Vancouver knows how to do afternoon tea, but this new collaboration between Fairmont Hotel Vancouver and Vancouver Art Gallery feels especially magical.
This summer, the Fairmont and Vancouver Art Gallery invite guests into the world of Emily Carr with Among the Trees with Emily Carr, an immersive afternoon tea inspired by the forests and landscapes that shaped her work.
I love when Vancouver experiences feel rooted in this place. This one does exactly that.
Emily Carr Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
The experience takes place inside Notch8 Restaurant, where the dining room transforms into a space inspired by Emily Carr’s iconic forest paintings. The entire concept celebrates the Pacific Northwest through food, cocktails, art, and atmosphere.
The menu leans earthy, rich, and very West Coast.
Standout savoury bites include the Woodland Grove mushroom mousse tart with hazelnut crumb and the Red Cedar with wild Pacific salmon, dill, and caper olive soil.
For sweets, guests can expect Driftwood Shortbread with smoked sea salt caramel and the Forest Floor chocolate financier topped with matcha moss and chocolate buttercream.
The warm scones arrive with mascarpone tea cream and strawberry jam because no afternoon tea feels complete without them.
Vancouver Art Gallery Emily Carr Exhibition
The afternoon tea connects directly to the Vancouver Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, That Green Ideal: Emily Carr and the Idea of Nature. The exhibition features more than 100 paintings and drawings and marks the Gallery’s largest Emily Carr exhibition in over 20 years.
The collection explores Carr’s deep obsession with the forests and landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. Richard Hill, Smith Jarislowsky Senior Curator of Canadian Art at the Vancouver Art Gallery, describes the experience as feeling like “your nose is right up against it.”
Honestly, that description fits this afternoon tea perfectly too.
Pacific Northwest Cocktails Inspired by Emily Carr
The cocktail menu might surprise people most.
Notch8 created drinks inspired by Emily Carr’s connection to nature using cedar-infused spirits and botanical flavours pulled from the forest.
It feels elegant without losing that cozy Pacific Northwest energy Vancouver does so well.
Emily Carr Afternoon Tea Dates and Pricing
The Among the Trees with Emily Carr afternoon tea runs from May 22 through September 20, 2026. Seatings happen Thursday through Sunday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m.
Pricing:
- $75 per adult
- $40 for children 12 and under
The Emily Carr exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery continues until November 8, 2026.
Why This Vancouver Afternoon Tea Feels Special
A lot of themed afternoon teas look pretty but stop there.
This one tells a story.
The collaboration celebrates one of British Columbia’s most iconic artists while showcasing the flavours and atmosphere that make the Pacific Northwest feel so distinct. It also creates a really beautiful way to spend a day downtown. Start at the gallery, then walk over to the Fairmont for tea surrounded by forests, art, and cocktails inspired by the coast.
That sounds like a perfect Vancouver afternoon to me.
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