Decadent Delights: 16 Spots to go for High Tea in Melbourne

The allure of a fancy high tea holds strong no matter what age you are. Something about the combination of fine porcelain, dainty morsels and a sense of tradition brings magic to tea time. Plus, it gives us an excuse to eat dessert and drink Champagne in the middle of the day.

Whether it’s for a special occasion or simply because, a sweet treat is the perfect pick me up – so why not make it bougie? If you’re in the mood to be prim and proper on your next outing with friends, we’ve got you covered.

Here are our picks for the best high teas in Melbourne.

The Continental Sorrento

Spend a Sunday on the coast and enjoy an afternoon of lavish snacks at The Continental Sorrento. With his signature sophistication and culinary flair, hospo heavyweight Scott Pickett and his team are plating up an Insta-worthy selection of sweet and savoury delights every Sunday. Settle into the sun-drenched Atrium and nibble on classic favourites such as fresh scones served with house-made marmalade and cream alongside a weekly rotating menu of moreish bites – think pavlova with lemon myrtle meringue, spanner crab croissants and mini smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. Diners can choose from a premium selection of teas by Yugen or level up with a bottle of Taittinger Brut Champagne.

Every Sunday

1-21 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento

Westin Melbourne

Indulge in a sumptuous high tea, ensconced within the luxurious setting of the Westin Melbourne. You can nibble on tea sandwiches and seasonal sugary treats, as you take in the elegance of your surroundings. While Chandon and Moët are the bubbles of choice, here, it’s all about the tea. Partnering with Jing Tea, you’ll find an unrivalled assortment of rare herbal infusions that have been hand sourced directly from tea farmers across China, India, Japan, and Taiwan.

205 Collins Street, Melbourne

Strangers Corridor

You’ll have to scan your bags on entry, but it’s a small price to pay for the privilege of having tea within the hallowed halls of Parliament House, a space usually reserved for politicians, visiting dignitaries and royals. There’s a somewhat respectful hush that comes with dining in an exclusive, private space, but the food at Strangers Corridor is warm and familiar. Graze on a three-tiered stand of finger sandwiches, truffled mushroom and cheddar tarts, and scones with thick cream and lemon curd before walking it off with a free guided tour.

1 Spring Street, Melbourne

Om Nom at Adelphi

High tea at the Adelphi has a modern twist (just like its sleek, funky décor), seen in savoury creations like parmesan panna cotta with quince and terrine crostinis. But here it’s all about the sweet treats, with desserts that are works of edible art. There’s glazed lime cheesecake, passionfruit and salted peanut valrhona chocolates and fizzy raspberry meringue. They’re a match made in sugar heaven paired with cocktails –  try the plum and sage sorbet bellini or frozen salted caramel espresso martini. Delicious. 

187 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

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The Hotel Windsor

Surrounded by white tablecloths, fresh flowers and classical music, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time to a BBC period drama or a Jane Austen novel at The Hotel Windsor. When it comes to tea, they know their stuff – The Hotel Windsor has been pouring brews every day since 1883. They’ve got a 12-page “tea etiquette manual” to guide you as you nibble on ribbon sandwiches and French patisserie, while on weekends they serve a dessert buffet that includes a crêpe station.

111 Spring Street, Melbourne 

The Stables of Como

For those who find the high teas held at five-star hotels and historic manors a bit too prim and proper, the laidback, country farmhouse vibes of The Stables of Como are a great alternative. Traditional bites get an update, with smoked salmon and horseradish poppyseed bagels and French toast with mascarpone and berries, or if you’re feeling particularly hungry/indulgent, opt for the ‘Guy Tea’ with mini Wagyu beef burgers, BBQ pork sliders and chicken mini pies. You’ll be pleased to know that mimosas are also free-flowing. Follow up your feed with a stroll around the picturesque gardens.

Williams Road & Lechlade Avenue, South Yarra

The Grand Hyatt

Have high tea in style at the Grand Hyatt, where it’s served in 24 karat gold-trimmed fine china designed by Cristina Re. First, you’ll be served warm scones, thyme gougères and spanner crab tacos before you’re free to roam a sweet and savoury buffet, with everything from bulgogi beef steamed buns and salt cod croquettes to strawberry choux, red velvet and cream cheese cupcakes and an ‘edible garden’ of dessert.

123 Collins Street, Melbourne

Hopetoun Tea Rooms

Situated within Bourke Street, Hopetoun is steeped in old-world charm and tradition. Famed for their ornate cake displays, they began in 1891 as a team room for the Victorian Ladies Work Association and haven’t strayed far from the classic formula since – think a three-tiered stand with dainty sandwiches, quiches and pinwheels, petit fours and freshly baked scones with berry jam and double cream.

421 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Mámor Chocolates and High Tea Szalón

Take tea at Mamor and step into a luxurious French boudoir full of deep reds, plush velvet and sparkling chandeliers. You’ll be tucking into French-inspired bites like confit chicken pinwheels, savoury mille feuille with salmon and dill pâté, petit gateaux and Mamor’s artisan house-made chocolates, plus endless cups of tea, coffee or pink lemonade.

