If you are lucky enough to visit the charming city of Victoria, British Columbia on the far western coast of Canada, as I was recently, you simply cannot leave without partaking of a traditional afternoon tea…or two…or three. I was able to fit in two lovely afternoon teas in my 5 short days in Victoria.
1. The first, and perhaps most highly recommended tea in Victoria, is tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel. This is a true experience that is simply a must, but at a cost of $89 per person it is perhaps the most expensive afternoon tea you will ever have. It is absolutely recommended that you make a reservation on Open Table online. Surrounded by the grandeur of this splendid hotel, white glove service, with views of the Inner Harbor, it is easy to understand why this experience has become iconic since the hotel opened in 1908.
You have a wide selection of teas to choose from. I chose the Rose Congru Emperor tea which was apparently a favorite of Princess Diana. It is a lovely black tea layered five times with rose petals. I worried that it might perhaps be too overwhelming in its rose infusion but I was very pleasantly surprised. It did have quite a strong rose smell that filled the table, but to actually drink it it was very subtle and lovely. I would have perhaps preferred the loose leaf tea to be left loose in the pot and to have a strainer rather than an unwieldy and messy paper bag. The use of the pot warmers and tea timers were a very nice touch though. The rest of the food on the tea caddy was just, for the price, adequate but not exceptional. The tea sandwiches were perhaps a little larger than expected. I particularly enjoyed the curried chicken sandwich. The scones were some of the best scones I’ve ever had, however. Very light, fluffy, and flakey. The desserts at the top were by that end a bit much, but I particularly enjoyed the honey and lavender shortbread and the chocolate ganache cup. All in all, I’d say it is worth it to say you’ve done it once. It is quite the experience.
2. The second must have afternoon tea experience in Victoria is, by far, at the Butchart Gardens. The gardens themselves are not to be missed. There are some 55 acres of year-round impressive gardens, each with different themes. For example there is the Rose Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Italian Garden. There really isn’t a bad time of year to go.
But let’s focus on the afternoon tea here. Once again, reservations through Open Table are highly recommended if you expect to be able to partake on the day you are choosing to come to the gardens. Entrance into the gardens is required in order to have afternoon tea in the Dining Room, so enjoy the expansive gardens first and then relax in the beautiful setting of the original dining room and conservatory rooms.
The ambiance was a bit quieter and more classic than the Empress, believe it or not, which I actually preferred. The price is also more reasonable at $50 per person, and the food was equally scrumptious. I preferred the scones at the Empress, but these scones were quite nice. They served a lovely little English trifle to start out.
I enjoyed their selection of yummy tea sandwiches and treats. They were a bit smaller and more what you might expect in terms of size of tea sandwiches. I particularly enjoyed the chicken salad and the leek tart. The sausage roll was also a really nice English touch. Who doesn’t like a sausage roll!?
This was truly a must if you are going to go out and visit gardens.
3. There are simply dozens of other places in Victoria to have a traditional afternoon tea, thanks to the British influence, because hey, it’s British Columbia! Here are just a couple of others that were recommended to me.
- The Pendray Inn and Tea House – I did drive by this place on our Hop On/Hop Off bus tour and it looks really charming. It came highly recommended as an alternative to the Fairmont Empress.
- Murchies Fine Tea and Coffees – A much simpler, affordable, a-la-cart option for an afternoon tea and scone.
- The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
- Rudi’s Tea Room at Government House – Government House is the office and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. The house is located on the traditional territory of the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations. This appears to only be open in the season (closed in later fall and winter) but you can also still visit Government House all year round.
So when next you’re in Victoria, be sure to check out at least one…or two…or three of the fine afternoon teas it has to offer.
Buen viajes, gnomies!