Throw your pinkies in the air for dainty delicacies at the best places to experience a Brisbane high tea.

Fluffy finger sandwiches, itsy bitsy cakes, flowing bubbles, and fragrant brew – I am endlessly enchanted by the art of high tea. And I’m not alone. Dating as far back as the 1840s, the dining experience is still ridiculously popular, and Brisbane plays home to an abundance of sittings. From the confines of luxurious hotels to standalone destinations nailing new takes on the traditional, Brisbane high tea is always a special occasion – and I’ve created your go-to list.

In short

If you only try one Brisbane high tea, make it Strangers’ High Tea at Parliament House for its unparalleled portal into a bygone era. Think live classical music, nineteenth-century bones and delicious homemade treats.

1. Tea & Bubbles High Tea at Naldham House, Brisbane

I love any excuse to step inside the heritage-listed Naldham House but the multi-level venue’s high tea, staged inside its European-inspired Brasserie, is a standout experience. The space is intoxicating, carpeted, moody and wall-lined with books at one end while thick red curtains dial up the drama to almost theatrical heights. What of the towers themselves? The sweets are all baked on-site, the finger sandwiches are cloudlike-fluffy, and they do a smoked mortadella croquette. Need I say more? It’s staged on Saturday from 2:30pm until 4:30pm and prices start from $65 per person before adding bubbles. I recommend just saying yes to the two-hour bottomless Taittinger package for an additional $80 because, well, Taittinger.

Address: 33 Felix St, Brisbane

2. Strangers’ High Tea at Parliament House, Brisbane

Dine where the very highest of society frequented at Strangers’ High Tea, staged inside Queensland Parliament’s acclaimed Strangers’ Restaurant on select Tuesdays from 11:30am. It’s exceptional for its live classical music and ornate nineteenth-century designed space, once exclusive to male members of parliament. I love the bites, too, which include stalwarts like buttermilk scones and chicken and cucumber sandwiches, plus creations finessed by the Brisbane high tea’s parliamentary chefs like raspberry Opera slice, pumpkin and feta tarts and more. Prices start from $65 per person and I recommend booking well in advance as spots are snapped up quickly. Stay across the website for dates.

Address: Parliamentary Annexe, 69 Alice St, Brisbane

3. High Tea at Lennons Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane

Smack-bang in the centre of the CBD, Lennons Restaurant & Bar does a Brisbane high tea to write home about. Found inside the historical Lennons building, erected in 1884 and once one of the tallest structures in the city, the experience delivers decadence with a side of city views while the vibe inside is traditional-bistro and very family-friendly. The menu changes by theme and often with the season, but in December 2025 there was a wonderful ‘Season of Sunshine’ roll call of scones with raspberry Chantilly cream and jam, pineapple meringue, mango choux buns, pea and mint arancini with goat’s cheese and more. It’s staged on Saturday and Sunday from 12:30pm until 3pm and prices start $65 excluding booze (but including tea and coffee, naturally).

Address: 72 Queen St, Brisbane

4. Champagne High Tea at Customs House, Brisbane

Inside yet another noteworthy Brisbane icon, Champagne High Tea at Customs House offers a sensational sitting across several days of the week, making it a great, accessible pick for that reason alone. Staged on Tuesday at 3pm, and Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30am until 3pm, the 1.5-hour sessions offer views across the river and Story Bridge, making for one of the most scenic Brisbane high teas, to boot. Expect finger sandwiches, miniature cakes, macarons, and a glass of Taittinger bubbles for $90 per person.

Address: 399 Queen St, Brisbane

5. Various high teas at Stamford Plaza Brisbane, Brisbane

Beloved for putting on three unique versions of Brisbane high tea, Stamford Plaza Brisbane spins its magic on Saturday and Sunday, plus school holidays. It’s all-weekend ‘Spirit of Queensland High Tea’ pays tribute to the flavours of the Sunshine State, spanning tropical fruit, roast Mt Cotton chicken, Maleny cheese sandwiches with ham and Mooloolaba prawn quiche. It costs $79 per person excluding alcohol. Saturday also offers a ‘Chocolate Afternoon Tea’ where more than 17 takes on everyone’s favourite sweet stuff is delivered with baked scones at $69 a seat. Finally, if it’s the school holidays, don’t miss Wizardry High Tea which blends a theme of witchcraft and, well, wizardry (just go with it, your kids love it), with the sweetest of treats.

