A round-up of high tea experiences in Melbourne, from traditional to the unusual.
Melbourne is a city that loves to eat, and one of its penchants is high tea. There are opportunities to indulge all over the city.
Some places toe the traditional line, with plump scones topped with sticky jams and silky creams served alongside neatly trimmed finger sandwiches. The presentation features fine china and tiered plates.
Others offer their own take on the concept, with everything from circus-themed teas to slightly less formal buffet-style teas that include chocolate fountains.
Here’s a round-up of the best options.
Best classic high tea in Melbourne from RedBalloon
Serving high tea for more than 130 years, the Hotel Windsor’s three-tiered tea service features delights like scones, ribbon sandwiches of smoked salmon, cheeses and avocado, and sweet treats prepared by a pastry chef – all paired with a sparkling wine on arrival.
- Location: Hotel Windsor, Melbourne CBD
- Includes: Hotel Windsor’s famous scones, savoury items, ribbon sandwiches, sweet desserts, tea and coffee and sparkling wine.
- $99 for one
Best themed high tea in Melbourne from RedBalloon
Sweet and savoury delights are served with a touch of France in this high tea that would make Marie Antoinette proud. An assortment of 10 treats, macarons and more are included.
- Location: By Josephine, Brunswick
- Includes: Homemade iced tea, a hot or cold drink, 10 sweet and savoury treats per person, macarons
- $96 for two people
Our top picks for high tea in Melbourne
The Langham
The tea is served in Wedgewood cups at The Langham. Plus, in case you’re in any doubt about which type of tea to fill your cup with, there’s a tea sommelier on hand to help you decide. Edible treats, meanwhile, include traditional sandwich triangles, scones and pastries.
- Tea time: 2:30pm
- Address: 1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006
- Phone number: (03) 8696 8888
- Price: From $59
Sofi’s Lounge, Sofitel
High tea is served up buffet style at Sofi’s Lounge. A banqueting-style table is laid out with savouries and sweet treats for the occasion. The menu is contemporary. As well as the likes of finger sandwiches, you’ll find items like warm croque monsieurs on offer. The real talking point here, though, has to be the chocolate fountains.
- Tea time: Saturday and Sunday 14:30pm-5pm
- Address: 25 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
- Phone number: (03) 9653 0000
- Price: From $49
Park Hyatt
Park Hyatt’s tiered afternoon tea is served alongside views of Trilogy Gardens. The menu is traditional. You can expect to sink your teeth into bite-sized sandwiches, with fillings like smoked salmon, plump scones, and fresh petit desserts such as mini profiteroles and macaroons.
- Tea time: 2:30pm-5pm
- Address: 1 Parliament Square, off Parliament Place, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
- Phone number: (03) 9224 1234
- Price: From $65
The Windsor
The Windsor has been serving high tea to customers since 1883. However, its menu is pretty contemporary. You can count on sandwiches with unusual fillings like egg mayo with capers and curry butter, and sweet options like coconut yuzu. The hotel doesn’t meddle with the scone recipes, though. These are made the traditional way and served with slicks of homemade jam and blobs of cream.
- Tea time: 12pm-2pm
- Address: 111 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
- Phone number: (03) 9633 6000
- Price: From $75
The Westin
The high tea menu morphs with the seasons at The Westin. In winter, for example, you can expect seasonal produce like butternut squash and blackberries to appear in the recipes. Throughout the year, the hotel also offers a range of teas with a twist, like the High Cheese offering that comes with three tiers of cheeses and cheese scones.
- Tea time: 11am-4pm
- Address: 205 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
- Phone number: (03) 9635 2222
- Price: From $59
Melbourne Zoo
Melbourne Zoo offers a tropical take on high tea. It’s served in the Rainforest Room where the ceiling to floor windows look out over the Tamarin monkey habitat. While the setting is a little unconventional, the menu is traditional. Expect scones, cloggy with jam and cream, and a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and pastries, served on a tiered tray.
- Tea time: 1:30pm
- Address: Elliott Avenue, Parkville, Victoria 3052
- Phone number: (03) 1300 966 784
- Price: From $71
The Crown
You get more than sandwiches and scones at high tea at The Waiting Room, inside Crown Towers. The menu changes depending on the season, but you can expect things like savoury pastry with a lobster thermidor filling and smoked salmon and herb crepe roulades to crop up, alongside sweets like sticky profiteroles and gooey eclairs.
- Tea time: Daily 12pm-5pm
- Address: Ground Floor Crown Towers Lobby, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank, Victoria 3006
- Phone number: (03) 9292 5777
- Price: From $75
Melbourne Botanic Gardens
High tea at Melbourne Botanic Gardens is served against the backdrop of the Ornamental Lake. The menu is traditional with a few surprises thrown in, such as warm goats’ cheese and Roma tomato tarts and hot mini beef rolls. To extend the experience, you can book a punt ride on the lake before your tea.
- Tea time: Daily 11am-1pm and 1pm-3pm
- Address: Gate A, Cnr Alexandra Ave & Anderson St, Royal Botanic Gardens, South Yarra, Victoria 3141
- Phone number: (03) 9820 9590
- Price: From $55
Hopetoun Tea Rooms
Hopetoun Tea Rooms first opened its doors in 1892, and its setting hasn’t changed much since. When you take high tea here you’ll be dining beneath vintage chandeliers and by antique panelled walls. The menu is as traditional as the setting, featuring the likes of fist-sized scones, smoked salmon sandwiches and a selection of petit fours.
- Tea time: 10am-2:30pm
- Address: 282 Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
- Phone number: (03) 9650 2777
- Price: $55
Latest deals for high tea in Melbourne
RedBalloon
Extra 15% off site-wide
Valid on experiences like gourmet dining, overnight getaway packages, hot air ballooning, spa treatments, cooking classes, high teas and more. Minimum purchase of 2 experiences to redeem offer. T&Cs apply.
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Cudo
10% off local experiences
Valid on all dates for local experiences like spa treatments, dining out, high tea, holidays and more. Discount applies to a minimum spend of $49. T&Cs apply.
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Popular Travel coupon codes
| Last checked | Code description | Code |
|---|---|---|
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