Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or you’d like to treat yourself, a classic high tea is a great experience to try any day of the year. And thankfully, Melbourne is just bursting with historic and gorgeous venues for you to enjoy high tea. In no particular order, here are some truly delightful places to try high tea in Melbourne.
1. The Tea Rooms 1892
Cost: From $75 per person
Home to the original Hopetown Tearooms, this quaint venue in the historic Block Arcade is a must-visit for every Melburnian. Take a step back in time, and feel like a shopper in the 1890s, as you sip tea by the vivid emerald wallpaper. Reservations for high tea are a must, and it is available seven days a week.
📍Shops 1 & 2 The Block Arcade, Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
2. Jardin Tan
Cost: $199 for two.
Surround yourself with the lush greenery at the Royal Botanic Gardens, and enjoy a delightful high tea for two. Enjoy handmade scones, sweet and savoury bites, a glass of bubbly on arrival and free-flowing tea and coffee. High tea is available at 1pm or 2pm, from Wednesday to Sunday. Bookings for high tea at Jardin Tan are required, and sessions last for 90 minutes.
📍Closest to Entrance F, Royal Botanic Gardens, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra VIC 3141
3. The Windsor
Cost: From $89 on weekdays and $109 on weekends.
The Windsor hotel has served up afternoon tea since 1883, making it the longest-running in Melbourne. Sit inside the colonial-era dining room, One Eleven, and enjoy champagne, specialty tea, scones, sandwiches and desserts. Afternoon tea at The Windsor is held from Wednesday to Sunday.
📍111 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Aria Bar & Lounge at The Langham
Cost: From $98 on weekdays and from $118 on weekends.
Step into Aria Bar & Lounge at The Langham hotel for a range of delightful afternoon tea options. There’s the classic style of afternoon tea, as well as a tea for children under 12 years old and an afternoon tea and spa combo for the ultimate indulgence.
📍1 Southgate Ave, Southbank VIC 3006
5. Collins Coffee House
Cost: From $56 per person.
Enjoy a charming high tea in the stunning surrounds of Collins Coffee House. Choose your level of indulgence, starting with a brunch high tea on weekdays, a traditional high tea experience and a deluxe high tea with a glass of prosecco. If you’d rather stay at home, you can also pick up a High Tea in a Box for 2.
📍395 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
6. The Westin Melbourne
Cost: From $85 per person.
At The Westin, you’ll indulge in delectable sweet and savoury delights and premium teas and coffee blends. If you like a little booze with your high tea, you can upgrade your package to include Chandon Brut or Rosé. There’s also a high tea for little ones, and special high tea events, like a Wicked-themed high tea. High tea at The Westin Melbourne is served every day, from 11am to 4pm.
📍205 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
7. The Ritz-Carlton
Cost: $110 per person
Soar up to Level 80 and enjoy high tea among the clouds at The Ritz-Carlton in Melbourne. Relax in the lounge and take in views of the city, Port Phillip Bay and beyond, while indulging in a selection of sweet and savoury bites. Pair it with tea, coffee, champagne and sparkling. Afternoon tea is available from Thursday to Sunday.
📍650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC 3000
8. Tea Room at NGV
Cost: From $75 per person.
After a day admiring some incredible artwork, treat yourself to some high tea at the National Gallery of Victoria. Head up to Level 1, and nibble on a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, macarons and more. Upgrade your experience to free-flowing sparkling wine or a glass of champagne. A non-alcoholic high tea is available, as well as an option for children. High tea is available daily from 10am to 5pm.
📍180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne VIC 3006
9. Strangers Corridor at Parliament House
Cost: $85 per person.
Did you know that you can have high tea at the Parliament of Victoria? This is a tradition that both members and visitors have enjoyed since 1924. Try freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and delicious pastries on the classic tiered stands. Pair it with tea, coffee and a glass of sparkling wine. High tea is served in the Strangers Corridor restaurant at 2pm on Thursdays of non-sitting weeks.
📍1 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
10. No 35 at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins
Cost: $98 per person
Soar up to the No 35 restaurant for high tea in Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. Enjoy high tea on Saturdays and Sundays, with finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and decadent desserts. Enjoy unlimited tea or coffee, or upgrade your experience to include free-flowing sparkling wine, while you look at gorgeous city views.
📍Level 35 at 25 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne
Cost: $99 per person
Have a luxurious high tea inside Collins Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Melbourne. Sip your tea with elegant, vintage-inspired fine china, and indulge in fluffy scones, finger sandwiches and golden pastries. Indulge in a lavish dessert spread, and take things even further with a gelato counter, crepe station and chocolate fountain. Enjoy a glass of Chandon Blanc de Blancs, or upgrade your experience for bottomless bubbles. High tea takes place on Saturdays from 12:30pm to 3pm.
