5325 Cordova Bay Rd.
11:30am to 4pm daily
$26.95 for one person or $46.95 for two people
Reservations recommended (call for same-day reservations)
250.658.1535 or https://www.adriennesteagarden.com/high-tea/

THE EXPERIENCE
Mattick’s Farm is beautifully situated in Cordova Bay, a short drive or a 30 minute bike ride from Victoria. The complex includes the restaurant, independent shops, a garden centre, a Red Barn Market, a health centre, and even mini golf. It’s the kind of place where you could spend a whole afternoon, having tea and fun in a tranquil setting.

Our guests for this afternoon tea were our friends Kim and Johanna, who also happen to be nurses. Kim doesn’t eat wheat and dairy. While Adrienne’s does offer a gluten free high tea, it is not dairy free so Kim happily chose something off the extensive lunch menu instead.

The tea room itself feels more like a restaurant. In this case, that’s just fine as the beautiful trees surrounding the large windows more than make up for anything the decor lacks. It is home-y and doesn’t go in for high tea flash (read: floral cups).

Adrienne’s mocks tradition and serves their tea on a two-tier stand. Sandwiches sit beside scones. Sweets align alongside fresh fruit. Everything was tasty and clearly made both fresh and in-house. The scone was a little overcooked and dry and the cream was the usual whipped cream nonsense that we seem to be offered at far too many tea houses proclaiming they serve clotted cream. The cute tea cozies felt like tea at your granny’s and the laid back service let us pass well over 2 hours visiting and nibbling away. No timed seating at Adrienne’s! 

In addition to offering a gluten-free option, they also offer a kid’s size afternoon tea, which is a lovely idea. Get ’em while they’re young is our motto. If you want tea last minute with no reservation, tea with your children, or tea with a rather slow post-night shift nurse, this might be just the place for you. At $26.95, it’s also just straight up great value for money.

After our visit, we discovered that every February they donate a percentage of their High Tea sales to Heart & Stroke Care at our Royal Jubilee Hospital. They do the same again in March for Cancer Care. Way to give back, Mattick’s Farm! These nurses applaud and thank you! 

Posing.                                                        Real talk.

RATING
Adrienne’s is an easy 4/5 balls. The laid back environment and service, fresh and flavourful tea offerings, full menu for those who don’t fancy tea, excellent prices, and community spirit make it our pick for high tea for all.