As cherry blossoms begin to bloom across Vancouver, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver marks the arrival of spring with the return of its limited-time Sakura Afternoon Tea — a graceful seasonal ritual that honours renewal, artistry and the fleeting beauty of sakura season.
Hosted inside the hotel’s stylish Notch8 Restaurant & Bar, the experience reimagines the classic British afternoon tea through a Japanese lens, weaving delicate floral notes and soft pastel tones into a thoughtfully composed menu of sweet and savoury creations.
A Spring Menu Inspired by Sakura
This year’s selection captures the lightness and colour of the season. Guests can indulge in beautifully crafted pastries such as a Cherry Panna Cotta Tart layered with morello jelly and amarena cherry, a Pistachio Raspberry Delice with airy sponge and mousse, and a Strawberry Verrine paired with Chantilly cream and vanilla genoise.
Japanese influences appear in a Castella Cake filled with bright yuzu cream, while a Lavender Shortbread Cookie finished with pink lemonade glaze offers a fragrant nod to spring blossoms.
The savoury tier balances richness and freshness with inventive bites including Cherry Salmon Aburi on pillowy milk bread with yuzu aioli, Tamago Sando sprinkled with furikake, Vegetable Korokke with tonkatsu sauce, Mushroom Dengaku Tart and a comforting beef-filled Curry Pan.
Warm Buttermilk and Chia Vanilla Scones — a hallmark of the Fairmont tea tradition — are served with mascarpone tea cream and strawberry jam, completing the multi-course experience.
Tea, Cocktails and Artistic Expression
A curated menu of floral teas and spring-inspired cocktails enhances the seasonal theme, offering guests the chance to linger over fragrant blends that echo the delicate nature of cherry blossom season.
Adding an artistic dimension to this year’s tea service is a custom menu illustration by Vancouver oil painter Courtney Caroline. Known for her richly textured depictions of food, her work evokes the warmth of gathering around a shared table. Limited-edition prints of the Sakura Tea artwork will be available throughout the season.
Plan Your Visit
Sakura Afternoon Tea runs now through May 18 and is offered on Thursdays at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., and Friday through Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended for this popular spring tradition.
For those attending Vancouver’s Cherry Blossom Festival, the hotel’s signature scones will also make a special appearance at the Big Picnic on March 28 and 29 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. — bringing a taste of Notch8’s spring elegance outdoors.
From delicate pastries to artful presentation, Sakura Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver offers a refined way to savour one of the city’s most beautiful seasons.
