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.

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.

Botanical high tea at Pullman Melbourne on the Park

Pullman Melbourne on the Park is hosting a boujee high tea, loaded with bush botanicals. Head to the Cliveden Bar & Dining on Saturday afternoons to tuck into native Australian treats. Start on saltbush-infused pork sausages. Then move onto fresh lemon myrtle scones with jam, cream and lemon curd. It comes with an assortment of teas, or you can upgrade to bottomless Aussie sparkling wine.

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 greenhouse fruits and flowers, Lunar New Year spreads and Van Gogh inspired edible art. The high tea comes with sweets, savouries and a cuppa. 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. Live music fills the space on weekends. Enjoy a soundtrack of live opera on Sundays or a violinist on Saturdays. 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.

Sunday 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 and Sunday. Start with a sparkling wine and graze through a dizzying array of treats. Savouries include caramelised pumpkin tartelettes and goats cheese brulée. And for sweets, blueberry profiteroles hit the spot. Scones are studded with sultanas and come served with clotted 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 gourmet sausage rolls and mini tarts. There's also choux pastries stuffed with caramelised apple. 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.

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 cucumber sandwiches and savoury cheese scones. Then move onto dessert. Dainty pastries are lovingly made fresh in house. Try the heavenly ginger and rose lamingtons and Vegemite macarons. Scones with berries and rhubarb jam are a must.

High Tea at Rendezvous Hotel

Step into the Rendezvous Hotel for the ultimate high tea. The seasonal sweet and savoury menu includes house-made scones, cucumber sandwiches, chocolate eclairs, cheesecakes, macarons and more. If you’re looking for something a little stronger than tea, level up your experience with the free-flowing champagne package. Go on, make an afternoon of it.

High G&T at Pilgrim

Pilgrim puts a cheeky twist into the classic high tea with its Gin High Tea. Over two hours, you’ll dine on dainty sweet and savoury bites. Like chicken empanadas, lamb sausage rolls and mini salmon bagels. Then there’s the drinks. They include three gin-based, tea-inspired cocktails and bottomless sparkling wine and tea. For non-drinkers, there’s a legit tasting alcohol-free gin to sip instead.

Access notes: A set of stairs with a handrail or a lift from Fed Square will take you there. Or take the ramp along the river. There’s a range of seating and low-top tables are a perfect height for wheelchair users. An accessible toilet is in the beautiful bluestone vault. Flinders Street Station and accessible platform super stops are on nearby St Kilda Road. 

Weekend High Tea at Om Nom Kitchen

High tea at Om Nom Kitchen is a creative take on tradition. You'll find Om Nom set within the designer Adelphi Hotel. The decor is dark and dramatic and perfectly sets the scene for the stunning treats. Savouries include scones with gruyere and truffle honey. Sandwiches are filled with egg, potato and jamon. For sweets think lemon pavlova, tiramisu tart and nostalgic fairy bread scones.

High Tea at The Westin

Dial up the sophistication with an indulgent high tea at The Westin. Hosted in the hotel's Lobby Lounge, the daily tea is inspired by the seasons. Dine on three decadent tiers of sweet and savoury treats. Think classic vanilla scones, lamb and rosemary pie, and chocolate and raspberry petit gâteaux. Sip unlimited tea and coffee, or up the ante with two-hours of free flowing wine. Did we mention The Westin even does a sweet high tea for children?

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. 

Parisian High Tea at The Waiting Room

Fly to Paris for the afternoon with high tea at Crown's opulent hotel lobby bar, The Waiting Room. A glass of French Champagne on arrival perfectly sets the tone for your elegant soirée. A towering silver stand holds four tiers of moreish Parisian treats. Tuck into baked prawn and scampi toast, raspberry macarons and house-baked scones with jam, cream and lemon custard.

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.

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