13 Sydney high teas that redefine afternoon elegance

A tea party is always a good idea and these are the best high teas in Sydney to fill your cup.

No one needs an excuse to enjoy an elegant cup of tea, but if you’re looking for one, then here are 13 of the best high teas in Sydney that deserve to be tried for their sense of occasion and ritual. From locations that impress with dramatic Sydney Harbour views to beautiful tea rooms with white-clothed tables and standout morsels that take the creative cake, when the clock strikes tea’o’clock, book yourself one of these experiences.

1. High Tea on Level 36

Enjoy high tea up high at the Shangri-La. (Image: Supplied)

Ascend to decadence when you arrive for your high tea experience on level 36 of the Shangri-La. While the cakes are dainty delights that may include matcha eclairs and passionfruit mango tart, they’ll be competing for your attention against that eye-ensnaring view of Sydney Harbour and its icons.

Price: From $88 per person
Address: Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

2. The Tea Room

This QVB classic elevates your high tea experience. (Image: @msannmarieyuen)

The porcelain is perfection and the ambience is elegantly curated at this QVB classic that is all about the art of tea. Finger sandwiches, scones and the choice to elevate your experience with champagne, cocktails or sparkling makes for an afternoon well spent. They also offer a children’s high tea for ages 5–12 for $55 per person.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Queen Victoria Building, Level 3, 255 George Street, Sydney

3. Aperture Afternoon Tea at Capella

An assortment of pastries paired with the signature Aperture tea. (Image: Timothy Kaye)

Every day from 1pm to 4pm pop an array of meticulously crafted morsels in your mouth under Aperture’s delicate lanterns in the Capella lobby. Nibble demurely on treats made by Capella’s pastry chef served alongside a signature Aperture tea blend or add a glass of Champagne for an additional $25. Kids under 12 may enjoy high tea favourites of egg and mayonnaise sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, as well as ice cream cookie stacks at the dedicated Little Stars sitting.

Price: $110 per person for adults; $55 per child for Little Stars.
Address: Capella Sydney, 24 Loftus Street, Sydney

4. High Tea Sydney Cruise

Cruise past Circular Quay as you nibble on sweet treats.

For something quintessentially Sydney, opt to take your tea at sea with this fun little harbour-top adventure. This Captain Cook Cruises experience begins with a glass of pink bubbles and carries on with tiers of sweet and savoury snacks, such as prawn blinis and petit fours, all while you cruise by stunning Sydney beaches, architectural icons and national parks. Choose to depart from either Circular Quay of King Street Wharf from Wednesday to Sunday.

Price: $99 per person
Address: Darling Harbour King Street Wharf 1; Circular Quay Wharf 6

5. QTea High Tea

The lavish high tea at QT Hotel comes with sugared treats. (Image: Supplied)

Master pâtissier Adrian Zumbo lends his imaginative spins on sugared treats to QT Hotel’s lavish high tea. Of course, being the QT, one shouldn’t come expecting a traditional high tea. Instead, tuck your napkin into your shirt in anticipation of chicken katsu sandwiches, prawn toast and desserts such as ‘Man Goes Coco’, a summery mango and coconut shortbread, and ‘Baubleicious’, Zumbo’s take on red velvet cake with cranberry jelly and sour cream mousse. Served in the Gilt Lounge every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm, you can also opt in for a gluten-free and vegan menu for the same price.

Price: $99 per person
Address: QT Hotel 49 Market Street, Sydney

6. High Tea at InterContinental Sydney

Timeless elegance meets breathtaking views at InterContinental Sydney. (Image: Supplied)

With organic Mayde teas and Australian sparkling on the pour in the InterContinental’s elegant 1851 sandstone building, you’re all set for a classy interlude to your weekend. Enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury treats from executive chef Matt Hart and his pastry team, plus a glass of bubbles, between 11am and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s also a children’s menu for $45.

