The Old Curiosity Tea Shop | Authentic Afternoon Tea & Exquisite Loose Leaf Teas in Markham, ON

Lovely experience at the old curiosity tea shop. Our host was super welcoming and knowledgeable. Great selection of tea offerings. I forgot the name but I really enjoyed the mango lemon tea as well as the tuna melt I ordered. I would love to pop in again to purchase loose leaf tea for my home. Great experience. Would recommend.

Atmosphere: An Old Curiosity indeed… We had long heard of this charming tea shop and finally decided to visit. Nestled between Main Street Markham and Highway 7, this little gem exudes a quaint and inviting atmosphere from the moment you step inside. Your eyes are immediately drawn to the large wooden counter adorned with an array of teas, teacups, and teapots, setting the stage for a delightful experience. We opted for the Afternoon Tea, which includes a tea of your choice, a selection of sandwiches, and a tray of desserts. The space is cozy and intimate, with only a handful of tables, but this adds to the charm and makes the experience all the more special. 5/5 Service: With a limited number of guests at any given time, the service here is exceptional. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable about their tea offerings. I chose the Victorian Markham, their signature house blend, which I highly recommend for lovers of Western-style tea. My mother enjoyed the Japanese Sencha, which she found delightful. The staff not only serve the tea but also provide instructions on the optimal steeping time to ensure maximum flavor. As the finger sandwiches arrived, each one was described to us in detail, enhancing our appreciation of the meal. The staff were diligent in ensuring our tea was regularly refilled and that we were well taken care of. Once we finished the sandwiches, a tray of desserts, including biscuits and teacake, was served. 5/5 Food: The food was light, appetizing, and surprisingly filling. While the offerings may not be extraordinary or groundbreaking, the quality and freshness of the ingredients are evident in every bite. It's worth noting that this experience may not be for everyone, as it is more about the ritual of Afternoon Tea than a culinary adventure. The desserts were delectable, embodying the sweetness one might expect from a Victorian tea experience. Paired with the tea, the flavors complemented each other beautifully. 4/5 Tea: The tea deserves its own spotlight because it is simply extraordinary. Words hardly do it justice. 10/5 Note: Due to the shop's small size, seating is limited, and reservations are essential. Don't expect to walk in and find a table, especially on weekends when bookings fill up quickly. We called in March and were able to secure a table in May. For a better chance of reaching someone, it's advisable to call shortly after they close (a bit after 4 PM) as the staff are often busy attending to customers during regular hours.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the exceptional experience my friend and I had at your establishment. During a challenging time for my friend, we sought a quiet space to reconnect and discuss personal matters. This venue, one of his favorites, is typically very busy and requires advance reservations. We were pleasantly surprised when the management team accommodated us on short notice. Every aspect of our visit was delightful, particularly the amazing selection of teas. Our host was incredibly helpful, providing a thorough explanation of the offerings. We enjoyed the vanilla chai and an assortment of sandwiches, including the Welsh rarebit with extra butter, which was my personal favorite, as well as a walnut cream sandwich and a cream and apple sandwich. The inviting ambiance and attentive hospitality truly uplifted our spirits and allowed us to navigate our week with renewed positivity. Thank you to the entire team for making our day so special; your efforts are deeply appreciated.

Such a wonderful place for afternoon tea. Visited with my mom for the first time. Service was excellent! The food was delicious too. I grew up in England and the scones were much better than most I've had over there. Highly recommend!

We had such a lovely Saturday afternoon here. Adam was simply the most gracious host with exceptional and warm service and hospitality. Thank you! My husband and I both had the Afternoon Tea. I chose the Cream Earl Grey Tea (hands down one of the best I’ve tasted) and my husband had the Lemon Mango Tea. The selection and variety was waaaay more than what we expected for $29 per person. Tea sandwiches, the Welsh Rarebit (a welcome treat), the scones, and the lemon raspberry tart were all so delightful. We definitely enjoyed our visit. I always prefer and appreciate traditional English afternoon tea so this did not disappoint. Even the interior, it was very traditional decor so appreciate its authenticity. Don’t even ask them to redecorate because this is part of this experience and its charm. Will definitely come back. Such a great place to just sit back, gossip, and eat the weekend away and detach from the outside noise.

Very quaint and cute tea shop! I came for my birthday and loved the experience! The teas were great and I loved the antique chinaware! My fav was the earl grey cream! The food could've been a little better, the best bite were the scones (came with clotted cream!) We found the sandwiches/cookies and bit repetitive and bland. The owners was super nice and provided great service and it was such a cute shop to chat and experience traditional afternoon tea!

Of course! Based on your wonderful experience, here is a review crafted to capture all the lovely details you provided: *** **⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Perfect Birthday Afternoon Tea!** I recently celebrated my birthday with a group of friends at The Old Curiosity Tea Shop in Markham, and it was an absolutely perfect experience from start to finish. The moment you step inside, you are transported by the beautiful Victorian ambience. The decor is charming and elegant, creating a truly special and cozy atmosphere that is ideal for a celebratory gathering. Our server, Adam, was the highlight of our visit. He was absolutely amazing—attentive, knowledgeable, and so warm. He went above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and celebrated, ensuring our afternoon was seamless and enjoyable. As for the food, it was delightful! We devoured a spread of traditional English tea, (The Peaches and cream and Rose Congou)which was brewed to perfection. The tiered stand featured an array of dainty and delicious finger sandwiches, each one fresh and flavorful. We also enjoyed a generous and tasty grilled chicken salad that was a wonderful addition. And lastly the delicious Scones with clotted cream and jam and English cookies. I cannot recommend The Old Curiosity Tea Shop enough for a special occasion or a lovely afternoon out. Thank you to Adam and the team for making my birthday so memorable. We will definitely be back

Very nice experience, lots of different teas to choose from. One of the more affordable afternoon teas out there. I really liked the scones. They have a signature tea I enjoyed too. The sandwiches are all very delicious. Will have to come back to try their other meals. The decor is very nice too, hard to believe you're in Markham and not London when you're in and seated. The owners are also very nice and attentive.