It’s tough being a tea drinker.

Anyone who doesn’t know a grande mocha latte from a double-double may have been feeling left out in recent years as Starbucks and Tim Hortons redefined the English language. Lumped into the category of “tea drinkers,” those of us under the age of 80 who aren’t so interested in cut-up cucumber sandwiches have been left to hope for a time when we could walk up to a counter and order up something that was at least a little more cool than “tea with lemon.”

That day has finally come.

Funky tea shops across the country are offering more choice than just “bag in or out?” Move over Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe & Tea Room and make way Red Rose—Canadians now have more options than ever before for taking their tea to the streets.

Chai Baba, Kelowna, BC

This funky tea shop with its signature colours of hot pink, ice blue and lime green (designed to mirror the hues of ladies’ saris in India) is the antithesis of your grandmother’s shop—although she may fall in love, too. Hemp fudge and the first tea-presso machine (think espresso-like shot infusions) in the country make it the stop for tea lovers in Kelowna. But there’s more to love about the shop than the fancy machines. Owner Tina Prichard brings her own brand of earthy spirit and green commitment.

“We basically sell and serve the best we can source in North America,” says Prichard. “Everything we can do to make an ethical choice, we try to make that choice.” 

Tea lattes like the Puff Puff Dragon (two shots of white tea, pineapple juice and sugar) and Kittens with Mittens (Chocolate mint rooibos shot, peppermint syrup and steamed milk) have already attracted fans. And with organic, rice milk, spelt and gluten-free offerings, more will come. A great spot to pop into for a spirit pick-me-up, the Baba periodically sports a wishing tree in one corner where patrons can write out and clip good wishes for themselves or the planet. The best news is there are more to come: “We want to make more Chai Babas so we can spread joy and love across the land.”

Silk Road, Victoria, BC

Tea and spa come together at Silk Road. It makes perfect sense. The ladies behind the tea here aren’t mucking around either. Tea masters and co-owners Nancy Larose and Daniela Cubelic opened the shop 16 years ago, and their offerings are a mix of imported ingredients and onsite blending. They make all their own blends using only the best ingredients and have carried the same philosophy over to their spa products. The teashop sells only loose-leaf, organic, fair-trade teas. 

Two years after opening, they added the spa. Organically conscious options like polish-free manicures and pedicures and “Green Tea Facials” make this louder-than-the average-spa in Victoria’s Chinatown its own hot spot. With just three treatment rooms, though, you’ll need to book four to six weeks in advance to secure a spot. (The fact that the “Floating Cloud” package deal, including a one-hour massage and a one-hour facial, runs only $99 doesn’t help either.)  

After a treatment, beeline to the tea-tasting bar for some Angelwater (lavender, spearmint, rose petals and elderflowers) or Ruby Pagoda (rooiboos with citrus peel and pink peppercorn). Or check the schedule for dates for signature tastings. Bonus: Silk Road ships across the country and to the US.

Tea Leaves, Stratford, ON

Prefer to have your tea dissected like a fine wine? Karen Hartwick, the certified specialist and certified tea sommelier at Tea Leaves offers courses and seminars on the subject at this tea-tasting bar in the heart of Ontario’s traditional theatre and fine-food district. Offering more than 120 tea varieties and a host of tea experiences for groups up to 12 in size, you can learn everything from the differences between green teas to the intricate flavours of oolong. Tea flights at the tasting bar and tips on brewing and serving fine teas round out the offerings.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver, BC

The hotel puts a spin on traditional afternoon tea by offering a champagne option. Daily between 2 and 4:30 p.m., the champagne tea experience offers mini cheesecakes, chocolate-dipped éclairs and fruit tartlets added to the traditional fare. Want to indoctrinate the kids? Fairmont Vancouver’s “Bubblegum Tea” means kids can sip on a bubblegum-flavoured tea (along with some PB&J sandwiches, a giant chocolate-chip cookie and strawberries with Devonshire cream) while you enjoy a long, cool glass of Moët & Chandon champagne. No, Moet’s not tea, but it’s a fine substitute in a pinch.

A few others to try…

In Quebec:
Un Amour des Thés
Camellia Sinensis Tea House

In Ontario:
International House of Tea