Q AT THE FAIRMONT EMPRESS in Victoria

We ate breakfast here several days in a row. The service and food were exceptional every time. We couldnt have asked for better service from Joseph and the others.

They serve foie gras. Foie gras is the diseased liver of a duck or goose. Ducks and geese are force-fed with long tubes several times a day to induce fatty liver disease. The animals livers swell up to ten times their normal size Please, never eat foie gras, and choose to eat somewhere else instead

During our visit from Manitoba for Christmas, my daughter treated myself, my wife, and my sister in law to Sunday prime rib dinner at the Q and it was nothing short of spectacular! From the time we arrived and were seated, until over 2 hours later when we left, we were treated like royalty by our wonderful, amazing, and very attentive server Myra, who was professionally assisted by Bosko and a few others whos names I didnt get, all of whom were so very efficient and polite. Myra even patiently posed us and took a great photo of our family so we will always remember that magical evening. The prime rib was of a very generous portion, and cooked to absolute perfection to each ones preference. The Yorkshire pudding, gravy and vegetables were all excellent, as were the scallops we just had to try. Besides the amazing prime rib, I particularly enjoyed the delicious mashed potatoes with gravy. We enjoyed a delicious assortment of desserts, as well as fancy teas and a terrific decalf coffee. We highly recommend this well priced, first rate Prime rib dinner ...you will not be disappointed! Given the season, the restaurant was beautifully decorated with white lit Christmas trees making the atmosphere magical. We were delighted to meet the Q manager Mathieu who was very kind and hospitable. Thank you to everyone at the Q for making our family dinner so special, and one which we will remember forever. Warmest Christmas wishes to everyone at the Q. We look forward to seeing you on our next visit to Victoria.

Excellent staff. The China is beautiful. The room is not quaint or special. The tables are plain. The food was okay, desserts were dried out like they were old. We were there at 2pm the last one of the day. It is next to a major halfway and didnt feel special. Did expect more for the price.

Thoughtful and friendly service. Great atmosphere for evening. Live music. Excellent drinks. Food

Overall the entire vibe of the place is countryside fancy. The atmosphere was intimate, quiet, dim light There are clearly elements to the place to appear fancy, but the execution is rather awkward, as if the guidance to making an expensive restaurant was given to a person who has never been to one and has low-ish standards. Examples: Live music - fancy Rock/Pop acoustic guitar - awkward, given the atmosphere (what was performing this night) Tenderloin - fancy Tenderloin with barbecue sauce - awkward(what I had) Our waiter was a rock star. The place looked good and felt good. Was not overly expensive, but far from cheap. Our bill was 350Cad +tip , 2 appetizers. 2 mains, 2 deserts, 5 cocktails. Overall I would rather chose a different place if you count on your dinner to be something special, still might be exciting/impressive for someone.

We celebrated the start of a long weekend at the Q at The Empress indulging in spicy clams and battered cod accompanied by a Grey Goose Vodka martini burnt with a twist of lemon . The old world atmosphere was rich and the service excellent.

Loved the food and atmosphere we also received free cocktails. The risotto was the groups favorite! Thanks again

Q at the Fairmont Empress is an enchanting dining experience that beautifully marries history with modern elegance. The stunning interior features rich wood accents and luxurious decor that make you feel like you ve stepped back in time while enjoying contemporary comforts. It s also a fantastic spot for people-watching; whether youre sipping a cocktail or indulging in a meal, there s always something fascinating happening in this vibrant setting. Speaking of cocktails, the mixology here is top-notch! Each drink is carefully crafted, perfectly complementing the exquisite food. The menu offers a delightful range of dishes made from high-quality ingredients. I ve enjoyed everything from fresh seafood to decadent desserts; every bite has been a treat. The Fairmont Empress has a storied history, dating back to its opening in 1908. It s a beloved landmark that has welcomed countless guests over the years, and dining at Q is a lovely way to connect with that rich heritage. Parking is conveniently available at the hotel, making your visit hassle-free. The restaurant is open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, making it an excellent choice for romantic dates or special occasions. Overall, Q at the Fairmont Empress is a must-visit. It offers an unforgettable experience that combines beautiful surroundings, delicious food, and a touch of history perfect for creating lasting memories!

The cinnamon pancakes are delicious! Highly reccomended

Zero customer service. We sat at the bar for a long while until we were noticed. The area smelled like puke. When we received our $37 burrata dish, not only did it look very dry it was missing the sausage ingredient and came with Wonder bread. When we mention the lack of Nduja to our server she asks is this the tofu dip and evidently lacked knowledge of the dish. She came back with a dollop of paste and made us feel bad for asking. We did not even receive water. Terrible first experience.

The place is so nice and cozy. The Q served delectable dishes. The seafood pasta and the peace country lamb were excellent. I raved Oscar, thank you for the wonderful service. I appreciated the chef who made our special request fusion cake (chocolate hazelnut tart with berry triple, Okanagan Cherry Creme Brulee, and ice cream ice cream ). I highly recommend Q at the Empress!

Went for breakfast and the vibes were good but why did I pay $22 for an acai bowl that was barely filled up and super liquidy : ( The price should have been $6. It was ok I def could have made it better at home. Overpriced and needed some more flavor:(

Overpriced

This place is a must visit . It was my first time here last Saturday. I came not too long before closing . Despite this, the staff were so gracious and welcoming. The murals on the wall are exquisite, and the cocktails are absolutely brilliant. I had a lavender haze drink. I ll be back for sure.

Tables aren t clean. Getting a table as a guest is stupidly onerous. Why have an onsite breakfast if guests at the property can t actually eat there? The staff member lacked the ability to adequately communicate if breakfast would continue past 11am given that my wait of nearly an hour (I was told it s a possibility). The staff member repeatedly forgot my room number and no other options were given for breakfast onsite. On a previous day when I had breakfast here the food was mediocre at best. The service was so lacking I had to chase down the greeter to get a bill. The waitress never checked in about quality, etc. Definitely not up to the standards of other Fairmont properties. This restaurant, their mediocre approach to food quality and service quality really make this an abysmal experience when paying $500+/night.

Celebrated our 33rd Anniversary last evening at the Q restaurant. The service was very poor; stilted perfunctory and unfriendly. Waiter was bored and didn t smile once. Food was mediocre at best. Halibut over cooked rubbery and the accompanying vegetables and sauce were bland. Tenderloin cold and poorly cooked. Packets of sugar slapped on a side plate with lukewarm coffee. One packet of sugar already opened on the plate.. We sat by a window in back corner. Filthy window and window sill. Chairs uncomfortable. Dessert was rubbery and underwhelming.The only redemption was the warm dinner buns and the hostess was very pleasant. Overall a very disappointing and expensive evening.

They re not going to be able to do a drink that s specialized there, but everything was pretty good.

Honestly one of the best food experiences I have had, I couldn t decide what I liked best because every bite was the best bite. A great restaurant with an amazing look and views.

I personally thought it was great, especially during the dine-around. I highly recommend trying it; their bread was amazing, and their crème brûlée was perfect definitely the best in town.

