High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria BC

Considering high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC? I worried it might be an overhyped experience from Instagrammers and Pinterest blogs, so I put it to the test!

I treated myself to a solo tea on a holiday weekend to see if this should actually be on a Victoria itinerary. And I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!

I love high tea, and cream tea. After living in the UK twice, it’s kind of an obsession of mine.

I wasn’t sure if this would compare to the Chateau Laurier High Tea when I lived in Ottawa, but I think it might actually surpass it!

It’s a bit pricey – so definitely not an everyday experience – but it’s well worth it for a one-time visit or a celebration.

Plus, they have amazing options for all dietary requirements – like my celiac needs!

High Tea vs. Afternoon Tea

I’ve seen both terms thrown around a lot when it comes to the Empress’ tea service.

They definitely have a traditional difference in the UK, but at the Empress, they’re the same thing.

Typically high tea isn’t actually fancy. It sounds it, but it dates back to British workers having a substantial meal at a high table (like a bar table). And it’s usually in the evening.

It’s more of a light dinner.

Afternoon tea is actually the fancier of the two. It’s sometimes called “low tea” since it’s traditionally served at a low table like a coffee table level.

At the Empress, some of the tables are like this with low, comfortable chairs and a table I couldn’t tuck my knees under. But they do also have kitchen table height options.

Afternoon tea is a snack in the afternoon to keep you going. It’s got finger sandwiches, tea, and pastries and scones.

I’m going to use the terms interchangeably in this piece as most people think of them as the same thing in Canada. I know some Brits might be annoyed, so I figured I’d clarify early doors.

History of Tea at the Empress Hotel

The Empress Hotel opened in 1908, and has been serving tea and scones since then. They’ve served over 80,000 guests since then. In summer, they typically serve more afternoon tea than any hotel in London!

The Fairmont Empress’s tea experience uses a royal china collection from 1939. It’s not the original plates, but the same design. The originals are on display around the hotel.

It’s one of the best places to stay in Victoria by a mile!

People come from all around the world to stay here, and even just to have the afternoon tea.

Fairmont Empress Tea Experience Prices

Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Empress costs $95 CAD per person for the basic package.

If you’d like to add a glass of Cuvee, it’s $135 CAD.

If you’d like to add a glass of Brut Rose, it’s $142 CAD.

Kids get a discount, with children 5-12 getting “Prince and Princess Tea” for $52 per person CAD.

Dietary Restrictions for High Tea

I’m celiac, so going to high tea – or really any restaurant – is a challenge. Luckily, the Fairmont Empress is amazing at accommodating dietary requirements.

In fact, they have a full page of menus for different dietary accommodations. You can read the different menus here.

They cover vegetarian, vegan, gluten free (they will make it celiac friendly if you request it, aka. no cross contamination), nut free, and dairy free.

And if you have any specific other allergies or things you don’t like from the menus, they’ll adjust.

They don’t specifically have menus for it, but they also accommodate seafood allergies and diabetes.

Legally any restaurant should ask your allergies before serving you in Canada (something I learned while bartending), but most don’t. I loved that the servers did it at every table around me before bringing out their food.

I had already noted mine on my reservation, so they just confirmed it.

Making Reservation for Afternoon Tea at the Empress

You need to make a reservation to have afternoon tea. This is because it fills up quickly, but also so they can prepare enough of the baked goods in advance.

You may be able to get a walk-in spot, but they’re quite rare.

To make a reservation, go here on their website and select a date from the calendar, the number of people in your party, and the time you prefer. It’ll search the system for options and then suggest a number of times that day and the following day.

I made my reservation two days in advance and there were a few spots available. However, this was in September. High season in the summer, and on holiday weekends like Mother’s Day, will likely require booking well in advance.

Tea to Go

If you don’t feel like getting all dolled up to go to the Empress, or you want to have an at home celebration, get Tea to Go.

It’s $75 CAD per person.

This is the traditional afternoon tea goodies in a box to take home (pre-cooked) but with iced tea instead of hot tea.

You have to book a time for this just like you would for tea at the hotel, by making a reservation here.

