Time for High Tea! Our guide to the best spots in and around Canberra 2014

Posted on 6 May, 2014

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Henry James, Portrait of a Lady

High tea is certainly one of the more agreeable and elegant pleasures of life. In my opinion, I can’t think of anything more elegant or agreeable than sitting on a sumptuous lounge with one’s friends, sipping tea in porcelain cups, and feasting on dainty pastries and cakes, petit fours, and tiny sandwiches arranged ever so delicately on three-tiered stands. Here’s our guide to the best high tea spots in and around Canberra!

High Tea on the Burbury Roof Top Terrace

Perched on the rooftop of the award winning Burbury Hotel, the rooftop terrace overlooking the city, lake and leafy Barton hosts one of Canberra’s most exclusive high teas. Enjoy a selection of finely made French cakes and tarts, delicate savouries and traditional scones, accompanied with TWG fine teas and freshly brewed coffee.

From 1pm to 4pm each Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Champagne High Tea is $49 and Traditional High Tea is $39. For more information, or bookings call 02 6163 1818. Burbury Terrace is located at 1 Burbury Close in Barton.

A truly capital High Tea at the Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House (MoADOPH)

From 1927 to 1988, Old Parliament House was the seat of our nation’s Federal Parliament, with 17 prime ministers from Stanley Melbourne Bruce to Bob Hawke working in its offices and walking along its halls and corridors. It was also here where many enormously significant political and social decisions were made, which shaped and changed our nation including the 1967 Referendum, the abolition of the White Australia Policy in 1973, Queen Elizabeth II’s royal visit in 1954, and of course, Prime Minister Gough Whitlam’s dismissal in 1975.

Old Parliament House has now become the Museum of Australian Democracy (MoADOPH). And what’s more, you can also now enjoy a truly elegant high tea in this precious, heritage-listed place of our nation’s political history.

High tea at MoADOPH is a very welcome addition to the high tea scene in Canberra. Upon visiting, my friends and I were treated to tea, coffee, warm and friendly table service, and a delightful three-tiered platter filled with freshly baked scones, a gorgeously scrumptious selection of sweets including lemon raspberry tartlets, marshmallows, and macaroons, and a delicious selection of finger sandwiches.

At just $39 per person, high tea is served at the MoADOPH Terrace Cafe on Saturdays and Sundays. Bookings are essential and must be made between Monday to Thursday. To make a booking phone 1300 870 433 or email moadophcafe@restaurantassociates.com.au. MoADOPH is located at 18 King George Terrace, Parkes.

A historic High Tea at Museum of Australian Democracy, Old Parliament House

An Adore High Tea

Adore Tea is Canberra’s premier destination for tea lovers, and a high tea here is an absolutely delightful ‘tea-gustation’! With its superb teas, scrumptious treats, fine crockery, and personal table service, an Adore Tea high tea is a very worthwhile indulgence.

Adore Tea offers a rotating high tea menu for each season. The menu comprises four ‘services’ (traditional, savoury, sweet, and final), and each service is accompanied with a matching tea. You also receive a glass of sparkling French wine on arrival.

High tea costs $48 per person. Guests with special dietary requirements can be catered for, however please let staff know in advance and upon booking. High tea is available on Saturdays at 11.30am and 2pm. To make a booking phone (02) 6230 9962.

You can find Adore Tea located in the Gold Creek Village at Shop 6, Federation Square One, 18 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls.

An Adore High Tea, Gold Creek

Afternoon tea at Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Afternoon tea at ‘the Hyatt’ is something of a Canberra tradition.  In fact, it was voted in a 2013 poll as one of the top ten things Canberrans liked about Canberra.

Served in the Tea Lounge with its sumptuous 1920s art deco furniture and plush sofas, a Hyatt High Tea offers a glass of sparkling, and tea and coffee on arrival. Once you’re ready, you head off to the high tea buffet with its delicious array of sweets and savouries. For those with special dietary requirements, gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan alternatives are available. Afternoon tea $55 per person and is available at 2.30pm on Fridays, and at 11.30am and 2.30pm on Saturday and Sunday.

The Hyatt is located at 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra. To book phone (02) 6269 8815.

A very sweet High Tea affair at Cafe Societea, Griffith

Café Societea is a small, quaint, family-run café tucked in the Griffith shops. High tea here is a treat—each guest receives their very own three tiered stand! The food is fresh and homemade (with gluten-free options available), and beautifully presented, with rose petals adding an elegant touch.

Food is served on gorgeous Shelley and Royal Doulton fine bone china, and the table service is outstanding.  The cafe owners themselves, will welcome you warmly and ensure that you’re comfortable and well fed. Available Monday to Saturday, high tea is at this little treasure has become quite popular so make sure to book well in advance. High tea costs $40 per person and includes unlimited tea and coffee.

Cafe Societea is located at the Griffith Shops, 12 Barker Street, Griffith. To make a booking phone 0413 015 639 or 0413 761 758.

A very sweet affair…at Cafe Societea

High Tea at Ricardo’s Cafe, Jamison Plaza

Ricardo’s is an award-winning cafe in Jamison Plaza, Macquarie famous for its scrumptiously gorgeous patisserie.  A high tea here is a very sweet and decadent affair. The luscious, mouth-watering mousses, slices, macaroons and cheesecakes are all handmade on the premises by Ricardo’s trained team of pastry chefs. High tea at Ricardo’s will see you part with $35 per person and includes tea or coffee and personal table service. Those with special dietary requirements (gluten-free, vegetarian) can also be catered for.

High tea is available every day from 2pm. Bookings are essential and can be  made online or phone (02) 6251 2666.

Ricardo’s is located at Jamison Plaza, Bowman Street, Macquarie.

A traditional high tea at the Homestead Cafe, Hall

The delightful Homestead Cafe in Hall is open for high tea on Saturday and Sunday from 9am-4pm. High tea costs $35 per person and includes a glass of sparkling and a gorgeous selection of finger sandwiches, scones, hot savouries, sweet treats and loose leaf tea. Bookings are essential and can be made by phoning (02) 6230 2349.

The Homestead Cafe is located at 214 Gooromon Ponds Road, Hall.

A Southern Highlands High Tea at Peppers Craigieburn, Bowral

My friends and I drove almost two hours one cold, wet and gloomy Saturday morning in July last year just to have high tea at Peppers Craigieburn in Bowral, and it was definitely worth it! There are three types of high tea available: the Heritage High Tea (this does not include a glass of sparkling) for $29 per person; the Sparkling Heritage High Tea (includes a glass of house Australian sparkling wine) for $35 per person; and the High Tea Indulgence (which includes a glass of French champagne and a specially created selection of delicacies designed by Peppers’ Executive Chef Warrick Brook and his team). Peppers Craigieburn also host Children’s High Tea Birthday parties from $18 per child.

Due to high demand, bookings are essential. To book ahead phone (02) 4862 8000 or email Peppers Craigieburn.

Peppers Craigieburn is located at Centennial Road, Bowral, NSW.

A Southern Highlands High Tea…

Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea! How did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea!” Sydney Smith, English Wit and Writer (1771-1845)