Where to go in Canberra for a decadent high tea
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Ideal for a cute afternoon tea with your besties, a unique way to celebrate, or the perfect excuse to treat yourself on the weekend, high tea is a time-honoured and delicious tradition.
Here are 10+ places in Canberra to enjoy a decadent high tea in heritage-listed venues, lakeside venues and plush surroundings.
High Tea at Louis
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What sounds better than nibbling on freshly baked scones accompanied by clotted cream and preserves, and an exquisite selection of pastries in the warm embrace of a classic European-inspired bistro?
Canberra’s newest sophisticated high tea experience can now be found, home of some of our favourite French and European-inspired cuisine from award-winning Chef Ben Willis – and the menu is opulent.
Saturdays only | Ground Floor/18 National Circuit, Barton | louisdining.com.au
High Tea at the Marion
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Coffee, cake, and tea with lakeside views – the Marion ticks all the boxes. From freshly baked scones to finely cut sandwiches, savoury pastries, and delectable petit cakes, there are plenty of mouthwatering treats – including cocktails and child-friendly options for kids aged five to 12. Having an adults-only day out? Take it up a level with their Bottomless High Tea package for a few hours filled with free-flowing sparkling wine and mimosas.
Act Parks Depot, Barrine Drive, Parkes | From $75 per person | themarion.com.au
Tea Lounge at the Hyatt Hotel
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An established tradition at the heritage-listed Hyatt Hotel, this afternoon high tea is held daily. Offering an array of savouries (including finger sandwiches) and sweets (think freshly baked scones, jam and cream and a selection of tempting cakes), you can finish your afternoon with a lakeside stroll through the Lennox Gardens. The only question is, jam before cream or cream before jam?
120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla | From $79 per person | hyatt.com
QTea High Tea x Space Kitchen
There’s no cucumber sandwich in sight at this high tea experience. And you better get excited because QT has partnered with Space Kitchen in what might be the most delicious collaboration ever.
Taking their high tea offering to the next level, the QTea High Tea x Space Kitchen experience is all about indulgence – from the sweet to the savoury. Taking place every Saturday, with sittings at 12 pm and 12.30 pm, lock eyes with Canberra’s first cake trolley featuring Space Kitchen cakes, choose from 28 teas (along with the prettiest of cocktails featuring special brews) and dig into tiers of treats that include Wagyu bresaola bites and picture-perfect serves of duck liver parfait for a decadent dining experience.
1 London Circuit, City | From $69 per person | qthotels.com
High Tea at Queen’s Terrace Café
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Available on weekends only, for a special treat head to the Queen’s Terrace Café at Parliament House to enjoy tea, coffee, sparkling wine, and an array of food selections to nibble on – including dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. Once you’re done, tour the gardens or enjoy the architecture to make it even more memorable.
Parliament Drive, Capital Hill | From $60 per person | aph.gov.au
High Tea at Chifley’s Bar and Grill
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Have you indulged in high tea at Chifley’s Bar and Grill yet? Located in Hotel Kurrajong, at this high tea you’ll be treated to classic petit scones, mini quiches, finger sandwiches, coffee, and of course herbal teas. Another highlight? The glass of bubbly on arrival!
Hotel Kurrajong, 8 National Circuit, Barton |From $75 per person | hotelkurrajong.com.au
Tipsy Tea at the White Rabbit Cocktail Room
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Did say ‘Tipsy Tea’? At White Rabbit Cocktail Room you can enjoy a decadent and delicious Tipsy High Tea – available on Saturdays from 11.30 am and 3 pm, and also Sundays from 2 pm.
With cocktails (including some served in very cute teapots), French Champagne, tea, coffee and an array of house-made savoury and sweet treats, it’s perfect for your next celebration or for when you want to disappear down the rabbit hole with someone special
65 Northbourne Avenue, Civic | From $75 per person| whiterabbitroom.com.au
High Tea at First Edition
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At First Edition, Saturdays are for High Tea – the giggly kind. Starting at 11 am for $69 per person, for two hours you can enjoy free-flowing teapot cocktails (with two options to choose from), a selection of decadent sweets – think: artisanal macarons and chocolate-coated strawberries – and savour delights. Black caviar atop crispy potato cakes, anyone?
Level 1, 65 Northbourne Avenue, Civic | From $69 per person | firsteditioncanberra.com.au
Howling Moon High Tea
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Offering stunning views of the city and a unique take on high tea sweet and savoury bites, Howling Moon is the place to go if you’re looking for cocktails rather than coffee and at only $50 for adults it is one of the more affordable high teas on this list.
In 2023 it ran from July to October, with between one to two sessions a month. You’ll have to keep an eye out to see when they kick off again for 2024 – but it’s well worth the wait.
150 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon | From $50 per person | thehowlingmoon.com.au
High Tea at Adore Tea
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Available only at 11am on weekends, here you’ll discover a rotating menu inspired by the seasons. An example? For summer, you’ll receive a sparkling iced tea on arrival before enjoying a menu comprised of a variety of tea-infused canapés, desserts, and scones – all complemented by three types of tea. And honestly, they had us at a freshly baked blueberry, lemon and thyme scone served with whipped cream and a French Earl Grey tea-infused strawberry jam.
2/2 Dacre Street, Mitchell | From $75 per person | adoretea.com.au
Willy Wonka Afternoon Tea at Space Kitchen
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We couldn’t write a list of high tea options in Canberra without mentioning the Willy Wonka-themed afternoon tea at Space Kitchen. Created to celebrate winning the title of Australia’s Best Patisserie, this will hit the spot of anyone with a sweet tooth.
For $45 you’ll sample seven different desserts including a Turning Violet Blueberry Cheesecake, a Psychedelic Mushroom Strawberry Mousse and a Melba Peach custard.
This is all served alongside a hot drink of your choice from their extensive list or, if you want something with a bit more of a kick (candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker) for an extra $10 you’ll receive an alcoholic beverage on arrival. See you there?
Space Kitchen, 12 Furzer Street, Woden | From $45 per person | space-kitchen.com.au
Feature image: QT Canberra. Supplied.
