14 Sydney high teas that redefine afternoon elegance

A tea party is always a good idea and these are the best high teas in Sydney to fill your cup.

No one needs an excuse to enjoy an elegant cup of tea, but if you’re looking for one, then here are 13 of the best high teas in Sydney that deserve to be tried for their sense of occasion and ritual. From locations that impress with dramatic Sydney Harbour views to beautiful tea rooms with white-clothed tables and standout morsels that take the creative cake, when the clock strikes tea’o’clock, book yourself one of these experiences.

1. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

The Archibald High Tea at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel. — The Archibald High Tea will run until August.

The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is currently hosting one of the best high teas in the country (until August). Their Archibald High Tea is a celebration of the annual art prize and the nearby Royal Botanic Garden. A beautiful spread swathed in purple tones—reflecting both the Art Gallery’s hue for the 2025 prize and the jacarandas in the gardens—is served alongside world-class service. Be sure to leave plenty of room beforehand, as you’ll be making your way through a generous selection of delicate cakes, cheese, scones and charcuterie to be enjoyed alongside a glass of Pommery Champagne and a curated selection of refined teas. The sweets are the highlight, featuring a light and floral jasmine tea macaron that evokes the soft scent of spring blossoms, and a raspberry choux au craquelin inspired by falling jacaranda petals.

Price: $89 per person with a glass of Champagne; $69 per person without.
Address: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth 61, 101 Phillip St, Sydney

2. High Tea on Level 36

High Tea on Level 36 with Sydney Harbour and Opera views — Enjoy high tea up high at the Shangri-La. (Image: Supplied)

Ascend to decadence when you arrive for your high tea experience on level 36 of the Shangri-La . While the cakes are dainty delights that may include matcha eclairs and passionfruit mango tart, they’ll be competing for your attention against that eye-ensnaring view of Sydney Harbour and its icons.

Price: From $88 per person
Address: Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

3. The Tea Room

the high tea experience at The Tea Room QVB — This QVB classic elevates your high tea experience. (Image: @msannmarieyuen)

The porcelain is perfection and the ambience is elegantly curated at this QVB classic that is all about the art of tea. Finger sandwiches, scones and the choice to elevate your experience with champagne, cocktails or sparkling makes for an afternoon well spent. They also offer a children’s high tea for ages 5–12 for $55 per person.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Queen Victoria Building, Level 3, 255 George Street, Sydney

4. Aperture Afternoon Tea at Capella

Every day from 12.30pm to 4pm pop an array of meticulously crafted morsels in your mouth under Aperture’s delicate lanterns in the Capella lobby. Nibble demurely on treats made by Capella’s pastry chef served alongside a signature Aperture tea blend or add a glass of Champagne for an additional $25. Kids under 12 may enjoy high tea favourites of egg and mayonnaise sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, as well as ice cream cookie stacks at the dedicated Little Stars sitting.

Price: $95 per person for adults, or $125 to add a glass of champagne.
Address: Capella Sydney, 24 Loftus Street, Sydney

5. High Tea Sydney Cruise

sweet treats at High Tea Sydney Cruise — Cruise past Circular Quay as you nibble on sweet treats.

For something quintessentially Sydney, opt to take your tea at sea with this fun little harbour-top adventure. This Captain Cook Cruises experience begins with a glass of pink bubbles and carries on with tiers of sweet and savoury snacks, such as prawn blinis and petit fours, all while you cruise by stunning Sydney beaches, architectural icons and national parks. Choose to depart from either Circular Quay of King Street Wharf from Wednesday to Sunday.

Price: $99 per person
Address: Darling Harbour King Street Wharf 1; Circular Quay Wharf 6

6. QTea High Tea

high tea with sugared treats at QT Hotel — The lavish high tea at QT Hotel comes with sugared treats. (Image: Supplied)

Master pâtissier Adrian Zumbo lends his imaginative spins on sugared treats to QT Hotel ’s lavish high tea. Of course, being the QT, one shouldn’t come expecting a traditional high tea. Instead, tuck your napkin into your shirt in anticipation of chicken katsu sandwiches, prawn toast and desserts such as ‘Man Goes Coco’, a summery mango and coconut shortbread, and ‘Baubleicious’, Zumbo’s take on red velvet cake with cranberry jelly and sour cream mousse. Served in the Gilt Lounge every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm, you can also opt in for a gluten-free and vegan menu for the same price.