Ive been here a number of times, at the bar, restaurant and high tea. The food is always excellent! Battered Cod, Royal Burger, Salmon, Risottos and Israeli couscous are all fantastic! Thats what brings me back every time. BUT, the atmosphere is jarring and I always end up regretting coming here. It is crass and pretentious at the same time; a hard combination to pull off! The service is as detached and annoying as you can imagine. I dont blame the staff as they probably have to deal with a flurry of impatient tourists all day. I really want to like this place. I hope they could improve the service and atmosphere somehow... The food is great without question.

We had cocktails before an evening stroll, celebrating the release of a new novel. Found a delightful table in the posh bar and ordered Into the Wood and the Empress martini made with their butterfly pea blossom gin. A relaxing and comfortable hour, affable waiter, and well made (though undersized) drinks.

We enjoyed ice-cream and creative cocktails on the terrace and were served by an exceptionally nice waitress. Marisol made the evening even more enjoyable with her attentive and very good friendly and personal service. Thanks a lot!

As Accor members we get a welcome drink at the Accor hotels we stay at including Fairmont properties. After arriving at the hotel we stopped for a drink and some oysters at the bar and enjoyed lovely oysters and an Empress with Veuve for me and my husband had a non alcoholic beer. We sat at a window, people watched, and admired the view of the water. It was a lovely moment before venturing out into Victoria for the first time.

Exceptional experience - a must to try the famous popcorn!!

Excellent spot for a cocktail. Semi-formal luxury spot to have a drink.

Food is generally good. Service is very attentive.

This is the perfect restaurant. Excellent food thats presented wonderfully, attentive staff, gorgeous design, and comfortable seating. I had the silver steak and some oysters and both were delicious. Im glad I came here for my wedding dinner and will excitedly come back in the future.

A premium price for a not so premium experience. The food was wannabe michelin. Had looks and presentation but taste was dull and underwhelming. I can appreciate a good presentation only if the food tastes good. Unfortunately it did not. The waiter made us feel super uncomfortable. Asked for a extra table ware waited a good 15 mins (the restaurant was not busy). For a two person 200 dollar dinner it was very disappointing.

This is an amazing place y all gotta come here and experience. Justin you are the best.

Went to the Q bar because wanted to try Empress gin. Bar was very busy and had to wait to snag a table as soon as someone left. Waitress was quick to take our order but 15 minutes later and 2 bowls of popcorn and still no drinks. Waitress brought us free Prosecco to tide us over which was nice. Finally got our cocktails I had the Empress 75, which I really enjoyed. Drink was really pricey can get the same drink for half the price all over town, just wont have the grapefruit pearls.

Thank you for making mine and my wifes 2nd year anniversary a amazing night. Our server Will ( I think that was his name.) Was great he was very attentive but gave us our space. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed our earning together. The food was spectacular and Will most definitely be coming back

Gorgeous bar with good cocktails. Popcorn is provided. A bit pricey. Worth to try. Good atmosphere.

Food was really good. Enjoyed the duck confit and the eggs. overall I had a good experience the first day i went. The server Cecilia was super kind to me and provided excellent service. I ended up going the next day again since nothing was open for breakfast in Victoria at that time. Food was good but this time I got a different server who made me a bit uncomfortable by asking me if I wanted a different server. Why would I want a different server? Why would you even ask me that? Overall he seemed a bit annoyed with me asking questions about the menu and the sizes of the portions. Other than that the meal itself was amazing

Amazing a la carte food , nice atmosphere!

The royal burger was dry ginger beer has yet to come at the time of this review .maybe I get it before I finish the burger. (Update, I asked for it and got it) honestly my expectations are higher because of the location .Fries are legit tho Upgraded to 4 stars because of the chocolate cake.

Beautiful

Visited Q lounge last evening for drinks. Sat at the Bar and was approached quickly by the bartender. Place was hopping. Normally I order wine but the Pinot Gris was $30 a glass (9 ounce) !! Decided on a Negroni instead - which was a bargain at $20. The Negroni was ok and for $20 I expected more. They did even use (or have) the proper large single ice cube typically served in this drink. I was provided with some interesting popcorn as a bar snack which was tasty. The bartender basically disappeared and I needed to flag down another bartender to order my second drink. I was planning on eating but to be honest the menu was lame - it was basically an abbreviated version of the Q restaurant menu (which is also lame) and nothing was in the least appealing. The decor gives early 90s vibes and desperately needs an update. I understand that most hotel lounges are not awesome but this one didn t even meet that expectation. I d give it a pass unless you simply hand no where else to go.

Wonderful selections of fresh and delicious meals that you can enjoy in a quiet and beautiful space. Highly recommended

Its very pricy but worth the money.

Best breakfast service from staff ever! Even bright and early at 6:30am the staff members were so so friendly and helpful. Always made sure to go above and beyond to bring refills of coffee and hot water for tea. Food menu was inventive, not just your typical breakfast dishes. I liked the strawberry matcha chia seed pudding a lot! Not too sweet either. Thanks for a lovely time!

I was invited by a family member to spend my 29th wedding anniversary with my wife and son for dinner at The Empress as her treat. I am a long time resident of Victoria and had been both for tea and brunch to The Empress on several occasions previously, but had not been in some time. The atmosphere was as expected, antique and posh. There was live music, a lady with a guitar was singing. Her talents I felt were rather average and volume rather much as it tended to overwhelm the conversation at the table. We were not sitting close by so it would have been much worse if we had been. There were jokes at the table about how much we would have to tip her to cease. The restaurant was about half full and the service was quite good, with staff pushing in our chairs and taking care with our needs. None of us found anything on the appetizer menu appealing, so we skipped them altogether. 2 orders of hen (chicken) were ordered as well as 2 tenderloin steaks. Prices of main course items were different than stated on their website, some higher, some lower. The steak was $75.00 each and I think the hen was about $40.00 each. We were served buns which were very tasty, we were offered more which we gladly accepted. I thank whoever decided to serve us soft butter instead of refrigerated and rock hard as in some establishments, makes it very hard to spread. My steak came and was cooked as requested and was quite tasty. One problem though. The serving of vegetables was absolutely microscopic! The serving of potatoes would have fit on a single tablespoon! The pea puree I had to inquire about because the serving was so small I thought it to be a sauce I was unfamiliar with. $75 should provide us with a decent amount of food on our plate. The steak was advertised as 8oz, but seemed less. Sigh our main course took quite some time to come, but perhaps in this establishment it is expected that there be a great deal of conversation at the table prior to the main course coming. The four of us see each other very regularly so we struggled a bit to entertain ourselves prior to our main course coming. We all wanted the same thing for dessert, chocolate hazelnut torte, cost, $17 per serving. It was tasty, and well presented with a little chocolate happy Anniversary added, and some gold leaf, though the portion was on the small side. Final note, as we were coming up from the parking garage we passed through a large, long hall. The carpet was as threadbare as a $20 a night hotel, it is in serious need of immediate replacement! Please see to it! Parking: Under hotel parking. $9 for less than 2 hours.

Such a great place to grab a quick drink. Beautiful place, beautiful view

Delicious food, but incredibly small portions for entrees. Ive been here twice before and the portions were a full meal once upon a time, so it was disappointing to see. Service was rather slow, especially for drinks, but chalk that up to a busy night and a large group of us. Very nice staff, lovely hostess and servers, and I cannot emphasize how yummy the foie gras was. The oysters were delicious, and definitely get dessert. The highlight were the rolls and whipped butter at the start of the meal. They did forget to bring us an appy we ordered, no biggie. Not a 5 star experience but Id definitely come back for the foie gras.

