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 four of our faves:
High Tea Served Daily
From European pastries and cakes to breakfast and light lunch, there is something for everyone on the menu at Cream Patisserie Boulangerie on Cavendish Road in Coorparoo. This ambient café sets a moody tone with dark wood, overflowing display cabinets and shelves stacked with deli products, along with embossed wallpaper and statement pendent lighting.
High Tea is served daily, drop in with your bestie and indulge in three tiers of decadence with freshly made sandwiches, quiche, scones with jam and cream, tartlets and petit fours, all accompanied by tea and coffee; take it up a notch and add a glass of bubbles for the ultimate High Tea experience. Perhaps grab a gluten-free lavender and honey cheesecake to take home and spoil the family with tonight’s dessert.
Home Away from Home
Find a local escape and cosy home away from home where you can unwind at Arthur Street Café in Baulkham Hills. Enjoy great food, housemade cakes, aromatic coffee and friendly service in rustic surrounds of exposed brick, art deco posters and shabby chic door frames adorning the walls; while blackboard chalk art designates specials and new dishes to try.
Experience High Tea in style with delicate finger sandwiches, scones with housemade jam and cream, sweet treats and savouries, all enjoyed with your choice of tea or coffee; if you are looking to join the lunch crowd, perhaps share a grilled chicken pizza with onion, BBQ sauce and mozzarella, before you leave check out the decadent delights on offer such as caramel slice, orange and almond cake and fudgy brownies.
Pan-Asian High Tea Experience
Escape the ordinary at Melrose contemporary Pan-Asian-inspired restaurant and rooftop bar to dine under blue skies by day and stars at night. Located upstairs at the tranquil river end of Oxford Street in Bulimba, Melrose offers an alternative dining experience focusing on a menu curated to share using locally sourced produce and traditional Southeast Asian techniques.
Book in for a Pan-Asian High Tea from Friday to Sunday and feast on a selection of savoury delights including housemade bao buns, prawn toast with sriracha mayo, Wagyu larb, calamari and ma hor pork, plus a selection of sweet petit fours topped with cotton candy; for those looking to elevate the occasion, add a glass of bubbles or two.
Unique Indian High Tea Available
Garlic Clove Indian on Petrie Terrace delivers traditional and unique dishes along with Indian high tea to discerning Brisbane diners. A warm and inviting vibe awaits at this dining destination, housed in an historic building opposite The Barracks; perhaps sit streetside and people watch or enter through arched doorways to discover recycled timber, polished concrete and a corrugated iron bar.
For a unique High Tea experience created by Chef Sabir Merchant, experience the flavourful street food from different parts of India, served on three tiers with the world’s best masala chai on the side, or add a glass of Italian Prosecco; vegetarian options are also available.