Price: $99 per person
Address: QT Hotel 49 Market Street, Sydney

7. High Tea at InterContinental Sydney

the dining interior at InterContinental Sydney — Timeless elegance meets breathtaking views at InterContinental Sydney. (Image: Supplied)

With organic Mayde teas and Australian sparkling on the pour in the InterContinental ’s elegant 1851 sandstone building, you’re all set for a classy interlude to your weekend. Enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury treats from executive chef Matt Hart and his pastry team, plus a glass of bubbles, between 11am and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s also a children’s menu for $45.

Price: From $99 per person
Address: InterContinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney

8. High Tea at Gunners’ Barracks

high tea with a view at Gunners’ Barracks, Mosman — Feast on dainty sandwiches with a cuppa on a picturesque waterfront setting. (Image: Gunners’ Barracks)

Follow the scent of freshly baked scones to Mosman’s Gunners’ Barracks , where Ronnefeldt tea flows in this waterfront historic setting. Feast on harbour views, dainty sandwiches and petit fours as you work your way through a truly extensive tea menu. If you’re after more than leaves in your cup, choose the sparkling, cocktail or champagne version. Finish with a wander around the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Suakin drive, Mosman

9. The Langham Afternoon Tea

a Doggy Afternoon Tea at The Langham, Sydney — The Langham offers a Doggy Afternoon Tea to pamper pups. (Image: The Langham)

Moving forward with a tradition that began at The Langham, London in 1865, high tea is served at Langham Sydney ’s Observatory Bar daily between 12pm and 2pm. In keeping with the long-observed ritual, things remain decidedly British with soft finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and the Langham Pink Rose made with pink gin compote, lychee mousse and vanilla financier. You may add Aussie sparkling or Tattinger for an additional cost, and kids under four eat free.

Price: From $95 per person
Address: 89-113 Kent Street, Sydney

10. Hyatt Regency Gin High Tea

gin high tea at Hyatt Regency lounge, Sydney — Partake in the Saturday Gin High Tea at Hyatt Regency. (Image: Wes Nel Photography)

Should you prefer your botanicals infused in something a little stronger than hot water, head directly to the Hyatt Regency lobby lounge to partake in their Saturday Gin High Tea from 2.30pm. You’ll sip your way through two G&Ts made with Fever Tree tonic as you work your way through an array of canapes and sweets, such as lobster and caviar brioche, lychee panna cotta and s’mores pudding. There’s also a kids’ version for $55, which naturally does not include the gin.

Price: $95 per person
Address: Hyatt Regency 161 Sussex Street, Sydney

11. High Tea at Burnt Orange

sweet treats at Burnt Orange, Sydney — Settle in for sweet treats at Burnt Orange. (Image: Spooning Australia)

Freshly prepared to order by the pastry kitchen, high tea at Burnt Orange is a delicious endeavour of cakes and treats in a stunning, bush-enclosed setting. Gazing across the water, the former 1920s-era clubhouse for the Mosman Golf Club has a deep wraparound balcony, which is the pick of the spots to partake in one of Sydney’s most competitively priced high teas. Kids under 12 enjoy a menu more attuned to their palate, including cake pops, fairy rolls and scones for just $40 per person.

Price: From $60 per person
Address: 1108-1109 Middle Head Road, Mosman

12. Estate Vaucluse House High Tea

the high tea experience at Estate Vaucluse House, Sydney — Indulge in Endless Spritz High Tea and feel like a character from a Jane Austen novel. (Image: Estate Vaucluse House)

Enjoy the meticulously tended gardens of the beautiful Vaucluse House pre- or post-tea when you undertake this most pleasant of rituals. It’s all tradition here with prettily arranged scones and finger sandwiches and an ambience that will have you feeling like a character from a Jane Austen novel. If you’d like to indulge in a manner unbecoming of a Regency-era novelist, then we suggest you go for the Endless Spritz High Tea, which includes unlimited Prosecco, limoncello spritz Aperol spritz or lychee spritz.

Price: From $70 per person
Address: 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse

13. The Palace Tea Room

sweet treats at The Palace Tea Room, Sydney — Treat yourself to the elegant high tea on offer at The Palace Tea Room. (Image: Supplied)

Sip tea daily at this lower-level QVB tea room, which is elaborately styled with ornate chandeliers, velvet chairs and artful wallpaper. Fittingly, the high tea is as classic as the fit-out with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. The children’s menu swaps out the tea for either a milkshake, hot choc or soft drink for $35 per person.