We ordered oysters and scallops. Unfortunately, the oysters were ridiculously small and the dips were unimpressive. I would definitely not recommend Q.

Not a fan of the food, but the environment is nice. Parking: 5$ per hour Food : 3/5 |

Weird interaction with a bartender here where he told us he was buying us a round of drinks and then ended up putting them on some other dudes tab. Not a great experience overall and that was definitely not expected from somewhere like this.

While the drinks were great, we had a very uncomfortable encounter with the bartender. When we asked for our tab he misled us into thinking the other bartender wanted to buy us a round. We initially refused but he insisted. A friend joined us after and they ended up adding it to his tab. Was not expecting the deceptive sales tactic in this establishment and super disappointed in the experience as a result of it. Not a great for the brand s reputation.

Terrible! I experienced first-hand that the service at this hotel and this restaurant was terrible. I will never go here again and I want to discourage people who want to go. There are really a lot of problems here!!!

Absolutely amazing I loved my stake It worths it every penny. Food : 5/5

Went with friends to the Q, was very excited to try this restaurant for the dine around Victoria. The food was very good but the service was a disappointment. From the start, we felt rushed and despite ordering the pairing wines, our waiter didn t bring the second pairing with the main meal until we reminded him after having finished our entree (we hadn t really seen him to ask while the food was on the table). After being served the second wine after the meal was finished, the third wine arrived within a few minutes so my friends now had two glasses with no food. The desert finally arrived but at this point, we all felt like the overall experience was very mediocre and decreased the value of the outing for all of us and the excitement of dining here. Everyone can have an off night, but overall a very unmemorable evening.

Went here as a night cap on an anniversary trip and felt more of an inconvenience than a guest. No warm welcome or recommendations just a nod and the dropping off drinks. Both my partner and I are or have been in fine dining and this did not remotely meet the standard. Everyone was very dismissive. The cocktails were fine but the martini was not chilled Enough. Not worth the price due to the lack of service. Would not recommend.

My husband & I dined here last night. The atmosphere was great ( except for the loud music that spills in from the bar) and the service by Andrew was nothing short of fantastic. Andrew was warm, friendly & payed attention to every detail however, the food far from met those standards. I ordered the Tajine. I was very surprised when the dish arrived. It was comprised of a small portion of pearl couscous served with no protein or vegetables. It amounted to about one and a quarter cup of pasta balls the size of small peas topped with small toasted squares and a tbsp of crunchy cereal-like threads. For $38.00 , I expected more than an appetizer size serving with very little nutritional value. The proverbial Silver Lining was that the flavour was very nice but, sadly, a huge disappointment in all other aspects. In the interest of all future patrons who order this dish, I pray that the Chef reads this. My husband had the Prime Rib. That was a great deal more satisfactory as the quantity of meat was definitely generous but he said that he would not order it again because the quantity of mashed potatoes left him wanting more. For just short of $200.00, we definitely did not receive value for our dollars. I was trying this restaurant in the hope of treating my niece & her husband for their March anniversary. Sadly, I will be looking for a different establishment.

Pricey drinks at the iconic Empress are a must for any tourist, right!? Already had The Empress on my list of places to visit on my one day in Victoria, so I figured why not grab a drink since I assumed there had to be a bar, and thus I found myself at Q. I was already expecting some expensive drinks & the $399 cocktail I saw which I did not order met that expectation. I went with a local beer (Driftwood IPA) while the wife got something a little more fitting the environment, the Empress 75. The IPA was very hoppy, one of the most Ive had in awhile so that just makes the beer seem strong, Im not sure of the actual alcohol content. The cocktail, containing prosecco, was most of what I could taste, but the grapefruit pearls definitely looked (& tasted) nice atop the drink. They also served complimentary Charcoal Popcorn which Im glad was not stale. The waiter was really nice & attentive. Its a sleek a hotel bar that is more open than a separate closed off room. If you come be sure to ask for a seat by the window so you can have the water view. When I went, what looked like an entrance directly to the bar actually was a sigh directing you on where non hotel guests should enter. So be sure to pay attention to the signs. I dont think Id come here all the time for drinks if I was a local but its a good spot for a celebratory drink or something like that. Cheers!

Friendly, courteous staff and always a good time.

cool place, nice views. Drink and food were mediocre

Loved our first time experience at this prestigious restaurant. 5 stars all around!

This place is horrible for the price just for tea and every person that walks in they think that they are poor and can t afford it and they dont mention the price until after your meal I WOULD NEVER COME HERE AGAIN. Oh and don t get me started about the bath Rooms, they bathrooms are so dirty and there is pee on the floor.

Our first visit back since covid.Food first class but the waiter brought me a coke when i asked for a Rob Roy . Very puzzling. Hard to believe that a bartender at such a high class place wouldnt know what a Rob Roy or a Sidecar was. A Rob Roy is not made with vodka and a Sidecar has a sugared rim. Lovely ambience but the music is a toss up, I think they get locals who play for cheap just to get the exposure. It was a mercy when the break came. To be fair my other visits pre-covid were wonderful. Maybe money and staffing are issues now?

My partner and I have been coming here since 2020 and have always had a wonderful experience at the Q bar as well as the restaurant. The service has always been very professional. This evening our experience at the bar was different. The service wasnt friendly as usual, and at one point we were interrupted and asked to move to a new seat. However, the server was not friendly about it. Im not sure well be returning. Additionally, the food was extremely salty. Vegetarian options: Not many

Really nice experience. Food was good and service by Will was top tier. The two red wines we ordered were the wrong vintage so the wine list needs updating in that regard but otherwise was the star of the show. Absolutely amazing cellar with world class wines (and priced right!). If youre big into wine then walk by the glass cellar (as some dont seem to be listed on the menu) and take your pick of the litter. Chateau Margaux, Chateau Haut-Brion, etc.

We came on the 10th of December 2023 for a special occasion. We encountered very poor service upon entry when the waitress rudely moved our chair without asking, so not to overcrowd other guest, although it was already in that position when we got there. She acted as if other guests were more important than us which showed lack of friendliness and hospitality. This rude reprimand was uncalled for and showed inadequate training of hospitality staff and inability to treat their guests with equal respect and dignity. We did mentioned this incident to our waiter but no attempts were made to remedy this awkward and unpleasant situation. Even though we decided not to walk away and the food was decent, this encounter put a damper on our day.

Nice atmosphere, quality foods, friendly services.

It is a nice bar to get a drink and food. The oysters were especially fresh. If you are a gin drinker, try out their Empress gin cocktails. Im not a fan but I get one when I come here. It is nice to have a drink looking out the window in a cold day can be very satisfying.

