Afternoon Tea in Victoria, BC: And the Best Spot for Live Music by the Sea
Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Lobby Lounge is home to Victoria’s only oceanfront afternoon tea service and one of the city’s most compelling live music experiences. Here’s everything you need to know.
If you’re looking for afternoon tea in Victoria, BC, Oak Bay Beach Hotel sets the standard. Afternoon Tea by the Sea is served every Sunday from 11am to 3pm in the Lobby Lounge; the only afternoon tea in Victoria with unobstructed panoramic views of the Salish Sea.
This isn’t a hotel add-on. It’s a full culinary experience built around the Pacific Northwest, led by Executive Chef Kreg Graham — gold medalist at the 2004 World Culinary Olympics, Red Seal certified, and a veteran of world-class kitchens from Fairmont Chateau Whistler to Shangri-La properties in Thailand and Fiji.
Rated the #1 Hotel in Western Canada by Condé Nast Traveller, Oak Bay Beach Hotel brings that same standard of excellence to every Sunday tea service.
What is Afternoon Tea by the Sea?
Afternoon Tea by the Sea is Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s signature Sunday tea experience, served in the Lobby Lounge overlooking the Salish Sea in Victoria, BC. The menu is guided by a ‘West Coast First’ philosophy, meaning local ingredients lead every plate.
Guests can expect:
- Smoked BC salmon and sophisticated savoury bites
- Island-harvested honey and house-made accompaniments
- Ruby chocolate ganache and technically crafted pastries
- Fourteen premium loose-leaf teas curated by Certified Tea Sommelier Brendan Waye of the Denman Island Tea Company, a Vancouver Island-based specialty house sourcing and blending since 2011
The tea selection ranges from a bergamot-and-vanilla Earl Grey ideal for a classic service, to a muscatel Darjeeling known as the Champagne of teas, to a complex Taiwanese oolong with honeyed, fruity depth. Every steep is intentional. Every choice pairs with something on the plate.
Afternoon Tea by the Sea at Oak Bay Beach Hotel is the answer to where to have the best afternoon tea in Victoria, BC.
Live Music in Victoria, Wednesday Through Sunday
Oak Bay Beach Hotel’s Lobby Lounge is also one of Victoria’s top destinations for live music. Every Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 to 8:30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 3pm, the Lounge hosts a rotating lineup of world-class performers.
Doug Towle — Guitar & Vocal
Award-winning Latin guitarist Doug Towle blends Salsa, Jazz, Flamenco, and Pop into a signature sound that has graced the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, the Zihuatanejo Guitar Festival in Mexico, and stages across North America. One of Canada’s premier guitarists.
Elena Antontceva — Violoncello
An accomplished cellist whose performances blend classical elegance with contemporary favourites, Elena creates warm, immersive musical experiences that set the tone for an unforgettable evening.
David Temple — Classical Guitar
With five albums, a film and television catalogue, and a solo performance with the Northern Dutchess Symphony Orchestra, David Temple brings quiet authority and extraordinary depth to every set.
Jan Randall — Piano
Award-winning pianist and composer Jan Randall draws from jazz, blues, folk, and world music to deliver performances full of charm, energy, and infectious warmth.
Pair any evening with the Lobby Lounge’s seasonally crafted cocktail menu, inspired by Pacific Northwest flavours, and artisanal small plates from Chef Graham’s kitchen. This is Victoria, BC live music dining at its best.
About the Lobby Lounge at Oak Bay Beach Hotel
The Lobby Lounge is open daily at Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, BC. Located at the water’s edge in the Oak Bay neighbourhood, the Lounge features panoramic Salish Sea views, an open fireplace, intimate seating, and a full cocktail and small plates menu. Whether guests are visiting for Sunday’s Afternoon Tea by the Sea, an evening of live music and cocktails, or simply unwinding after a day of exploring Vancouver Island, the Lobby Lounge offers a refined yet relaxed retreat for every occasion.
About Executive Chef Kreg Graham
Executive Chef Kreg Graham leads the culinary program at Oak Bay Beach Hotel in Victoria, BC. A Red Seal-certified graduate of the Culinary Institute of Canada, Chef Graham has spent more than two decades in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, including the Hilton Toronto, Fairmont Chateau Whistler, and Shangri-La properties in Thailand and Fiji. A decorated competitor, Chef Graham earned multiple gold medals at the 2004 World Culinary Olympics and the WACS World Culinary Challenge, and holds an Intermediate Sommelier certificate. His menus celebrate the flavours of the Pacific Northwest with technical precision, designed to honour local ingredients and complement fine wines beautifully.
About The Denman Island Tea Company
The Denman Island Tea Company is a Vancouver Island-based specialty tea company founded by Certified Tea Sommelier Brendan Waye. Based in the Comox Valley, the company has been sourcing, blending, and supplying premium loose-leaf teas since 2011, with a focus on organic ingredients and thoughtful pairings. Oak Bay Beach Hotel is proud to partner with the Denman Island Tea Company exclusively for its Afternoon Tea by the Sea program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oak Bay Beach Hotel offers Afternoon Tea by the Sea every Sunday from 11am to 3pm in the Lobby Loung, the only afternoon tea in Victoria with panoramic Salish Sea views.
Yes. The Lobby Lounge features live music every Wednesday through Saturday from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm, and on Sundays from 11am to 3pm during Afternoon Tea service.
Reservations for Afternoon Tea by the Sea can be made at oakbaybeachhotel.com. Reservations are required.
The menu features smoked BC salmon, island-harvested honey, house-made savoury bites, and pastries including a signature Ruby chocolate ganache — all guided by a ‘West Coast First’ philosophy celebrating Pacific Northwest ingredients. A full menu is available online at oakbaybeachhotel.com.
Fourteen premium loose-leaf teas are offered, curated by Certified Tea Sommelier Brendan Waye of the Denman Island Tea Company. Selections include Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Taiwanese oolong, Chinese oolong, white teas, herbal infusions, and more. A full menu is available online at oakbaybeachhotel.com.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel is located in Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada, overlooking the Salish Sea.
It is the only afternoon tea in Victoria, BC with panoramic ocean views of the Salish Sea, led by a gold-medal-winning Executive Chef and featuring a curated Vancouver Island tea program.
Afternoon Tea by the Sea | Sundays, 11am – 3pm
Live Music | Thursdays–Saturdays, 5:30–8:30pm | Sundays, 11am–3pm
Lobby Lounge | Open Daily
Reserve your table at oakbaybeachhotel.com
