Is there anything better than a warm scone slathered with jam and cream, a crustless cucumber sandwich or a perfect, bite-sized eclair? Combine that with a fancy cup of mint tea or a cheeky glass of champagne, and the Urban List team reckons you're in heaven.
No matter if you’re celebrating a special occasion, catching up over tiny sandwiches or having a mother-daughter date, Sydney/Eora has some pretty spectacular places to slip into civilised society. Here are the best high teas in Sydney right now.
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- The Best High Teas In Sydney
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The Best High Teas In Sydney
Bottega Coco
Shop 1 T3.01/300 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Image credit: Bottega Coco | Supplied
Bottega Coco triples as an Italian restaurant, cellar and patisserie in Barangaroo, with one of the best high teas in Sydney taking on an Italian twist. The standard high tea will set you back a worthy $80pp, with pastry-chef-perfected treats, mini mille-feuilles, finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a choice of tea and coffee.
Upgrade to the deluxe offering for $95pp including a glass of Chandon Brut, or if you really want to go all out, indulge in the platinum high tea for $165pp with 2.5 hours of free-flowing beverages. Bookings require 24 hours' notice, reserve a table here.
THE DETAILS
When: Daily, 10am–3.30pm
Cost: $80, $95 or $165 per person
Aperture
Capella Sydney, 24 Loftus Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Capella Sydney | Website
In the lush heritage-listed sandstone walls, indoor greenery and fluttering artwork of Capella Sydney, Aperture is a light-filled space for an elevated high tea any day of the week.
The afternoon tea here is inspired by traditional high tea with seasonal changes, so you'll enjoy house-made delicacies like lobster rolls with crispy lettuce and yuzu mayo; tuna tartare with a tapioca crisp; smoked trout finger sandwiches with salmon roe and baby cucumber, plus traditional scones and delicious desserts like pistachio, white chocolate and orange lamingtons, alongside tea or champagne and caviar for just a touch extra, with a dedicated under-12s high tea available also. Bookings are required, and available here.
THE DETAILS
When: Daily, 12.30pm–4pm
Cost: $95 or $125 per person and $55 per child
The Charles Grand Brasserie
66 King Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Charles | Supplied
Crafted by its head of pastry Rhiann Mead (previously at Harrod's Food Hall, Bennelong and Quay), The Charles' afternoon tea is an indulgent affair. The high tea takes a French approach with smoked salmon madeleines, warm gougères (French cheese puffs) with Brillat-Savarin cream and a roving dessert trolley loaded with a 28-layer Russian honey cake, macarons and more, of which you can select three items from. Enjoy with flowing coffee and tea for $79pp, a glass of Chandon Blanc de Blancs for $99pp or splash out on a glass of Moët for $110pp. Book online here.
The details
When: Monday–Saturday, 12pm-5pm (last bookings 3pm)
Cost: $79, $99 or $110 per person
QT Sydney
Gilt Lounge, Level 2, 49 Market Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: QT Sydney | Instagram
Australia's dessert king, Adriano Zumbo, has teamed up with fun-loving boutique hotel group QT to offer a whimsical high tea reminiscent of a Mad Hatter's tea party. Expect patterned china, gold cutlery, colourful quirky sofas and best of all—Adriano's elevated take on high tea classics.
This spot's also a winner for its plant-based and gluten-free high tea, which keeps all the fun and colour of its main offering with a few dietary tweaks. On the drinks front, you'll be sipping free-flowing tea with a glass of Mumm sparkling wine or a mocktail, with the option to add on more champagne, mocktails and cocktails as you go. View more about QTea and book online here.
THE DETAILS
When: Saturdays and Sundays, 11am–3.30pm
Cost: $99 per person
The Best Traditional High Teas In Sydney
The InterContinental
16 Phillip Street, Sydney CBD and 33 Cross Street, Double Bay
Image credit: InterContinental Double Bay | Facebook
If you’re looking for an iconic Sydney dining experience, look no further than InterContinental's renowned traditional high teas in the CBD and Double Bay. The luxe hotels truly make you feel like royalty—particularly with their exquisite high tea offerings that cater for all tastes and dietaries, as well as a children's menu filled with quintessential Aussie delights.
Expect everything from scones and sandwiches to quiches, cakes, and cookies, and accompany your high tea with a grand selection of artisanal loose-leaf teas, and bubbly at an additional cost. Book at The InterContinental Double Bay here and at The InterContinental Sydney here.
The Details
When: Monday–Saturday, 11am–5pm (Double Bay) and Saturday–Sunday, 11am–2.30pm (CBD)
Cost: $65 per person and $40 per child (Double Bay) or $99 per person and $45 per child (CBD)
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The Tea Room QVB
Level 3, 455 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: The Tea Room QVB | Website
If there was ever a place made for the perfect high tea experience then it would be the QVB’s historic Tea Room. Indulge in a delectable selection of petits fours and loose-leaf teas poured from Royal Albert fine china and set with impeccably polished silverware. There’s an array of high tea menus to choose from including Devonshire tea, sandwich plates or light teas on weekdays, plus traditional, gluten-free or children’s high tea any day of the week.
Make your afternoon a bit fancier by upgrading to include sparkling wine, a cocktail, or a glass of French champagne. There’s something for everyone at this luxurious spot. View the different menus and book your high tea here.