Great cocktails and service

The Q at the Empress is truly an interesting experience. I think the ambiance is 5/5, but the food is a 2/5, and the service is a 3/5. We got the salad, clam chowder, and ice cream to share. I got the steel fish as the entree. The salad was a very basic salad, without much flavor or uniqueness other than the grapefruit. The clam chowder was good, but probably not an appetizer to share with others. The steel fish dish was not good at all. I personally can eat almost everything and am not a picky eater at all, but this dish was probably the least appetizing dish I have ever had at a high end restaurant in my life. Please do not get this dish; my friends got the other dishes and enjoyed them. The fish was cooked well, but the cranberry beans (which looked like pinto beans) were really difficult to eat, and I didn t think that it paired well with the fish at all. This dish made me feel nauseous actually. The ice cream was good and flavorful, but probably not worth the price for 3 tiny scoops and a biscotti cookie. I really will not be back if I am in Victoria again, but I would only come here if you are just here for the ambiance. The food was really not worth the price. Also, if you are here for a birthday, they do not celebrate in any special way. Vegetarian options: Veggie pasta Dietary restrictions: Gluten free biscotti

If you visit Victoria and are interested in a superb atmosphere, very friendly staff and great drinks...you need to pay a visit to Q... Oh, and its at The Empress...

Stayed at the Empress for 2 nights and looked forward to breakfast at the Q every morning. The food was fresh, prepared well, and tasted, well, like food should taste. It wasnt greasy, overly seasoned or overly salted. Service was professional but friendly and the atmosphere was wonderful. The restaurant was clean and the Christmas decorations were very tastefully done. I ordered the tater bowl which was very good. It wasnt oily and felt clean. The fully loaded oatmeal was fruity and had a good mix of flavors from the berries, banana and brown sugar, cream for the oats. My partner had the French toast which she really enjoyed. The granola, we were curious what a 14 dollar granola tasted like, it was just granola with fruits. It was good, but not with the money. There were better options to be had. Overall, I loved breakfast and look forward to returning again.

We arrived at Q Bar at 2 PM to order a bit of food and see what drinks were available. A woman at the bar curtly told us to go around to the opposite side to find open seating. We set out and found a dirty table that had just vacated and sat down. There was a couch and two chairs, more space than was needed for the three of us but all that was available so we snagged it. A waiter came, cleaned off the table and reluctantly asked us what we wanted. He gave us many nonverbal cues that we were inconveniencing him, not unusual for establishments like this but I d expect better food if this was the standard treatment. We got two non-alcoholic hot chocolates and ordered their meat and cheese board. He seemed annoyed and quickly walked away without saying anything. After being served our drinks we thanked him and asked for water, he did not say a word and walked away quickly, we weren t sure he even heard us until he returned with water. After this rather unwelcome experience our waiter suddenly became very friendly and asked us if we would like to sit in the dining room as our baby might be more comfortable there. We agreed as it seemed like less of a request and more of a demand. That s when we noticed another group of five standing and waiting to take our table once we left. I can do the math, 2 adults and 1 child ordering off the spirits free menu aren t going to bring in as much revenue as a party of five, however, having the other party watch us as we are trying to collect ourselves and move our stroller was really awkward and uncomfortable for us, meanwhile our wait staff insists on our behalf that we don t mind the switch and that it was no problem. When we arrived we were seated alone from everyone else which felt somewhat awkward in addition to the unfriendly awkwardness prior. The atmosphere was noticeably more uncomfortable once we were moved and the wait staff seemed to change their overall attitude. I found the staff completely unreachable and the experience unnecessarily awkward. Kid-friendliness: Despite allowing children I do not think they are child friendly.

I recently had the pleasure of trying the Tigers Eye cocktail at a Q at The Empress, made with the rich and flavorful Macallan Double 12 whisky. It was the perfect pairing for a cold winter evening and truly made for an enjoyable experience. As an added bonus, if youre an Accor Gold member, you can order any beverage on the menu for free. Whether youre a fan of whisky or just looking for a cozy spot to relax on a chilly night, be sure to check out this delightful cocktail.

Five star service - if you dont come here for the gin, come for Dina. So incredibly helpful, attentive and knowledgeable. We felt incredibly welcomed despite not staying at the hotel and being guests. Thank you for a fantastic visit!

This is currently one of our most favorite date night places. Whether its friends day out or a romantic night, the Q is one of the most best places to go. Note; prices are higher, but worth it. The food is 5/5 Simple presentation, amazing quality, a bit surprised this place isnt lined out the door. You can taste each ingredient and the way they cook it. All parts compliment each other perfectly but its not too crazy where you have no idea what youre eating. Portions are good. DEFINATELY get the Flax and Farro bread. & If youre up for some tasting & like seafood, the chilled seafood plateau great but the price has increased and the amount has decreased. Service 5/5 You mostly seat yourself if a lounge or table is open. The staff will be with you fairly quick. Theyre knowledgable, can make recommendations, professional & in this setting, they give you your privacy. Bar 5/5 This bar has so far been a 5 star bar. Not only are the drinks great & designed to compliment and bring flavours from all different aspects. Ive been able to ask for drinks that Ive not gotten anywhere else yet and theyve not only been able to make them without me teaching them, theyve made some of them even better than what I remember Environment 5/5 (depending) This is a quieter, private, dim lit space. Its for close and softer conversation. You sit close on lounge chairs/couches or at the bar & it currently has plexy glass separators. The lighting sets a very comforting and calm mood, I feel very refreshed and in a different world here. If you have kids, or have a loud party, this may not be suitable for you. Note that it can get dim, music may be louder and some may not like this.

Our server Andrew was the most professional and humble guy we could have wished to tend to us. Andrew made the experience 10 stars. Food was amazing, ambience was beautiful and the prices where very reasonable. Thank you Empress Victoria. Parking: Zacharias took care of our car while we dinned Thank you.

Three of us reserved for 6:15 on a Sunday evening. There was live music which was not distracting and quite fun happening in the Q bar near by. Two of us had the Dine Around three course menu - $55 with $40 wine pairing. Amazing butter lettuce salad - and the chocolate raspberry tart - photo offered. One of us had the venison tartar and seafood chowder - spectacular. Overall we were very happy, great service, and the waitress provided an extra when she found our that it was my sons birthday and he has a diary allergy. Thanks you June (waitress).

I have enjoyed many meals at the Q restaurant over the years and they are always consistently good. This is my personal restaurant of choice in Victoria and normally the food is 5 stars. This particular visit the food was subpar for the quality I am used to from the Q, but it was still very good. I would highly recommend the Q, come early and have a visit to the lounge first.

Great food and drinks. Our waitress Eva was lovely as well!

Waited for a little while at the front of the restaurant near the waiter/server stand to get help to order food. A bunch of staff walked past me like I wasnt there. So no attention was given, I then went up to the server station and asked to see a menu, a short, black haired lady with, short hair an glasses was pretty rude with her tone mentioning it last call was done when I was down there. Even though, this same lady passed me in a hurry probably like 10 times. Im pretty sure I was waiting before last call. She gave a lot of attitude and walked away in a hurry. Pretty disappointed that servers here at The Q are entitled to speak to there in house guest this way. Hopefully that attitude isnt directed to ethic people of color, definitely felt like it. Started writing this review at 11:10pm. I was at the Q at 10:25pm.

food and drinks are overpriced, a Cup of coffee shouldnt cost double...

