Secret Garden Tea Company — Restaurant in Vancouver

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Secret Garden Tea Company in Vancouver, and I must say, it was an enchanting experience. My party and I opted for both the vegetarian and non-vegetarian high tea options, and we were delighted by the variety and quality of the offerings.

Starting with the vegetarian high tea, the selection of savory and sweet treats was impressive. The sandwiches were beautifully crafted, with a variety of flavors and fillings that catered to different tastes. From classic cucumber and cream cheese to unique combinations like roasted red pepper with feta, each sandwich was a delightful bite-sized creation.

Moving on to the non-vegetarian high tea, the inclusion of meat added an extra layer of indulgence. The chicken and beef sandwiches were tender and flavorful, showcasing the kitchen's attention to detail and commitment to quality ingredients. They were thoughtfully paired with condiments and spreads that elevated the flavors even further.

Both high tea options also included a delectable assortment of scones and pastries. The scones were freshly baked and accompanied by clotted cream and jam, adding a traditional touch to the experience. The pastries were beautifully presented and offered a delightful range of flavors, textures, and colors. From delicate macarons to rich chocolate tarts, each pastry was a miniature work of art.

To complement the high tea experience, the Secret Garden Tea Company offered an extensive selection of teas. The staff was knowledgeable and provided helpful recommendations to ensure we found the perfect tea to suit our preferences. The teas were expertly brewed and served in charming teapots, allowing us to savor the aromas and flavors throughout the meal.

The ambiance of the Secret Garden Tea Company was equally enchanting. The quaint decor, with its floral accents and vintage-inspired furniture, created a cozy and inviting atmosphere. The attentive and friendly staff added to the overall charm of the place, making us feel welcomed and well taken care of.

In conclusion, the Secret Garden Tea Company in Vancouver offers a memorable high tea experience, both for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The vegetarian and non-vegetarian high tea options provide a wide array of scrumptious sandwiches, scones, and pastries that are sure to please every palate. With a delightful tea selection and a charming ambiance, it's the perfect place to enjoy an indulgent afternoon tea with friends...

Called to make reservations for Thursday Jan 17th for afternoon tea party of 5. Asked if we could please come at 4:00 pm instead and they said no. Asked if 3 people could have the high tea and if 2 could order something else off the menu. They were very firm and said it was not possible. Told them it was for two birthdays. One of birthday person in our party was ill so we changed reservation to 4 people. Again mentioned the birthday. When we arrived it was not busy at all with only a few tables occupied. 1 Gluten free high tea ordered then 2 other high teas. And lucky enough they let one person order something else that was dairy free. When the tea was brought sadly a whole container of milk spilled off the tray on to my 95-year-old mother and she was very wet on her clothes. We mopped it up as best as we could but she was still very uncomfortable and was for the rest of the time until we could get her home. All four teas were very weak and I am not sure why as two of us ordered a darker strong tea. I have to say we have been here a few times before and will not return. The high tea offering for the price was lacking. And you could only have one tea selection. If you wanted to change it would be extra. Yes they do change the menus each month but we all did not think much of tiny banana muffins or much of the other offerings compared to other high teas available in Vancouver. We also had to ask for more water for our pots (this made the tea almost clear but at least it was warm) and remind them about the birthday again. We were also well aware that they had a two hour limit for seating. Our reservation was at 4:30 pm and knew that we must leave by 6:30 pm but we were told at 6:10 pm that they would be closing in about 10 minutes. We were the only table in the restaurant at the time as it was not busy but maybe they should have honoured our request to come at 4:00 pm. if they wanted to rush us. We did not complain about any of this but we will simply not come back. The other person ordered the Tandoori Chicken Salad - it says Fresh greens, avocado, sweet mango, green onions, toasted pumpkin seeds and our Special Tandoori chicken topped with a papadum! Served with cilantro chutney dressing. $17 - She told them it needed to be gluten free they said the papadum was gluten free but they forgot to add it to the salad so it...

If you're looking for a High Tea place that is allergy conscious, Secret Garden should be on your "to visit list". Along with their monthly sets there are vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, in addition to children sized sets available to order (preferably you would request this ahead of time). I do think budget wise they are a bit on the higher end, but you definitely get what you pay. Additionally you can always buy some more of their baked goods in their more retail oriented area at the front of the store.

You must reserve a timeslot ahead of time since it is quite rare for them to have seats available for walk-in's. Especially with the pandemic, I believe there are only 8 - 10 tables available depending on how large groups are. Please note that you will be charged for the entire party prior to your booking!

The staff were generally very friendly and polite, it was very relaxing for my partner and I to sit and chat away as we enjoyed our tea. However we feel like we had to wait quite a bit to get our orders taken, even though we did pre-book the preferred sets a head of time. It was a bit odd in my opinion, but not too terrible.

I think the bigger issue we had happened during our service. My partner ordered a vegetarian set and I the vegan set due to our allergies/dietary preferences. When our order came, we received the soup portion and were shocked to find (what we admittedly assumed was) chicken pieces. Luckily I, myself eat meat, but it definitely was an unpleasant surprise for my partner. Lastly when our sets were served to us the waitress did not go over/explain what was being served. It came off as a bit odd, but wasn't a huge deal to myself since I'm familiar with high tea service, but for my partner it was completely new so that experience was missed. We did make educated guesses based on the menu given to us, but it wasn't exactly the same.

Overall Secret Garden is a place I generally recommend going to at least once if you enjoy going to high tea services. That being said I would be cautious of their soup of the day depending on your dietary...