recommendations for afternoon tea Victoria

[sunsetme]

can someone recommend afternoon tea in Victoria other than the Empress?

[Luckysll]

There are several around Victoria:

 

White Heather Tea Room - very small (only about a dozen tables) so a reservation is MANDATORY and should be made as much in advance as you can. The food is excellent and there is a "Tea for Two" which is very nice. It is a bit out of the downtown area, but a short cab ride away. My personal recommendation if you can get a reservation.

http://vancouverisland.kulshan.com/British%20Columbia/Vancouver%20Island/Restaurants/White_Heather_Tea_Room.htm

 

Blethering Place - located a short distance farther along the same street as the White Heather Tea Room. A very British atmosphere and good food. A reservation would be best there, too, although you wouldn't have to make it as far in advance as for White Heather Tea Room.

http://www.thebletheringplace.com/

 

James Bay Tea Room - located a couple of blocks away from the Inner Harbour. I used to visit all the time for coffee breaks when I worked in James Bay. Another small place, but reservations aren't necessary, although if you visit at lunch time, there may be a wait. Homemade scones are good and they do serve a "high tea" with sandwiches, scones and tarts.

http://www.jamesbaytearoomandrestaurant.com/

 

Murchies - located on Government Street, a couple of blocks towards town from the Inner Harbour. I haven't been there, but people have enjoyed it. Murchies sells tea and coffee, so it is a shop as well as a place for afternoon tea.

http://www.murchies.com/wwww/victoria.php

 

Abkhazi Gardens - There is a tea room here, but I have not been. It is located not far from downtown Victoria, easy cab ride. The gardens have a very interesting history (the tea room info is listed under "Contents").

http://www.conservancy.bc.ca/content.asp?sectionack=abkhazi

 

Point Ellice House - This is an historic house, part of Victoria's history. It's in an industrial area of Victoria, but nothing threatening about the location. I haven't been there, but I believe my sister-in-law has, and has enjoyed it. You can take the small harbour ferry to their location, or a cab.

http://www.pointellicehouse.ca/

 

There is also a tea room/restaurant at Butchart Gardens is you plan to visit there.

 

Hope I haven't overloaded you with suggestions.

[sunsetme]

great response--thanks!

[jamiski]

Just an idea...We went to the Empress for afternoon tea and had a bit of sticker shock! so we found a cafe in the lower level of the Empress and did our own a la carte style tea. It was much more casual, the service was great and the tea and snacks were amazing.

[rottilvr]

Yes being a Victorian...the Empress is a complete rip off for high tea. Lots of already mentioned places are just as good but without the crazy price. I don't know of any locals who actually do tea at the Empress...only tourists.

[isadorab2]

I enjoyed the James Bay Tea Room so much when I was in Victoria, that I went back again the next day. The food was great, the service very friendly, it was quaint and very reasonably priced. It's been about 7 years, but I remember it well.

 

Andrea