Awesome

I enjoyed it the atmosphere my favorite. Did the Q bar after 9 pm but unfortunately the live music witch was nice to hear sadly didnt go past nine pm and dinner service was cut off at 9pm sadly . Hopefully summer will have longer hours . And live music should go past 9pm especially on a firday &weekends like at chateau whistler does . The atmosphere is great big comfy booths and lots of places to sit . The food quality is good but the food portions could be bigger and need more vegetarian options after the dinner time pasts for the bar food portion . I added the menu in the post of the bar food . The table Staff at my table was great very helpful and accomadating and i got to sit were ever i wanted and of Crouse i picked a comfy spot .

Beautiful atmosphere very nice and antique fireplace made of wood. Great paintings on the wall. If youre here for breakfast do not miss the pnw benedict. Also they serve some breakfast alcohol for the last nights drunks! Make sure you try the Prosecco drink. The quiche was okay but we enjoyed the Benedict much Rika from Japan was our server and cheryl and she was absolutely wonderful she gave us really good recommendation about how to spend our day in Mid Winter and victoria.

Great ambience, and service.

A lovely room to enjoy a tasty seasonal cocktail and wonderful seasonal dishes. Both options are always fantastic, but obviously expect to drop a good chunk of change on any of the menu items. Atmosphere and service are top notch in both the bar and the restaurant.

I visited the Q the evening of Saturday, Feb 25. My experience in the past has been great but this time, it was hugely disappointing. This lounge is located in the Empress Fairmont Hotel which I understand to be a high end hotel brand. In turn, I expect all services offered under that brand to meet the high level of standard. The drinks were well made but it was the end of night close out resembed something of a teenager run bar. They cranked the lights to the point of being so bright I was looking for my sunglasses but it was night so I did not have them in my purse. I asked the bartender who was in charge of lighting to which he replied it was the manager who was unaware of the impact of lights. Interesting calling out/ blaming the manager instead of providing the manager with my feedback. Then the bartender started spraying the cleaning chemicals on the bar right beside where we were sitting. Really? We need to breath that in while we were finishing up? That was the most passive aggressive way of trying to get us out. I realize since the pandemic its hard to find good staff, and customer service is not really a thing anymore, especially in Canada. But when youre an expensive hotel brand, as the leaders, you might want to take an active interest in how all areas of your business are representing you.

The service was superb, attentive and welcoming we should have had all our meals at the hotel. It was awesome thank you

U must experience this.....and relax

Host Jana made me feel right at home, and waiter Michal provided top notch service to go with the excellent food, live music and drinks. Another fantastic meal at Q.

Its always fun to dip into a fancy schmancy hotel bar and have a cocktail. We had delightful champagne Cocktails and an Empress 1904 gimlet made with the hotels purple gin. We also ordered a charcuterie board that was varied and plentiful. Terrific service and memorable walk thru this historic hotel.

We always stop in the lounges of character hotels. The Q has art deco + modern design elements. Perfect stop for a cocktail and a snack. Food : 5/5

Always a fantastic experience in the heart of Victoria! Highly recommend!

Excellent food! We had lingcod, tenderloin, and clam chowder, very common food but they tasted extraordinary!!! Surely, a must visit when you are in Victoria!

Expensive but worth it.

Vegetarian options: They were accommodations for vegan options but extremely limited. Kid-friendliness: They had a highchair available but no change table in washroom.

The service was amazing, the staff make you feel very welcome and relaxed. It is a fantastic option for dining alone and the food and drink is amazing.

This is a great spot for a drink at the end of the night! I tend to order drinks that are off the beaten path and get mixed results. Here I was able to order any cocktail I could think of without issues. Very knowledgeable and personable staff.

Beautiful

2 fantastic evenings spent here with great food, drink and views. Big thank you to our 2 our lovely servers Lisa and Calvin.

Fine dining at its best. Food was spot on. Our waiter knew every little detail about their menu. Fancy interior. Perfect place for your date night. Highly recommend.

A high end hotel restaurant. Service was impeccable. The food was very good however it was a bit over priced for what they serve. The added money for food is well spent on maintained this beautiful historic building.

Place is unique for tea and specialty drinks. Very expensive but yoy have to visit at least once when in Victoria, Canada

Underwhelming experience. We were there last night and I can t say any of the dishes came together as a whole. I had the scallops and pork belly. Given that it s supposed to be slow roasted, it was tough. There also weren t any starchy sides. It would have been nice to know since the dish is quite small. They were able to accommodate my wife s particular gluten and celiac issues by substituting their steak dish with a Cornish hen which was passable. But then charged us for the significantly more expensive steak dish. It was a bit odd. Our server was fine and was trying to accommodate as best as he could. Drinks were good as well. Ambience was ok. Bar is likely a better vibe than the main restaurant. Overall. For the price, there was nothing memorable and we likely won t go back.

Great venue, live music in Saturday and great ambiance. Highly recommend!

Had some great oysters from Comox, halibut, and tastes of chocolate as dessert. All good quality & great service.

The fact they offer delicious gluten free fish and chips will bring me back again and again!

Since we regularly visit the Fairmont Empress, we can say with confidence that it never dissatisfies. Every detail is correct. They have it all dialled! We adore coming here for some cocktails, beverages, and their cuisine. Its wonderful for lunch, brunch, afternoon tea, cocktails and dinner. Q at the Fairmont Empress is a genuine pleasure. It s a nice location. The bartenders are nice, friendly and really knowledgable. At all occasions, the hosts provided excellent service. The drinks and cocktails are outstanding. We have had the Empress Lemonade, Empress, Old Fashioned, Martini Royale. Plus, their popcorn is tasty, unique and produced in-house! In addition, it is incredible that the Empress Gin, thats their speciality, is made in Victoria! Live music and fantastic vibes can be found at Q at the Fairmont Empress. If youre seeking for an upgraded and elevated experience, I highly recommend this location as you will not be disappointed! Thank you. We shall return.

Had a fantastic dining experience here this evening. Started with their bread as well as asparagus salad. We then had the cavatelli and the roast dinner. Both were wonderful. To finish we had the chocolate textures and the lime pavlova. Would recommend for a nice date night for sure.

Live music was good, server was very nice and polite. Food was what you d expect from a 2/3 star hotel. Tostada had no flavour whatsoever. The flatbread was better but aside from spice, the pesto offered nothing else. Very disappointed with the Empress.

We had afternoon tea in the lobby next to Q. Excellent friendly service, beautiful china, and very yummy treats. The tea selection is impressive, each one individual and unique.

Such a great experience. Came here with a group of friends and family. Eva was our server and was absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is incredible and the drinks sublime. The popcorn is to die for. Can t wait to come back.

Beautiful setting. However, I m reluctant to recommend the bar because a young bartender was incredibly rude to me. I only kindly responded to his greeting and he prompted to disrespect me, jumping to the conclusion that I could be hitting on him(?). How audacious! And uncalled for! I still tipped him because the rest of the staff shouldn t pay for his rudeness. However, I was not impressed by his poor service skills and lack of respect. The traditional setting of the Empress s bar deserves real classy gentlemen at the service of guests, rather than the immature and full of themselves. I hope this review is taken seriously.

Hade a very nice dinner at the Q. Nice service and great atmosphere.

The food was excellent, the restaurant beautiful and the staff wonderful. The tenderloin was great, the pavlova to die for. Loved it and want to go back as soon as possible!

We had drinks on the patio. My iced Americano was great. The basil tea was more sour than sweet same for the orange drink. Thank you for the wonderful patio!

