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10 Best Places For Afternoon Tea In Victoria: From A Local!
My mom and I have been doing afternoon tea together since I was a kid. But I truly became obsessed with it while living in Oxford, England. So, when I moved to Western Canada, I made it my mission to hunt down the best afternoon tea in Victoria, BC.
I realize that afternoon tea can sometimes be pricey, but if you find the right spot, it’s worth it.
As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of all things tea and scones, I can confidently say that Victoria is a haven for people who love afternoon tea.
Now, I’m here to ‘spill the tea’ from a local’s perspective on the best places to get afternoon tea in Victoria, Canada.
Editors Pick: Best Tea Rooms In Victoria, BC
- Best for feeling fancy – Fairmont Empress
- Best for a traditional experience – Pendray Tea House
- Best for location – Butchart Gardens Tea Rooms
1. Fairmont Empress
No list of afternoon tea spots in Victoria would be complete without The Fairmont Empress.
People come from around the world to stay at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, and the high tea is one way to experience it without paying for a room.
This iconic hotel has been serving up delicious afternoon teas since 1908 and is a must-visit for any tea enthusiast. The elegant atmosphere, live classical piano in the lobby lounge, delicious scones, and the incredible variety of teas make this one of the best tea rooms in Victoria.
When I visited, I was a bit skeptical that the Fairmont Empress wouldn’t live up to the hype, but I was pleasantly surprised! I thought it even surpassed Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York and Chateau Laurier High Tea, which was my favorite high tea house when I lived in Ottawa.
I tried the traditional “Empress Blend” black tea. It was yummy. I was also super impressed with how well the Empress caters to dietary restrictions. As a celiac, going to high tea can be challenging, but they had so many gluten-free options that were all delicious.
Best For – Feeling fancy
Dietary Options – Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian
Price – Starts at $95 ($71 USD) per person
Location – 721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5, Canada
2. Pendray Tea House
Tucked away in a historic building built in 1897, Pendray Tea House is a hidden gem that offers an authentic Victorian afternoon tea service.
With delicate china, traditional tiered stands, and a cozy ambiance, this tea house truly feels like stepping back in time.
The Pendray Tea House is known for its friendly service and attention to detail. Also, their menu offers a variety of teas as well as delicious sandwiches, scones, and pastries.
Best For – Traditional afternoon tea
Dietary Options – Vegetarian and vegan. Gluten-free option available upon request for an extra $5.00 ($4 USD)
Price – Starts at $62 ($46.40 USD)
Location – 309 Belleville Street Victoria, B.C., V8V 1X2
3. The Butchart Gardens
Visiting the Butchart Gardens is one of the best things to do in Victoria. I’m not usually a garden person, but I loved it here. So, while exploring the gardens, be sure to pop into the dining room to indulge in a traditional afternoon tea.
With stunning views of the gardens and a relaxed atmosphere, this is the perfect spot to enjoy some delicious treats.
The Butchart Gardens offers a variety of teas as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options.
They even set up tables on their outdoor porch during the summer. But if it’s a hot day, you can still sit inside with the A/C.
Best For – Convenience. It’s easy to pair with the gardens, one of the top attractions in Victoria!
Dietary Options – Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-free are available with 24 hours notice.
Price – Starts at $49.50 ($37 USD) per person
Location – 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1J8, Canada
4. The Teahouse at Abkhazi Gardens
The teahouse at Abkhazi Gardens is another Victoria tea house overlooking beautiful gardens, but this one has a much more relaxed and laid-back vibe than other places on this list.
They have a large selection of loose-leaf teas to choose from, and since I prefer tea to coffee, this always gets me excited!
Abkhazi Gardens offers a few different afternoon tea experiences at various price points, too, making it a great option if you are watching your budget.
The only thing I don’t like is that they charge an extra $8 ($5.99 USD) for gluten-free options, and I really hate having to pay extra for a health condition I have no control over.
Best For – A laid-back experience to suit all budgets.
Dietary Options – Caters to vegetarians. Gluten-free options are available for an extra charge.
