Feeling a little bit fancy? Celebrate in style and enjoy the best high tea in Sydney.
We know Sydneysiders adore a bottomless boozy brunch (we’ve even put together a list of our favourites if you need some inspiration).
But, how can we forget about the classic high tea experience? Enjoying endless warm scones and pretty as a picture cakes, and sipping on glasses of french champagne may just be one of our favourite ways to spend a Spring afternoon.
So for those days when you want to don your best threads and sample a refined menu of bite-sized eats, check out our guide on where to enjoy the best high tea in Sydney.
Vaucluse House Tearooms, Estate Vaucluse House
Set in the lush historic grounds of one of Sydney’s few 19th Century mansions, the Vaucluse House high tea experience is one not to be missed. As you sample your way from savoury to sweet, rest assured the bite sized treats on offer match the beauty of the exquisite mansion grounds. With everything from chicken and tarragon finger sandwiches to passionfruit macarons and buttermilk scones with cream and preserves on the menu. Want to step up your high tea experience? For just an extra $10 per person, you can upgrade to flowing lychee Prosecco cocktails or even elevate your bubbles to the French Moét Rose Mini (for an extra $22). This is the ideal location for a Spring or Summer hens party, birthday celebration, or catch up with your girlfriends.
Vaucluse House Tearooms High Tea, 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse. Every Wed to Sun, 10am to 4pm, $60 per person (min. 2 guests). Find out more here.
The Tea Room QVB, CBD
Visiting Sydney’s famous Romanesque arcade, the Queen Victoria Building, often feels like stepping back in time. And for those who want to complete this nostalgic experience, booking in for a lavish high tea at The Team Room QVB is always a good idea. Pull up a chair in this plush dining room and get ready to dig into a traditional menu of gourmet high tea eats complete with herbal tea and even top-notch bubbles. The Tea Room QVB offers a variety of packages, ranging from a simple Devonshire Tea of scones and tea or coffee ($20 per person) all the way up to a luxe Champagne High Tea experience with flowing French bubbles ($90 per person). This is an iconic QVB high tea experience that proves hard to beat.
The Team Room QVB, Level 3 North End QVB, 455 George Street Sydney. Open daily 10am-5pm, $25 to $90 per person. Find out more here.
InterContinental Sydney, Double Bay
To toast to an afternoon of leisurely dining, say cheers with a glass of champagne or even a mini Martini at the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. Take your pick of the Classic High Tea ($85 per person) featuring the Chef’s selection of savouries, freshly baked scones and handmade desserts and patisseries. The high tea experience can be tailormade to guests, catering to all dietary requirements and fussy tastes; so you know you are in for a good time.
As lovers of a celebration, they offer four packages that all feature French champagne, from the $85 classic afternoon tea all the way up to the afternoon tea for two that includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon at $779; because sometimes it’s nice to enjoy the finer things in life. And if you don’t want to leave home, you can even get their famous high tea for two as takeaway for only $170, which comes complete with a four-tiered stand. There are so many reasons the InterContinental is known as having one of the best high teas in Sydney; so for your next special occasion, get your girl gang together and book your spot.
InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, 33 Cross Street Sydney. Open daily from 12pm to 4pm, $85 to $779 per person. Find out more here.
The Langham Sydney, Millers Point
The Langham team has been serving luxury afternoon tea to their guests since 1865, so you know you will be in good hands. The British inspired menu is complete with all of the classics, including warm scones, bite sized sandwiches and savoury delights all served on luxe Wedgewood teaware. The sweet menu is particularly appealing, with items like ruby chocolate and pistachio madeleines, macarons, and petite gateau the standouts. Choose your accompanying drink, with your choice of Mitolo Jester, Sangiovese Rosé, or premium bubbles on offer. Book in before 3pm to dive into an unlimited dessert station or let the team take care of you with their classic afternoon tea menu. Prepare to experience something special at this high tea experience in the CBD.
The Langham Sydney, 89-113 Kent Street Sydney. Open Mon to Sun, 12pm to 5pm, $98 to $128 per person depending on package. Find out more here.