It was our first trip to Victoria and visiting Q was our main event for our anniversary. We have never left a review for other restaurant but we really didnt like the service and that was not a fine dining service at all. 1. We ordered food and the server asked us if we wanted to start with bread and we said sure. at the end they charged us for the bread which we didnt even finish it. We have been to many fine dining and that has never happened. Paying for the bread is not a big of deal here the problem was we were served the bread and we were just about to have a bite and they served all the main dishes. The situation seemed a lot hectic for everyone. We took a first bite of the bread when we saw the server and the chef to cut a slece of meat, we thought that wasnt ours then they were cutting it behind of us and thats when we realized that it was ours. We were chewing the bread and had to listend to the server what sauce they brought. that was not the right order and we were like we wanted to finish the bread we were already eating but main dishes were stiing there for a bit. 2. The server who was in charge of our table was giving us really poor attitude and service. While we were eating I saw him checking other tables he was handling pretty often and just skipped our table constantly. It is okay for us not talking to a sever or they dont bother us eating but this time that was totally ignoring siituation. However, thats not something we can or we want to complain here. The worst part of Q restaurant experience was the server came to take dishes away and I asked nicelyI really liked this mustard and the other server who came with chef said it was made with some berries and I dont remember what that was what is it? He answered very sharply This is mustard. I was very embarrassed and that was not even the answer i was looking for if he doesnt know thats still okay but the way he answered just ruined the whole time experience at Q and our day. I asked again that I know this is mustard what I want to know is what is it made of? And he said I dont know if you want I will ask someone I said its okay and he came back when we wanted to pay for the bill and told me what is was. We didnt even wanted to be there anymore and thats why we skiped the dessert we wanted to order and left. All these situation is not we expected from fine dining especially Q the empress. If the server is new thats okay and not knowing enough information(wrong hour information was told about the bar from the server too) where he works thats understandable. We are 100% okay with that but the attitude is someting you need to think about and it doesnt matter how big your business is, nobody wants to have that experience. We still paid a good tip and didnt say anything there to keep everyones night nice.We went there on 11th of June, it has been more than a month and my partner and I are still not happy and the situation makes me sad and angry. I would like to give zero star for the service if it is possible. This is why we decided to leave review so Q can manage it better next time.

everything was amazing, thanks again Rosina for the best experience!

After the disappointment at the Spaghetti Factory, we wanted to treat ourselves to a good wine as compensation. Our place was outside and we could watch the people and what was happening in the harbor. A great atmosphere. However, the wine was a disappointment. We chose a very expensive red wine, 2 glasses. The wine came in water glasses, which was a disgrace and the bottle had obviously been opened for a long time. Its a shame about the wine, if we had taken a whole bottle it would definitely have been better. But you can do that with day tourists.

they may use high end ingredients but the food was not seasoned at all. The steak was incredibly under whelming and the fish was very dry. Found a dead bug in my drink. It was replaced but I was still charged for the drink. The only good thing about this restaurant was the staff our waitress was friendly and helpful but For paying over 230$ it was not worth the price for the meal I would have rather ate at McDonalds because the meat is at least seasoned there.

Amazing! Andrea and Paul were so amazing when it came to service in the lounge, makes us want to come back! They made our stay at the fairmont an absolute amazing experience! Thank you to both of them!

The food at the Q was underwhelming and lacked understanding of the art of cuisine. We had poached side stripe prawns; flavorless, disappointing, and the worst dish we have ever had at a Fairmont. The crusted waygu, taste was okay at best but not worth any sort of money. Of the many waygus I have had this one was the lowest quality barely surpassing a cold NY cut. The the salish sea coho was underseasoned and plain. The scallops were fine. Do not waste your money here. You will be disappointed. Our bill came to $465. It would have been better spent at any mid-tier restaurant. We were informed by many other victims of this poor quality food, but a friend of ours was in town and had made reservations. It would have been rude not to attend. Highlights. The waiter was lovely, the room had nice lighting. 0/10. Will not make the same mistake twice.

The hotel is good but restaurant is excellent! The chef understands combination of flavors and goes from subtle to daring in his dishes. Compliments.

What a disappointment. After a great day of site seeing in Victoria we decided to cap off our day by stopping at the Q at the empress hotel. We sat at a table and waited a while to order. After 25 minutes our waitress brought my wife s drink but announced that they looked all over but couldn t find the scotch I ordered. I immediately ordered a different scotch which took another 10 minutes to get. After asking for the check it took a long time to get it. I m a good tipper but only wanted to tip 10% but felt I couldn t as the waitress stood over me while I worked the credit card machine. I just gave up and pushed 20%. Everyone I talked to said we had to stop at the empress hotel. I ll have tell them I m sorry we did

My husband and I stopped at the Bar for a drink and some appetizers. The bartender on July 13 evening did not acknowledge us when we sat down. He was busy but after 10 minutes we asked for some menus. Finally, he came back to take our drink order and my husband said he was thinking of something from their signature gin menu to which the bartender didn t even give a suggestion. We ordered our drinks and then asked the bar assistant for our appetizers. After we finished the bartender never came over again to ask if we would like a second drink. I then just asked for the bill which we paid and left. I feel like the people serving at this bar should be a little more social and maybe try chatting with customers who are spending a fortune on food and drink. At least try and make the experience enjoyable and welcoming!

Exactly what youd expect from a Fairmont Hotel... did not disappoint.

Quite disorganized staff. Sit yourself and don t get acknowledged. Our server was quite frantic and rude at times. Cocktails were mediocre and water down.

Michael made our dining experience exceptional, 9/8/23. Beautiful decor and building. Small select menu, something for everyone. Nicely made crafted cocktails. Atmosphere, dining, and service all perfect! Fun to dress up and spoil ourselves!

My wife and I stopped in for a quick drink while visiting Victoria. Matt was the bartender, and although he let us know right away that they were exceptionally busy and service might be delayed, he was exemplary!! We had a fabulous time!! He definitely made a couple of Okies feel right at home in Canada.

Came here for a birthday dinner and everything was perfect. Delicious food, knowledgeable and friendly server, amazing atmosphere and delicious cocktails. Expensive but worth every penny! Vegetarian options: Pleasantly surprised at the amount of vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. the vegan options were incredibly delicious!

Chose to come here for a special occasion and was looking for a romantic evening. The restaurant is an open area adjacent to the lounge bar. Live and loud music was playing and a large noisy crowd made for a very unrelaxing atmosphere. The area is also very dark The halibut was dry and over cooked and served barely room temperature, sauce was bland. Would not recommend especially for the price.

The food, service, and atmosphere was amazing. I didnt feel overwhelmed by staff and they were the perfect amount of attentive. I would love to come back in the future, and Id recommend the experience to anyone. After being at the Empress for high tea earlier in the year (also fantastic), the bar was set high and my expectations were exceeded. Thank you so much for a delightful experience

What a wonderful experience being served by Marco. It was the first time I had the privilege of sitting in his section. Very attentive and knowledgeable. The Peppercorns

Best Cocktails in Victoria!!!!