Address: Corner Edward and Margaret Sts, Brisbane

6. Various high teas at W Brisbane, Brisbane

Dripping with the hotel chain’s distinct rock and roll flavour, W Brisbane stages a series of high teas throughout the year within its eclectic Living Room Bar. Amid a sea of metallics, pop prints and soft seating, the themed high teas nod to whatever they’re vibing at the time. Be it the ‘Festive’ menu available in December 2025, staged on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from $80 per person, or versions that tap into the likes of Easter and Mother’s Day, there’s always something delicious going on. Check the website for menus and dates that suit your travel plans.

Address: Level 1, 81 North Quay, Brisbane

7. High Tea at Dandelion & Driftwood, Hendra

You might know Dandelion & Driftwood for its epic breakfasts but the cosy north Brisbane cafe also nails high tea and takeaway high tea box sets. Available at any time of the day, you need to pre-book your seat but get organised because the spoils are abundant. Brioche rolls, thick, fluffy scones, mini tarts and tiny pastries provide all the stomach lining your boozy (or non-boozy) beverage selection needs. Prices start from $65 per person.

Address: 20 Doncaster St, Hendra

8. Zen Garden High Tea at Bar 1603, Hotel Indigo, Brisbane

Serving spectacular afternoon spreads from Friday to Sunday, Bar 1603 inside Hotel Indigo is home to the magical Zen Garden High Tea. A homage to the flavours of Japanese cuisine, the Brisbane high tea caters to both savoury and sweet palettes however that’s where everything you think you know about high tea ends. Forget finger sandwiches forever as you dive into a stream of sashimi, gyoza, Moreton Bay bug rolls, Green Matcha soil (just you wait), mango cheesecake and more. It costs $109 per person and includes a glass of sparkling wine.

Address: 27-35 Turbot St, Brisbane

9. High Tea at Bacchus, Rydges South Bank Brisbane, Brisbane

Fine China porcelain and velvet chairs set a high-luxe, high tea scene at Bacchus inside Rydges South Bank Brisbane. Catering to both adults and children on Saturday, this high tea is worthy of your finest frocks as classic indulgences light up your table. The theme changes from time to time, with December 2025 ushering in a Festive menu, but you can expect delights like finger sandwiches, croquettes, prawn cocktails, and all your obligatory scones and sweets. It costs about $69 per person, excluding alcohol.

Address: 9 Glenelg St, South Bank

10. High Tea at The Kitchen, Old Government House, Brisbane

Held on just one Friday per month, High Tea at The Kitchen in beautiful Old Government House, is an utterly lovely dining experience you must do at least once in your life. Located at the bustling Queensland University of Technology campus right near the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, the venue pops together a beautiful selection of delicacies spanning finger sandwiches, handmade sweets and pastries. You’ll need to check the website for upcoming dates, but make sure you book your table in advance. Prices start from $79 per person.

Address: 2 George St, Brisbane

11. High Tea at Spicers Balfour Brisbane, New Farm

Get swept away in frangipani trees and ultra-lush greenery at Spicers Balfour Brisbane’s High Tea, staged once a month on Saturday across two lunchtime seatings. It’s a stunning setting, embraced entirely if you can wrangle a spot on the Art Deco hotel restaurant’s terrace (but the courtyard is equally charming). The Brisbane high tea features mouth-watering sweets, including the likes of mini tarts, macarons, and specialty cakes, plus savoury brioche, smoked salmon on croute, and scones with Chantilly cream and raspberry jam. It starts from $89 per person.

Address: 37 Balfour St, New Farm