The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Victoria BC

If you’re planning a visit to Victoria BC, one of the most iconic things to do is to book reservations for an Afternoon Tea service. You’ll get to drink from fancy china, and you’ll be served a tower of savory finger sandwiches, scones, and treats. In this post, we’ll be sharing the best places for Afternoon Tea in Victoria BC. Specifically, we’ll share details about Afternoon Tea from the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Pendray Inn & Tea House, and the Butchart Gardens Dining Room. We’ll share all about our recent experience!

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. 

With so many places that offer tea services, you might be wondering where you should go! Here’s some suggestions based on our what we learned from our recent trip to Victoria BC.

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. Because of its impressive architecture, the Fairmont Empress is known as Canada’s Castle on the Coast.

The Fairmont Empress was built in 1908 and has hosted famous celebrities and even members of British royalty. In fact, 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.

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!

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.

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.

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.