Secret Garden Tea Company

Afternoon tea is my birthday tradition. Living in Victoria, I have tried all the options there, and was excited for the opportunity to try a new place in Vancouver when there for a birthday weekend. Secret Garden exceeded all my expectations and prior experiences. The atmosphere was beautiful, service was attentive and friendly, the tea selection was extensive, and most importantly, the food was outstanding! Hands down the BEST sandwiches and pastries I’ve had to date. Everything was flavorful and moist, which seems hard to accomplish for us gluten free folks. 10/10 recommend and will be back. If they ever expand to Victoria, I will be a regular

I live in San Francisco but visit BC often to see family, and every time I’m in town, I make it a point to stop by Secret Garden Tea Company. Their selection of teas and snacks is wonderful, but what truly sets them apart is their high tea—especially for those of us with dietary restrictions. I have an autoimmune condition and can’t eat gluten, which makes finding enjoyable high tea options incredibly difficult. Most places I’ve tried have gluten-free offerings that are dry, grainy, or feel like an afterthought. Not here. Secret Garden’s gluten-free sandwiches and desserts are honestly the best I’ve ever had. Their breads and scones are soft and flavorful—you’d never know they’re gluten-free! I especially love their egg salad sandwiches. While they aren’t a dedicated gluten-free establishment, the care and attention they give to food allergies and intolerances is exceptional. On a recent trip, I was only in town overnight for a meeting in Maple Ridge and had a flight the next afternoon. I called ahead and they kindly prepared a gluten-free high tea to go—it made for the most delicious in-flight treat. A huge thank you to the staff, especially Marie and Rachel, who always go out of their way to make my visits feel special. If you’re gluten intolerant and love tea, this place is a must-visit!

We visited your tea house to celebrate my wife's birthday. Overall, we appreciated several aspects of the experience: The greeting upon arrival was warm and welcoming. The timing for seating was perfect. The selection of teas was excellent. The atmosphere was delightful and contributed positively to the occasion. The savouries were enjoyable, and the gluten-free options were thoughtfully prepared. However, there were a few areas that could be improved: Unfortunately, the sweets did not taste fresh, which was disappointing, especially given the otherwise high quality of the experience. During my visit to the washroom, I observed three-four floor staff engaged in casual conversation and gathered around a cellphone, which gave the impression of inattentiveness. This was noticeable and detracted somewhat from the overall service standard. That said, one of the team members provided particularly professional and attentive service, which we truly appreciated. In summary, while the experience was pleasant in many ways, we felt that the value did not fully match the $56 per person price point. For that reason, we are unlikely to return, but we do hope our feedback is helpful and constructive. Thank you for the experience.