Have you ever been invited to a High Tea event but were not sure what to wear or even what happens at one?
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. Eventually the practice caught on among the working class as a post-lunch energy boost to keep them full until the end of the work day while supper was being prepared.
Today, High Tea is a highly-favoured theme for birthdays, anniversaries, baby showers, christenings 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 four of our faves:
Located within an historic 1842 homestead, Gracie’s Restaurant on Broadford-Flowerdale Road in Strath Creek is an idyllic location for an intimate meal or family celebration. Nestled within function venue Flowerdale Estate, this restaurant boasts an outdoor deck for sipping a wine on balmy days overlooking picturesque scenery and gardens, while indoors is warm and inviting as guests enjoy everything from high teas to romantic dinners.
On selected Sundays throughout the year, Gracie’s hosts a sumptuous high tea with three tiers of exquisite sweet and savoury sensations, each of which is lovingly made in-house by the Chefs – think ribbon sandwiches, sausage rolls, petite desserts and of course, scones with jam and cream.
The Clarendon Arms in the leafy Tasmanian town of Evandale is reclaiming locals and visitors with its heritage-listed charm and lively atmosphere. A spacious bar area leads to private dining rooms, where guests can warm themselves beside a fireplace and gaze upon stained glass windows, made even cosier with wooden floors, dark walls and ambient lighting.
Celebrate in style with a delicious traditional high tea party and devour classic plates like scones, jam and cream, macarons and savoury treats, along with bubbles and your choice of tea; while in the airy beer garden on Sundays live music keeps everyone entertained.
Situated in the heart of Ringwood North lies lovingly restored homestead Rosebank North on Warrandyte Road, delivering a Modern Australian dining experience like no other. Set against stunning period features and idyllic rose gardens, this restaurant, bar and events venue is the ideal place to unwind and enjoy locally sourced produce and wine that make up the seasonal menu.
Whether treating someone special to a high tea with all the classics from sweet to savoury and everything in between, or family gatherings over a meal to remember, there is something on the menu for everyone like seafood and saffron risotto with prawns, salmon, calamari, scallops, garlic, chilli and wine.
Sydneysiders take a break from retail therapy to refuel and recharge at Two Deers Café located in Westfield Shopping Centre on Burwood Road in Burwood. Nestled on Level 2 and renowned for decadent high teas to tempt all taste buds, this bright and breezy diner offers an oasis of calm with potted greenery, booth seating and cabinets overflowing with all manner of goodies sure to entice.
Renowned for its high teas, expect to devour offerings like petit fours, chicken lollipops, crab claws, seasonal fruit, English scones, preserves and clotted cream, along with your choice of tea or coffee; there’s even a high tea set for kids with a babycino or juice, ham and cheese finger, strawberry, blueberry and a petit cake.
