The Tea Room — Restaurant in Mississauga

I first started going to this restaurant in 2015 when I was in my first year of university at UTM. The prices for afternoon tea were spectacularly affordable compared to other tea places (I swear Robinson Bray was $32 or something, perhaps less), but it's increased significantly since then and basically matches the price at all other tea shops. What's disappointing to me is even though the price has increased, the items are exactly the same and I cannot justify the price for the quality (which is average). I know at these places you're mostly paying for the experience, but if I am paying $40 or $45 for afternoon tea, it better be damn well good. At least at other tea places the sandwiches they offer come with a variety of fruits, edible flowers, and unique sandwich fillings (ex. brie and smoked salmon), but here it's been the same: chicken salad, egg salad, and cucumber and cream cheese on very basic store bread. Honestly, I would have been okay with this if the price wasn't so high.

The images I posted here were from a recent gathering with some friends I invited. The dishes are not from the afternoon tea menu, so the prices ranged from $16-24. Reservation time was 1 hour and 45 minutes.

However, I have also included an image from July 2023 of the Robinson Bray afternoon tea. In that image (last pic), the food you see was for two people. I believe the set was $38/person at the time, which has now increased to $40/person when I visited in October 2023. Having been a long-time customer of the restaurant, I can say for certain that the afternoon tea, specifically, the Robinson Bray, has not changed its contents since forever. The only thing that changes are the dessert options, which has been happening since I first set foot in this place.

I love this restaurant and I recommend it to everyone, but now I think I'd only recommend it if it's someone's first experience with tea because I cannot justify the new prices. I also do not think I will go as often in the future for Robinson Bray tea because the cost is too much for me. As much flack as I am giving this place, I love it and it saddens me to have to write this, but this is my honest review. This is a wonderful establishment and they deserve customers, but I wish they would upgrade their afternoon tea game if they're upgrading the...

This Tea Room could have a lot going for it! If only..... It’s quaint, the selection of teas and food choices is good and fresh, it offers a close to authentic tea service, all good so far....BUT, sadly, I have NO idea why the staff there provides a consistently awkward and pretentious (read pompous!) experience for the customer! I know it’s a “tea house” but we are not having tea with the Queen, people! I’ve been here three times and have experienced the same consternation on the various servers’ faces upon entering the place - about where to seat us and whether we, God forbid, did or did not have reservations (we did! Twice!)

It appears that the staff panics every time they have to sit someone.

Maybe it’s the culture, or the owner’s expectations but the service and tense delivery of information comes across unpleasantly uptight! Even the wait staff doesn’t seem happy to be there or enjoying the interaction. They deliver the answers and comments about what thou shall or shall not do, making sure you “got” the rules and know how lucky you are to have been seated in this prestigious establishment!

All pun aside, this tea house could have potential with the right overhaul. But, it is greatly lacking a welcoming, inviting atmosphere, mainly due to the staff’s attitude towards the customers. You end up feeling like a child having tea at the house of a disapproving granny who is not that happy you came over and doesn’t know what to do with you now . :/

I suspect that the fact that there’s always an interested stream of customers (a.k.a. gluttons for punishment, lol) and more demand than supply, has contributed to creating the mediocre service. Gotta keep these customers in line while in the tea house. Will I go again?! Not unless I want to be preached over with self-righteous enunciation and nod obediently while the server delivers “the rules” at me. I think I’ll make tea at home! It’ll be more enjoyable. ;)

Hope this helps, both, the customers and the tea house - if interested to hear honest customer feedback. My final note: smiling is free and makes all the difference. Don’t take your patrons for granted just because you’re busy! The word...

This is such a gem!!!! One of the best high tea places I've ever been to (and I've been to a LOT). The service was fantastic.. everything was on time and food service was well timed as well. I had the afternoon tea set for $25 which includes scones, sandwiches, a green salad topped with fruit and a house made honey Dijon dressing (btw, the best honey Dijon dressing I've ever had), mini desserts and a pot of tea. The scones come in 3 flavours, plain, butter pecan and cranberry orange. I tried the butter pecan and cranberry orange, both of which were delicious. The scones are served warm and have a flaky exterior and a soft interior. It went so well with their Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. The mini quiches (spinach and cheese) were served also warm and also delicious, had a great pastry crust. Sandwiches included 2 cucumber cream cheese, 1 egg salad and 1 chicken salad with apricots and cranberries and it was absolutely delicious!!!! The fried fruit really added a sweet balance to the savouriuness of the chicken.for the sweet petit fours, there was a white chocolate coconut shortbread, a chocolate fudge brownie (that looked dense and rich but it wasn't! It was sweet, dark and really good!!) And a mini peach cobbler made from local Ontario peaches. This mini cobbler was mouth watering!!!! I had to order 2 more!! The teas are also so delicious, I had the pear cream black tea which was infused with vanilla, callendula, pear, bergamot....so delicious!!! Also the cream of Earl grey which was deep, rich and full bodied. They sell the teas and I purchased the cream of pear because it was that good. 50g for $5 and 100g for $8. This is a beautiful, quaint place for tea, a must visit. You don't have to get the afternoon tea set but can order a la carte with their lunch and dessert options. I highly recommend reservations as this place does get busy and each afternoon tea setting...