Price: From $99 per person
Address: InterContinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney

7. High Tea at Gunners’ Barracks

Feast on dainty sandwiches with a cuppa on a picturesque waterfront setting. (Image: Gunners’ Barracks)

Follow the scent of freshly baked scones to Mosman’s Gunners’ Barracks, where Ronnefeldt tea flows in this waterfront historic setting. Feast on harbour views, dainty sandwiches and petit fours as you work your way through a truly extensive tea menu. If you’re after more than leaves in your cup, choose the sparkling, cocktail or champagne version. Finish with a wander around the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Suakin drive, Mosman

8. The Langham Afternoon Tea

The Langham offers a Doggy Afternoon Tea to pamper pups. (Image: The Langham)

Moving forward with a tradition that began at The Langham, London in 1865, high tea is served at Langham Sydney’s Observatory Bar daily between 12pm and 2pm. In keeping with the long-observed ritual, things remain decidedly British with soft finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and the Langham Pink Rose made with pink gin compote, lychee mousse and vanilla financier. You may add Aussie sparkling or Tattinger for an additional cost, and kids under four eat free.

Price: From $95 per person
Address: 89-113 Kent Street, Sydney

9. Hyatt Regency Gin High Tea

Partake in the Saturday Gin High Tea at Hyatt Regency. (Image: Wes Nel Photography)

Should you prefer your botanicals infused in something a little stronger than hot water, head directly to the Hyatt Regency lobby lounge to partake in their Saturday Gin High Tea from 2.30pm. You’ll sip your way through two G&Ts made with Fever Tree tonic as you work your way through an array of canapes and sweets, such as lobster and caviar brioche, lychee panna cotta and s’mores pudding. There’s also a kids’ version for $55, which naturally does not include the gin.

Price: $95 per person
Address: Hyatt Regency 161 Sussex Street, Sydney

10. High Tea at Burnt Orange

Settle in for sweet treats at Burnt Orange. (Image: Spooning Australia)

Freshly prepared to order by the pastry kitchen, high tea at Burnt Orange is a delicious endeavour of cakes and treats in a stunning, bush-enclosed setting. Gazing across the water, the former 1920s-era clubhouse for the Mosman Golf Club has a deep wraparound balcony, which is the pick of the spots to partake in one of Sydney’s most competitively priced high teas. Kids under 12 enjoy a menu more attuned to their palate, including cake pops, fairy rolls and scones for just $40 per person.

Price: From $60 per person
Address: 1108-1109 Middle Head Road, Mosman

11. Estate Vaucluse House High Tea

Indulge in Endless Spritz High Tea and feel like a character from a Jane Austen novel. (Image: Estate Vaucluse House)

Enjoy the meticulously tended gardens of the beautiful Vaucluse House pre- or post-tea when you undertake this most pleasant of rituals. It’s all tradition here with prettily arranged scones and finger sandwiches and an ambience that will have you feeling like a character from a Jane Austen novel. If you’d like to indulge in a manner unbecoming of a Regency-era novelist, then we suggest you go for the Endless Spritz High Tea, which includes unlimited Prosecco, limoncello spritz Aperol spritz or lychee spritz.

Price: From $70 per person
Address: 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse

12. The Palace Tea Room

Treat yourself to the elegant high tea on offer at The Palace Tea Room. (Image: Supplied)

Sip tea daily at this lower-level QVB tea room, which is elaborately styled with ornate chandeliers, velvet chairs and artful wallpaper. Fittingly, the high tea is as classic as the fit-out with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. The children’s menu swaps out the tea for either a milkshake, hot choc or soft drink for $35 per person.

Price: From $65 per person
Address: Shop 20-22, Level 1 Queen Victoria Building 455 George Street, Sydney

13. The Tea Cosy

Tuck into a cuppa and scones at The Tea Cosy. (Image: Anna Kucera)

Get into the Grandmacore styling at The Tea Cosy with all manner of doilies, fringed lampshades, crocheted tea cosies, mismatched floral porcelain and traditional doorstop-style scones. It’s also the best-priced high tea in the city at just $27 per person. For that, you can tuck into three tiers of delicious goodies, including cucumber sandwiches, scones with butterscotch cream, and fresh fruit. And while that price doesn’t include drinks, tea is just $7 per pot.

Price: $27 per person
Address: 7 Atherden Street, The Rocks

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