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    Tea at the Empress

    1,107 Reviews
    #96 of 895 Restaurants in Victoria
    $$$$British,
    Canadian
    , Vegetarian Friendly
    721 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5, Canada
    +1 250-389-2727
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    2018-10-20
    23:00
    2 guests
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    Overview
    4.0
    1,107 reviews
    • Excellent50%
    • Very good25%
    • Average15%
    • Poor7%
    • Terrible3%
    Travellers talk about
    “finger sandwiches” (70 reviews)
    “scones” (220 reviews)
    “egg salad” (16 reviews)
    Closed Now
    Hours
    CUISINES
    British, Canadian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
    PRICE
    $$$$
    RATINGS
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
    LOCATION
    721 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5, Canada
    All Details
    Improve This Listing
    Write a ReviewReviews (1,107)
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    1 - 10 of 1,072 reviews

    Reviewed yesterday
    Nice but not amazing! Nice time but not sure I would recommend it

    Pretty enough. The savories and sweets were nice. The room was pretty. We had requested a table at the window and were told no because of the large parties there. The two women who checked us in were really incompetent. The service should have been...More

    Thank Zach84Jake62
    Reviewed 2 days ago via mobile
    Royalty?

    We were told having a tea at empress is a life time experience. You can taste what is royalty. Well well. By the time we were led to the dining place, we soon regretted for paying so much for such a "royalty" experience. The dining...More

    Thank Co Y
    Reviewed 5 days ago
    Amazing

    Upon arrival , we got a beautiful table overlooking the harbor. We started with two glasses of Blue Mountain sparkling wine, which was devine ! The tray with savory and sweet sandwiches was truly a piece of art ..we mentioned that we did not like...More

    Thank Peter V
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 2 days ago

    Peter, thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. Afternoon Tea at the Empress is certainly a very special occasion in which many of our guests travel from all over the world to enjoy. I am thrilled to know that you...More

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Divine

    The royal treatment with three layers: scones, tea sandwiches, and sweets. Start with a glass of sparkling wine. Enjoy your choice of tea. Go around noon for a quieter experience. Reservations required.

    Thank Michael F
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 5 days ago

    Thank you for sharing such a great review, Michael! We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again soon to enjoy another Afternoon Tea at the Empress experience. Sincerely, Cassandra Carleton Food and Beverage Administrator

    Reviewed 1 week ago
    Good but not great. Pricey

    We had High Tea at the Empress with our group from the cruise ship – about 20 of us. Luckily we had met the group at the hotel and did not have to arrive/leave on the cruise bus. It was busy but we were early...More

    Thank Whistledown
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 5 days ago

    Thank you for sharing your valuable feedback with us. I am happy to know that the service you received was memorable and that you had the chance to enjoy our various tea blends, however please know that I will be sharing your comments with our...More

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Low Tea

    The “High Tea” at The Empress Hotel was abysmal! It was a rushed affair. We were grouped with strangers from our ship by the hostess. We were not even given china tea pots but prefilled stainless steel tea pots! No choice of teas was offered!...More

    Thank Miriam W
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 5 days ago

    Miriam, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Comments such as yours are very important to us in order to follow up with our teams as necessary, as well as discuss potential opportunities with our local partners. We greatly appreciate you bringing...More

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago
    Not to be missed

    Landon made our visit so enjoyable with his knowledge and exceptional service. This was our 2nd visit for Tea and so relaxing and enjoyable!More

    Thank nanaandgpabusch
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 1 week ago

    Thank you for taking the time to share such a positive review. I am delighted to know that you had another highly memorable Afternoon Tea experience, and we certainly look forward to welcoming you again in the near future. Sincerely, Cassandra Carleton Food and Beverage...More

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    Anniversary Tea!

    We had a wonderful time at Tea for our anniversary! Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu and had a lot of good recommendations. All of the food was amazing as well! We bought a box of our favorite tea from the gift shop...More

    Thank Ciara C
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

    Thank you for sharing such a wonderful review, Ciara. I am very pleased to know that you had such a memorable experience enjoying Afternoon Tea at the Empress! We love when our guests choose to celebrate their special occasions with us, and thank you for...More

    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    A ruined tradition!! Tee shirts, flip flops and blue jeans!!

    What a sad decline. We’ve been coming to high tea for 41 years and it has deteriorated a lot in the past 5-10 years. No one in the past would be allowed to enter wearing yoga pants, cut off shorts, hoodies sneakers. All the above...More

    Thank Bill E
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Bill. We do certainly have a dress code for patrons of Afternoon Tea, and I will be sharing your comments with our management team to ensure that proper follow up is conducted. We understand that...More

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    Not a good as any London hotel

    OK we are spoiled we have been to the Dorchester & Fortnum & Masons for high tea. This is not close. There are too many sweet things & not enough savory. Not enough sandwiches.More

    Thank Philbur
    ManagerEmpress, Manager at Tea at the Empress, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

    Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. Please know that we are taking your comments into consideration with our next menu change, and we do hope to have the opportunity to welcoming you again to enjoy our new menu offering in the...More

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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    See all 22 questions
    Danielle_Allen
    October 4, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 14 answers
    Response from Graham R | Reviewed this property |
    The layout is standard High Tea fare on triple tiered plate stand. No extra food would be delivered I believe but the amount generally suitable. Cost of $78 plus mandatory 15% tip is high for amount of food and tea... More
    1
    Vote
    amzw01
    August 8, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 5 answers
    Response from DoloresJacoby | Reviewed this property |
    I did not find any in June... it’s filled with gluten.
    1
    Vote
    dkonbest
    July 5, 2018|
    AnswerShow all 12 answers
    Response from Jody D | Reviewed this property |
    Hi fellow traveler! I enjoyed a wonderful Organic Herbal Tea (caffeine free) named Bella Coola Punch by a company called "Lot 35." It was so good and refreshing, that I went into the gift shop searching for it among all the... More
    2
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    123456…8
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    Restaurant Details

    Rating summary
    • Food
      Service
    • Value
      Atmosphere
    Average prices
    US$60 - US$91
    Cuisine
    British, Canadian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options
    Meals
    Lunch, Drinks
    Restaurant features
    Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards
    Dining Style
    Casual Elegant
    Good for
    Special Occasion Dining, Child-friendly, View, Romantic
    Open Hours
    Sunday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Monday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Tuesday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Wednesday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Thursday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Friday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Saturday
    11:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
    Location and Contact Information
    • Address: 721 Government St, Victoria, British Columbia V8W 1W5, Canada
    • Location: Canada  >  British Columbia  >  Vancouver Island  >  Victoria Capital Regional District  >  Victoria
    • Phone Number: +1 250-389-2727
    • E-mail
    Description
    A grand tradition for over a century, the world renowned Fairmont Empress has served England's most beloved ritual of afternoon tea to famed royalty, celebrities and dignitaries alike. Reinvigorated in our timeless, sophisticated Lobby Lounge, Tea at the Empress will continue this quintessentially Victoria experience. Home of the Empress cake, which showcases an extra special customized chocolate developed by our Executive Pastry Chef AJ Thalakkat and experts in France, Tea at the Empress is among the world's best unique tea experiences. To complement our house-made signature Empress scones, pastries, clotted creams and strawberry preserves with fresh lavender from our rooftop herb garden, are 21 of the finest loose leafs teas available. Featuring our original blend of The Empress Tea and the exceptionally rare Tong Mu Phoenix Lapsang Souchong blend, the tea list is completely ethically sourced and certified by the Ethical Tea Partnership. Tea at the Empress is an absolute must-do event in Victoria.
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