Shangri-La Hotel, The Rocks
Offering sweeping vistas over the Sydney Harbour Bridge and beyond, pull up a chair at Blue Bar on 36’s high tea experience. Hosted inside the iconic Shangri-La Hotel in the heart of The Rocks, this decadent high tea experience has been curated by the venue’s Head Pastry Chef Kukimo Endo. Start with a glass of sparkling on arrival before diving into a seasonally inspired menu of delicacies including raspberry pavlova, passionfruit eclairs, and lemon ricotta tarts. You can even upgrade to bottomless Australian sparkling wine to complete your high tea experience; and in a setting like this, what’s not to celebrate? Plus, did we mention they offer a vegan high tea menu? On it, you’ll find vegan mango meringues, a passionfruit chocolate mousse, and a vegan ricotta baguette. This is the ultimate high tea in Sydney with a view, that truly has something for everyone.
Blue Bar on 36 at the Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland Street The Rocks. Open seven days with first seating at 12pm-2pm & second seating from 2:30pm-4:30pm., $74 to $95 per person depending on package. Find out more here.
Swissotel Sydney, CBD
Searching for a high tea experience in Sydney that won’t break the bank? You’ve come to the right place. Flock to Crossroads Bar at Swissotel Sydney to dive into a menu of classic high tea delights. From dainty finger sandwiches to mouth-watering scones, sip your way through premium tea or upgrade your experience with a glass of champagne or rosé. For a traditional tiered high tea, the Swissotel’s weekday option is ideal for after work drinks or a post shopping treat. But if you’re looking to indulge in a high tea buffet, visit on the weekend to enjoy an endless array of savoury and sweet mini treats. The flowing chocolate fountain with all the trimmings is enough to lure us in on a Saturday afternoon!
Crossroads Bar at Swissotel Sydney, 68 Market Street, Sydney. Open Mon to Fri 12pm-4pm, Sat & Sun: 12:30pm-4:30pm). Find our more here.
QT Sydney, CBD
Sydney’s luxury hotels sure know how to throw an afternoon tea party, and QT Sydney leads the pack. QTea is their opulent spin on tradition, teaming up with patissier Adriano Zumbo to craft an elaborate and indulgent high tea experience that is designed for your viewing and tasting pleasure. On the $95 menu, you’ll find items like lobster roll, smoked salmon and caviar, passionfruit tart, and a unique twist on the traditional scone. For Zumbo fans, don’t fret, a selection of picture perfect macarons feature here as well. With a selection of the very best French champagne, cocktails, and tea on offer, this is where you want to celebrate your next special occasion.
QT Sydney, 49 Market Street, Sydney, Open Sat & Sun: 11am, 1pm & 3pm sittings. Find out more here.
Gunners Barracks, Mosman
Venture over the bridge to indulge in one of the best high teas in Sydney with a view. The historic Gunners’ Barracks overlooks the glistening Harbour and its luxurious Victorian decor matches the traditional tiered high tea on offer. Enjoy the classics, including freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, petit cakes, and savoury delights for a reasonable $65 per person. Or if you’re feeling a bit fancy, upgrade to the sparkling high tea for $75, the cocktail option for $80 per person, or the piccolo champagne high tea for $90 per person. Tea lovers are spoilt for choice with over 40 specialty teas on offer.
Gunners Barracks, End of, Suakin Dr, Mosman, open 7 days from 10am. Find out more here.
Keen to keep celebrating in style? Check out our guide to the best private dining rooms in Sydney for your next special occasion here.
Frequently asked questions:
Where can I do vegan high tea in Sydney?
For an unforgettable vegan high tea experience, check out Shangri-La Hotel at The Rocks, the Tea Room, or InterContinental in Double Bay.
What is the best high tea buffet in Sydney?
Visit Crossroads Bar at Swissotel Sydney on the weekends for a high tea buffet to impress.
What is the best bottomless high tea in Sydney?
For bottomless high tea, visit Shangri-La Hotel at The Rocks.
Where is the best high tea experience with a view in Sydney?
For the best views of Sydney to enjoy while you indulge in high tea, visit Gunners Barracks in Mosman or the Shangri-La Hotel at the Rocks.