There’s something quietly magical about afternoon tea, the unhurried pace, the warmth of a perfectly steeped cup, the elegance of a beautifully composed plate. Now, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel is offering a fresh interpretation that feels both timeless and deeply of its place.
Afternoon Tea by the Sea is the hotel’s new signature culinary experience, served in the iconic Lobby Lounge with panoramic views of the Salish Sea. Rooted in the hotel’s “West Coast First” philosophy, the menu draws from the rugged beauty of coastal British Columbia, smoked BC salmon, island-harvested honey, delicate pastries, and a standout passion fruit tropical bombe that manages to feel both playful and refined.
“Our vision was to create an afternoon tea service that honours tradition while offering an elevated and unique experience. We begin with beautiful, locally sourced teas that are prepared and steeped right before your eyes, moving beyond conventional methods,” says Christian Sealey, Director of Food & Beverage. “Instead of simply replicating traditional European tea offerings, we aim to showcase the bounty of local ingredients and the exceptional skills of our culinary and pastry team.”
The tea program features a curated collection of premium loose-leaf teas from The Denman Island Tea Company, a Vancouver Island specialty tea house founded by Certified Tea Sommelier Brendan Waye. Operating out of the Comox Valley since 2011, the company sources from respected tea-growing regions worldwide while crafting many blends locally, and is currently developing a Camellia sinensis cultivation project on Denman Island, exploring the possibility of a genuinely homegrown BC tea harvest.
Together, the two partners share a commitment to regional craftsmanship, innovation, and a deep respect for place — values that make Afternoon Tea by the Sea something more than a meal. It’s an afternoon worth savouring.
Afternoon Tea by the Sea is now available by reservation at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel Lobby Lounge, Victoria, BC. For reservations and more information, visit oakbaybeachhotel.com.
