History of Afternoon Tea

Have a question or general curiosity about our world renowned Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress? Here is the place to find frequently asked questions about us. We look forward to welcoming you! 

What is the dress code? 

We invite you to take the opportunity to dress for the occasion. In order to provide the best experience for all our guests, we maintain a dress code. As such, we trust you and your party will adhere to the following:

Please refrain from wearing hats.  Exceptions are fascinators and fancy tea hats. 

No tank tops, beach wear, or athleisure wear permitted. 

No flip flops or bare feet permitted. Exceptions are elegant sandals. 

No clothing with explicit or offensive wording or graphics permitted. 

Guests who arrive in unsuitable attire may be politely declined. Thank you for your understanding

Can I purchase a gift card for Afternoon Tea? 

We don't have specific gift cards for Afternoon Tea, however you are more than welcome to purchase a Fairmont Gift card online here that can be used for Afternoon Tea or at any other Venue/Spa at Fairmont Empress

What is the cancellation policy for Afternoon Tea? 

We require a Credit Card at time of booking.  We do charge a no show fee of 50% per guest.  We do not have a cancellation fee.

Where can I purchase the Afternoon Tea China?

We do not sell this China through the hotel, however you can purchase our Tea China as well as many other items from the Fairmont Store located within Fairmont Empress or online here

How long is Afternoon Tea? 

Please allow two (2) hours for Afternoon Tea to enjoy the full experience

Do children have to pay full price for Afternoon Tea?

We do offer a Children's Tea at a reduced price for children 12 and under. View menu

Is there an outside dining area for Afternoon Tea?

There is no outdoor seating for Afternoon Tea, however we do have our fabulous "Tea To Go" option that offers a similar menu to be enjoyed wherever you like.  View menu

Can you accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions?

The talented culinary and service teams at Fairmont Empress are focused on creating the world class Tea at the Empress experience that the hotel has become known for internationally. This includes catering to guests with common diets and allergens.

In order to effectively accommodate dietary restrictions, we kindly ask that guests who require a special variation of Tea at the Empress call to notify our reservations team 24 hours in advance of their visit. By calling in advance, guests can rest assured that we will be able to provide a delicious afternoon tea just for them.

Please note: we currently are able to cater to the following dietary restrictions: vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, lactose / dairy free, peanut and tree nut free, seafood and shellfish free, and diabetic friendly. Simply note the number of guests with specific allergies in your reservation notes. For dietary restrictions outside of the above, please reach out to our team for assistance 

Can we share Afternoon Tea or does each person have to order a Tea Tier?

For the best experience, we require all guests who are taking a seat to order a Tea Tier each

What time is Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress 

Afternoon Tea seatings changes seasonally. For most up to date hours please view here