Delicious

I had the displeasure of dining at Q Restaurant at the Empress last night, and it was nothing short of a catastrophe. From start to finish, the evening was marred by a series of egregious errors that left me questioning the competence and integrity of this establishment. First and foremost, the service was abysmal. It was as if the staff were competing in a race to see who could provide the least attentive and courteous service possible. Our server seemed more interested in chatting with her friends seated nearby than attending to our needs. To add insult to injury, my wifes request for a rare wagyu steak was completely disregarded. Instead, she was presented with a charred piece of meat that resembled a charcoal briquette. Its baffling how a restaurant of this supposed caliber could fail so spectacularly at executing such a basic request. Especially when the requested meal is the most expensive on the menu. The seating arrangement was equally baffling. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty, we were inexplicably joined right next door with a self-absorbed couple more interested in gawking at us than eating, who remained loud and nosy throughout. The lack of consideration for the comfort and enjoyment of paying customers was painfully evident. The pièce de résistance of this disaster was the wine debacle. I specifically requested a 2011 Barolo, only to be brought the 2017 vintage. When I brought this to the attention of the staff, instead of apologizing for the error, they had the audacity to attempt to charge me the full price of the 2011 bottle, which they never even provided. It was a blatant attempt to swindle and a shameful display of dishonesty. They wanted $245 for a bottle that is easy to acquire and retails for $70. I wanted the older 2011. To make matters worse, the manager was summoned by our waiter to engage in a futile argument, insisting that because I accepted the newer bottle, I should be held responsible for the cost of the older one. This level of unprofessionalism and refusal to admit fault was beyond infuriating. In conclusion, Q Restaurant at the Empress is an establishment that epitomizes everything that can go wrong in the realm of fine dining. The service was abhorrent, the food was a disgrace, and the staffs attempt to deceive and manipulate customers is unforgivable. Save yourself the agony and avoid this culinary nightmare at all costs. There are far better dining options available in Victoria that actually value their guests.

Andrew was attentive and provided exceptional service. We enjoyed our meals and cant wait to return; delicious!

I made a reservation for 5pm at Q at the Empress a few weeks ago when my husband and I had family visiting. We had planned on just going for a couple drinks after walking around downtown. When we arrived it was obvious there were two sides - one more casual/bar like and one more formal. We went to check in with the hostess and in a rude tone she said they werent open yet and to come back in 10 minutes. I looked over at the bar side and asked could we sit at the bar again in a rude tone she said you could but its only 10 minutes. Already feeling uncomfortable, we waited the 10 minutes and returned. Noticing that the area where our reservation was looked more formal I thought I would give her the courtesy of saying that our intentions were only to have a few drinks. She then stated that this is a restaurant, not a bar and we could not just sit and have drinks. She continued to say that she has a full night of reservations of people looking to have dinner, they could not accommodate us just wanting to have drinks. At this point I was feeling very unsettled and confused as we did have a reservation. We talked amongst ourselves thinking if we should go somewhere else or just go home, but one of our guests was looking forward to having a drink at the empress. The hostess then says I dont want to turn you away but I really cant have you take up a table just having drinks. A member of my party asks what if we have appies, she then says I guess, if thats what you want to do I cant stop you. She ends up seating us and when our server comes it is very obvious that the hostess has briefed him on the situation as he continually is trying to push menu items. In the end we stayed for less than an hour, spent over $150, and there were only a handful of people seated when we left. I feel like there is so much prestige associated with the Q given that it is at the empress, and there is attitude to accompany the upscale nature. I have never felt so unwelcome, embarrassed and unsettled at a restaurant. I can say with confidence that I will never be back.

Such a lovely place. Went there for a friends birthday, and they gave her a birthday cake slice on the house. Such a lovely server and the drinks were amazing!

Great place to meet and have a drink. Usually very busy.

*This review is for the Q Bar, not the restaurant.* WOW. This place was a total disappointment. For being in a 4 star hotel the service was absolutely terrible. There are no signs or anything telling you it s open seating so there was a group of people waiting around for the servers. The servers continuously walked past customers and ignored us. We then attempted to find seating and were literally PUSHED out of the bar because we were in the servers way at the walk up bar. Maybe if they attempted to assist and give direction there wouldn t be guests hanging around confused. Was deciding on staying at the Fairmont Empress or Hotel Grand Pacific and ended up picking the HGP. This interaction only ended up reinforcing that I made the right decision. Got the worst stuck up, snooty we are too good for you vibe . We will happily spend our money elsewhere. Never plan on patronizing this hotel or bar again.

Excellent breakfast selection. Benedicts were 10/10. Potatoes could be crispier and the atmosphere feels a bit mismatched. Something about the old-world new-world blend that is missing the mark. Kind and friendly service overall.

I got pizza and 6 oysters. The oysters were sooo good( I definitely recommend them)! The mock-tail was good tho rly enjoyed it. They started us off with free over salted popcorn. But the pizza was the worst thing I have ever ate. It looked like a frozen pizza and tasted sooo horribly unappetizing. The dough was not even cooked fully either.

Great food, no complaints. Ill be back

Was up early and pleased to see that Q at the Fairmont Empress was open at 6:30 AM for breakfast. Weve had tea at The Empress (highly recommended), but I hadnt had an opportunity to try Q until now. From the moment I walked in the door (to very festive decor) service at every point was of the standard of excellence I have experienced and come to expect from my visits at Fairmont locations throughout Canada. The hostess was friendly and cheerful, the waitress polite and attentive, and the gentleman who served my breakfast was likewise very pleasant. Ordered the standard breakfast as it is usually a quite telling sign in respects to the quality of other offerings on the menu. Its also a benchmark that I use when comparing breakfast at various locations in Victoria. I was certainly not disappointed. Every aspect of the meal was excellent. Potatoes were just right, not greasy or overcooked, sausages were flavorful and quite large, eggs were prepared as requested, and toast was decent and accompanied with individual jars of preserves and butter. Q is worthy of the quality that I associate with Tea at the Empress and stays at the hotel itself. Not to be missed by visitors to Victoria and locals alike! Hope to be back during the holidays with my fiancee for the cheese fondue on the veranda.

We spent our anniversary at the Empress so we had to try their restaurant Q. The space is beautiful and has rich sense of history. Everything we tried was delicious, we couldn t get enough of their raspberry point oysters. Our server Maddy was so sweet that we didn t even need dessert .

I m writing this to call out the amazing service we received during our Sunday brunch last weekend - Kris is the best! He is so attentive, and helped us enjoy a leisurely time together (we were up for the weekend with good friends). We look forward to our annual trip next year and hope to see Kris again! Food is very good (brunch), and you can t beat the atmosphere during the holiday season. It is pricey, but you are really paying for the full experience

Very nice.

We visited for Tea at the Empress. What a lovely afternoon we had. The ambiance is beautiful yet relaxed. We felt comfortable to chat and enjoy ourselves. The tea selection was extensive. We had the orange blossom vanilla and the Chai. And the tiers of treats was delectable. Every single item was better than the last. Our server was friendly and attentive. My teenage son is now a fan of high tea! It was truly a lovely experience.

Worth every penny for special occasion

A great addition to downtown Victoria, and just perfectly aligns with the Fairmont vibe. Stunning while seeming effortless. Bravo!

Good food.

The prices inside are sky-high to me. No blessing to enjoy it, Just take pictures outside.

Nice food, view and service. but the bathroom...too tiny and no family room.

Excellent concept, live music, well designed restaurant and.. delicious

Hands down the best tomato salad I have had in North America.

