The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Victoria BC

If you’re planning a trip to Victoria, BC, indulging in an Afternoon Tea service is an absolute must. There’s nothing like sipping from elegant china while enjoying a tower of savory finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and sweet treats. The real question is, where’s the best place to have afternoon tea in Victoria? In this post, we’ll be sharing our recommendations based on our recent trip. Specifically, we’re sharing details about Afternoon Tea from the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Pendray Inn & Tea House, the Butchart Gardens Dining Room, and the Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden. Be sure to see “my take” on each of these!

Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases. We were gifted admission tickets to the Butchart Gardens in exchange for our honest review. We partnered with Tourism Victoria, which provided admission tickets to many of the attractions mentioned in this article. 

Where to Have Afternoon Tea in Victoria BC

Afternoon Tea is a British tradition in which high society gathered together for hot tea and a light meal to hold them over until the evening meal. In Victoria BC, Afternoon Tea has been a tradition since the 1840s due to Britain’s influence and the Victorian era. 

1. Fairmont Empress Hotel

Arguably the most famous location to have Afternoon Tea is at the Fairmont Empress hotel. As the most luxurious hotel in Victoria, it makes sense that it would also offer a truly outstanding tea service. 

Queen Elizabeth visited the Empress in 1939. She brought Royal China all the way from Britain to host a lavish dinner party. At the end of the night, she gifted the set to the Empress. You can see the original Royal China on display at the Empress. The same pattern has been reproduced for the Fairmont Empress.

Tea at the Empress includes a wide variety of loose-leaf teas and a towering tray of snacks and desserts. These typically include savory finger sandwiches, fresh scones, and miniature pastries. The Fairmont Empress makes their own strawberry jam, they use lavender from their rooftop garden, and they use honey from their own bee hives.

One thing that is unique about Tea at the Empress is that the teapots arrive with a heat source underneath them. That way, you can take your time and you don’t have to worry about the tea getting cold. 

You can also add champagne tasting to your tea service, or you can even order it to go for a picnic!

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Empress is one of the more expensive options. At the time of this writing, an adult tea service costs $95 CAD. If you’re traveling with children, there’s the option to have a Prince or Princess Tea Service for $52 CAD.

My Take:

• Pros: Excellent menu; Historic location; Convenient location
• Cons: Expensive; Tea room is larger and less intimate

If you’re curious to see what it’s like to stay at the Fairmont Empress, read our full review! We include tons of photos and whether or not we think it’s “worth it”. 

2. Pendray Inn & Tea House

During our last visit to Victoria BC, we made reservations for Afternoon Tea at the Pendray Inn & Tea House. We absolutely loved this venue for tea! Whereas the Fairmont Empress has tea service in a large dining room, the tea service at the Pendray is offered in cozy rooms within a historic home. 

The Pendray Inn & Tea House is located within easy walking distance of the Fairmont Empress, the Parliament Building, and the Royal BC Museum. The historic home is located right along Victoria’s Inner Harbour.

The tea service at the Pendray was fantastic. We were able to choose two teas from pages and pages of options. We chose a Mulberry Tea and Rooibos Chai Tea. Our server was very knowledgeable about all the different teas, and she guided us towards the perfect tea flavors. She also advised us on whether we should pair our tea choices with milk or cream.

The Pendray also has multiple menus to personalize your service. We chose the Traditional Afternoon Tea and the West Coast Tea Service. There’s also menu choices for vegan options, children, and to-go boxes.

From our menu, we especially loved the  Smoked Salmon & Capers Gremolata Pinwheel from the Traditional Afternoon Tea and the Rockfish Bruschetta, Herb Pesto, & Rucola from the West Coast Tea Service. The scones from both menus were our absolute favorites. Even though you’re supposed to start at the bottom of the tier and work your way to the top, we recommend starting with the scones while they are hot!

The Pendray Inn & Tea House was formerly known as the Gatsby Mansion. The house was built in the late 1800s and was home to William Pendray, Amelia Pendray, and their four children.

After our tea service, we walked through the gardens and then headed over to Fisherman’s Wharf. We definitely recommend Afternoon Tea at the Pendray!

My Take:

• Pros: Quaint home; Excellent food; More intimate
• Cons: Further away from downtown

Be sure to check out our list of things to do in Victoria BC while you are planning your trip!

3. Butchart Gardens’ Dining Room

The Butchart Gardens are one of the premier things to see at Victoria BC. Located just a bit north of downtown Victoria, the Butchart Gardens are filled with thousands of flowers. There are over 900 plant varieties and 5 distinct gardens. (The Sunken Gardens were my favorite!) 

After strolling through the gardens, you can enjoy an Afternoon Tea service at the Dining Room. (Note: Admission to the gardens is required to have tea in the Dining Room.) We recommend that you make your reservations in advance.

The tea service at the Butchart Gardens has a variety of menus, including Afternoon Tea, Vegan Tea, Vegetarian Tea, and Gluten Free Tea.

The Butchart Gardens rotates their specific tea offerings seasonally. The tower of treats will likely include freshly made scones, compotes, chantilly cream, finger sandwiches, and pastries. (If you want to visit the Butchart Gardens, check out our guide!)

My Take

• Pros: Beautiful setting; Numerous tea options
• Cons: Requires admission to garden; Must drive from Victoria to reach it

4. Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden

Another excellent choice for Afternoon Tea in Victoria is the Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden. Abkhazi Garden is located a bit east of downtown Victoria, so you’ll need a vehicle. Reservations can be made by phone.

The tea service at the Abkhazi Garden complements the gardens’ seasonal plants and blooms. 

In addition to the Afternoon Tea, they also serve Elevenses, which is a smaller food offering with a couple of sandwiches and treats.

The Abkhazi Garden was created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi in 1946.

My Take:

• Pros: Beautiful garden setting; Lots food options
• Cons: Need a vehicle

Be sure to read our weekend itinerary for Victoria BC!

Summary

Having Afternoon Tea in Victoria was one of the highlights of our trip. We’d list it as one of the top 3 things to do while in Victoria. With plenty of options ranging from elegant to cozy, there’s a place for everyone.

Based on our research and experiences, here’s our breakdown:

• Fairmont Empress: For those who are wanting an elegant, luxurious, and traditional tea service.
• Pendray Inn & Tea House: For those who want a Victorian-style tea service in a historic home.
• Butchart Gardens: For those who want to experience the beauty of the gardens paired with a fantastic tea service.
• Teahouse at the Abkhazi Garden: For those who want a more intimate setting with local ingredients.

 We hope this guide is helpful for you as you plan your trip to Victoria BC!

Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.