Victoria Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress Resort Victoria, British Columbia

Dining

Afternoon Tea in Victoria

STEEPED IN TRADITION SINCE 1908

A time honoured tradition for over a century, the world renowned tea lobby of The Fairmont Empress has served England’s most beloved ritual and Victoria's grandest tradition of Afternoon Tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Surrounded by rich chintz fabrics, antiqued tapestries and rugs, elegant wing back chairs, vintage furnishings and hand-carved tables, the picturesque backdrop of the Inner Harbour provides the quintessential Victoria experience to all who grace Afternoon Tea.

Award-winning Pastry Chef D'Oyen Christie and Team serve hand-made signature Empress scones, delectable pastries and tea sweets prepared in house daily, reflecting locally sourced ingredients to ensure an authentically memorable experience. From the original blend of The Empress Tea created specifically for The Fairmont Empress, served in dainty William Edwards, (formerly Booth and Royal Doulton), china and sterling silver service to the enchanting ambiance of the live piano, Afternoon Tea is an absolute 'must do' for all who visit Victoria.

Don't miss the most beloved ritual of Afternoon Tea in Victoria at The Fairmont Empress.

THE EMPRESS BLEND OF TEA
The Empress blend is a selection of seasonal, quality teas, created exclusively for The Fairmont Empress by the Metropolitan Tea Company. With components from Assam (thick malty and full bodied), Kenya (floral-like flavour and a golden coppery infusion), South India (superb fruity and sprightly flavour), Ceylon (airy, almost piquant flavour), and China (burgundy depth with light oaky notes), it is truly one of the finest blends in the world.

Dietary Needs:
The Fairmont Empress is pleased to accommodate dietary needs including vegan, gluten free and diabetic. Please advise of all food allergies and dietary needs at the time of reservation.

Hours Of Operation:

Tea Service starts at 12:00 p.m. daily and with the last seating at 3:45 p.m. We recommend an hour to enjoy your Afternoon Tea experience.

Evening Tea:
We are pleased to offer Tea service May to September on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday evenings. The seating times are 7:00 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Food and Beverage Special Events:
Click here for upcoming events.

PRICES:

• Afternoon Tea is $59.95 CAD from May 1, 2012 to September 30, 2012.
• January 1 - April 30, 2012 and October 1 to December 31, 2012 the price is $47.95 CAD.
• Children 12 and younger can enjoy Afternoon Tea for 50% off the adult price, or enjoy our Prince and Princess Tea Menu.

PRINCE AND PRINCESS TEA
We have tailored our renowned Afternoon Tea to suit the tastes of our tiniest travelers. Children can now experience the grandeur and elegance of the famous Tea Lobby, and be made to feel like Princes and Princesses while participating in this coveted tradition.

AFTERNOON ROYAL TEA
As you take your seats in the opulent surroundings of the Empress Tea Lobby, treat yourself to a glass of award winning Sumac Ridge Steller's Jay Brut with the unrivalled selection of sandwiches, cakes, scones, pastries & teas...you'll feel like royalty. Afternoon Royal Tea is subject to our regular tea pricing, plus an additional $12 CAD per person charge, plus taxes.

Dress Code:

Dress code is casually elegant. Please no torn and / or ripped jeans, short shorts, cut off pants, beach wear, flip flops or baseball caps.

For the comfort of all guests, it is requested that cell phones be turned off during Afternoon Tea.

Reservations:

Reservations are strongly recommended however walk-ins may be available. Tables are held for ten minutes after reservation time.
For reservations and information, please call 250 389 2727 or click here to email us. Reserve Now on OpenTable.com.

Afternoon Tea Packages:
Try one of our popular Afternoon Tea and stay packages:

Afternoon Tea was started by the Duchess of Bedford in the 18th century when she had a "sinking" feeling in the afternoon. She had her chef prepare a little meal with tea, and soon it became known as Afternoon Tea
During the centennial restoration in 2008, the hotel's original Tea Lobby floor was replaced and the wood of the original floor was transformed into delicate Afternoon Tea tables; - one may say you're eating off the floor
Nearly 100,000 guests are served tea annually with an estimated 500,000 cups of tea
Although very popular and reservations are recommended, rarely are guests ever turned away from Afternoon Tea. Often the artful hand-cut glass dome of the Palm Court adjacent to the Tea Lobby is transformed into an additional Afternoon Tea space
Our Tea servers are some of our most tenured colleagues in the hotel with over 42 years of service
The most recent royal visitors to enjoy Afternoon Tea were the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
The Empress Tea China was originally presented to King George V in 1914 upon the opening of the Booth factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England. The china was first used by The Empress in 1939 for the Royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. The pattern is now produced by Royal Doulton exclusively for The Fairmont Empress
The portraits in the tea lobby are King George V and his wife Queen Mary, who originally intended to wed his brother, Prince Edward, who died of pneumonia. The portraits have been in place since the hotel opened in 1908
The difference between high tea and afternoon tea? High tea is generally taken at 4:00 p.m., and was more of a "working man's" dinner and they included hot savory items. High tea is mistakenly thought to include champagne or sparkling wine, but this should be referred to as Royal Tea
Notable guests have included Queen Elizabeth II, Rudyard Kipling, Shirley Temple, Spencer Tracy, Princess Margaret, Rita Hayworth, the King and Queen of Siam, Bob Hope, John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, Joan Lunden, Sarah McLachlan, Mel Gibson and Nelly Furtado
The Empress Tea Blend comes from six estates, including Kenya, Tanzania, South India, Assam, Sri Lanka, and China

Hours Of Operation:

Dress Code:

Reservations:

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