With International Tea Day approaching on May 20, make plans to celebrate in Victoria, British Columbia. Dating back to the 1840s when the British first introduced the practice, high tea service became a staple among social circles. Victoria offers locals and visitors many spots to enjoy high tea not only on May 20, but also year-round.

Pendray Inn and Tea House © Courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria

Pendray Tea House

Located in the historic Pendray Inn, Pendray Tea House overlooks Victoria’s Inner Harbor, providing guests with stunning views as they enjoy traditional afternoon tea. Pendray Tea House’s afternoon tea service comes with savory dishes like smoked salmon and capers and Maple Leaf chicken with spinach on a ricotta roll. For sweets, guests can indulge in white chocolate lavender scones. Tea service includes TWG teas, as well as a West Coast tea, vegan tea and children’s tea.

The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden

The Teahouse in Abkhazi Garden offers seasonal menus highlighting the region and garden-grown produce. Guests can enjoy The Teahouse’s selection of Silk Road loss tea from one of Victoria’s top tea shops. The four-course spring high tea menu includes petite latke with crème fraiche and spring onion, organic tarragon egg salad on marbled rye and fresh scones. The service’s sweet dishes feature an Earl Grey, elderflower and rouse mousse, strawberry pink peppercorn truffle, lavender Madeleine and pink lemonade slice.

Fairmont Empress © Courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria

Fairmont Empress

Attracting nearly 100,000 people annually, this century-old venue hosts a tea service in the Lobby Lounge. Considered a favorite among celebrities and royalty, guests enjoy a full tea service with live classic piano music. Fairmont Empress serves “The Empress blend,” a selection of seasonal, quality teas created exclusively for Fairmont Empress by the Metropolitan Tea Company. In addition to the selection of teas, guests will have their taste of smoked Pacific Sockeye salmon and jasmine tea tarts.

White Heather Tea Room

White Heather Tea Room lies in Oak Bay, offering three different sizes of afternoon tea sets for all occasions. The signature set, Big Muckle, features four courses with 13 morsels (amuse-bouche, fresh scones, finger hor d’oeurves and tea sandwiches). The three-course service, called Not-So-Wee Tea, includes 11 bites, and the Wee Tea service comprises three courses with eight bites.

Butchart Gardens © Courtesy of Destination Greater Victoria

The Butchart Gardens

The team rooms in the world-famous Butchart Gardens offer afternoon tea services with dishes like English trifle, house scones, farm-fresh egg, albacore tuna and signature sausage rolls. Enjoy up to nine different loose-leaf tea choices, including a special 100 anniversary blend. The Butchart Gardens afternoon tea service also offers sweets like raspberry pistachio truffle and carrot cake.