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Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience 2024 (From a Local)

ByNina Clapperton Updated on

Are you considering afternoon tea at the Chateau Laurier?

Let me be the first to applaud your decision. As a lifelong tea lover, especially of High Tea, I know what makes for a fine experience.

I have recently been to High Tea at Chateau Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario, and I really enjoyed my experience.

I can say without a doubt that no place in Canada does High Tea like the Fairmont Hotel. 

And where better to have High Tea than in the nation’s capital, set in a storied building overlooking one of the best neighborhoods in the nation’s capital?

If you are wondering what to expect from afternoon tea at the Chateau Laurier, this guide will explain everything you need to know, including when to book, how to dress, what to order, and much more!

🍵 Book for a majestic High Tea experience at Chateau Laurier here.

Where is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier?

The finest tea experience in Ottawa is located at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel in a beautiful room near the hotel lobby. When you walk into the front door, make a right and head in the direction of Zoe’s restaurant. 

Zoe’s is an elegant multi-level chandeliered restaurant with an airy vaulted ceiling and towering windows. The restaurant is a nice change of pace from the hustle and bustle of the area and is accented with tasteful pops of purple and blue. 

You can check in with the hostess outside the doors to Zoe’s. If you arrive early, they may ask you to take a seat in the lobby until the time of your reservation.

Pastries displayed on a rack with tea on the side. This is part of the complimentary snacks Chateau Laurier High Tea experience.
Photo by Jelleke Vanooteghem on Unsplash

When to Book a High Tea Experience

It is best to book your High Tea reservation at least 2 weeks out for the best seating (especially on weekends). You can book online with OpenTable.

Plan to book your reservations even further in advance for busy holidays (like Mother’s Day). You can book up to 3 months in advance for special holidays on the Fairmont website. 

While you should make a reservation in advance, getting a “day of” seating is possible by looking at OpenTable or calling Zoe’s directly to speak with the hostess.

As for the best time to enjoy high tea, you should try to reserve a spot after 12:00 pm since tea is a leisurely experience. I recommend a 1:00 or 2:00 pm seating since they close at 3:30, and it’s nice to spend a couple of hours chatting over tea. 

Typical on the weekends, Zoe’s tends to have a 1:00 pm and a 3:00 pm seating (which is much more flexible on weekdays).

🍵 Book for a majestic High Tea experience at Chateau Laurier here.

Fairmont Chateau Hight Tea Logistics

A photo of spoons placed on a white cloth with holding different tea flavors. The Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience offers guests tea in a variety of flavors.
Photo by Alice Pasqual on Unsplash

What To Expect

The experience starts with a selection of tea. The waiter will show you a box with a dozen teas or so, highlighting the flavors and notes of each. All the tea is generally loose-leaf and steeped in a personal teapot.

There are various green, black, herbal, and fruit teas to choose from, with decaf and caffeinated options. Milk and sugar are on the table for those that like to embellish their tea.

Each person in the group will select one type of tea, and it’s advised for each person to choose a different kid so that you can share and try multiple teas. The teapots are regularly topped with hot water, so you will never run out.

Next, you will be brought a three-tier stack of finger foods. These may look small and innocent but are surprisingly filling. Be sure to come with an empty stomach. 

Savour the tastes, enjoy conversation, take in your surroundings, and take in your surroundings. High tea is just as much as the food and teas, and I would spend two to three hours here. 

And if you are traveling as a family, you will be glad to know that Chateau Laurier has a kid’s menu, too!

🍵 Book for a majestic High Tea experience at Chateau Laurier here.

Chateau Laurier High Tea Dress Code

Afternoon tea is an event just as much as a meal, so I suggest wearing a business casual outfit. 

Women can wear a dress or pants with a blouse. Men should wear pants and a shirt with a collar.

Of course, you can dress this up or down, depending on the occasion. For instance, on Mother’s Day, you would likely wear something a little more classy than on a random weekday.

If you are a tourist and this is just one of the places on your itinerary for the day, a casual outfit is perfectly acceptable. However, be respectful that this is a special occasion for many diners, so showing up dressed very casually (flip-flops, ball caps, ripped jeans or cut-off shorts, etc.) is not courteous. 