Price: From $65 per person
Address: Shop 20-22, Level 1 Queen Victoria Building 455 George Street, Sydney

14. The Tea Cosy

sweet treats and pastries at The Tea Cosy, The Rocks — Tuck into a cuppa and scones at The Tea Cosy. (Image: Anna Kucera)

Get into the Grandmacore styling at The Tea Cosy with all manner of doilies, fringed lampshades, crocheted tea cosies, mismatched floral porcelain and traditional doorstop-style scones. It’s also the best-priced high tea in the city at just $27 per person. For that, you can tuck into three tiers of delicious goodies, including cucumber sandwiches, scones with butterscotch cream, and fresh fruit. And while that price doesn’t include drinks, tea is just $7 per pot.

Price: $27 per person
Address: 7 Atherden Street, The Rocks

Still hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Sydney

Underpinned by grassroots hospitality and award-winning organic produce, the Central Coast’s gastronomy scene is thriving, with the region quickly becoming one of the best destinations in NSW for epicures.

Revered for its rugged natural splendour and laid-back seaside charm, NSW’s Central Coast has soared in popularity in recent years, becoming a top choice for an affordable slice of weekend escapism for Sydneysiders. Just a short 45-minute drive north of Sydney, it’s the kind of place that, no matter how many times you visit, leaves you with the sense that there’s always more to uncover. But while the ocean pools, bushwalks and beaches have (rightly) taken the spotlight, it’s the Central Coast food offerings which have been quietly simmering in the background.

From fresh-as-it-gets seafood and juicy organic citrus you can pluck yourself, through to regenerative farming and reputable farm-to-fork dining, this coastal gem has become an idyllic foodie mecca. Here are some of the best ways to immerse yourself in grassroots hospitality and gastronomic glory on the NSW Central Coast.

vegetables in a basket at Bells Garden at Bells At Killcare — From picking your own, to farm-to-table, discover the best Central Coast food experiences. (Image: Remy Brand)

Central Coast oyster experiences

From humble grub to opulent delicacy, oysters have ascended into a league of their own. Epicureans are fascinated by them – willing to pay upwards of $35 per dozen (double at some of Sydney’s reputable fine dining restaurants) – and ‘shuck bars’ seem to be popping up at every milestone celebration.

But it’s rare to find places that really draw back the curtain on how they’re farmed and why everyone is mad for these molluscs. The Central Coast , however, is home to several of these venues. With its pristine waters, mild climate and nutrient-rich estuaries, it’s the perfect breeding ground for oysters.

Learn about oyster farming and, importantly, how to shuck them at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours . Nestled on the Hawkesbury River at Mooney Mooney, Sheridan Beaumont and her team offer a hands-on foodie experience where you can feast on dozens of oysters (white tablecloth and all) while wading through the calm waters. You can even bring your own bottle of bubbles to wash them down.

guests in the water for an experience at Sydney Oyster Farm - Central Coast food — Learn tricks of the trade at Sydney Oyster Farm Tours. (Image: Remy Brand)

Elevate your oyster knowledge even further by heading north over the Hawkesbury River Bridge to the Hawkesbury River Oyster Shed . Tour their scenic oyster leases and saltwater paddocks by boat to uncover the distinct characteristics of the Sydney rock oyster and creamy Pacific oyster. They’ve also partnered with Broken Bay Pearl Farm to offer a one-of-a-kind oyster and pearl farming guided tour, showcasing the Central Coast’s very own pearl oyster, the Broken Bay ‘Akoya’. But if you’re simply in the mood to devour a dozen delectable oysters while soaking in the tranquil river views, pull up a chair at the shed. It’s friendly in every sense of the word: pets, families and BYO welcome.

shucking oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm — Taste freshly shucked oysters at Broken Bay Pearl Farm. (Image: James Horan)

Central Coast farms to pick your own fruit

While the Central Coast is known for its breathtaking 40 beaches and 80-kilometre coastline, its lush hinterland is equally impressive – abundant with orchards and agriculturally rich farmland. And when it comes to the simple joy of picking your own fruit, the Central Coast is a ripe playground.

Family-owned Meliora Farm at Peats Ridge is an orchard that blends conventional, biodynamic and organic philosophies. Third-generation farmer Tim Kemp and his wife Elise are dedicated to honouring the family legacy by growing a rich variety of oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins and avocados. In late May, roam the sustainable and nutrient-dense property during ‘Pick Your Own’ weekends.

