Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion, or just keen for something different for your Sunday afternoon, Canberra knows what’s up when it comes to the finest and most delicious high tea – here is our list of spots for the best high tea in Canberra.

Best for: Drinks

Canberra’s highest rooftop bar also hosts one of the best high teas in the city, and with views like the ones at The Howling Moon, we can’t pass up this opportunity. The venue’s high tea offering is known for its trendy spin, typical of the hipster hot spot. What does this mean? It means you can expect an innovative menu with bites like green tea tiramisu, mini lamb burgers alongside colourful cocktails or, of course, a glass or two of champagne. Best of all, the incredible menu is set against one of the best views in the city, giving you the perfect backdrop to enjoy a glass of bubbly, indulge in a few finger sandwiches and be just a little bit posh.

Best for: Selection

One of the most exclusive spots for the best high tea in Canberra, Buvette is all about the finer things in life. The venue’s lineup of treats include French pastries, classic scones, provencale quiches, soft sandwiches, buttery croissants, macarons and gateaux, just to name a few.

Heralded as an institution in the nation’s capital, known for its love of all things elegant and classy, The Hyatt is also home to one of the best high teas in Canberra. The heritage-listed tea lounge is the perfect location for an afternoon of embracing your inner-Brit, the old-world charm complemented by a classic array of finger sandwiches, scones, delicious cakes, teas and wine – you could be fooled into thinking you were the Queen of England herself! A go-to when it comes to choosing a high tea experience you know won’t disappoint, you really can’t go wrong.

Best for: Value for Money

Yes, Parliament House itself hosts a high tea, which means you can enjoy scones and tiny sandwiches in the home of some of Australia’s most powerful people. Plus, if you’re a visitor to the nation’s capital, it also means you can tick off a tourist must-do while enjoying some sweet and savoury delicacies fit only for the best.

Another popular spot for the best high tea in Canberra is the Tea Salon at Blissiimo. The fit-out is as decadent as the bites on offer – adorned with velvet sofas, plenty of brass notes and a subtle Persian charm. In terms of the menu, you can expect more French-inspired flavours, like macaroons, tarts, cookies and savoury bites too. We recommend ordering some of their Mariage Freres Tea- their speciality.

OK, this is no ordinary high tea, which is why we love it. For something a little bit different, at this high tea, burgers are the star of the show. Continuing with the theme, accompanying the delicious pork and beef sliders are chips, halloumi bites, popcorn chicken and schooners, bubbles or tea, if you want to keep it a little bit traditional. The sweets selection is also a game-changer – with caramelised popcorn and brownie bites just some of the treats up for grabs.

If you like your high tea with a side of booze (no judgement,) then this is one of the best high Teas in Canberra for you. Along with scrumptious sweet and savoury delights and unlimited loose-leaf tea, this high tea includes free-flowing teapot cocktails, with two types of cocktails to choose between. You can see why they call it the Giggly High Tea. Cheers.

Despite what you may think, the meaning behind the phrase High Tea is very literal. High tea is a traditional activity that involved drinking tea, sitting in high-backed chairs and eating an assortment of plated items, such as cold meat, vegetables and finger sandwiches. While it does bear a few similarities to afternoon tea, there are a few key quirks with this very British activity. According to Food Republic, the culinary event is bit closer to dinner in the conventional sense, with the word ‘tea’ generally referring to a meal happening between 5pm and 7pm in most working parts of England.

Unsurprisingly, England is where the craze kicked off, instigated by a series of wealthy aristocrats and socialites looking to bolster the entertainment between major meals in the mid-18th century. The leisurely nature of the meal, coupled with the ostentatious high-backed chairs feed well into the notion of high-class appeal, however, it wasn’t long before high tea made its way into the homes of ordinary folk. At the turn of the Industrial Revolution, factory workers were forced to stay late and work through evening meal times, resulting in a secondary food break being needed around 6pm. Thus, the modern format of the high tea arrived, including foods, drinks and activities accessible to most.

At most high tea establishments, you’ll find a set menu of foods and drinks, however, there are usually a few unique elements added. Some venues will offer alcohol, most notably champagne, to add an indulgent touch to the event, while others will simply focus on tea and coffee. Irrespective, you’re almost guaranteed to find crustless “tea sandwiches” in variations like egg and watercress, cucumber, smoked salmon and coronation chicken.