Indulging in the tradition of high tea is a must-do experience in Sydney. Beyond its cultural nod to classic British elegance, high tea offers a unique opportunity to bond with loved ones, transcending the usual coffee and lunch meet-up. Sydney boasts many top-notch high tea spots, from venues offering tranquil bushland views to scenic harbour backdrops with plush, upscale interiors. If you’re craving a rich earl grey paired with delectable sandwiches, you’ll find them here.
Best High Teas in Sydney at a Glance
Our list of the best goes like this:
- Best overall: Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
- For great tea: Gunners Barracks Tea Room
- For value for money: The Tea Room QVB
Now we’ve had a look at our favourites, let’s check out the complete list.
Table of contents
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1. Shangri-La Hotel Sydney
Weekday pricing:
- $74pp with tea and coffee
- $84pp with a glass of sparkling wine
- $104pp with free-flowing Australian sparkling wine
Weekend pricing:
- $94pp with tea and coffee
- $104pp with a glass of sparkling wine
- $124pp with free-flowing Australian sparkling wine
Our favourite high tea in Sydney overall is perched up on level 36 of the Shangri-La Hotel. The menu has been completely revised, thanks to Head Pastry Chef Kumiko Endo, with plenty of savoury options now joining the menu, favourites of ours start with the pulled duck leg and tuna tartare before finishing with herb-marinated Atlantic salmon. Sweets to finish are classic-meets-contemporary with raspberry pavlova, passionfruit eclair, rhubarb rull, and an exceptional strawberry tart to finish. Head in during the week and you’ll save $20pp, but it’s worth noting a window table minimum spend is $140pp.
Address: 176 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Sun: First Seating 12-2pm, Second Seating 2:30pm–4:30pm
Phone: (02) 9250 6000
2. The Tea Room QVB
Price: from $75pp
At The Tea Room, petit fours are prepared by an award-winning patissier and served on Royal Albert fine china. The décor alone will make you forget you’re smack in the middle of town and in Sydney’s most popular shopping centre. Morning tea, afternoon tea, and an a la carte lunch are what’s on offer here. What’s most impressive is their single estate tea range which guarantees the purest quality and flavour – perfect for any tea aficionado. This high tea in Sydney CBD has certainly set the standard.
Located in: Queen Victoria Building
Address: Level 3/455 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-5pm
Phone: (02) 9283 7279
3. Gunners Barracks Tea Room
Price: from $75pp
For a breathtaking view of Sydney Harbour, Gunners Barracks is the place to be. Afternoon tea is also a delicate affair that this iconic heritage site is known for. A treat for the eyes and tastebuds, three-tiered stands using English china are artfully loaded with scones, samosas, quiches, finger sandwiches, cheesecakes, and Asia’s largest selection of Ronnefeldt teas. One thing’s for sure, your social media pages will be buzzing from the shots you post from this visit. Gunner Barracks’ panoramic views, sweet treats, and classic Royal Albert Old Country Roses are absolutely Insta-friendly.
Address: End of, Suakin Dr, Mosman NSW 2088
Hours: Mon-Sun from 10am
Phone: (02) 8962 5900
4. Park Hyatt Afternoon Tea
Price: from $125pp
Like a home away from home but with a glorious view, James Viles is hosting one of the most luxurious afternoon high teas in Sydney from the Park Hyatt. We’re talking savoury treats such as southern rock lobsters, tuna tacos, chicken and celery sandwiches alongside sweets from scones to honey cakes and meringue tarts. This is a great place to take first-time visitors or friends from overseas and show them the best of Sydney dining. Natural light and timber flooring give the space a cozy and relaxed ambience and more importantly, you’ll make their jaws drop with the picturesque backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
Choose your own adventure with either NV Taittinger ‘Cuvée Prestige’ Champagne ($125pp) or NV Paul Bara, Grand Rosé de Bouzy Grand Cru Champagne ($140pp).