Price – From $28 ($21 USD) per person
Location – 1964 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8S 1H2, Canada
5. White Heather Tea Room
If you want to escape the crowds and have a more intimate afternoon tea experience, then the White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay is the place for you. It’s a little off the beaten path but is worth the effort to visit.
Their classic three-tiered platter is overflowing with savory finger sandwiches, scones, and sweet pastries. If you’re really hungry, they offer a “Big Muckle Giant Tea for Two,” which includes even more treats like mini quiches and a daily savory special.
Also, if you can’t finish it all in one sitting, they allow you to take home a doggy bag. I have to do this even with the regular portions since I can’t handle all the sugar in one sitting!
Best For – Big portions
Dietary Options – Vegetarian and gluten-free
Price – From $42 ($31.50 USD)
Location – 1885 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC, V8R 1C6
6. Silk Road Tea
This tea shop doesn’t provide traditional afternoon tea, but it’s a must-visit for people into high tea! Silk Road Tea sits in Victoria’s historic Chinatown and offers an impressive variety of locally grown and blended tea selections.
Make sure to swing by the tea-tasting bar and sip your way through a few varieties to find your absolute favorite!
Once you’ve experienced all the different flavor profiles, you can create your own unique blend to take home with you.
Oh! You should also try the shop’s chocolate pairings. They’re incredible!
Also, if you’re interested in expanding your tea knowledge, Silk Road offers these really fun workshops that cover everything from tea cocktails to tea slushies, which can help you take your at-home afternoon tea experience to the next level!
Best For – Tea enthusiasts and those looking for a unique twist on traditional afternoon tea.
Dietary Options – N/A
Price – N/A
Location – 1624 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Z3
☕ Click here for opening hours and events
7. Murchie’s Fine Tea
If you’re looking for afternoon tea in downtown Victoria, Murchie’s is a solid option!
Murchie’s Fine Tea offers a unique experience that combines a traditional tea house with an affordable a la carte menu. Not only is the food delicious, but their selection of teas is also heavenly.
To me, this makes it the perfect stop for a mid-day break while spending the day shopping on Government Street.
Best For – A quick break from sightseeing
Dietary Options – Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten-free
Price – The menu is a la carte, but you can get tea and a couple of sweet treats for around $30 ($22.50 USD)
Location – 1110 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1Y2
☕ Click here for opening hours
8. The Oaks Restaurant And Tea Room
If you’re looking for the quintessential Victoria experience, you’ve got to check out The Oaks Restaurant. It’s in Oak Bay’s oldest building, and they serve all-day breakfast and high tea.
There are three different tea options – tea & scone, light tea, and full tea. All three options are super affordable.
The only downside here (which may not apply to you) is that there’s no gluten-free option, and the scones have raisins. Petty? Maybe, but I hate scones with raisins!
If you don’t have any significant dietary restrictions, you’ll probably love The Oaks Tea Room. The service is excellent, and the atmosphere is cozy and inviting.
Best For – A cozy atmosphere
Dietary Options – Vegetarian
Price – From $8.25 ($6 USD)
Location – 206, 2250 Oak Bay Ave. Victoria, BC V8R 1G5
9. Rudi’s Tea Room At Government House
Looking for a tea experience with a historic backdrop? Then Rudi’s Tea Room at Government House is your best bet. This charming garden café in Butterworth Corrage is named after Rudolph Hoenson, a longtime supporter of the house.
While they don’t offer high tea, their selection of teas, homemade scones, carrot cake, and strawberry tarts are delicious. Plus, the ingredients are sourced locally from Government House’s vegetable gardens and bee hives.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch or grab a quick bite from Rudi’s Tea Room. Either way, you’ll love the historic atmosphere and delicious food.
Best For – History lovers
Dietary Options – Vegetarian
Price – Under $20 ($15 USD) for tea, scones and a cake
Location – 1401 Rockland Ave Government House, Victoria, British Columbia V8S 1V9 Canada
☕ Click here for the menu and opening times
10. Aura Waterfront Restaurant And Patio
If you’re looking for a luxurious and scenic afternoon tea experience, Aura Waterfront Restaurant And Patio is the place to go. This restaurant is located near the beautiful Laurel Point and offers stunning views of Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
Their weekend afternoon tea menu boasts an impressive selection of teas, delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and yummy desserts. While on the pricier side, the beautiful waterfront location makes it worth the splurge.
