High Tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm, served with desserts, cakes and tea sandwiches. Also called afternoon tea, its origin is attributed to Anna Maria, 7th Duchess of Bedford, when she requested tea and light sandwiches late in the afternoon to help tide over her hunger until dinner time.
She also invited her high society friends to join her and the concept became popular among the elite who loved entertaining guests in their drawing rooms.
Today, High Tea is a highly-favoured theme for birthdays and much more – dining at this hour allows you to take things at a leisurely pace, maximising the joys of socialising over the pleasure of food.
All around Australia, every weekend you can discover a High Tea event to salivate over, here are five of our faves:
High Tea Available Every Day
Escape reality at Method to the Madness on Marshall Lane in Kenmore. This Shakespearean-inspired café takes its name from the well-known saying from ‘Hamlet' and is the result of two Chefs' adventurous journeys that led to a vision of creating a space where people come together over food.
Available every day during normal operating hours, enjoy High Tea with assorted sandwiches, savouries, cakes, pastries, coffee and tea – think Wagyu beef brioche with house pickles, mayo and tasty cheese, along with freshly baked scones, whipped cream and housemade sweet jam.
Chocolate High Tea on June 18
Visit Parliament House on the corner of George and Alice Streets in Brisbane and enjoy lunch or dinner at Strangers’ Restaurant. Expect a quintessential Queensland dining experience, featuring Modern Australian dishes created using the finest quality local ingredients, in elegant surrounds of white-clothed tables, timber arched windows and art deco-style pendent lights.
Experience a decadent Chocolate High Tea at Strangers on Tuesday, June 18 from 11.30am and dive into pure bliss with each creation crafted to highlight the best flavours from the finest cacao regions; to book your ticket, click here.
Selection of High Tea Options
Brookfield House on Hill Street is an historical landmark in the heart of Camden, which has been lovingly restored to its former glory as an authentic English-style tea house. One of the many lives this grand house has lived since it was constructed for the mounted infantry in 1896, Brookfield brings back old-world charm with a modern flavour – sit back, relax and have a cup of tea in style.
No matter the occasion, Brookfield has you covered with a selection of High Tea options sure to impress such as The Duchess with scones, locally made jam and cream, savoury and sweet treats, along with a pot of tea or coffee.
Little Princess Winter Wonderland High Tea
Enjoy a relaxed dining experience overlooking the tranquil pool courtyard and landscaped garden at Waterwall Restaurant & Bar @ Pagoda on Melville Parade in Como. Nestled in the Pagoda Resort and Spa, floor-to-ceiling windows bring the outside in at this Perth dining destination, where an elegant and spacious hotel dining room boasts plush chairs and a grand piano.
Join the Winter Wonderland fun with Waterwall’s Little Princess High Tea on Saturday, July 6 in the historic ballroom for a magical experience with a welcome drink on arrival and a live show with everyone’s favourite Snow Princess and friends. To book click here.
Stunning High Tea Offering
Whether it’s a morning coffee and pastry, quick lunch or after-work cocktail, Luma Restaurant on North Terrace in the heart of Adelaide’s CBD provides an inviting escape from the outside world. This contemporary Art Nouveau-inspired venue nestles on the ground floor of The Playford, MGallery and dishes up an original food and beverage offering based on quality, locally sourced produce.
Make sure to put Luma’s stunning High Tea on your must-do list for the weekend, with bold and delectable flavours through handcrafted sweet and savoury treats, served every Saturday and Sunday afternoon between 1pm-4pm.
