We’ve rounded up the top spots for those seeking to leave the mayhem of modernity behind for an hour or so. We’ve considered personal experience, public reviews, and commentary from our industry friends in the know.
LessThe Waiting Room in Crown Melbourne offers an opulent Parisian hotel tea room experience with stunning Yarra views, lavish decor, and an indulgent buffet spread. Named one of Melbourne's best high teas, featuring cold and hot dishes like crab, green apple brioche, and wild mushroom arancini. Piper-Heidsieck 'Essentiel' flows for 2 hours, starting from $129pp.
The Langham Afternoon Tea offers a traditional British High Tea, including specialty tea from the British tea brand JING. Executive pastry chef Markus Bohm, with our favourite dish being the classic freshly-baked scones with fresh cream and fruit preserves. It doesn’t stop there. This is our pick of all the spots on this list. If food is a priority, think Cherry and pistachio mousse with hazelnut jaconde and pistachio microwave sponge, or try the Chestnut panna cotta.
For authentic high tea food (Melbourne style), head on over to The Hotel Windsor, which has served more than two million guests since its inception in 1883! In celebration of its 130 years of afternoon tea, the hotel developed a guide highlighting tea etiquette and the history of high tea. Some enticing treats on the menu include cauliflower and cheese pie, caramel log, and mandarin mousse, but we struggle to go past The Hotel Windsor’s Famous Scones.
The Art of Afternoon Tea, hosted by the famous Park Hyatt Melbourne, is a five-star high tea experience like no other, with world-class chefs and sommeliers utilising locally sourced ingredients. High tea here is served in the Tea Lounge overlooking the picturesque Trilogy Gardens. Highlights include finely cut sandwiches together with freshly baked scones served with a selection of jams and double cream, followed by a delectable selection of afternoon pastries such as the classic Tiffany cake.
High Tea in Style by Cristina Re at Collins Kitchen is an extravagant experience that offers lasting memories and exquisite tastes. The menu offers a range of high-tea classics, including scones served with jams, cream and preserves, elegant finger sandwiches, decadent desserts and golden pastries presented on traditional tiered platters. The melt-in-your-mouth menu is served on 24-carat gold-rimmed Cristina Re china with beautiful arrays of colours and patterns.
The Westin offers a seasonal menu of delicate bites including scones, finger sandwiches and delectable desserts at its high tea in Melbourne. Assembled on specially designed high tea stands, this drool-worthy menu has it all with favourites of ours including the Beurre Noisette, apple & caramel cupcake alongside the crowd-favourite Blueberry and coconut scones. The best part? All of this is served with free-flowing Vittoria coffee blends, Jing Tea herbal infusions and hot chocolate.
Treat your tastebuds to the world’s first dessert-themed hotel. The hotel’s colours and textures are based on desserts. Features jars of lollies and sticky toffee apples that welcome you at the lobby and reception area. Other mouthwatering features include free sweets in the bar fridges of every room, a turn-down service that comes with homemade macaroons, and of course, the 40-seat dessert resto-bar Om Nom that spins out sweet treats which look like pieces of art.
A team of talented pastry chefs are the masterminds behind the handcrafted macarons, éclairs, and other tantalising cakes and savouries found at the NGV Tea Room. High tea here comes with a modern twist. It incorporates tradition with current trends. One fun example is that green tea and chai come served in pots with modern patterns. You don't need to come for the art to gain access to one of the best high tea in Melbourne CBD. 1 hour of free-flowing sparkling wine for an extra $10 is a must!
Plush velvet furniture and fine antique china and silverware make Mámor a lavish location for your next high tea Melbourne hangout. Other than heavenly morsels of food made from the best produce in town, it’s also extremely familiar with helping to plan events. Mámor will be able to suggest a host of entertainment options such as tarot card reading, tea leaf reading, life drawing, burlesque, professional photography, topless waiters, and bonbonniere.
In the heart of Brunswick lies Mary Eats Cake, a two-storey industrial glam’ tea house that’s dedicated to spoiling you with its version of fresh savoury items, sweet treats, and artisan teas served in fine bone china. In addition, add-ons such as French sparkling on arrival, tea blending workshop, wine pairing package, coffee, calligraphy workshop, blossoming tea, and cheese & fruit board are also available during bookings.