Another important tip – if you are having tea on a warmer day, remember that the solarium part of Zoe’s can get quite warm. 

The day I was there was an abnormally hot spring day, and the AC had not been switched on for the season. This, coupled with the hot tea, made the experience uncomfortable. Thankfully, the waiter moved us to a cooler area of the restaurant. 

Just something to keep in mind when dressing. It could be a good idea to wear layers.

Visiting on Special Occasions

There are many occasions to go for High Tea—birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, retirements, and other celebrations, to name a few. Having high tea during the Tulip Festival, Christmas, or March Break is also popular.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the most popular time for High Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier. There’s no better way to treat mom like a queen than to take her to one of royalty’s favorite pastimes. I highly recommend booking early for this. Fairmont charges a small $6 premium per person for Mother’s Day tea but promises a special afternoon to remember.

The Tulip Festival

The Tulip Festival has some of its loveliest displays just a short walk from Fairmont Chateau Laurier at Parliament Hill, Major Hill’s Park, or along the Rideau Canal. The Tulip Festival takes place for two weeks in May, typically in the earlier half of the month if the weather allows. Over 600,000 tourists come to experience the Tulip Festival every year, so it’s very important to book ahead of time if you will have High Tea during the festival.

Christmas 

Christmas is also a popular time for High Tea at the Fairmont. There’s nothing cozier and more festive than visiting a beautifully decorated historic hotel for afternoon tea during the holiday season.

March Break

Furthermore, the high tea experience is especially popular during March Break, when the kids in Canada are off school. There is even a March Break special, where the hotel sets up a whimsical playroom complete with a bouncy castle and games in addition to afternoon Tea!

Additional Services

If you want to make your High Tea experience extra special, add a glass of champagne to start the afternoon or savor an after-tea cocktail.

Another option to extend your High Tea experience is to stay overnight at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel. You can stay in the luxurious Parliament view room or splurge on the executive suite for a special night in the city.

A castle-like building with intricate stonework and large pillars that hold up the pointy roofs. It is near a body of water. This is where you can have high tea experience in Ottawa

History and Significance of the Fairmont Chateau Laurier Hotel

The Fairmont Chateau Laurier is rich in Canadian history. The hotel is one of the most famous buildings in Ottawa, if not the whole country. The majestic castle towers over Rideau Street in Ottawa, and it was officially declared a national historic site in 1980.

The hotel was built between 1908 and 1912 by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway Company. At the time, leisure train travel was taking off, and the builders of the Chateau Laurier commissioned several hotels to be built across Canada to give travelers a nice place to stay during their journey.

Throughout the past 100 years, the hotel has hosted many high-ranking officials and even royalty, including Queen Elizabeth, Prince Phillip, Nelson Mandela, and other celebrities such as the Rolling Stones.

Fairmont Chateau Laurier High Tea Menu

The High Tea menu starts with tea and usually has three tiers of savory treats: scones, savory sandwiches, and sweet treats.

But it all starts and ends with the tea. You have the opportunity to select from a myriad of LOT 35 teas, specially curated for Fairmont and served in your own personal teapot.

Classic cookies and flavored scones are served with mascarpone cream and homemade strawberry jam. 

The sandwiches are tastefully selected and appeal to a wide variety of palettes. You will find typical tea sandwiches like cream cheese and cucumber as well as artsy specialties like citrus-poached shrimp with pineapple salsa.

Afternoon Tea is typically served with Devon cream, an English delicacy similar to whipped cream but far thicker and less sweet.

And finally, after the savory treats, dessert is served! 

The highlights include pomegranate and cardamom opera cake, spiced apple cake, lemon meringue macaron cookies, and a chocolate tart.

What if I have dietary restrictions?

Regarding dietary restrictions, they do their best to accommodate everyone. 

While there is no specific menu for vegetarians, they will accommodate some dietary needs by bringing sandwiches that do not include fish or meat.

Also, talk to your server if you are celiac, they can provide a menu with options to fit your needs. 

