Victoria-afternoon tea at the Empress

[seaandsea]

We were thinking about doing the afternoon tea at the Empress but it is very expensive. Is it worth the 40 something dollars that it costs? What is served besides tea? Anyone done this?

Thanks

[cruiseryyc]

It is a meal in itself (tea sandwiches; scones; clotted cream; sweets) but is it worth the money - personally I don't think so. Tea at the Empress has become something that tourists feel they have to do - but you can find better and cheaper teas served in Victoria.

[jon-boy]

Good afternoon. Yes the tea is very expensive ! If it's something that you have never done before, then I would say go for it. Having lived in Victoria for most of my adult life, just moved away 2 years ago, I had tea @ the empress a couple of times. They serve tea, crumpets, biscuits, deserts. It's a neat experience but one I would say you don't need to do again. When are you going to Victoria ? Have a great day...

 

jon

[Putterdude]

Many of us locals feel that it is over priced and some will offer other tea houses at a lesser price. But there is only one Empress Hotel and only one tea at the Empress and it is something that will be remembered forever. It is that that the Empress trades on and I can tell you that my DW and my MIL can remember every tea they have been to at the Empress and why they were there. Sooooo

[BCHappyGal]

Yes I know tea at the Empress Hotel is expensive... Is it worth it?

IMO yes.... It is not something you do often but it is definitely one of those lifetime experiences you should not miss.

The tea is more like a meal so go hungry and they actually give you a small box of "Empress Blend" tea to take home as a souvenir..... I have done tea at the Empress several times and will probably go again even at the high cost (of course taking out of town guests with me)

Yes you can find cheaper tea houses but the Empress is special.... and I have yet to find anywhere that matches what I get at the Empress IMO. (Please don't shoot me for the above as that is MO)

 

Go and enjoy - remember a vacation is always a once in a lifetime event and some things just should not be missed in life.

[seaandsea]

Thanks for all your replys. I keep thinking I could go out for a great dinner for that price. Any suggestions?

[Langley Cruisers]

Thanks for all your replys. I keep thinking I could go out for a great dinner for that price. Any suggestions?

 

Yes, that was my thought, too. I took tea at the Empress many years ago and it was lovely, but just not worth the high price, IMO. My friend paid for both of us and left a sizeable tip as well. Indeed, you could go to dinner for that price, so I think you have to decide if you want to have this experience or not.

 

Here is a link to the menu; I have to say it looks like they offer a lot of things, but you really only get one of each item per person on a tray. I certainly wasn't stuffed full when I left. After all, is is "tea", not dinner. :)

 

http://www.fairmont.com/NR/rdonlyres/0207CF5F-DFD5-4A00-9AF1-0474BABE83A9/0/EMP_Afternoon_Tea_at_The_Fairmont_Empress_Jan2009.pdf

 

There are hundreds of restaurants in Victoria. Perhaps you could use the Search function here and find threads which list them; I know it's been talked about before here.

[seaandsea]

Thanks Langley Cruisers, I think I have decided to skip the tea and have a nice dinner instead. Thanks for the menu. I am sure the experience is great, but the food doesn't excite me. Maybe a Japanese restaurant would be fun???

Thanks

[CowPrincess]

Just an FYI -- a friend just made reservations for Tea at the Empress and according to her it was Cdn $55/person

[TravelAddiction]

Thanks Langley Cruisers, I think I have decided to skip the tea and have a nice dinner instead. Thanks for the menu. I am sure the experience is great, but the food doesn't excite me. Maybe a Japanese restaurant would be fun???

Thanks

 

Tea at the Empress is highly overpriced in my opinion, although I will agree, if you have never done high tea, it is an experience to have at least once. There are tea rooms in Oak Bay, but you would have to cab to them. Also Murchies on Government. If you are planning on doing Butcharts garden, check their website for tea room and dinner hours. They are also pricey, but not nearly as much as the Empress, and just as good imo.

You mentioned a Japanese dinner. There is a Japanese Village restaurant on Broughton Street that is really good, but very popular. If you know you want to go there, I would recommend reservations. There are lots of great restaurants of every variety in the downtown core of Victoria. Just have to find one that tickles your fancy:D

 

http://www.japanesevillage.bc.ca/

 

http://www.thebletheringplace.com/

 

http://whiteheather-tearoom.com/

 

http://www.murchies.com/

 

http://www.butchartgardens.com/

[Luckysll]

Here's a link to several Japanese restaurants in Victoria. I have been to Yokohama, Japanese Village and Koto and would recommend any of them. The Japanese Village is a favorite, as they cook the food right at your table, but you have to be prepared to sit at the table with others which some people don't enjoy.

 

http://www.victoria.worldweb.com/RestaurantsBars/Japanese/

[seaandsea]

You have all been such a wealth of information, thank you, these boards are great!

[Marmot@Sea]

Here is another link regarding afternoon tea in Victoria.

http://www.10best.com/Victoria,BC/Restaurants/Afternoon_Tea/

If you decided to go to Point Ellice House you may want to take one of the Victoria Harbour Ferries up the Gorge Waterway.

http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/index.html