Address: 7 Hickson Rd, The Rocks NSW 2000
Hours: Fri-Sun from 12pm
Phone: (02) 9256 1234
5. Vaucluse House Tearooms
Price: from $60pp
The Vaucluse House Tearooms overlook the original gardens of the historic Vaucluse House – a 19th-century mansion considered one of Sydney’s Living Museums. Delightfully idyllic, this museum continues to lure visitors with its tearooms that are cocooned by lush secret gardens that come with local bird species. Another unique feature is the fact that executive chef, Keith Higginson creates the spread for their signature high tea fresh on-site using produce from the estate’s very own gardens.
Address: 69A Wentworth Rd, Vaucluse NSW 2030
Hours: Wed-Sun from 10:30am
Phone: (02) 9388 8188
6. Burnt Orange
Price: from $60pp
Banoffee pie with dulce de leche, strawberry and white chocolate tart, tomato frittata topped with feta and house-made chutney, and yuzu & blood orange posset. If your mouth is starting to water then making a booking at Burnt Orange for high tea or afternoon tea is a must. Looking for the best high teas in Sydney to take the kids to? Burnt Orange offers a kid’s high tea menu of profiteroles, gingerbread people, scones, flavoured milk, and more from $35 per child under 12.
Address: 1108/1109 Middle Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088
Hours: Wed-Fri from 12pm, Sat-Sun from 3:30pm
Phone: (02) 9969 1020
7. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
Price: from $75pp
Touted as one of the best high tea Sydney offers, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel promises the elegance of high tea in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Sink into one of the plush lounge chairs and treat yourself to the finer things in life and some of the best tea-time snacks in town. Options such as beef and cress, curry puffs, and Swiss rolls come with your choice of brews from La Maison Du Thé teas or Vittoria coffee.
Address: 27 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Mon-Sun 12-4pm
Phone: (02) 8214 0000
8. InterContinental Double Bay
Price: from $70pp with a glass of De Beaurepaire Blanc de Blanc
Skip the tea and coffee and start your weekend with a glass of Blanc de Blanc at the Intercontinental Double Bay, hosting one of the best high teas in Sydney with a twist. The menu features all your favourites layered on fine Wedgwood china, from scones to sandwiches, quiches and petite fours, cakes, and cookies. This is a great place to experience all levels of high teas in Sydney and you can even pair your snacks with a glass of Dom Pérignon at $199pp, not many places offer that!
Address: 33 Cross St, Double Bay NSW 2028
Hours: Mon-Sat 12-4pm
Phone: (02) 8388 8388
9. Sir Stamford
Price: from $89pp with a glass of sparkling wine
Looking for an indulgent and classically Brit way to spend a lazy afternoon? The Stamford High Tea at Sir Stamford is as traditional as high tea comes. Yes, you will even taste the fluffiest homemade scones in your life. But that’s not the only thing that’s authentic about it. Do you know the other thing that makes this high tea reminiscent of an afternoon at Gran’s UK flat? It’s actually the exquisite antiques and charming artworks that mark the room.
Address: 93 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Sat-Sun 11am-2:30pm
Phone: (02) 9252 4600
10. Strangers’ Restaurant at NSW Parliament House
Have you ever wondered what the heads of Parliament have for tea? Wonder no more because Parliament House is giving you an opportunity to indulge in the finest high tea that’s often reserved for royalty, visiting dignitaries, and members of Congress. Pamper your palates with vanilla bean pannacotta and leek and gruyere frittata among other delicacies. Served every Friday from noon onwards, booking is crucial to avoid disappointment.
Address: High Tea Sydney Strangers’ Restaurant at Parliament House, 6 Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000
Hours: Fri 12-3pm
Phone: (02) 9230 2124
General FAQ
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hydro Majestic Hotel and the InterContinental Double Bay are some of the best high tea spots in Sydney.
Burnt Orange is a great place to take the kids for a Sydney high tea.
High tea, like morning tea, is a small meal/snack earlier in the morning where one drinks tea and enjoys smaller savoury and sweet treats.
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