Australia is a breath-taking place known for its beautiful beaches, unique wildlife and delicious food. All of these attractions come together to produce one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
Now, although the country is known for its hearty breakfasts and smoky barbecue, it has so much more to sample food-wise. For example, Australia also offers a taste of sophisticated dining with countless establishments offering some of the best high teas on the planet.
Born from British tradition, high teas have now become a popular trend around the globe. They entail an assortment of delicate cakes and exquisite sandwiches, the perfect addition to any social media profile.
However, with so many options currently available, it can be hard to decide where to take your high tea.
Well, if you are planning a trip to Brisbane, worry no more. We have all the information you need to find the perfect tea and pastry combination.
In the following article, we have rounded up 13 of the best places to get high teas in Brisbane.
So why not take a look at our list and see which menu and venue catches your eye?
Location: 81 N Quay, Brisbane City, QLD 4000 Ph: (07) 3556 8888
For the first entry on our list of the best places to get high teas in Brisbane, we have chosen a hotel that puts a creative spin on the classic high tea. W Brisbane offers an elegant experience inspired by avant-garde design.
It is home to The Art of Indulgence High Tea, which takes place in the sophisticated Living Room Bar.
Combining art with decadence, this signature high tea comes loaded with beautifully presented, tasty snacks. Just some of the delights include Truffled Beef Sausage Roll, Duck Liver Parfait ‘Jammie Dodger’, Raspberry and Matcha Tiramisu and Passionfruit and Pistachio Profiterole.
And as is the case with all the finest High Teas, you can either sip a carefully selected Tea, or opt for a glass of Bubbles.
If you feel like leaving the hustle and bustle of Brisbane behind, then you can travel north for 35 minutes to the seaside town of Scarborough. We recommend making the trip as Scarborough is currently home to one of the finest high teas in the whole of Australia.
Based in a stunning colonial manor, Reid’s Place is the perfect establishment to spend your afternoon. The restaurant itself is set against the backdrop of a beautiful garden, where you can live out your Jane Austen fantasies.
While this particular high tea does not boast elaborate pastries and cakes, everything they provide is delicious, homemade and moreish. In fact, we predict that you will want pack up any leftovers before making your way back into the city.
NB: Unlike many other spots on this list, Alcohol can be served, but not bought at Reid’s Place.
Dandelion & Driftwood is the kind of place that knows how to do high teas right, with the iconic cafe currently being based in the heart of Hendra.
Known for its original recipes and concoctions, this establishment offers customers three-tiered tea stands chocked with sweet and savoury delights. Think buttery scones, ribbon sandwiches and ornate cupcakes.
However, if you are not in the mood for a milky brew, then you can substitute your tea for something a little harder, with the cafe offering champagne and rose as naughty alternatives.
Location: 49 Laura St, Highgate Hill, QLD 4101 Ph: 0474 253 678
As pretty as a picture and with freshly baked treats to match, Dovetail Social is next up.
You know a place is serious about what they do when they offer specialised High Teas for Kids’ as well as Adults. Not only that, but the kitchen also offers Tale Away High Teas, for those who wish to indulge at home.
When it comes to the full royal experience, there’s no better high tea than the one provided by Customs House.
Offering stunning views of Story Bridge, this heritage-listed establishment delivers some of the best ribbon sandwiches in the city, as well as a wide selection of delicious treats and pastries. Personally, we love the Mini Queensland Spanner Crab & Celery Bun.
Beyond the traditional offerings, Patina also offers delicate cupcakes, handmade petit fours and lashings of vintage champagne. The result is a high tea experience fit for the Queen of England.
Run by the National Trust, there are many reasons to slip back into the past at this gorgeous heritage-listed museum. Not least the wonderful Wolston House Valentine’s Day High Tea.
Featuring a full range of delicious, tempting bakes and pastries, all enjoyed in the stunning surrounds of the old farmhouse. Whether you prefer to dine inside, or out in the garden, the choice is yours.
Check the website to see if the Cafe is offering High Tea on other dates as well. But if you want to treat your loved one to a very special Valentine’s feast, make sure you book the High Tea at Wolston Farmhouse early. It’s hugely popular and spaces go quickly.
Sitting in the sun outside the homestead on a sunny afternoon, you’ll understand why this is one of the finest places to get High Teas in Brisbane.