Eastcoast Beverages is another bountiful citrus orchard boasting over 60 hectares of fruit. From June you can learn about the cultivation of high-quality ingredients – like lemons, limes, grapefruit and oranges – by touring both the farm and factory before setting out and picking your own straight from the source. You can also sample an array of citrus-inspired sweet and savoury treats at their on-site cafe, Bambino’s .

If it’s just juicy oranges you’re after, Cedar Farm in Dooralong is a must-visit. Located about 30 minutes north of Peats Ridge, it features 15 flourishing orchards and over 3000 orange trees – with take-home bags during the season (from July) at low prices. Not bad for a fruity weekend haul.

woman picking oranges at Oranges at Dooralong — Pick your own citrus fruits on the Central Coast. (Image: James Vodicka)

Organic dining

What makes the Central Coast hinterland so special is the unwavering respect the communities have for their cherished backyard. Locally owned and operated farms are all striving for more sustainable practices and methods to both enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact, each with a heartwarming food philosophy.

The Food Farm in Wyong Creek believes good food is worth both the work and the wait. Devoted to regenerative farming, first-generation ‘farmily’ Tim Eyes and Hannah Greenshields are recognised for their grass-fed, grass-finished beef and pasture-raised, gold medal-winning chickens. With an open gate policy, The Food Farm encourages visitors to swing by and try some of their slow-grown produce at their small ‘honesty’ farm shop. With no staff, you can pick up a few quality cuts of meat and pasteurised eggs, leaving the owing amount in cash or via eftpos.

Keeping the spirit of generational organic farming alive is Fanelli Organics . Nestled in the Central Coast’s scenic and sleepy Mangrove Mountain, founders Eden and Louise Fanelli own over 45 hectares of plentiful farmland and orchards that produce a huge range of organic fruit and vegetables, like purple Dutch carrots, blood oranges, broccoli and Tuscan kale. A true home-grown operation, Fanelli Organics shares its fresh produce with local restaurants and community markets, including the beloved markets at Like Minds Cafe at Avoca Beach every Wednesday afternoon.

farmers holding fresh produce picked at Fanelli Organics — See where your food comes from at Fanelli Organics.

Paddock-to-plate dining

High-quality ingredients go hand in hand with premium dining, and the Central Coast is home to several paddock-to-plate restaurants that showcase its diverse and rich agriculture. Paired with warm, grassroots hospitality, there are culinary triumphs, new menus and revered chefs constantly popping up, putting the local dining scene firmly on the map.

Award-winning Mount White restaurant Saddles is a quintessential Australian dining destination, dedicated to country-style cooking and seasonal produce. Nestled in thick bushland with wraparound verandahs, floral gardens and an idyllic dam, the gourmet homestead and bakehouse is unlike any restaurant on the Central Coast. Here, head chef Reece Collins and his team serve up an impressive breakfast and lunch menu that oozes rustic charm. Pull up a comfy armchair on the expansive deck, listen to birdsong, and tuck into flavoursome dishes like the farmhouse Benedict with honey-cured ham, lemon myrtle hollandaise and Warrigal gremolata, or the hearty beef brisket pie with confit garlic potato purée and rainbow chard.

woman writing in notebook next to a table of food at Saddles, Central Coast food — Taste country-style cooking at Saddles. (Image: Destination NSW)

Delivering a slice of sophistication and luxury to the shores and bushland of Bouddi Peninsula is Bells at Killcare . One of the few boutique resorts on the Central Coast, it’s known for its premium service and five-star suites, as well as its bountiful kitchen gardens that boast an orchard, olive trees, avocado trees, free-range hens and a honey bee hive.

Cameron Cansdell has returned to Bells at Killcare as head chef, bringing his expertise to the casual yet refined menus that feature a raw bar with Oscietra caviar, freshly shucked Sydney rock oysters and Moreton Bay bugs, all served alongside optional matched wines. Sample some of Australia’s best regional wines and standout dishes, like roasted Wollemi duck with grilled leeks, rocket, grilled grapes and 10-year-aged balsamic, or the shareworthy salt-crusted snapper with herb salad and salsa, before roaming the picturesque gardens, wine in hand.

cocktail at Bells At Killcare — Sample incredible wine, cocktails and dishes at Bells At Killcare. (Image: Nikki To)

Plan your next visit to the delicious Central Coast.