The international tea scene may be experiencing a resurgence, but Victoria has long been an epicenter for tea connoisseurs. After all, it is widely regarded as Canada’s most British city. And, you know how the Brits love their tea!
From traditional tea rooms to trendy tea bars, there’s nearly an endless array of options for sipping tasty brews. All you need to do to enjoy it is hop on the Victoria Clipper fast ferry! It’s a scenic adventure in itself, ideal for enjoying with friends or family. In fact, it’s a great multigenerational trip idea! But no matter who you travel with, even if it’s just yourself, making your way through the booming scene with a Victorian tea pilgrimage is sure to be memorable.
Even better? You can save on your trip by booking a special Clipper Vacations package that includes two of the most popular venues for tea:
BOOK NOW to $AVE
Seattle to Victoria Overnight with Tea at the Fairmont Empress OR Tea at The Butchart Gardens
Whether you book or not, our guide to the top spots for sipping tea in Victoria is sure to make planning easier!
The Fairmont Empress
A tradition for more than a century, tea at the Fairmont Empress is a rite of passage in the Pacific Northwest. Did you know that a whopping half-million cups of tea are poured every year?
Step inside the iconic historic building with its elegant ambiance, sink into a plush couch, and enjoy a cup, or three.
Crack open the beautiful wooden menu with its glass window panes to choose from one of the 21 loose-leaf teas for your sipping pleasure. There’s something for everyone, with herbal blends, black, white, green, and oolong teas.
By the time your tea has finished steeping, you’ll be ready to dive into the accompanying eats fit for a queen. After all, the Empress is the only place in town that’s played host to the late Queen Elizabeth II herself!
Don’t miss: Save room for the fresh, house-made scones. Topped with preserves made from local berries and lavender grown in the hotel’s rooftop garden, they’re a foodie-must.
The Butchart Gardens
One of the world’s most beautiful gardens combined with exquisite afternoon tea make The Butchart Gardens a must-visit on any Victorian tea tour. Unfortunately, it’s a bit too late to be one of Jennie Butchart’s thousands of personally-served guests. But tea in the Dining Room Restaurant still provides an idyllic spot for a break in between your exploration of The Gardens.
Sip on a cup while gazing out the window at what was once Jennie’s own private garden. It makes it easy to imagine what it might have been like here in the early 1900s.
Don’t miss: While specific offerings frequently change, when it’s available, be sure to try a slice of the salted caramel mousse. It’s to-die-for, and it goes perfectly with any one of the black teas!
Pendray Inn & Teahouse
A less than two-minute stroll across the street from FRS Clipper’s Victoria terminal will bring you to the stunning Pendray Inn. An 1890 heritage building, original frescoes from the era are beautifully painted on the ceilings of some rooms.
Ducking into the Pendray Inn & Teahouse, you might sample the West Coast Tea which includes seafood-based bites, enjoy Traditional Afternoon Tea. You’ll definitely want to bring your appetite with the lineup of locally-produced goodies. Think salmon pinwheels, cucumber sandwiches and plenty of decadent sweet treats like macarons.
Don’t miss: The focus is on locally sourced, organic teams, but be sure to try TWG Tea’s signature 1837 Black Tea. This is the only place on Vancouver Island where you can get this Singapore-imported tea, a unique blend of black tea with fruit and floral notes.
Silk Road Tea
Located at the gateway of Victoria’s historic Chinatown, Silk Road Tea provides a portal into the vast world of tea. With a fresh aesthetic and a relaxed vibe, the shop contains a wealth of all things tea. It boasts an impressive variety of locally grown and blended tea selections. Plus, there’s a tea tasting bar for sipping your way through multiple varieties.
After experiencing the different flavor profiles, you can select your own perfect blend. We highly recommend enjoying it in a tea and chocolate pairing. Avid tea enthusiasts might even take a workshop. You can learn everything from the secrets of brewing great tea to expert mixology.
Don’t Miss: The Happy Wellness Tea is one of our favorites. Just the name makes us smile! But it’s not only the name. The ingredients include bergamot, lime and citrus, all traditionally associated with mood uplifting benefits.
Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
Tucked into the lush, one-acre Abkhazi Garden, the teahouse of the same name is one of Victoria’s best-kept secrets. The intimate spot serves up some of the most delicious afternoon teas in the city. A selection of Silk Road’s fine loose-leaf tea pairs perfectly with an array of treats created with regional or Abkahazi grown produce.
Designed to complement the appearance of the plants and flowers blooming in the garden, the menu changes depending on the season. Settle into a chair and soak in views of majestic trees and dynamic plantings from inside the cozy teahouse. There’s no sweeter place to get your tea fix.
Don’t Miss: Want just a light snack? Stop by for elevenses, a sampling of a scone and two tea sandwiches along with your tea.
Murchie’s Tea & Coffee
Murchie’s Tea & Coffee is not only a great place to buy gourmet tea, you can bring back home, but it has a cafe and tea room for sipping on-site! Located right downtown, it sits within a beautiful historic building and offers more than 100 loose-leaf teas. Plus, there are specialty coffee drinks for your non-tea lover friends. And, the menu features mouthwatering fresh pastries, scones, and artisanal cakes that can be enjoyed with your favorite beverage.
Don’t Miss: Our favorite pairing, apple strudel with Orange Spice Tea. The blend of Ceylon and Keemun black teas includes cinnamon and piquant cloves, enhancing the flavors of the dessert.
White Heather Tea Room
A trip to BC’s capital city wouldn’t be complete without indulging in as much tea as possible. Am I right? Follow the Victoria tea trail to the White Heather Tea Room in Oak Bay. This off the beaten path eatery offers up a tremendous afternoon tea service. We’re talking classic three-tiered platter overflowing with savory finger sandwiches and sweet pastries. You’ll leave with a full tummy and have enough leftover treats for a snack later.
Don’t Miss: Hungry? Order The Big Muckle. It comes with a fruit cup, sandwiches, a sconewich, mini quiche, a special savory treat of the day and an array of fresh baked goodies. This three-tiered tray of treats is virtually guaranteed to satisfy the biggest of appetites.
Victoria takes its tea seriously, but how you take yours is up to you. Discover the hidden gems of the tea scene in the downtown core, sip a comforting cuppa while enjoying a spectacular harbor or garden view, or cozy up in a historic building where you’ll be served on china fit for a queen. No matter how you chose to enjoy your brew, you’re sure to feel like royalty!
Feature Photo: Lucas Anderson