Loose leaf tea offers better flavour, aroma, and quality compared to standard tea bags. Until recently, Plentea Tea Bar was a go-to destination for tea lovers in Toronto, known for its unique blends and welcoming atmosphere. While its closure left many searching for alternatives, several excellent tea shops and bars across Ontario now serve the loose-leaf tea community.
Tea bars aren’t just for tea lovers – they’re great for social gatherings. Whether relaxing with friends or enjoying an online casino session, their calm setting and caffeine-free options make them a better choice than traditional bars.
Tea vs. Alcohol: Why Tea Bars Are Ideal for Online Gambling Meetups
Tea bars offer a quieter, more focused atmosphere compared to noisy bars, making them perfect for online casino gaming. Instead of alcohol, which can impair decision-making, tea keeps players sharp and alert – especially green and oolong teas, which are known to enhance concentration. Many tea bars also provide free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, allowing groups to play poker, blackjack, or online slots together while enjoying quality tea. Plus, caffeine-free herbal teas offer a great way to unwind after an intense gaming session. Whether you’re spinning the reels or strategizing in a poker tournament, a tea bar can be the ideal setting for a fun and responsible online gambling experience.
Let’s revisit Plentea Tea Bar, a former Toronto tea destination that introduced a new way to experience and enjoy tea.
Plentea Tea Bar, Toronto (4.8/5 ⭐)
Plentea Tea Bar transformed Toronto’s tea scene when it opened in Parkdale in 2016. More than just a tea shop, it became a community hub where tea enthusiasts could explore unique blends and learn about tea culture. The founders, Tariq Al Barwani and Mohammed Bin Yahya brought their vision of modern tea culture to life by combining traditional tea appreciation with contemporary flavours.
Business Evolution
Starting as a small tea bar in Toronto’s vibrant Parkdale neighbourhood, Plentea quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach. They created a space where traditional tea ceremonies met modern cafe culture. The shop weathered initial challenges through community support and creative offerings, eventually planning expansion to Montreal. However, like many small businesses, COVID-19 forced them to adapt, leading to an online-only model before their eventual closure.
Tea Collections
Their tea collection stood out for its thoughtful organization and creative blends:
- Love Yourself Collection ($18.00): Natural healing blends with herbs, roots, and flowers. Features “24K” with turmeric, “After Yoga” for post-workout calm, and “Teatox” with cleansing herbs and roots.
- Old But Gold Collection ($12.50-16.00): Classic teas with a modern twist. Lady Grey mixed bergamot with lavender, Maghrebi offered traditional mint flavours, and Rooibos Bliss provided a sweet, nutty taste.
- On the Bright Side Collection ($14.00-18.00): Caffeine-free fruit teas. BRB combined eucalyptus with berries, Vicious Apple delivered crisp fruit flavors, and Coco Colada brought tropical notes.
- Chai It Out Collection ($20.00): Hand-crafted authentic chai blends. Assam Chai for a traditional taste, Golden Chai with turmeric, and Red Chai for a caffeine-free option.
- Whisk Me Away Collection ($19.00): Japanese-inspired teas. Izu Green for a classic sencha taste, Matchai for spiced matcha, and Tiger Matcha for an energy boost.
Accessories & Tea Tools
Plentea offered essential tea tools at reasonable prices, making quality tea preparation accessible at home. Their accessories section focused on practical brewing equipment:
Tea Strainers & Filters
- Tea Latte Strainer (Stainless Steel) – $10.00 Perfect for making tea lattes at home, this durable strainer filtered loose leaves while pouring from pot to cup.
- Unbleached Tea Filter Bags (Pack of 100) – $11.95 Biodegradable filter bags for loose leaf tea, ideal for travel or single servings. These eco-friendly filters worked with any tea type and helped make brewing simple and clean.
Other Essentials
- Bamboo Whisk (Chasen) – $20.00 For proper matcha preparation
- Gift Boxes (3 Teas) – $10.00 Perfect for sampling or gifting
- Storage Tins For keeping tea fresh longer
Subscription Box Service
Their monthly subscription program delivered curated tea experiences directly to customers’ homes. Each box featured hand-selected teas and educational content about brewing techniques and tea culture. Subscribers could discover new blends while learning about tea traditions and proper preparation methods.
Tea Love Blog
Plentea maintained an educational blog covering topics like:
- Green tea benefits and daily consumption
- Jasmine tea traditions and health benefits
- Peppermint tea’s impact on health
- Tea leaf quality identification
- Beginner’s guides to tea tasting
Quality Standards
They maintained strict quality control, banning artificial additives and sugars from their blends. Their partnership with the Ethical Tea Partnership ensured responsible sourcing practices. Each blend was crafted in-house, focusing on natural flavours and authentic taste profiles.
Why Plentea Closed?
When COVID-19 hit Toronto in 2020, Plentea, like many small businesses, had to adapt. They initially shifted to an online-only model, focusing on packaged signature blends and their subscription service. Despite strong community support and creative pivoting efforts, they eventually closed their physical location. Their sales dropped by almost 80% during the pandemic, making it unsustainable to continue operations.
Top Alternatives to Plentea Tea Bar
1. Tea Leaves, Stratford (4.8/5 ⭐)
Operating from their elegant Stratford location, Tea Leaves has established itself as a premium destination for tea connoisseurs. Owner Karen Hartwick, a certified tea sommelier, brings expertise and personal attention to every customer interaction. The appointment-only model allows for personalized service and detailed tea education during visits. Their careful curation of over 200 tea varieties ensures quality over quantity, with each tea personally selected and tested before being added to their collection. Their collection as well includes premium metal tea filters and strainers for the perfect brewing experience.
