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This restaurant now offers Takeout

This restaurant now offers Takeout

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Tea at The Empress

4.7
4.7
4379 Reviews
CAN$30 and under
Unspecified
Top Tags:
A grand tradition for over a century, the world renowned Tea at The Empress has served England’s most beloved ritual of Afternoon Tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Tea at the Empress provides a quintessentially signature Victoria experience to all who attend.

Executive Pastry Tony Vilnov and team prepare house-made Empress scones, delectable pastries and tea sweets daily, reflecting locally sourced ingredients to ensure an authentically memorable experience. An exciting new offering is our Fairmont Empress cake. A rich hazelnut chocolate layer cake featuring customized chocolate developed in France specifically for Fairmont Empress. The cake will be topped with a chocolate crown.

Truly one of the finest blends in the world, Empress Tea is the perfect complement to the tea experience. However, should you feel adventurous, Tea at the Empress now has 21 loose leaf teas to select from, making every moment memorable and uniquely your own.

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 60 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online

Additional information

  • Location

    721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5

  • Neighborhood

    Victoria

  • Cross street

    Government & Douglas Streets

  • Parking details

    Self parking is available

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wine

Featured in

What 4,379 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7
4.7 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Vancouver / British Columbia

    Unspecified

  • Victoria

    Best Overall

  • Victoria

    Best Service

  • Victoria

    Best Ambiance

  • Victoria

    Most Booked

Sort by

Filters

  1. LM

    LindaM

    Vancouver

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Sandwiches weren’t our favorite but the scone was amazing. Desserts were beautiful. Everyone should experience.
  2. A

    Anon

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff worked with me to coordinate a special “will you be my man of honor” proposal & birthday celebration. Every detail was considered and tended to with kindness & consideration. My friends and I had a beautiful time enjoying the lovely tea, delicious food, and unforgettable atmosphere. We had the most amazing time & I highly recommend The Empress for any and all occasions.
  3. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Tea at the Empress was absolutely fabulous! The service, ambience and food were wonderful. It was a very special experience for a friend’s birthday and I would do it most definitely again. The staff was spectacular!!!
  4. DW

    DeborahW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was excellent, tea selection wonderful and the scones, desserts and sandwiches were delicious. My Sister and I had an amazing time.
  5. A

    Albertafoodies

    Atlantic Canada

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    High tea at the Empress was a lovely outing with my sister.
  6. KK

    KeikoK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    That was a memorable moment when we had our dream tea at the Empress. The waiter was knowledgeable and kind and made our experience incomparable. The tea and sweats are also great. We are looking forward to visiting there soon.
  7. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I had the most wonderful birthday here. Service was meticulous from our entrance. The tea was perfect as well as all of the food. My two sisters and I all had different favourites on the tiers. We all thought the scones were sublime! Our tea varied from floral, fruit and Darjeeling. All paired well with different items. The rosé was a lovely addition. Staff was so personable and knowledgeable. The piano music beautifully completed the setting.
  8. LF

    LeeFamily

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Loved all of it. Special place to be with my mom for her birthday. Service was outstanding. Food and tea was delicious. Pianist was amazing. Definitely worth it.
  9. T

    Teatime

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Really good traditional tea experience with amazing service. Will assist you with whatever you need. Could be influenced by the season but the winter menu is definitely, as above your traditional food and tea tastes. Some twists on those would be nice for something different.
  10. HR

    HayleyR

    Vancouver

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server Raymond was amazing. We had such a lovely time.
  11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Visiting Victoria
  12. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Toronto

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Raymond provided us with the upmost service! Friendly, professional. The whole setting was cute and truly a great experience!
  13. SB

    SarahB

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Lovely and fancy afternoon
  14. J

    Jarmesan

    Seattle

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The tea service was impeccable at The Empress. The food was excellent and we even had someone with a nut allergy and they brought a whole seperate tray for them. Our server was awesome too! The only thing really missing with no ambiance music was playing at all - which could have added to the experience. Overall - highly recommend!
  15. JL

    JessicaL

    Vancouver

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience3
    It’s lovely, if busy and definitely overpriced. I did love the tea and the food was good but the cost would prevent me from doing it more often.
  16. AM

    AlixM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Excellent service. Food quantity appears insufficient but we all left full! Very good if you have a dietary requirement.
  17. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Way too over priced - I mean let’s get real - yes it’s fancy and service is really nice and formal but $400 for 4 people for lunch is just dumb
  18. T

