Cary Mews Tea House — Restaurant in Victoria

Absolutely charming! Visiting Rudi’s Tea Room, located inside the Cary Mews Tea House at 1401 Rockland Ave, Victoria, BC, was a delightful experience from start to finish. Nestled beside the stunning Government House Gardens, this hidden gem is the perfect midday escape for locals and visitors alike.

Open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, from mid-May to the end of August, Rudi’s is a seasonal treasure that captures the heart of summer in Victoria. While they don’t offer “High Tea” and don’t take reservations, the cozy atmosphere and walk-in-only policy give it a relaxed, welcoming feel, like visiting an old friend.

The staff and volunteers are truly the soul of this place. Warm, attentive, and full of smiles, they make every guest feel at home. Whether you're popping in for lunch, sweets, or a refreshing beverage, you can expect to be treated with genuine care and hospitality.

The menu features a lovely assortment of fresh, homemade-style fare. The lunch options are thoughtfully prepared, making them perfect for a light bite before or after a stroll. And oh, the desserts — divine! The take-out option is a nice touch, especially if you want to enjoy a picnic in the gardens.

Speaking of which, walking through the Government House Gardens after a meal at Rudi’s is a must. The grounds are beautifully maintained, peaceful, and full of blooming charm — a perfect complement to the tranquil experience at the Tea Room.

In a world that moves too fast, Rudi’s Tea Room is a serene reminder to slow down and savour the moment. Whether you’re a local looking for a peaceful lunch spot or a tourist seeking a hidden gem in Victoria, this little tea house is worth every step off the beaten path.

Five stars, and a heartfelt thank you to the wonderful team...

Firstly, one gets accosted by the Costume volunteers as you walk by their little museum, who are overly-zealous. Rudi's tearoom charges $10.00 for one sausage roll, which is too expensive. It should be around $6.00. They shouldn't try to cheat people like this in order to make money for Government House. All you get with it is some mustard and ketchup. It's not like the money goes toward paying staff. They're all volunteers, and the chef, is already paid a wage. I haven't found the volunteers that work there friendly either, whether it's the young people or older ones. They are not friendly, warm or welcoming. Not one smile between them. This needs to be improved upon. And please lower the prices to reflect most people's budgets. And for goodness sake, learn how to smile and welcome people. I watched, while I waited, and it wasn't just me, they weren't warm or welcoming to anyone. That problem has been going on for years. There's always room for improvement, and this needs...

After an enjoyable walk around the gardens at Government House and a visit to their museum, we decided to have afternoon tea. It turned out to be a poor decision. Tea room was not crowded yet we waited 15 minutes to have our order of one pot of tea, one soft drink and one pastry to share brought to our table. Tea was extremely weak and flavourless. (Only one teabag in a full-size teapot of hot water.) No spoons, only wooden stir sticks. (Not typical tea room style.) Ordered a raspberry pastry; was served a totally different strawberry one with no forks to eat it with. No milk/sugar at the table. You had to put it in the cup when you ordered so if you wanted a second cup of weak tea from the pot, you had to walk to another room to get milk/sugar. All in all very poor value for the price. No ambiance whatsoever. We might as well have gone to any take-out coffee joint. Only bright spot--volunteer staff were friendly and polite, albeit not...