153 Johnston Street, Collingwood

Mary Eats Cake

Popular with bridal showers and birthday parties, Brunswick favourite Mary Eats Cake offers a more casual setting while still plating up indulgence. For savouries, there’s classic chicken and cucumber sandwiches, beetroot ravioli and lamb ragu pie, while their dessert specialty is an apple chai tea cake with salted caramel and chantilly cream. Seasonal teas are blended by a ‘tea sommelier’, and you can package your session with workshops on cocktail mixing, calligraphy or flower crown making.

558 Sydney Road, Brunswick

NGV Tea Rooms

After working out your legs by wandering through the NGV’s many galleries, it’ll feel doubly good to sit down for a leisurely afternoon tea. Sink into the NGV Tea Rooms‘ comfy bucket seats for a spread of the classics: macarons, éclairs, cakes and savouries, all intricately handmade by pastry chefs. 

180 St Kilda Road, Southbank

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Moët & Chandon X Cacao High Tea at The Waiting Room

It’s a new year, which means there’s a new high tea at The Waiting Room in Crown, and like all the previous ones that have ben hosted here, it won’t disappoint. Moët & Chandon have partnered with Cacao to serve up a delightful European-inspired high tea. A variety of hot and cold delicacies await you, ranging from a savoury smoked burrata tart to refreshing summer sweets like a summer berry verrine or mandarin and bergamot macaron, upon other delicious bites. You’ll even get to take home a biscuit box from Cacao!

Friday to Sunday, from 11.00am

5th January to 31st March

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank

Yugen Tea Bar’s Afternoon High Tea

Strikingly designed Yugen Tea Bar has a magnificent afternoon high tea to add to your must-do list, inspired by the classic English afternoon tea, with some bold twists and turns in between. Refined yet relaxed, the moment is yours to create, so let their tea sommeliers and pastry artists craft a Yugen moment for you to remember. 

Each service is comprised of two acts – one savoury (think dainty sandwiches and seasonal bites), and one sweet (pastries and some of the best scones in town, with whipped cream and condiments, of course). It’s all served with a carefully matched infusion, brewed and poured right at your table. To enhance your experience, they also offer a selection of alcohol-free beverages, cocktails and Champagne. J’adore! It’s our new favourite high tea in Melbourne.

605 Chapel Street, Capitol Grand, South Yarra

Pilgrim Gin High Tea

Make your way through three tea-infused gin cocktails, a decadent selection of sweet and savoury delights and bottomless sparkling and tea at Pilgrim’s Gin High Tea. It’s a high tea in Melbourne experience you won’t soon forget, with dishes like mini croissants with bush spiced chicken, mayo and currants, a prawn toast with pepperberry aioli, and a wattle seed and lemon curd crumble tart set to tantalise your palate. Plus, how can you go past the chamomile and pineapple spritz?! Delish!

Friday to Sunday, 2 hour sessions from 12pm, 3pm, and 5pm

Birrarung Marr, 15-19 Federation Wharf, Melbourne

Olinda Tea House 

Olinda Tea House & Restaurant is an iconic destination, and a must-do for experiencing some of the best high tea in Melbourne. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate friendship and bring your loved ones together. The high tea itself starts with hot and cold savouries, then you get to work your way through a range of delicious Asian-influenced petit fours, followed by Devonshire Tea. There’s a full range of international black, white or green teas to choose from, or indulge in a hot chocolate or espresso. 

86A Olinda-Monbulk Road, Olinda

Oxi Tea Room

Ready to write your own high tea tale? 

Secure your ticket at Oxi Tea Room and navigate through a menu where each dish crafts a unique chapter. This is high tea, reimagined, where you can pick your own path and let the flavours guide your narrative.

The teas on offer here are also carefully selected, with Oxi specialising in Kenyan black teas and Taiwanese oolong teas in particular.

Choose wisely…and let the high tea magic begin! 

5 Cornell Place, Carlton

The Langham

The Langham is renowned for its luxury and indulgence, and its high tea is no different. Running numerous sessions daily, The Langham’s high tea is filled with delectable assorted pastries and speciality tea from Ronnefeldt. It’s the perfect place to catch up with friends if you’re feeling something luxurious!

Daily, 2 hour sessions from 10.00am, 1.00pm and 4.00pm  

The Tea Rooms 1892

If you want to experience a traditional high tea, The Tea Rooms 1892 is the perfect place for you to go. Established in 1892 – hence the name – as a fashionable place for women to enjoy lunch or afternoon tea with other members of polite society. Today, The Tea Rooms 1892 are still open for everyone to enjoy the emerald green wallpaper, chandeliers, fine bone china and delicious bites including sandwiches and cakes.

Shop 2, The Block Arcade282 Collins Street