You’ll spot the “Tea to Go” on the time blocks for when it’s a takeaway option.

What to Wear to High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel

High Tea is a formal affair on television, with people putting on fascinators and their best dresses.

In reality, you don’t need to go that formal.

Yes, you can if you’d like to. But you can also just go in a nice dress or a blouse and pants.

They do have some rules: no tank tops/beach wear, no athleisure, no flip flops or bare feet, no explicit language on clothing or offensive graphics, and no hats (unless they’re fascinators or tea hats).

Basically, dress up a little bit, but you don’t need to go full on Disney princess.

I wore my sneakers since I walked there with a velvet skirt and a floral tee. I was pretty mid-level amongst the people there.

Most people with kids go all out. But others seemed to oscillate between a nice top with jeans or business casual.

Is It Child Friendly?

Yes, you can bring children to afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel!

Make a reservation for “Prince and Princess Tea”. It involves a smaller tower of sweets that are aimed more at a kid’s palette, like cheese sandwiches and cake pops.

There were lots of kids when I went. Most start off really well behaved and formal, then have half their dessert and get some sugar crazies. One little girl decided to turn her dress into a tent while another decided to put both feet up on the table.

No one minded as they’re having fun. But I could tell the parents were getting frustrated.

So maybe take away some of the sweets from your kid until later if you’re worried.

You can take anything to go, so don’t worry about finishing it all!

Parking for High Tea

If you’re driving to the Empress, you’ll only have the option to park at the hotel for $35/night like a guest.

Save yourself some money and park either on-street or at a city parkade. Here is a map of all of the parkades in Victoria.

Parking at a parkade is $3.50 per hour. Street parking is $2.50 per hour but can be harder to find, and often has a 90 to 120 minute limit downtown. You’ll likely need 90 minutes for your tea, not including the walk to and from your car.

I recommend parking at either Yates Street Parkade (a slight uphill walk) or at Broughton Street Parkade for high tea.

Victoria is very walkable, so unless you’re coming from far away, I’d just walk. That’s why I did.

My Fairmont Empress Afternoon Tea Experience

I treated myself to an 11:30 AM high tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel because I love tea, and I wanted to see if it was worth the hype.

The Empress is an iconic location in Victoria, with its amazing architecture and massive floral blooms.

But I know it best for the high tea and its purple gin. Back when I was a bartender in Muskoka, I tried the 80th bottle ever made when they were trying to get it into distribution.

It’s purple because of the butterfly pea flower from their gardens.

Now, it’s commonplace to use this pea flower in drinks to turn them purple, but back then it was a revelation!

So if they’re that good at gin (which I hate), I figured I’d try out their tea.

Finding the Tea Room

The Fairmont Empress is located in downtown Victoria along the waterfront. It’s kitty corner to Parliament and easy to spot, with “The Empress” emblazoned on its front.

But it’s harder to find the tea room.

The main entrance of the Empress is reserved for guests. There are little direction signs that you’ll notice only once you walk right up to one that points you in the right direction for the correct entrance.

For high tea, you’re looking for the entrance on the eastern side of the building, closest to Parliament.

It’s also where the shops are if you want to look at some Canadian stone art, jewellery, or buy some tea to take home.

Once you enter this side door, head straight to the Lobby Lounge.

You’ll see someone playing the piano when you first walk in. Walk past that and you’ll see the front desk to check in for your reservation on your right.

Tea Selection

There are 18 teas to choose from at the Empress. I went with the traditional “Empress Blend” that’s a black tea they describe as “fruity and oaky”.

I’ll be honest, I can’t really tell black teas apart beyond that I hate Earl Grey. It was yummy, but I don’t know enough to go all wine-savant on the flavours.

Some other options include Cochin Masala Chai, Rose Congou Emperor, and Lavender Mint (I almost went with that one!).

You order your tea and get a pot brought to your table with three sand timers.

They measure the strength of the tea, with green for 3 minutes to get you a light steep and brown for 5 minutes to get you a strong tea.

My British friends would definitely disagree that 5 minutes is enough for a truly strong tea (I once had one there so strong I actually asked the waiter if they’d given me coffee by mistake).

