 to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14169221226
House of Tea may seem like a tiny shop on Yonge Street, but don’t be fooled. It houses more than 280 kinds of loose tea, including the most premium teas on the market!
Take your pick among the classic options, such as Darjeeling black tea and Sichuan green tea. Or, if you’re anything like me, you prefer the fruit-infused options. I recommend the apple strudel flavor, which does taste like an actual apple strudel!
Another fruit-infused tea I like is the mango-passionfruit. It contains dried pieces of Caribbean passionfruit and South Asian mango, making it a sweet tea overall. That said, it has subtle earthy notes, thanks to the hibiscus added.
| Pro Tip: If you’re looking for a tea-adjacent gift for a friend, check out the various ceramic tea wares available in the physical store. These accessories are meticulously crafted, so you can’t find them anywhere else. |
Say Tea Limited
– By bloorwestvillagebia
Address: 2362 Bloor St W
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14167665425
What I love about Say Tea Limited is that they lean toward a vintage theme. The store is decorated with antique furniture, so browsing makes you feel like you’re in a set of Bridgerton.
Of course, the tea selection is impressive here. There are over 150 different varieties available—from black teas to specialty teas.
I like to get herbal and fruit tisane tea here because this type is usually caffeine-free. My favorite thing to get is a loose-leaf herbal tisane named “Harmony,” which has many ingredients (apple, rosehip, lemongrass, elderberry, and more).
If you like coffee as well, you’ll be delighted to know that this store has a great variety. There are coffee beans from Colombia and Ethiopia, as well as flavored options.
| Pro Tip: If you want to buy something from this store, I recommend checking the website beforehand, finding the tea you like, and calling the physical store to let the staff know about it and when you’re stopping. This way, by the time you visit, your order will be ready for you. |
DAVIDsTEA (Toronto Eaton Center)
Address: 220 Yonge St #1030
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—10 am to 9 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 7 pm
Contact Number: +14169790401
DAVIDsTEA was first established in 2008, and after more than a decade, it has garnered a loyal following of tea lovers from coast to coast! If you love tea, this store should be on your itinerary.
You can find a great variety of teas here—from the classic loose-leaf black and green teas to matcha powders. There’s even maté, a traditional South American herbal drink that’s rich in caffeine.
Chamomile tea is my favorite thing to order here because it’s light, fresh, and sweet—with hints of apple and floral notes. It’s also a calming drink, which is great when I’m feeling anxious.
| Pro Tips: The store offers bundle deals, which are great if you want to buy a lot and save money. There are warehouse sales here too. Check their website above to see if there’s one active right now. |
Pluck Teas
Address: 89 Research Rd
Contact Number: +14168827787
Pluck Teas is a premium tea maker based in Toronto, and though they have a physical location, their products are mostly available in retail partners (usually general stores and boutique shops). That’s why I recommend shopping via their website.
There are so many tea options to select from. I really like the Earl Grey cream tea. It’s their unique take on Earl Grey, with additions of soft bergamot and creamy vanilla bean finish. The result is a full-bodied black tea flavor with sweet undertones.
Aside from a variety of tea flavors, this shop also sells tea accessories. I once bought a matcha whisk and fine mesh tea strainer set here, and I’m still using them to this day, so I can safely say that their accessories are durable.
| Pro Tips: The website often sells bundles and gift sets. These are perfect if you’re looking for a gift for a fellow tea lover. New to tea and don’t know how to customize your drinks? The website has some recipes that you might like to try! |
Genuine Tea
Address: 100 Sunrise Ave Unit 103
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday—10 am to 4 pm
Contact Number: +14168905495
What I love about Genuine Tea is that they partner directly with farmers and local suppliers and make sure to pay them well. Their tea flavors are also distinct and delicious, hence why it has received numerous awards in tasting competitions.
One of my favorite teas here is the Organic Calming Butterfly. It’s in eye-catching turquoise, and the flavor is floral with notes of hawthorn, spearmint, and lemon balm. There are even butterfly pea flower petals in the tea for aesthetics!
