Bryan on 
Melody on 
Deanne on 
Paul Dicken on 
Madeleine Boivin on 
Brian on 
Naomi Wilton on 
Michael on 
It’s a shame none of us have time for afternoon tea anymore. Relegated to a luxurious treat in fancy hotels, I wish we could all stop for sandwiches with the crusts cut off every day.
The Dove’s Nest in Calgary is one of the few places I’ve found that does it on a regular basis for a reasonable price.
Part of Glenmore Landing, the cozy restaurant is open for home-style breakfast and attracts a regular clientele with its soup, sandwiches and homemade desserts for lunch. It offers afternoon tea Monday to Saturday 2-4 p.m.
The Dove’s Nest doesn’t have that white-glove, hushed, chandelier ambiance of the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise (or the view), but it’s a different type of fuzzy warm tea feeling. It’s more of a rustic, checkered-tablecloth, homemade-baking kind of place.
High tea for two is $42.95. First, you get to choose from more than 100 selections of loose tea. Each person gets their own teapot.
A traditional, lovely, three-tiered tray comes out with all sorts of goodies. On the bottom are sandwiches and savoury tarts. On the day we went, we had:
- cream cheese with dill on whole wheat with the crusts cut off (my favourite)
- chicken salad on a mini bun (needed more seasoning)
- salty ham salad and cheese (Cheese Whiz we thought, but it actually works)
- a mini salmon mousse tart
- a great warm spinach and cheese quiche.
On the middle tier are two massive homemade scones with whipped cream and raspberry preserves. Despite how dense they looked, the scones were quite light. I wish we had been offered Devonshire cream, which I only noticed later could be ordered for $1.50 extra.
A handful of sweets sat on the top tier, including brownies, lemon tarts and cherry squares. I’d say this was the weakest link and I would have probably enjoyed the homemade pie more that I spied at the next table.
If you’re not in the mood for the full high tea, you can order a platter of finger sandwiches for $15.95 or a dessert platter for $13.95.
I like the homey feel of this afternoon tea; the owner came out of the kitchen to chat with everyone and ask how they liked everything.
Dove’s Nest, 1600 – 90th Ave. SW, Calgary, (403) 258-3300. Afternoon tea daily 2-4 p.m. Closed Sundays.
I think we all should take time for tea once a week. A new trend could get started that way.
Andree, having had the overpriced and overrated high tea at Raffles Hotel in Singapore, I now know that the three-tiered tray is actually called a “tiffin.” Yes, like THAT tiffin. Nice to see this place got it right as “tea” should comprise as much savoury as sweet.
Mmm looks delicious! I was about to say that I should call my “PM Snack” afternoon tea, but it is nowhere near as fancy as this!
looks like a lovely spot…will have to try it out the next time i’m in calg.
just want to say thanks again for the coupons i ‘won’ for the arthurs fresh fruit smoothies. really enjoyed them, and free is da best!
love love love your blog….i check in every day.
thanks
su
You know, I live only a couple of blocks from there and I never go? But I can see bringing my daughter there for a special treat!
Amazing… It truly is the best place to visit for high tea, lunch, late breakfast or early dinner. The owner is particularly interested in making certain that every detail is “just right”. It has been a great location for celebrations…showers, graduation brunch, tea tasting… It is just the BEST!… We live in Texas – and visit every time we are in Calgary!!
Yum, is all I can say about this wonderful place. It is truly a special place to visit! We love visiting with the owner every time we go, you can tell she loves her customers and wants to make sure everyone enjoys their visit. We love how Gale changes the ambience of the the tea room as the seasons change, I guess with it being Stampede she’s getting in the spirit with the cowboy boots and checkered table cloths! p.s. the devonshire cream is to die for!!
update:
did get a chance to try this yesterday…was just right. i can see returning to this place for any girly celebrations…..thanks for the heads up!
I like the dove’s nest because it is relatively affordable but its definitely not the best place in Calgary.
The Palliser Hotel does high tea for two for $50 so thats is like $25 per person. Its actually not that
much more then the Dove’s Nest. It is the best High Tea I have ever had, (without having been to Princess
Hotel’s $75 High Tea in Victoria, BC). The tiffin is full of works of art, and everything is to die for. From
Chicken salad sandwich, to smoked salmon bites, to roast beef sandwiches (absolutely delicious). The
scones are amazing with devonshire cream and these home made fancy jams. They really go the whole
9 yards and you feel like royalty in the gorgeous oak room. I take my cousin there for her birthday every
year. Its such a nice treat.