Crimson Teas — Restaurant in Toronto

I've been here a total of 4 or 5 times in the last 4 years. My initial experiences years ago were very positive, and the owner serves delicious food and tea - that's why I keep coming back.

The last two times I came to Crimson Tea, it was during opening hours at around 11:00 to 11:30 am. Both times, the owner was NOT set up yet, but we were willing to wait. Both times, we waited for about 1.5 hours before the food was served to us. I would advise anyone planning to visit during the morning to call beforehand just to make sure it is ready to serve.

Today, despite me and my boyfriend being the first customer to enter the store, and having waited a good hour before the owner was ready to serve, he did not have the manner to let us know he was ready to take orders and so new customers walking in got served first. That's fine - maybe we should've paid more attention. The part that was very disrespectful was that when I was making my order for the rice dish, he questioned me in a very rude and condescending tone, "what?! you just want to eat rice????" "What exactly do you want to eat???? pffttt" -walks away- To be very honestly, I had no idea what he even meant because the menu projected on the screen said the [..] Rice in big letters which I read off. I can understand if he is impatient given the set up delays but poor customer service, especially after your customer has waited for you for 1 hour is unacceptable. Since he walked away from my order and showed such disrespect, I decided he was not worth my business and I left the store.

Not only was he disorganized, disrespectful, and rude, he is also unreceptive to feedback. My boyfriend stayed and had to wait 25 minutes before getting his food and after eating, on his way out, he spoke to the owner about speaking in a nicer tone. The owner told my boyfriend that "it cannot be helped. What was I supposed to do? I'm not here to babysit her. I totally understand if you want to accompany her elsewhere".

Given the numerous positive reviews, perhaps we caught him on an extremely bad day. Maybe his mood was influenced by factors beyond our awareness. But this case serves as one example of VERY VERY poor customer service in every way possible. Learn to be nicer to your customers, especially ones who are loyal and who wait for you on your bad day because otherwise you lose...

I don’t know how to begin talking about how much I enjoyed coming to Crimson Teas so I’ll just blast out what comes to mind:

This was everything I wanted in a homestyle restaurant. Everything was delicious. Getting food was fast. Owners are SO nice and made efforts to talk to people. I had the bbq pork with black tea noodles and the bbq pork is the best I’ve had in a long time. It was so tender, melt in your mouth, well salted, and not sweet like some bbq pork tends to be. And the owners emphasize the importance of wholesome nutrition and healthy habits, so although the pork was tender and succulent, nothing I ate was greasy or made me feel gross. The meals are filling and not expensive. Portions, especially for meat, are good.

Maybe I’m a little biased because my (Chinese) father is also very into tea, like the owner, so I see my parents in the owners. With that said, this isn’t a fancy establishment. It’s a clean, warm environment with cooking that reminds us of home. Im not in school anymore, but I’m so happy that students nearby can go here and possibly have a nostalgic meal if they’re living away from family.

Lastly, when the owner was attacked a while back and thought about shutting the place down, I took part in rallying people together to donate and help renovate the place back to greatness. Im so glad they chose to keep going and I’ll definitely be back.

Please support local small businesses and pay them a visit for great tea...

Crimson Teas on the southeast corner of Spadina and College is a lovely culinary gem that delivers a delightful blend of delicious food, exceptional teas, and a welcoming atmosphere. Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, it’s a haven for tea lovers and food enthusiasts alike. The owner run family are passionate about tea and create an inviting space where guests can explore the unique world of Pu-erh tea, ranging from green to moonlight white, and even red and black varieties.

The food at Crimson Teas is equally impressive. From tea-infused noodles to curried chicken and tender low-temperature slow-cooked beef, every dish is thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. Students will particularly appreciate the budget-friendly prices and the 10% discount. The Hong Kong-style milk tea and Yin Yang Tea (a delightful mix of milk tea and coffee) are must-tries.

As Pu-Erh tea drinker & a vegetarian I had their pictured Pu-Erh infused noodles with Tofu and vegetables - which was intriguingly delicious

The ambiance is cozy and artistic, featuring unique decor and paintings that add character to the space. Whether you’re seeking a quiet spot to study, catching up with friends, or indulging in a culinary adventure, Crimson Teas promises a memorable experience. Don’t miss the pastries, noodle soups, or dim sum, and definitely make time to chat with the lovely owners — whose passion and knowledge make every visit special. Highly...