Another one that I like is Blue Delta—another tea with a distinct hue (neon purple). It has a bright and tangy taste, thanks to the blend of lemon verbena, bright lemongrass, dried apple, lemon, and raspberry.
| Pro Tips: Check out any of the tea bundles offered here. They make for a perfect gift to someone who enjoys tea as much as you do. Another gift you can give to a tea lover is a gift card from Genuine Tea. |
Pippins Tea Company Inc
Address: 2098 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Saturday—10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday—11 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +14166947772
Pippins Tea Company Inc. is a dream come true for people who love both tea and colorful vintage-looking items. This is because the store sells a wide variety of teas, tea wares, and other household things with beautiful art prints.
When it comes to tea, I like to browse the different fruit tea blends. So far, I’ve enjoyed Relax and Refresh, which has a bright citrusy flavor with a bit of sweetness, thanks to the combination of lemon verbena and raspberry.
This store sells desserts, which I appreciate because I like to pair my tea with a sweet pastry. The ones I usually buy include the chocolate shortbread, ginger snaps, and hobnobs.
| Pro Tip: You can order from the website and have it shipped as a gift! Try this if you have a fellow tea fanatic in your life. |
Lemon Lily Organic Tea
Address: 747 Queen St E
Operating Hours:
- Monday—8:30 am to 5 pm
- Tuesday to Friday—8:30 am to 7 pm
- Saturday and Sunday—10 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +14168461057
Lemon Lily is serious about their organic tea. They’ve made sure not to use any GMOs, glutens, and artificial flavors in their products.
I’m quite fond of their Blueberry Lavender Macaron. It’s a fusion of Ontario-grown blueberries, Ontario lavender, and Madagascar vanilla. The result is a sweet tea with light floral undertones. I can’t get enough of it!
This store also sells snacks and other goods from small businesses. For example, there are chocolate bars and flavored honey available. These are perfect to pair with your tea.
| Pro Tip: Lemon Lily is more than happy to create a custom blend for you! |
T-Buds
Address: 3343 Yonge St Fl 2
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday—12 to 6 pm
- Friday to Sunday—11 am to 6 pm
Contact Number: +16473523624
T-Buds is actually a dining spot, so most people come here to experience afternoon tea. If you do come here to eat and you find yourself liking the tea you’re drinking, you’ll be happy to know that they sell loose-leaf and ground teas.
A recent favorite of mine is Sweet Dreams, which is a delicious blend of chamomile, hibiscus, lemongrass, rosehip, and valerian root. When I steep this tea, it gives off a slightly aromatic smell, and sipping it instantly relaxes me.
Another one that I like is Cranberry Apple Buds. It has a citrusy flavor, making it a perfect tea to drink during summertime.
| Pro Tips: Planning an event? T-Buds offers catering services if you’re interested. On a related note, you can also book this establishment as the venue of your event. |
Bonus: Toronto Tea Festival
– From: cheyenne.dn and torontoteafestival
Where: Toronto Reference Library Appel Salon, 789 Yonge St 2nd floor
When: Every January, 10 am to 5 pm
Contact Number: +16478786934
The Toronto Tea Festival isn’t technically a tea shop, but it is where tea lovers congregate to share their love and stock up on their tea stash, so I have to recommend this if you’re able to attend.
What’s great about this festival is that there are exhibitors from all over the world, so you can try teas that you’d never get to try otherwise. Some of the vendors who participated in the past include Tea Rebellion, Hokusan Japanese Green Tea, and Chin-Tea.
Aside from browsing various stalls selling tea, this festival has speakers who will talk about topics related to tea. I recommend checking some of these talks. You might learn something new about your preferred drink.
| Pro Tip: This festival can get crowded, so the best way to come here is via public transportation. If you do plan to drive here, there are parking lots on Cumberland Ave, Asquith Ave, Church St, and Yorkville Ave, but make sure to come early to ensure your spot. |