Just be aware that the restaurant can get busy and noisy at times, so service may be slow. But with such a picturesque setting, you won’t mind taking your time to enjoy every bite.
Best For – Stunning waterfront views
Dietary Options – Vegetarian
Location – 680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC, V8V 1Z8, Canada
Where To Stay In Victoria, BC
For a more detailed round-up, check out my list of the best places to stay in Victoria.
Regent Waterfront Hotel & Suites
This is my favorite hotel in Victoria. It’s close to most major tourist attractions and has stunning ocean views. It’s also conveniently located just five minutes from the whale watching tours‘ departure point.
The Magnolia Hotel & Spa
This pet-friendly hotel has great views of the city harbor and is located on a quiet street for a relaxing stay.
Hotel Rialto
This heritage hotel in downtown Victoria is also pet-friendly and has a great fitness center.
Final Thoughts – Afternoon Tea In Victoria
If you’re looking for high tea on Vancouver Island, Victoria is the best city to visit.
Treating yourself to afternoon tea is one of the best things to do in Victoria (especially in winter!), and there are so many options to choose from.
Whether you prefer a classic experience with scones and sandwiches or something more modern with unique flavors and presentations, Victoria has a great variety of afternoon tea experiences. And don’t worry if you have dietary restrictions – most of these tea houses offer vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
My favorite place to get afternoon tea in Victoria is the Fairmont Empress, but I’ll continue my hunt for the best afternoon tea in Victoria, so we’ll see if it stays that way!
For more culinary adventures in Canada, check out this list of the best Canadian foods to try during your trip!
Read More About Living in Canada:
- 15 Reasons Not to Move to Canada
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- Living in Vancouver vs. Toronto: Where Should You Move?
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- Moving to Quebec from Ontario: Benefits, Costs & More!
- Moving to Ontario from Quebec: Costs, Benefits & More!
- What is the Cost of Living in Toronto? (Local’s Guide)
- Living in Toronto vs. Chicago: Which is the Better City?
- What is the Cost of Living In Montreal?
- What is the Cost of Living in Ottawa? (Local’s Guide)
- Canada in Summer: Best Places to Visit and Things to Do [Local Guide]
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- 25 Pros and Cons of Living in Ottawa, Ontario
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Canada Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Canada travel insurance?
100% YES! — Canada has “free” healthcare but it’s only for citizens! Foreigners visiting need travel insurance in case anything happens on their visit. I recommend World Nomads – starting at just $5 a day!
💧Can you drink the water in Canada?
Yes — In all major cities in Canada, you can drink the tap water. There are very few, rural areas that you can’t. However, you should never drink river or lake water anywhere in the country! I recommend a Brita Water Bottle for long hikes and backcountry camping to stay safe and hydrated.
🚙💨 Is it safe to rent a car in Canada?
Yes — Renting a car is a necessity in most of Canada! If you want to go on road trips or adventures outside of the major cities, you’ll need to rent a car. (Read more)
📲 Will my phone work in Canada?
Maybe — Some American companies work in Canada, but many will not. If your phone doesn’t work in Canada, I recommend getting a Canadian SIM card so you can get around and stay in contact with loved ones. We don’t have a lot of free WIFI in Canada, so you’ll need your phone for maps.
🏩 What’s the best way to book my Canada accommodations?
My go-to for Canadian hotels is Booking.com. For hostels, I use Hostel World. If you want a home-y feeling, check out VRBO (which is cheaper and safer than Airbnb).
Or get free accommodations with Trusted Housesitters!
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Canada flights?
For finding cheap Canadian flights, I recommend Skyscanner.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Canada?
Likely Not — US, UK, and EU passport holders don’t need Canadian visas. However, some other countries do (check here!). And if you plan to stay for more than 4 weeks (an average tourist visa length), you will need to look into visas to live in Canada.