Location: 39 Margaret St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000 Ph: (07) 3221 1999
If there’s one place in Brisbane that loves high teas, it’s the Stamford Plaza, which offers the full experience in the morning and afternoon.
Offering panoramic views of the Brisbane River, this particular establishment offers a host of different high tea options, with each one sporting its own unique menu of cakes and pastries.
However, if we had to choose the best high tea available, we would have to pick their Chocolate High Tea buffet, which features chocolate in several different forms from shaved to solid. Delicious!
Next on our rundown of the best places to get high teas in Brisbane we’re off to the Marriott.
If Salted Vanilla Choc Slice with Apricot & Strawberry sounds like your idea of heaven, then you will simply adore this Blooming High Tea by Motion Dining.
Based in the Brisbane Marriott, this experience allows customers to sit in a cosy dining room as they nibble their way through the hotel’s signature menu. Better still, with every delicious treat is served with a glass of French champagne.
Our favourite treat is the Wild Local Mushroom and Swiss Cheese Tart. It’s the perfect earthy, umami hit.
Located in an elegant Brisbane arcade, this high tea is the very definition of traditional. However, it still promises to satisfy even the pickiest eaters.
Known for their fluffy scones with jam and cream, this establishment also offers other decadent delights. Indeed, their passionfruit sponges and range of tasty sandwiches are divine.
What’s more, they offer an array of dining experiences, including a wonderful Ultimate Chocolate Fondue High Tea.
The beautiful setting and delicious food make this one of the best high teas in the city.
Location: Emporium Hotel South Bank, Ground Floor, 267 Grey St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Ph: (07) 3556 3333
When it comes to international experiences, there’s no better place to visit than Belle Epoque. It offers the closest thing Brisbane has to a real Parisian cafe.
However, this quaint location is probably best known for its cosy decor and delicious high teas. Pleasingly, they come in both vegan and gluten-free options.
Sporting a selection of sinful treats, this cafe is famed for its buttercream and hazelnut macarons. Personally though, we enjoy its Persian spice cake, with warm figs and cream. No wonder Belle Epoque is amongst our best places to get high teas in Brisbane.
If you want to experience some of the best pastries in Australia, then you will find everything you need at Spicers Balfour.
Featuring a handmade menu of ornate pastries and cakes, this fine establishment is based in a lush courtyard, where you will be offered a wide selection of specialty teas.
When visiting this location, you will get the chance to sample chocolate-coated fruit, as well as chocolate chip cookies and smoke salmon brioche. Now if that doesn’t sound good then we don’t know what does.
Make a booking at Spicers Balfours and see if you agree that this is one of the best places to get high teas in Brisbane.
Location: Rydges South Bank Brisbane, Podium Level, Rydges South Bank, Gleneig Street & Grey Street, 9 Gleneig St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101 Ph: (07) 3364 0870
We feel we just have to add the Bacchus Restaurant high tea because we are such huge fans of their refined menu.
Firstly, let us point out that this menu changes regularly – so check before you book.
At the time of writing this review, Bacchus delights include at number of genuine show-stoppers. Our favourite from the savoury selection is the amazing Truffle Egg Pillow. This divine morsel features Creamy Truffle Egg and Sweet Corn on soft White Bread. It’s like the best Japanese Sando you’ve ever tried.
Sweet-wise, you are equally spoilt for choice. Even so, we think the vibrant Key Lime Tart gets our nod over the superb Salted Caramel Macaron. But only just.
Why not pop into Bacchus Southbank yourself and see what you think? After all, we think it’s one of the best places to get high teas in Brisbane.
When it comes to great places to eat in Australia, the list really is endless. There are so many different restaurants, cafés, and chains to try that you really are spoiled for choice. From Italian food, to Japanese food, to a good ‘ole rump steak, the food options are endless.
This is why I decided to set up my blog, Eatability, to share the best food and drink spots in Australia with as many people as possible. Hi, my name is Dylan Cole, and I moved to Australia five years ago from England, UK.
Through this blog, I will be sharing and recommending some of my favorite places you need to visit, such as where to find the best pizza in Adelaide, and the best bakery in Brisbane. Whatever food you are fancying, I have got you covered!