If you have other unique dietary concerns, I suggest calling before booking.
For the little ones in your party, a prince and princess tea menu has been curated specially for children. The menu has scones, kid-friendly sandwiches, and fun desserts. And if your little one is not a fan of tea, hot chocolate is also an option.

More Things to do at the hotel after tea:

  • Explore the gift shops – Be sure to stop by the gift shops after tea. There is beautiful art for sale by local Canadian artisans. Even if you aren’t in the market for art, it’s worth looking at the shop to get a taste of beautiful paintings and unique indigenous sculptures.
  • Take in the Views – Walk outside on the terrace and enjoy stunning views of the Chateau, the Rideau Canal, and the Parliament Buildings. The hotel has beautiful places to snap pictures before and after tea.
  • Meet Stewart – If you love dogs, be on the lookout for the Fairmont Chateau Laurier lobby dog, Stewart. He’s not in every day, but you’ll find him by the bellhop desk if he is. He’s a canine ambassador for the hotel and a former blind guide dog.
  • Shopping – You can walk over to the Rideau Centre for retail therapy or stroll the streets and laneways of Byward Market. Both locations are a short five-minute walk from the Chateau Laurier.

FAQS About The Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience

Is Chateau Laurier High Tea Expensive?

The cost of Is Chateau Laurier High Tea Expensive? Tea is pretty steep (pun intended). But you are getting both a meal and an event for the price. High Tea at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier is a once-a-year, if not once-in-a-lifetime, experience. 
So it’s worth the splurge.

Final Thoughts on the Chateau Laurier High Tea Experience

Having afternoon High Tea at the historic Fairmont Chateau Laurier is an afternoon well spent. You will love the culinary offerings of High Tea and will partake in an enchanting afternoon pastime of a bygone era. 

Remember to book a few weeks in advance for weekends or even earlier for other special events like Mother’s Day.

And be sure to dress smartly in business casual attire. You’ll find many fellow diners dressed beautifully, so don’t be shy, wear that pink dress with the pretty heels, and enjoy your afternoon of luxury!

🍵 Book a majestic High Tea experience at Chateau Laurier here.

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Ottawa Travel Planning Guide

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100% YES! — There’s a misconception that Canada has “free healthcare” for everyone. Nope! Only Canadians. So you’ll need to get travel insurance to visit Ottawa. I recommend this one.

💧Can you drink the tap water in Ottawa?

Yes – ish — While you can technically drink the tap water in Ottawa, as a local I don’t recommend it. Old hotels especially can have some nasty things in their pipes. Instead, get a filtered water bottle. (Read more)

🚙💨 Do I need to rent a car in Ottawa?

Yes — Renting a car in Ottawa is one of the best ways to get around! You’ll be able to see more of the city and beyond, like the epic hiking trails. I recommend Discover Cars for the cheapest rates possible.

📲 Do I need to know French in Ottawa?

Nope! — The primary language of Ottawa is English. While French is also spoken and on some signs, you can easily get by without knowing any French. (Read more)

🏩 What’s the best way to book my Ottawa accommodations?

For Ottawa hotels, Booking is the best site. If you’re considering an Ottawa Airbnb, don’t forget to also check VRBO, which is often cheaper than Airbnb. My #1 hotel recommendation in Ottawa is the Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

✈️ What’s the best site to buy Ottawa flights?

For finding cheap Ottawa flights, I recommend Skyscanner. You can even set a price alert to find out when flights are on sale.

🎫 Do I need a Visa for Ottawa?

Likely Not — U.S. and most European Passport holders don’t need a Visa to visit Canada.

📍 Where is Ottawa? And what’s nearby?

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located in Ontario. It’s right on the border of Quebec. It’s about 2 hours from Mont Tremblant, 3 hours from Montreal, or 5 hours from Toronto. You can take a road trip to get to other places or fly.

Nina Clapperton is the founder of Ottawa Things to Do. Nina has lived in 18 countries before deciding to settle in Ottawa, nearby Toronto where she grew up. She has spent years proving that Ottawa isn't the town "fun forgot" and helping locals and tourists alike find fun things to do. She helps over 60,000 people a month discover the amazing activities in Ottawa, Canada.