    Tasha

    Calgary

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Beautiful ambiance and wonderful service! The bread on the sandwiches was dry on the outside, however, which was quite a surprising disappointment given the $89 price tag (with tip and taxes $110)…
  19. L

    Laura

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was abundantly special, a perfect way to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday.
  20. J

    Jackyg

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was a. Incredible experience !!!!the service was fantastic and the food and atmosphere superb!!!!
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very unique. Excellent tea and food.
  22. ME

    MichelleE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was excellent. It was my first time and it was a great experience.
  23. EP

    EstherP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a very lovely time and our server was very friendly and kind.
  24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    34th wedding anniversary!
  25. CE

    ChristopherE

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Guy is the man! He made our experience feel custom-made and so special. Absolute MUST for anyone visiting Victoria.
  26. PK

    PiaK

    Vancouver

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on January 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent high tea experience. Worth the money!
  27. SL

    StephanieL

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server Bradley was perfect. My mother, daughter and I have been doing tea at the empress regularly so we have had a number of servers. We hope to see Bradley again in a few months when we return. The food was delicious and filling. We truly enjoyed our time. Thank you.
  28. EM

    EvanM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent! Everything was amazing! 10/10. Will strongly recommend to everyone.
  29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing teas, sandwiches, scones and sweets. Kevan, our server, was exceptional. They remembered my daughter’s birthday, and The Empress hotel offers the best ambience and view you could hope for!
  30. e

    ereihs

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Kevan was amazing, and the tea and food was delicious
  31. NT

    NiklasT

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    The toilets were dirty and I’d expect towels and not paper tissues, a scent and in general a nicer feel to the amenities. The decoration of the main Lobby was nicely decorated and we enjoyed the piano music a lot. The noise level was too loud though. The food tasted poorly for the price (the sweet food in particular), whilst we enjoyed the tea a lot. The variety of tea is nice but you only get to try one which is kind of sad given the variety. I think 89 CAD per person is overpriced for the food. Considering the ambience, 60 CAD would be fair.
  32. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Vancouver

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our first time and we brought our friend from Kamloops as well. The experience was lovely and we will be back! Thank you Kris for taking such great care of us!
  33. AL

    AngelaL

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Everything was lovely, service was good. Very noisy in there though and was disappointed that the dress code has become so casual. The food was good but it would be nice if there were some options for sandwich selections and desserts for high tea. It is a lot of money to pay per person to have no choice in the high tea menu.
  34. B

    Brontegal1

    Toronto

    5 reviews

    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We would recommend tea at the Empress just for the experience. I think it’s overpriced for a tea but it is excellent and it is a beautiful atmosphere and impeccable service
  35. SA

    SharraA

    Seattle

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 1, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely amazing experience. Can’t wait to go back. Worth every dollar.
  36. KK

    KKelly

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    Tea at the Empress was a fun and tasty experience, but it is the kind of thing you probably only do once. The food and the tea were very good, the service and ambiance were great, but it is on the expensive side and not a great value.
  37. BH

    BunniHunni

    Seattle

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An annual tradition
  38. DJ

    DavidJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everyone should experience Tea at the Empress at least once in their lifetime! The service, food, and ambience are superb and the piano background music was sublime.
  39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Seattle

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    The Empress is an experience not to be missed. Decorated for Christmas with an enormous tree, it was even more striking. However, while it is lovely and the service was exquisite, I honestly felt our tea offerings at Pendray House were just as beautiful and tasted better. Some of the sweets were overly sweet at the Empress, and yet more expensive. However, the Empress gin and tonic made up for that in its gorgeous color and delicious taste. And my little girl loved her glass of sparkling cider.
  40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Portland

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 31, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience5
    Unfortunately our waitress wasn’t very attentive. She also didn’t mention them at the champagne she served us for the ‘champagne tea’ was $40. I expected a lot better service for what we paid

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Tea at The Empress using the Order Online button. Tea at The Empress also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (250) 389-2727.

Tea at The Empress is rated 4.7 stars by 4379 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
9:30 PM
Booked 60 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
Google Map for Tea at The Empress

721 Government Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1W5

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Government & Douglas Streets

  • Neighborhood

    Victoria

  • Hours of operation

    Daily 6:30 am–11:00 am Daily 11:30 am–2:30 pm Daily 5:30 pm–9:30 pm

  • Cuisines

    Unspecified

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    Self parking is available

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Tony Velinov

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Counter Seating, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, View, Wine

Featured in

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