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 lates 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 six of our faves:
City’s Highest High Tea
Magnificent Melbourne views, modern cuisine and exquisite flavours are on the menu at No.35 restaurant on Collins Street in the heart of the city. Located in the Sofitel Melbourne, this elegant dining destination exudes style with red chairs, black and white tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows offering stunning glimpses of the city by day and night.
Experience the city’s highest High Tea every Saturday and Sunday served on a traditional three-tiered stand, featuring delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and a selection of housemade desserts, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and your choice of tea or coffee.
Freshly Baked Scones, Jam & Cream
Discover new tastes of Australian cuisine in warm and welcoming surroundings at Czeg’s Café on Bridge Street in Richmond. This well-loved Hobart dining destination greets guests with a rustic vibe of recycled timber, softly glowing art deco-style pendents and shelves stacked with interesting trinkets and knick knacks; while the menu delivers tempting breakfast and lunch options.
Stop in and treat yourself to an afternoon tea of freshly baked scones, organic strawberry and apricot jam made onsite and cream, along with French Earl Grey tea served in an antique silver teapot; as well as sweet treats such as Russian honey cake and freshly baked almond croissants available daily.
Sumptuous High Tea Experience
Experience sumptuous elegance when dining at the award-winning Lenzerheide restaurant on Belair Road in Hawthorn. Established in 1989, enjoy the very best in fine dining Adelaide has to offer; only ten minutes from the city centre, this innovatively restored former historical residence exudes an atmosphere of harmony and warmth.
Treat someone special to High Tea on Friday, Saturday or Sunday and enjoy a glass of bubbles, assorted sandwiches, savouries such as tomato, basil and mozzarella arancini and zucchini slice, scones with jam and cream and sweets such as white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake.
High Tea in the Vines
Known for its stunning setting among the vines, Centennial Vineyard Restaurant on Centennial Road in Bowral offers the perfect destination for lovers of excellent food and wine. High vaulted wooden ceilings, recycled wood and wagon wheel pendent lights set the scene for rustic dining accompanied by estate wines; or dine alfresco under twinkling fairy lights and take in the vineyard vistas.
Experience High Tea in the vines with delicious finger sandwiches, soup shots, plain and fruit scones, housemade jam and cream, savoury bites and sweet treats, accompanied by freshly brewed tea or coffee; there are also options to add a glass of rosé or bubbles.
High Tea with a French Twist
Find Adelaide’s hottest gourmand destination introducing a modern ‘new French’ concept at Garcon Blue on Currie Street in the heart of the city. Nestling in the Sofitel Adelaide, this elegant restaurant exudes class with plush blue velvet seating, polished wood and statement lighting, ideal for romantic rendezvous or after-work drinks with friends.
Immerse yourself in a world of culinary delights every Sunday with reimagined High Tea favourites with a touch of French flair; delve into savoury bites and sweet treats plus a glass of sparkling wine on arrival with coffee and tea throughout.
High Tea in Style by Cristina Re
Conveniently located in the Grand Hyatt Melbourne on Collins Street, Collins Kitchen is all about food cooked over smoke and flames, using only the finest local ingredients. Reimagining the classic Australian barbeque, the menu is purely spectacular from traditional American-style smoked ribs and meat to wood-oven roasted fish and vegetables cooked to perfection.
Book your High Tea for any Saturday and devour fluffy scones, gorgeous miniature desserts, elegant finger sandwiches and mouth-watering savoury delights, along with an array of T2 signature tea blends and espresso coffee, served to your table in elegant Cristina Re 24-carat gold porcelain tableware.