FABULOUS

It was expensive ! Of course but I expected it to be really good or something. The food is mediocre to good but not great or anything wow. Although the staff is polite and kind, the location is why its expensive- not the food quality or anything. The tea wasnt that great in my opinion. I hated the Pomegranate Hibiscus one.

Not sure as to why there are mixed reviews of this place. As afternoon teas went, it was very good. Fresh range of sandwiches. Fluffy light scones with smooth cream and jam. Topped off with small rich cakes. Staff friendly and helpful and non fussy. All set in the colonial setting of the Empress adding the final touch.

Beautiful!!

Had dinner 2 nights ago. Ordered a medium rare tenderloin steak and came out to be well done. Escalated this to our server, Michael, but it took them more than 20mins to replace it. Ended up cancelling it. Also, ordered a 2005 Italian wine and found sediments at the bottom of the bottle - server did not use a decanter. This is not a cheap place to dine and so would have expected better than what we had experienced here. The manager, Matthew, was of no help really.

Cannot beat the ambience here. It was magical. Being a fan of empress gin for a while, I was smitten to be able to try the cocktails here and I was not disappointed. So glad we had dinner here during our stay in Victoria.

The Best!!

We are from Nanaimo and really enjoy going to the bar for drinks but wish their food was better, had the prawn tostadas and they were not good at all, we have had the seafood tower which for $100 was just okay for the price. Would be nice if they would put out a seafood charcuterie, they need a better seafood selection being on the west coast! Otherwise it s a beautiful setting.

Flatbread pizza with fig preserves, gorgonzola, prosciutto and topped with fresh arugala. Topped off with a full view of the harbour from a lovely patio (blankets supplied if chilly). Great service.

Atmosphere is very nice and high end. Service was very good, waiter was very on top of water and refills for our drinks. I had the Lamb and without a doubt this was the best lamb I have ever had. The crust was made to perfection, very crisp but not burnt and season very well. The lamb flavor was present but not over barring. When I took a bit of the lamb, this was one of the few times I had to pause and close my eyes to full immerse myself in what I was eating. I would 100% recommend the lamb.

Ate here with my cousin for her wedding dinner (just a few of us) and was appalled at the poor service received at a Fairmont restaurant. Our server was rude and not friendly whatsoever (we were asking each other if she had possibly quit and was just going through the bare minimum motions). Menu substitutions were in place by the kitchen on a couple of things and the server did not inform us of this, resulting in the bride getting a meal she didnt even like. Nobody ever came back for her to ask about it. We had to find the server to ask for a dessert menu and drinks never got offered to be replenished after our first drink order. Even to get the bill it took 20 mins and we were the last ones in the restaurant. Food was decent, but not worth the cost vs other restaurants nearby with better quality/more unique items at a lesser price. Id skip the Q and go somewhere more locally focused with better service if visiting Victoria. This visit left us with a lot of disappointment for choosing this restaurant for the occasion. (Weve been to the afternoon tea and it was a world of difference in service).

Always such a great meal here. This is really one of the can t miss restaurants in Victoria- it never disappoints and if you pay a little more it is always well worth it

Gorgeous views, gorgeous ambience, gorgeous drink in all honesty, the complimentary charcoal dusted popcorn was a bit pretentious if you ask me, but regardless the drinks were great! The Empress signature gin made here on the island is the real deal - quite good in the cocktails.

Beautiful space with amazing service. Try the Empress 1908 purple gin. Our bartender Patrick was very knowledgeable, funny and professional.

Refuse to serve drinks to non hotel guest and very rude servers. There are too many tourists use here as a coffee shop. Quote from server Don t come. There are many choices in town.

Excellent food and some of the most friendly staff I have ever met.

What a wonderful experience! The Bosa family clearly cares. The service is top notch and the food is equally so. I couldnt be more effusive in my phrase. Thank you so very much.

Nice ambiance with live music , suitable for family.

Very nice. Price?

The hotel is wonderful, we went for lunch and good service, good food, I would go back

We walked in to the restaurant on Thanksgiving evening expecting to have a lovely meal and get a taste of what Thanksgiving is like in Canada. Unfortunately this is far from what we got. As we approached the hostess desk the elderly woman behind it looked us up and down, did not smile or welcome us, and didnt say a word until we were at her desk, where she then immediately began talking down to us (it seemed as though she thought we were lost). At first I thought this was because we werent dressed smart enough, but looking around I soon saw men in T-shirts and women in jeans so I knew this couldnt be the case as we were dressed more formally. The only things I could put it down to was that both me and my partner, although both in our 30s, look younger and that my partner is a POC (looking around, 99% of the clientele were 50+ and blindingly white). We were shown to our table and our servers were polite albeit distracted but I could look past this because I know what its like to work in a busy restaurant. My partner enjoyed her food however mine was not what I expected for the price. I ordered squash for starter which was unfortunately just a dull salad and I had salmon for my main which was overcooked and unacceptable for the money theyve charged. The dessert was a maple pumpkin pie which was lovely and served by another waitress or kitchen staff and served with a genuine smile, the nicest encounter we had. This woman was the only reason why we left a tip. Cherish her. The night was completely ruined by the greeting we had received by the older hostess and as they had seated us right behind the host desk, I was reminded of our cold welcome every time she glided past our table. It was just not a pleasant experience for either of us. This was the most expensive meal we paid for and was by far the worst experience of the trip.

No better way to spend a Tuesday evening.

What a fabulous Victoria experience! The service foremost from the greeting at the curb to the last cocktail, everything was a delight. I cannot wait to come back again!

Very nice restaurant. A romantic atmosphere, with live music. The decor and grand ceilings were beautiful throughout the entire place. We went on Sunday evening. Had some drinks in the lounge which were delicious and the drink I order had a nice purple to it very pretty. Went to sit for our dinner in the restaurant for their Sunday roast dinner. Simply delicious . Every bite . Cooked to perfection - recommend to anyone for a romantic date night or just want a very nice meal. The staff was also incredibly polite and on point definitely helped make the night. Can t wait to visit Victoria again and visit Q at The Empress for another amazing meal.

Drinks were great food was horrible. We had the kale salad and it was the worst salad Ive ever had!

First time visit at the Fairmont Empress. Went in for a lunch to celebrate a friends birthday. Kind of disappointed with the food offering, but that is compensated with the ambience and the live music. Their Roasted tomato soup was really great. And the Pizza dough they use is very healthy and tasty. You have to have their rich chocolate cake if you are ever eating here, it was amazing.

Best food. Pricey but worth it. Will visit again. I am an animated cartoonist and visiting here celebrates my fame and success.

What a beautiful place to enjoy company of good friends and delicious food. Christmas time at the empress always puts me in the spirit of the season. The service as always was impeccable, Adam our host was a class act all the way.

One of the most exciting and fun culinary experiences I ve had. The restaurant is located in Fairmont Express Luxury hotel and it serves all meals from breakfast to dinner. It has amazing cocktails. And the food are flavorful and amazing. We had the roasted cauliflower and the steak. Both were great. The interiors are beautiful and very relaxing. It s an amazing date night place. The staffs are friendly and great. Overall, it was an amazing experience.

We always enjoy our cocktails and the ambiance but find the service can be lacking