But you are in complete control, so you can take the bag out whenever you’d like.

You get sugar cubes (in packets of two), which was my only annoyance to be honest. I love brown sugar and I like to measure it out. I don’t want a full lump of sugar beyond maybe my first cup, and it always feels weird to steep the sugar on a spoon.

But that’s my own little control freak issue, I suppose.

The tea was really yummy. I drank about 4 cups of it and was buzzing on my walk home. I probably should have gone with a light steep instead of the medium.

Alternative Drinks

If you’d prefer to get something stronger, you can get a champagne tea, or add on a G&T with the Empress 1908 gin.

This isn’t the butterfly pea flower gin I mentioned above. It’s their standard, bestselling gin.

They also have a selection of wines by the glass.

This is an additional cost to the afternoon tea package.

The Lobby Lounge

The atmosphere was so lovely.

There was a man playing the piano in the background. The tables vary from low couches with coffee tables to kitchen table height options throughout the room.

There’s a fireplace on one side, and a wall of windows looking out onto the harbour.

I was seated between the bar and the fireplace at a low, cozy table.

It was a bit awkward crossing my legs since I am quite tall (and it showed off my neon green sneakers that didn’t match my outfit), but it was extremely comfy.

I did find it a bit loud. If you have ADHD or any sensory processing disorder, you’ll want to bring ear plugs to help dilute the noise. I would have struggled to focus on someone else with me and having a conversation because of all of the other sounds.

It’s why I didn’t bring my service dog with me – that and kids tend to scream “dog!” and run at him. I knew they’d be sugared up too, so it felt best to leave Theo at home for the outing.

The Food

The food is easily the high point of this tea.

I got the gluten free selection and was honestly worried. Most gluten free breads are dry and crumbly, the cakes so sweet it burns my throat, and are just all in all a disappointment.

Colour me surprised!

My tea tower consisted of 5 sandwiches: egg salad, cucumber, egg salad, ham and cheese (which I usually don’t like but I scarfed it down!), coronation chicken (my new obsession), and smoked salmon.

It also came with a scone. The menu online said “oat and vanilla” but it also had raisins, which I didn’t expect. I’m not a fan, but there were only a few so I picked them out.

The scone was a bit too dense and crumbly, but slathering it in clotted cream and the strawberry lavender jam easily solved that.

For dessert, there was a lemon drizzle pound cake with blueberries on top, a raspberry chocolate teacup, a jelly (I think it was grape? But it was too sweet for me so I only had a nibble), a dense chocolate brownie, and a nut cake with light meringue and rose petals.

I usually don’t finish everything at a high tea and take most of it home for later, but I devoured everything but the jelly dessert.

Pro Tip: Start with the tea sandwiches to get a base of protein, then skip to the desserts cause they’re usually very high in sugar. This lets you go back for more protein after to calm the sugar spike. I always finish with my favourite: the scone.

Is It Worth It?

Yes! Afternoon tea at the Empress is so worth it.

I would go back again in a heartbeat!

The staff were all incredibly kind and helpful telling me about each item, taking photos for me when I asked, and helping me sort through what all the teas meant.

They taught me about the fact that most of the items are grown right on site, and the others are locally sourced. The lavender is from their rooftop gardens!

The location is beautiful, the food was amazing, and the tea really hit the spot.

I’m already planning to bring family when they come to visit, and celebrating some future events there for myself.

The Empress knows people don’t just come one time, so they have a loyalty program you can join to get points for every drink or meal at the hotel – even if you’re not staying overnight.

Conclusion: Tea at the Empress Hotel

This iconic hotel really shouldn’t be missed when you visit Victoria. It’s one of the best afternoon teas I’ve ever had, with some of the best food and views.

You’ll want to allow 2 hours for it, but if you’re solo you’ll probably only need 60-90 minutes depending on how long you sip your tea.

I spent a lovely lunch time there and then wandered around downtown before heading home, where I happily napped off the remaining sugar with my dog.

I cannot wait to go back and have tea there again!

Looking for more amazing things to do in Victoria? Don’t miss the best whale watching tours! It’s a perfect morning activity before high tea.

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• High Tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria BC