5 High Tea Venues


Sick of the yobs and weirdos at the pub? Want to live like they do on Downtown Abbey without actually having to live in the early 1900s? High Tea lets you indulge your ladylike side, and it’s a great way to gather your most beloved girlfriends and just have that epic gossip… but, ummm, over scones and camomile tea and stuff. Here’s our pick of some High Tea venues in Sydney:

The Westin - 1 Martin Place, Sydney

Gawd, even the setting is old-timey. Right in the heart of the CBD, The Westin offers a choice of two afternoon tea menus, The Heritage or the Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea.  This is held daily (even better – grab the girls and call in sick!) from 2pm to 6pm ($49.00), or splash out and indulge in the Ruinart Afternoon Tea ($69.00), which includes a flute of champagne.


The Teahouse - Cnr Kareena Rd & President Avenue, Caringbah

OK, so this isn’t city-centric, but gals in the ‘burbs’ need love too. The Teahouse touts itself as a “wonderfully secluded destination to meet and eat”, and isn’t that what having tea is all about? This venue is purely for tea lovers, and even overlooks the delightful Camelia Gardens. You are able to book a classic High Tea experience, and they’re open every day from 9am to 4pm on weekdays and 5pm on weekends.


The Victoria Room - Level 1, 235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst

Ohhh, the delight! The Victoria Room in Darlinghurst does a roaring trade in High Tea, especially for those with weddings and birthdays in the works. High Tea is served weekend afternoons from 12pm to 5pm, and prices start from ($45.00) per person for the Classic High Tea experience.  


The Art Gallery of NSW - Art Gallery Road, Sydney

Art and High Tea? Somebody’s fancy! Available weekends from 2pm to 4pm, this venue not only places you within reach of amazing exhibitions and artwork, it’s also right there by Circular Quay and The Rocks. Prices start from ($37.50) per person and includes tea or coffee, or splash out (do it) for a glass of sparkling wine with your booking for ($47.50) per person. This is great for the out-of-towner lady. You know, before you go all out at The Ivy later that night.


Lachlan’s Old Government House - Parramatta Park, Pitt St, Parramatta

Another venue that’s not necessarily city-centric, however very fitting, considering the history of Old Government House itself (it’s a National Trust house). Parramatta is the second oldest city in the country, so yes, once upon a time before Auto Alley and the Parramatta Eels, people did sit around and have a civilised pot of tea!  Your high tea here is ($44.00) per person, and has all the bells and whistles you could ever ask for in a High Tea experience. There are also coeliac, halal and vegetarian options for you to discuss at the time of booking, just to bring this into the 21st Century. 

By Erica Enriquez