📍123 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
12. The Waiting Room
Cost: $89 per person
Head to The Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne for a variety of Aperol-infused delights with their themed high tea. Treat yourself to scones, pastries, savoury items and desserts across four delectable tiers. You’ll also receive a chocolate gift box to take home. Upgrade your experience with sparkling, champagne or cocktails. This high tea is available from Friday to Sunday.
📍8 Whiteman St, Southbank, VIC, 3006
13. Oxi Tea Room
Cost: $89 per person
Oxi Tea Room in Carlton specialises in oolong and black teas from Kenya and Taiwan. Try them alongside unique desserts made in-house at their seasonal high tea events. Their menu is constantly changing, so you’ll be sure to find something fresh, exciting and artistic. See their current menu here.
📍5 Cornell Pl, Carlton VIC 3053
14. Yugen Tea Bar
Cost: From $105 per person
Yugen Tea Bar in South Yarra has a vast selection of loose-leaf teas for you to discover. If you’d like to stay for afternoon tea, they’ve got a marvellous high tea service inspired by the classic English event. It’s comprised of two acts. The first is a savoury experience, with seasonal bites and sandwiches served with Asian twists. The second act features sweet dishes, like pastries and scones with condiments. Everything is served with a carefully matched infusion, brewed and poured at your table. You can upgrade your experience to include sparkling wine and champagne.
📍605 Chapel St at the Capitol Grand, South Yarra VIC 3141
15. Appartement 26
Cost: $120 per person.
This intimate Parisian salon is filled with lavish antiques. Indulge in two hours of free flowing Blanc de Blanc, as well as a glass of French champagne on arrival, in this bottomless high tea experience. Of course, there will be traditional scones and savoury sandwiches to try, as well as indulgent desserts and pastries. High tea is available on various Saturdays and Sundays. Book your experience here.
📍26/321 Chapel St, Prahran VIC 3181
16. Mary Eats Cake
Cost: From $69 on weekdays and $75 on weekends
With tea houses based in Brunswick and Montrose, the team at Mary Eats Cake pride themselves on their sense of urban sophistication. Enjoy a seasonal high tea menu with sweet and savoury bites and vintage tea sets. On weekends, they also have brunch high tea sessions, which include free-flowing mimosas and Pimm’s cocktails. If you can’t dine in-store, you can pick up a high tea box to take home, or get it delivered if you live within 30km of their venues. High tea is available from Wednesday to Sunday.
📍558 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC 3056 and 13 Leith Road, Montrose VIC 3765
17. Miss Violet’s Tea Rooms at Old Man Drew
Cost: $99 per person
Return to a bygone era at Miss Violet’s Tea Rooms. The room is set with fresh flowers, Royal Albert China and crystal chandeliers – the perfect setting for an afternoon of high tea. Enjoy champagne on arrival, seasonal savoury food, scones, small cakes, petits fours and chocolate. High tea is served upstairs at Old Man Drew on Saturday and Sunday, from 3pm to 5pm.
📍359-361 Mt Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale VIC 3032
18. Mámor Chocolates & High Tea Szalón
Cost: From $118 for two people.
Indulge in a decadent high tea at this salon in Collingwood. There’s three types of high tea to choose from. The Petit High Tea features a sample of their favourite offerings, served with tea, coffee and pink lemonade. The Luxe High Tea includes French sparkling wine, and a range of sweet and savoury treats. And the Chocolate High Tea features a decadent array of elaborate sweets and petits fours with cocktails.
📍153 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC 3066
19. Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park
Cost: $85 per person.
Head to Melbourne’s west, and feel delighted by a lavish spread of sweet and savoury delicacies in this historic setting. Look out over the magnificent gardens of Werribee Park, while you sip a glass of prosecco. High tea takes place at Joseph’s Dining in Lancemore Mansion Hotel Werribee Park every Saturday at 12:30pm and Sunday at 12:30pm and 3pm.
20. Olinda Tea House & Restaurant
Cost: $66 per person on weekdays, and $73 per person on weekends.
Nestled in the Dandenong Ranges, you’ll find the tranquil Olinda Tea House & Restaurant. Nibble on a selection of hot and cold savouries, Asian-influenced petits fours and Devonshire tea. Sparkling wine and other fun drinks are available at an extra cost. If you’d like to sit outside, try the Gazebo High Tea experience, and admire the resident alpacas. Bookings are required, and they are open from Wednesday to Monday.
📍86 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
21. The Atrium at The Continental Sorrento
Cost: From $110per person.
Feel like you’re on holiday and have high tea by the sea at The Atrium inside The Continental Sorrento. There’s traditional scones with house-made jams and cream, finger sandwiches and fresh pastries. There will also be specialty teas and a glass of bubbles for each person. High tea is served on the last Sunday of each month.
📍1/21 Ocean Beach Rd, Sorrento VIC 3943