The best places for high tea in Melbourne

Melbourne really loves a good high tea. Those indulgent afternoons of tea and scones, dainty sandwiches and picture-perfect pastries. Here are some of the city’s lushest spreads. Plus, find the best high tea spots to suit your access needs.

High Tea at The Tea Rooms 1892

The Tea Rooms 1892 sit at an iconic spot in the Block Arcade. They have a rich history of serving high tea to elegant Melburnians in gilt surrounds. Of course, there are scones, and the famous smoked salmon pinwheel sandwiches. Or enjoy quiches, chicken liver pate on chestnut biscuits, and refreshing fresh fruit. Cakes from the beautiful window display go perfectly with your pot of tea. Reservations essential.

Access notes: A very small step leads into the ornate space, which can be a tight squeeze for wheelchair users. Grab a table in the arcade itself if you need more room. An accessible toilet is nearby within the arcade with entry via a code supplied by staff. Accessible platform super stops are right outside on Collins Street.

Mother's Day with Emelia Jackson

Masterchef winner Emelia Jackson is hosting a special Mother's Day high tea at the State Library of Victoria. Cheers with a Champagne on arrival and settle in at your table in the stunning Queen's Hall. Enjoy a menu of decadent finger sandwiches, lemonade scones and more. Then meet with Emelia for a signing of her cookbook!

Beetlejuice High Tea at The Westin

It's showtime! Beetlejuice The Musical is now playing at Regent Theatre. To coincide with the Melbourne exclusive, The Westin are hosting a themed high tea in the hotel's Lobby Lounge. Savour devilish desserts and quench your thirst with a ghoulish green cocktail. There's also free-flowing coffee, herbal tea and hot chocolate.

Access notes: The lounge has a mix of plush armchairs and chairs and an accessible toilet is nearby. Flinders Street Station is near, and accessible platform super stops are on Collins Street.

Note: Beetlejuice High Tea will be paused for a special Mother's Day High Tea on 11 May

The Langham Afternoon Tea

Steeped in tradition (and speciality British tea), high tea at The Langham has been an afternoon ritual since 1865. Start with gourmet sandwiches and savouries. Perhaps classic egg sandwiches or chorizo and sweet corn arancini. Then move onto dessert. Dainty pastries are lovingly made fresh in-house. Try the heavenly soufflé cheesecake or share a rhubarb Pavlova. Vanilla scones with seasonal fruit jam are a must.

Van Gogh High Tea at The Waiting Room

A new Van Gogh-inspired high tea has arrived at Crown's opulent hotel lobby bar, The Waiting Room. Start with a cocktail taster, then indulge in sunflower sweets and fresh pots of tea. Each bite reflects the colourful compositions of Van Gogh's iconic paintings. Reservations are available on weekends until 1 June.

Access notes: Spacious, there’s a mix of luxurious seating and tables of various heights. Equally as lavish is the stately accessible toilet with an automatic opening door. The closest accessible platform super stops are across the river on Flinders Street or on nearby Queens Bridge Street.

Afternoon tea at the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto

One of Melbourne's most iconic afternoon teas has returned. Head to the grand glass atrium at Alluvial Restaurant and kick things off with a glass of Champagne. The tea features courses infused with native Australian flavours. Think smoked ham hock terrine with bush tomato chutney. Buttermilk scones with lemon myrtle cream. Then to finish, Davidson plum black forest cake.

Oxi Tea Room

Is this Melbourne's most Instagrammable high tea experience? Oxi Tea Room puts on a stunning spread of tiny masterpieces. The menu is ever-changing with a seasonal theme. Think an afternoon tea focused on all things red, from strawberry tartlets to savoury pomegranate waffles. Add on bottomless tea to sip your way through blends from Kenya and Taiwan.

High Tea in Style by Cristina Re

Cristina Re is known for her gorgeous gold-trimmed tableware and elegant, vintage style. For an ultra-glamorous high tea experience, head to Collins Kitchen at the Grand Hyatt. The Saturday high tea is framed with Cristina’s beautiful pieces. Enjoy warm scones and finger sandwiches. There are also golden savoury pastries, French macarons and other decadent treats. Tea is served by loose leaf icons T2.

Access notes: A lift takes you to the lobby where the restaurant is located. This open-plan space can be entered via steps with a handrail or a ramp on the right-hand side. Accessible toilets are through the lobby. Accessible platform super stops are close by on Collins Street.

High Tea at Collins Coffee House

Dine in under grand chandeliers and decorative ceilings at Collins Coffee House. Visit the heritage building to try a rotating menu of sweet and savoury treats. A live violinist fills the space with music on weekends. Now there’s a perfect day out! All the goodies are baked fresh onsite daily and gluten-free selections are also available. You can even pick up a luxe hamper to take home with you.

Saturday High Tea at No35

High tea with stellar views over the city from the 35th floor is a no-brainer. The Sofitel's in-house restaurant No35 puts on a gorgeous spread every Saturday. Start with a sparkling wine and graze through a dizzying array of treats. In true French-style, warm dishes include escargot or pumpkin, brie and chive quiche. For sweets, matcha madeleines hit the spot. Scones are studded with sultanas and come served with cream, lemon curd and jam.

Access notes: Arriving via lift, a wide grand staircase with a stair lift leads you down to the entrance. There’s lots of room between tables and a range of seating including chairs with arms. An accessible toilet with an automatic opening door is near the lift. Accessible platform super stops are right outside on Collins Street. 

Afternoon Tea at Hotel Windsor

Travel back in time to 1883 for a traditional afternoon tea at Hotel Windsor – with a hint of stylish contemporary flavours. A three-tiered silver stand is adorned with freshly baked scones, strawberry jam and cream. The ever-changing menu includes exquisite pastries like savoury petit pies. There's also a multi-layered blackberry cake with white chocolate ganache. Or try classic chicken Waldorf sandwiches.

Access notes: Arrive via the nearby Parliament Station. Or accessible platform super stops just around the corner on Bourke Street. A few steps with a handrail lead you through the brass doors into this grand hotel. The concierge can take you to the accessible entry further along Spring Street. An accessible toilet is through the lobby.

High Tea at Rendezvous Hotel

Step into the Rendezvous Hotel for the ultimate high tea. The seasonal sweet and savoury menu includes scones with house-made jam, beef sliders, macarons, profiteroles and more. If you’re looking for something a little stronger than tea, level up your experience with the bottomless sparkling package. Go on, make an afternoon of it.

Information correct at time of writing – always check ahead with the venue to make sure they can accommodate your individual access needs