What They Offer:
- Over 200 varieties of loose leaf tea
- White, green, oolong, black, and pu-erh teas
- Personal tea sommelier service
- Tasting sessions available
- Prices range from $18-37 for white teas, $12-28 for oolong
2. The Tea Haus, London (4.9/5 ⭐)
Located in London’s Covent Garden Market, The Tea Haus combines accessibility with expertise. Their success stems from understanding both casual tea drinkers and connoisseurs, offering everything from simple breakfast blends to rare specialty teas. Their twice-weekly free local delivery service has built strong community loyalty, while their efficient online ordering system serves customers across Canada. Unlike many premium tea shops, they maintain moderate pricing without compromising quality. For eco-conscious customers, they stock biodegradable tea filter bags alongside their traditional brewing tools.
What They Offer:
- Over 200 tea varieties
- Free local London deliveries twice weekly
- Online ordering with next-day delivery
- Most teas priced between $5.25-10.50/50g
- Extensive teaware selection
- Excellent customer service (4.9/5 rating from 319 reviews)
3. House of Tea, Toronto (4.8/5 ⭐)
As one of the best tea companies in Toronto since 1997, this institution brings authentic tea culture to Canada. Marisha’s background in Sri Lanka’s tea industry provides unique insights and connections to premium tea sources. They’ve maintained family ownership while expanding to offer one of Toronto’s largest tea selections. Their focus on natural products and custom blending services sets them apart in a crowded market.
What They Offer:
- 280+ varieties of loose leaf tea
- Direct imports from tea estates
- Custom blending services
- Premium teas ($16.95-99.95)
- Expertise from Sri Lankan tea industry
- No artificial additives or preservatives
4. Cha Cha Tea, Kingston (4.9/5 ⭐)
Founded by Kaoru, a certified tea sommelier from Osaka, this Kingston shop brings authentic Japanese tea culture to Ontario. Since 2006, they’ve built a reputation for exceptional Japanese green teas and educational offerings. Their approach combines traditional knowledge with modern convenience, offering both authentic tea ceremonies and convenient online ordering. Their pricing strategy makes premium Japanese teas accessible to a wider audience. Their green tea selection is open to exploring, with staff guiding customers through traditional and modern preparation methods.
What They Offer:
- Japanese green teas and matcha
- Tea workshops and educational events
- Local delivery service
- Most teas priced from $2.50-4.00
- Tea sommelier guidance
- Free shipping on orders over $80
5. Distinctly Tea, Waterloo (4.7/5 ⭐)
Started by former automotive engineer Peter Barker and his wife Joyce, Distinctly Tea grew from a passion project into a major tea retailer. Their Waterloo location serves as both a retail store and wholesale distribution center. They’ve distinguished themselves through extensive selection and custom blending capabilities, serving both individual customers and wholesale clients across Canada. Their engineering background shows in their systematic approach to tea quality and consistency. Their specialty rooibos chai offers a caffeine-free alternative to traditional chai blends.
What They Offer:
- Over 300 tea varieties
- Custom blending capabilities
- Wholesale options available
- German and Chinese tea imports
- Most teas $8.50-15.00/unit
- Educational content and recipes
6. Bon Tea Place, Guelph (4.7/5 ⭐)
Originally known as “Good Tea Place,” this establishment has evolved into a cultural center where tea Toronto enthusiasts gather to explore bliss tea experiences and traditional ceremonies. Founded by Madeline in 2008, they focus on traditional tea ceremonies and education alongside retail sales. Their workshop program stands out for its depth and authenticity, offering experiences from Japanese tea ceremonies to Argentinian mate rituals.
What They Offer:
- Traditional tea ceremonies
- Tea workshops ($75-99)
- Green teas ($7.00-12.00)
- Rooibos varieties ($6.50-8.50)
- Focus on tea education
- Free shipping over $120
Best Tea Stores in Ontario Compared
| Shop | Selection Size | Price Range (50g) | Unique Strength | Shipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tea Leaves | 200+ | $12-37 | Sommelier service | By appointment |
| Tea Haus | 200+ | $5.25-10.50 | Local delivery | Canada-wide |
| House of Tea | 280+ | $16.95-99.95 | Direct importing | Canada-wide |
| Cha Cha Tea | 100+ | $2.50-4.00 | Japanese expertise | Free over $80 |
| Distinctly Tea | 300+ | $8.50-15.00 | Custom blending | Free over $75 |
| Bon Tea Place | 150+ | $6.50-12.00 | Tea ceremonies | Free over $120 |
Tips for Buying Loose Leaf Tea
- Before placing your order, carefully review each shop’s shipping policies, minimum order requirements, and any free shipping thresholds to get the best value for your purchase.
- When exploring new tea varieties, start with small sample sizes or entry-level amounts (usually 25-50g) to ensure you enjoy the flavour profile before investing in larger quantities.
- Think about proper storage solutions before buying – you’ll need airtight containers away from light, heat, and moisture to maintain tea freshness and flavour over time.
- Take time to read through detailed tea descriptions, harvest seasons, and origin information provided by sellers, as these details often indicate the tea’s quality and expected flavour profile.
- Research and compare prices for similar teas across different shops, keeping in mind that factors like organic certification and direct sourcing can affect pricing while potentially offering better quality.
- Spend time reading both recent and older customer reviews and ratings to understand others’ experiences with both the tea quality and the seller’s customer service over time.