Pendray Inn & Tea House

We picked the Scottish tea served at dinnertime, which has a different menu from the daytime and afternoon tea. It was a quieter change from the busy, touristy tea spots around town, with just a couple of other groups there and very relaxed service. The food was excellent, though everything was quite rich, so anyone with a sensitive stomach might want to take it easy on some of the items.

We booked the Scottish evening tea and really enjoyed it. The savory choices stood out, especially the Welsh rarebit and meat pies, and the portions were generous enough that we brought some desserts and cheese scones home for later. There was a big group in another room, but the atmosphere still felt calm. If you prefer savory food to a table full of sweets, this is worth trying.

The sweets were the only part of the tea I enjoyed. The presentation looked nice, but the food itself was underwhelming, especially the children's menu, and by then the service had already left us disappointed. We were staying at Huntington Hotel & Suites and chose Pendray Tea House because it was on the same property. Our reservation was for 3:45 p.m., and we arrived on time. The room was quiet, with one small group and a couple of people finishing up, but no one acknowledged us for about 15 minutes. When a server finally came over, she asked about payment before greeting us. I explained we were hotel guests and had booked traditional tea for me and children's tea for my daughter. She said she'd tell the manager and left. A few minutes later the manager came over and, loudly enough for nearby tables to hear, asked whether we were “having problems.” It was uncomfortable. We hadn't complained; we were just waiting to begin the tea we'd reserved. The whole service felt disorganized and unwelcoming, and it took away from what should have been a relaxing, elegant experience. I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for a high-end tea. It isn't that. We also felt there may have been some discrimination because of our accent, which made the visit more unpleasant.

The meal was part of Victoria's 'Dine Around', and all three courses were delicious and nicely presented. Staff were friendly and brought everything promptly and accurately, aside from topping up my half-full sparkling water with still iced water by mistake. It made for a very pleasant evening at a classic restaurant in a classic hotel, right in the heart of Victoria's inner harbour.