Things To Do: Afternoon Tea

Experience the artful elegance of taking tea in Victoria, British Columbia.

High Tea originated as a British working class tradition. "High" refered to the way it was taken, sitting atop stools in a tea shop or standing at a counter or buffet table. It was a cross between afternoon tea and supper, and for many it was the main meal of the day.

The afternoon tea idea began around the mid 1700's as a way to ward off the inevitable hunger before dinner. This tradition led John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich to make his famous innovation of putting meats or other fillings between two pieces of bread. The Tea Sandwich was born!

Today, it has become a more elegant affair, less a working class meal and more of an event.

When to serve it? The high time of the day of course, around 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon.

Let us reserve your Tea for two at our favourite tea spots:

Don't miss out on Victoria's great tea shops

Silk Road - where Tea Tasting is elevated to an art form.
Murchies - great spot to drop in for a sip and a nibble!
Davids Tea - great shop that makes Tea fun!

Be sure to visit for the Victoria Tea Festival each February.