By Charlotte Ahern (June 2026)
Some Vancouver experiences are not about chasing the newest restaurant opening or booking the hardest table in the city. Sometimes, the most charming things are the ones that happen quietly, once a year, in a beautiful garden, surrounded by vintage cars, proper tea cups, homemade scones, and just the right amount of British pageantry.
Proper Tea, Classic Cars, and a Very British Afternoon at VanDusen
Held inside Vancouver’s annual All British Field Meet at VanDusen Botanical Garden, this afternoon tea feels completely in step with the day around it.
The event itself is unapologetically British, with well-loved classic cars, rare collectables, Minis, Bentleys, Aston Martins, and even the occasional wonderfully quirky car that feels straight out of Mr Bean. It’s a full display of fine British craftsmanship, heritage, and personality.
As a Brit myself, I have to say, it made me feel right at home.
In This Article:
The High Tea Experience | What Was Served | Proper, But Not Precious | Who It’s For | Is It Worth It? | Why It Earns Its Place on VBR
A Charming Once-a-Year High Tea Experience at VanDusen Gardens
High tea at Vancouver’s famed VanDusen Gardens does not happen in the usual on-site restaurant, and honestly, that is part of the charm.
For this one day only, the experience takes place out on the lawn, separate from the main garden grounds, tucked inside a fancy white tent among gleaming British cars and a passionate crowd.
The tea is part of the All British Field Meet, one of Vancouver’s long-standing classic car gatherings, held each year on the Saturday of the Victoria Day long weekend at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
The event brings together hundreds of British vehicles, from elegant collector cars and pre-war treasures to modern classics and luxury marques. While the cars are the main attraction, the high tea adds a softer, more special touch to the day. It gives the event a lovely culinary pause: a chance to sit down, sip tea, enjoy a traditional scone, and take in the scene while overlooking the lawns.
The High Tea Experience
High tea is set up inside a tent on the grounds, with large tables, white tablecloths and white garden chairs, British flags, and traditional china. The setting is simple but classic. On a sunny spring afternoon, with the cars just beyond the tent and greenery all around, it feels like a little step back in time.
There are usually a few seatings throughout the day. I attended the earlier one, around 11:45 am, which worked beautifully because it gave the day a natural rhythm: arrive, browse some cars, sit for tea, then continue wandering through the show afterwards.
The experience is quaint without being twee, proper without being stiff, and sweet without trying too hard.
What Was Served
The tea came out on a traditional tiered stand, stacked with finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, and fresh berries. It had all the expected British staples, which is exactly what you want from this kind of experience. There were coronation chicken finger sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and savoury ham-and-cheese croissants.
For the sweet side, there were fresh strawberries, blueberries, lemon slices, and a homemade chocolate cake, which was delicious. The scones were the highlight, served with clotted cream and fresh strawberries, and a proper pot of tea nearby.
Each person received a selection of sandwiches and desserts, with unlimited tea served from a traditional little pot. It was not overly fussy, but it felt thoughtful and sincere. The homemade element really made a difference. The baker herself was also helping tend to the tables, and she was so friendly and passionate about it all. That kind of detail gives an experience heart.
Proper, But Not Precious
The whole thing felt wholesome, upscale, and quietly nostalgic, yet very relaxed.
This is not a high tea with hotel-lobby grandeur or Champagne towers. It is more garden-party British: lightly refined and rooted in the gentle feeling of a community event loved for years, and that is what makes it work.
The tea fits the ABFM theme perfectly, coming together in a way that feels authentic rather than overly staged.
Tip: High tea here isn’t a tea-dress-and-fascinator event. You may spot the occasional man in tweed, because of course you might, but most guests are dressed for a day of wandering the lawns, looking at cars, and navigating Vancouver spring weather.
Who It’s For
This is a lovely idea for mother-daughter dates, father-daughter or father-son afternoons, families, solo visitors, and anyone attending the car show who wants to make the day feel a little more memorable.
The tables seat up to six, so the experience works beautifully for groups, but it also has a gentle communal feel. We shared our table with another couple of guests, and it turned out to be one of the nicest parts of the afternoon. There is something very old-fashioned, and very British, about chatting with strangers over a pot of tea.
It also works well for people who may not be die-hard car enthusiasts but still enjoy a beautiful day out.
Is It Worth It?
At around $75 per person, it is on the higher end for a casual event add-on. But when you consider the VanDusen setting, the theme, homemade baked goods, warm service, the little touches, and the one-day exclusivity, it does feel worthwhile.
It comes with the pleasure of doing something different in Vancouver, adding a sense of occasion to the day.
The high tea can usually be pre-booked and prepaid, which is the safest option. However, same-day tickets may be available if there is space, but I would not rely on that if tea is a priority.
Tip: Because the event is held outdoors at VanDusen, weather can make a big difference, so keep that in mind before booking. A sunny spring day really adds to the magic.
Because it only happens once a year, the High Tea has that little sense of exclusivity, not in a velvet-rope way, but in the “you kind of have to know about it” way.
Why the Experience Earns Its Place on VBR
This high tea earns its place on Vancouver’s Best Restaurants because it is a once-a-year culinary experience with just the right amount of theatre, from the tiered china and clotted cream to the classic cars just beyond the tent.
There is something special about the garden setting, the white tent and the feeling that someone has put real care into making the afternoon charming. It is proper in the sweetest possible way.
For anyone who loves British cars, traditional high tea, or simply wants a unique Vancouver experience, this is one to add to the calendar.
Similar Afternoon Tea Experiences in Vancouver
For those who enjoy the high tea experience but want something available beyond the All British Field Meet, Adonia Tea House in Kerrisdale is a lovely permanent option with a traditional British afternoon tea feel.
For something grander, Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 offers the more luxe hotel version, with themed tea services and a classic Downtown Vancouver setting.
Address & Hours
All British Field Meet High Tea
Held during the annual All British Field Meet at VanDusen Botanical Garden.
5251 Oak Street at West 37th Avenue
Vancouver
Editorial Disclosure: Details are accurate at the time of writing. Features may form part of paid or hosted editorial partnerships and reflect Charlotte Ahern’s independently-curated selection, based on her editorial standards and personal taste.
Charlotte Ahern
Charlotte covers Vancouver’s dining scene, focusing on vibe, design, service, and the dishes people book tables for. Her work is highly selective, centred around elevated spaces where the experience goes beyond the plate.
