High Tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3 pm and 5 pm, 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:
Rosé-themed High Tea Experience
Located in the picturesque foothills of Mount Warning in the heart of Caldera, Flutterbies Cottage Café on Coolman Street in Tyalgum is filled with old world charm of times gone by. Set within the grounds of the lovingly restored Bakery and Butcher, discover the delight of French linen, flowers and vintage crockery in the elegant tea room or relax in the garden for lunch.
High Tea at Flutterbies is taken to a whole new level with its quintessential Rosé Theme and the remarkable backdrop of the dedicated high tea room; delve into a three-tiered birdcage platter created fresh on the day with offerings such as savoury cucumber and mint sandwiches, mini cupcakes, dark chocolate and hazelnut truffles, plus a glass of Sparkling Rosé Bliss Champagne.
High Tea Available Daily
Discover the ultimate Adelaide Hills hangout and tourism destination for craft beer, delicious gin, artisan cheese, local wine, tasty food and good times at Grünthal Brew on Mount Barker Road in Verdun. This microbrewery produces Grünthal craft beer, cider and gin, as well as Udder Delights Cheese and Hesketh Wine; while the casual, family-friendly eatery serves Mod Oz fare and delicious pizza ideal for weekend catchups with friends.
Let’s get the High Tea party started with old favourites mixed with brand new goodies from sweet sensations to savoury surprises available daily along with a glass of sparkling wine or Mimosa to enjoy with your delicious feast; think delicate finger sandwiches, chocolate delights, scones, jam and cream along with tea or coffee.
White Glove High Tea Service
Bask in an interactive dining experience with décor designed to create a unique ambience for each meal at Firewater Grille on St Georges Terrace in Perth's CBD. Located on the lobby level of the Duxton Hotel, Firewater is an elegant and stylish addition to not only the hotel but also the city's dining scene with its retro-style cocktail bar and spacious restaurant area.
Indulge in a selection of exquisite housemade High Tea favourites every Sunday from 1 pm with delicate canapés, savoury sandwiches and an assortment of handcrafted desserts; freshly baked scones are served warm with clotted cream and berry compote while you enjoy the live harpist and experience the Firewater Grille difference with white glove service.
Truly Boutique High Tea Experience
Housed in an old Queenslander, Dovetail Social on Laura Street is a meeting place for Highgate Hill locals to linger over brunch plates and coffee. A bright blue façade gives way to a warm and inviting interior, where polished floorboards and vibrant artwork set the scene for catch-ups with family and friends, while the garden is an ideal spot to relax on a balmy Brisbane day.
For a truly boutique High Tea experience with every item lovingly handmade and gluten-free, head to Dovetail and enjoy an optional glass of sparkling wine with delicious sweet and savoury treats to tempt all taste buds such as cream puffs, pistachio macarons, cheese scones and salmon blinis.
Private Rooms Available for High Tea
Nestled in Budds Beach just a short walk from Surfers Paradise, Bumbles Café on River Drive is many things to many people. For GC locals, it is a café they religiously visit each morning for a barista-brewed coffee at their favourite seat among other regulars; you can find the Blueroom filled with lawyers holding meetings, book club ladies lunching and midweek celebrations of all shapes and sizes.
Bumbles is the perfect venue to enjoy your next High Tea at any time during the week with three private rooms available to delve into an assortment of tea sandwiches, mini quiche Lorraine, housemade sausage rolls and tomato relish and smoked salmon blinis; while sweet tooths are in heaven over raisin scones with jam and cream, fruit custard tart, berry mousse and chocolate nemesis.