THE DETAILS
When: Daily, 10am–5pm
Cost: From $40 per person, $55 per child (5–12 years)
The Langham
Observatory Bar, 89-113 Kent Street, Millers Point
Image credit: The Langham | Facebook
The Langham is one of Sydney's most luxurious hotels, so it's no wonder that their traditional high tea is one of the best in town. Tuck into British-inspired classics like warm scones and finger sandwiches, plus sweet and savoury treats—all served alongside the finest teas. View the full menu and book online here.
The Details
When: Daily, 12pm–2pm
Cost: From $95 per person, $50 per child (4–12 years)
Sydney's Most Unique High Teas
Reign At QVB
Level 1, George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Reign | Facebook
If you’re a big-time cheese fan, get yourself down to Reign at QVB to try their dedicated cheese high tea. This savoury spin on afternoon tea—aptly called High Cheese—lets you select three types of cheese to be enjoyed with lavosh, oat crackers, grapes, quince, chutney, dried fruits and nuts so you can create your perfect cheesy morsel.
Explore their bubbles-focused list including champagne flights, cocktails and more, or go all out and pop a bottle. Learn more and make a booking here.
THE DETAILS
When: Daily
Cost: From $36 per person (minimum 2 people)
Hyatt Regency Sydney
161 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Hyatt Regency Sydney | Facebook
High tea is served with a twist—literally—at the Hyatt Regency, where their G&Tea sessions include a high tea spread featuring native Australian ingredients, and your pick of two fragrant gin and tonics.
Menu highlights include vanilla and wattleseed scones, torched creamy brie with fig, pork tacos with mango salsa and pepper berry aioli, and a golden gaytime-inspired panna cotta with popcorn. See the full menu and book your visit here.
The Details
When: Saturdays, 2.30pm–4.30pm
Cost: $95 per person, $55 per child (6–18 years)
Loftus Lane
Shop 3/38-42 Bridge Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Loftus Lane | Instagram
This gorgeous spot does things a little differently by serving high tea on spinning ferris wheels and carousels instead of the traditional tiered stand. Chow down on smoked salmon and creme cheese brioche sliders, lemon pepper tuna sandwiches, seasonal pastries and macarons. Pair with their must-try colourful cocktails, unlimited sparkling wine or the traditional tea and coffee. See the full menu and book in here.
THE DETAILS
When: Available daily
Cost: From $69 per person
The Best High Teas In Sydney With A View
Altitude At The Shangri-La Hotel
176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Shangri-La Sydney | Facebook
Take high tea to new heights at Altitude, 36 levels above the city. You'll get three tiers of sweet creations and savoury treats, all while enjoying some of the most breathtaking views of Sydney Harbour.
Savour bits like smoked chicken and herb mayo sandwiches, roast pork belly banh mi, and banoffee Paris-brest, paired with tea, coffee, a glass of bubbles, or free-flowing sparkling vino. Find out more here.
THE DETAILS
When: Monday to Sunday, 12pm–2pm or 2.30pm–4.30pm
Cost: From $88 per person
The Gunners’ Barracks
End of Suakin Drive, Mosman
Image credit: The Gunners' Barracks | Facebook
Nestled in the picturesque bushlands of Georges Head with 180-degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Gunners’ Barracks is a tip-top place for high tea in Sydney. This heritage-listed venue honours high tea tradition with a menu featuring freshly baked scones with clotted cream and preserves, finely cut sandwiches, savoury pastries, petit cakes, and a grand selection of over 30 different teas.
You also have the option to add on French champagne, rosé, Australian sparkling wine, or cocktails, and there's even an option for the kids. Indulge in this delicate affair—book the traditional high tea here and the sparkling high tea here.
For a lighter mid-morning tea menu, there's also Devonshire tea, sandwich plate and light tea packages available Monday to Friday from 10am–12pm.
The details
When: Daily, from 10am
Cost: From $35 per person, $55 per child (5–12 years)
Burnt Orange
1108/1109 Middle Head Road, Mosman
For those searching for a more casual high tea that still offers sparkling views of the harbour and surrounding bushland, head to Burnt Orange. You’ll be able to soak up the incredible views while feasting on a charming assortment of savoury and sweet high tea treats including choux buns, macarons, scones, and quiches. You'll also score a large pot of tea, or you can upgrade to a sparkling high tea for an extra $10 a head. Find out more here.
THE DETAILS
When: Wednesdays–Fridays at 12pm, Saturdays and Sundays, 3.30pm–5.30pm
Cost: From $65 per person and $45 per child (under 12 years)
Estate Vaucluse House
69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse
Image credit: Estate Vaucluse House | Website
Set amongst the sprawling, harbourfront grounds of Nielsen Park, Vaucluse House is one of the most picturesque settings for a high tea. For $75pp, dine on the likes of finger sandwiches, pithiviers, savoury tarts, eclairs, buttermilk scones, macarons, cheesecake and more.
The high tea includes coffee and tea, but you can also tack on a glass of sparkling on arrival for an additional $10pp, a choice of Limoncello Spritz, Aperol Spritz or Lychee Spritz for $14pp or go bottomless for just $30pp extra. See the seasonal menu and reserve your spot here.
The details
When: Wednesdays–Fridays, 11.30am–3pm and Saturdays–Sundays, 10.30am–3pm
Cost: From $75 per person
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Main image credit: Shangri La Sydney | Facebook
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