The best high teas in Sydney to book right now

What is it? A pretty special high tea experience at Aperture, a light-filled haven inside the historic sandstone walls of Capella Sydney.

Why we love it: While there are no ocean views in sight, high tea at Aperture has got to be one of the most beautiful in Sydney. The soaring ceiling gives the space a grand and elegant feel, while mesmerising, floral-like light and art installations slowly open and close above, as if they’re breathing. Leaves float gently down from the weeping fig trees, and the lush plants and green wall make it feel like you’re in an indoor garden oasis – not one of the world's best hotels.

The menu includes both sweet and savoury delights, such as a lobster roll with yuzu mayo and lettuce; tuna tartare on a tapioca crisp with spicy mayo and sea blite; a pistachio, white chocolate and orange lamington; and a peanut crunch profiterole. The scones come warm out of the oven and are served with raspberry and rosella jam and clotted cream. Aperture’s tea selection is also extensive – we liked the Blue Lagoon, which features hibiscus, rosehip, apple, orange peel and rose.

Time Out tip: There’s also a cracking sparkling from Tassie if you’d like another glass of bubbles but don’t want to fork out for more Veuve.

Address: 24 Loftus St, Sydney NSW 2000

Expect to pay: $95 per person for the high tea experience; $125 per person with a glass of Champagne

Go for: An afternoon pick-me-up

What’s for tea? The grandest Champagne afternoon tea awaits you on the mezzanine of this opulent European brassiere. Begin with smoked salmon madeleines and vanilla waffles with crème fraîche. Then, roll out the red carpet for the Charles’ impressive dessert trolley. They’ll spoil your sweet tooth with a choice between a range of options, which may include the 28-layer Russian honey cake; tarte aux pralines (pink praline tart); marjolaine (nutty meringue layer gateau); or stonefruit and frangipane tart. There’s also handmade chocolate and macarons to complement your cake. 

How much? $79-$110

Go for: Tea down by the Quay

What’s for tea? On Level 36 of the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel, this is potentially the highest high tea in Sydney. Tackle the three-tiered snack tower from the bottom up. The menu is seasonal, though it may include things like smoked salmon pinwheels with lemon myrtle labneh and a passionfruit and mango tart. A vegan high tea menu is also available. You can add free-flowing premium sparkling wine to your high tea experience for an extra $30.

How much? $88-$148

Go for: The incredibly 'grammable display and celebrity curated snacks

What's for tea? The quirky, eccentric chic of the QT Sydney provides the perfect backdrop for dessert legend and celeb chef Adriano Zumbo’s vibrant high tea experience. It showcases a perfect balance of style and substance, with a top-of-class selection of sweet and savoury bites presented on a specially designed cake stand made from an assemblage of black cubes, each housing a delicious morsel. The stars of the show are the desserts that Zumbo is most celebrated for. These include a passionfruit tart with a silky-smooth cream filling and Zumbo’s twist on a scone with Tasmanian strawberry and lemon myrtle jam and clotted cream. Of course, there’s also a selection of multi-coloured Zumbarons – the chef’s singular riff on a classic macaron. You can wash this fancy feast down with a glass of Mumm Champagne, a speciality tea or even a cocktail.

How much? $99

Go for: Vintage leisure and delectable delights

What’s for tea? Adventure to the lower North Shore for a high tea steeped in history at Mosman’s Burnt Orange. Relax on the grand old wooden balcony and cast your gaze over Middle Harbour, while snacking on things that may include mini quiche Lorraine and smoked salmon sandwiches with dill and crème fraîche. When it’s time for some sweetness, there's a mojito panna cotta, Moroccan orange and almond cake and, of course, freshly baked scones with homemade jams and chantilly cream. Add sparkling wine to your high tea for an extra $10, or bring your little ones for a children’s high tea at $45pp. 

How much? $65-$75

Go for: Hotel swankiness with non-judgemental gluttony

What's for tea? The Intercontinental Sydney underwent a $120 million renovation in 2022, and these days, it's looking schmick. And so too is its high tea experience in its grand lobby bar, The Treasury. Treat yourself to sweet and savoury treats served beside Mayde tea and either sparkling wine or Champagne. Gorge on fluffy buttermilk scones with berry preserve and cream, alongside other delights such as a calamansi tart with burnt Italian meringue and fresh raspberry, and mountain pepperberry pastrami with smoked tomato relish. There's also a fully vegan and gluten-free high tea on offer, which may feature things like compressed watermelon with olive dust and micro basil, avocado and dark chocolate mousse, and a strawberry tart with vegan vanilla custard.

How much: $99. Children’s high tea is $45

Go for: Old-world glamour under the chandeliers

What’s for tea? Guests are spoilt for choice, with three pages of tea on offer at this QVB classic. That’s a whopping 26 teas, including their ‘splendid Earl Grey’ blend and a chocolate-lavender harmony tea. You’ll sit up nice and straight on a little velour chair while making short work of sweet and savoury pastries, chubby scones with jars of mixed berry preserves and clotted cream, and soft little finger sandwiches. Gluten-free and vegan options, and a child-friendly high tea are also available. 

How much? $75-$85

Go for: Jaw-dropping, 180-degree harbour views

What’s for tea? The tea selection goes beyond the standard black blends (though the Earl Grey is excellent) to include seasonal green teas and a delicate peach-flavoured white tea. Soak up the enchanting harbour and bushland views while enjoying a daily rotation of timeless finger sandwiches, along with crisp parmesan shortbread and truffle mushroom arancini. The petit four selection may include mango and coconut cheesecakes, lemon meringue tartlets and a thin sliver of chocolate praline that is as light as a chocolate cloud. They accommodate vegan and gluten-free diets (just let them know in advance), and all guests can upgrade their afternoon tea experience with a cocktail or glass of Australian sparkling wine.

How much? $75. Children's high tea for $50

Go for: Luxe high tea treats made 100 per cent from scratch in-house by an acclaimed pastry chef 

What's for tea? Tuck into three tiers of handcrafted sweets, savouries and scones from the high tea menu at the Four Season's Mode Kitchen & Bar. Every little part of the High Tea offering is made 100 per cent in-house by the hotel’s pastry chefs. Matching French technique with Australian flavours, the seasonal selection may feature a delicious egg and truffle finger sandwich; a tomato and stracciatella tart; tiger prawn brioche; and Mode’s signature pavlova. Gluten-free, dairy-free and other dietary preferences are also catered for.

How much? $99-$119

Go for: A period-style high tea

What’s for tea? This picturesque and historic mansion in the Eastern Suburbs dates back to the 19th century, around the time when high tea became fashionable in British culture. You’ll be delighted to find classic finger sandwiches and delicate tarts on the bottom tier of your high tea pedestal, while caramelised apple eclairs, chocolate truffles and passionfruit macarons decorate the upper tiers. Along with organic teas and coffee, you can also add cocktails or luxe Champagne.

How much? $70-$105

Go for: A low-key high tea without the city crowds

What’s for tea? If you’re shimming over to Parramatta for a show at Riverside Theatres or a game at CommBank Stadium, kick things off early with a boozy brunch at Novotel Sydney Parramatta. Start on tier one with savoury sandwiches and quiches, before working your way up to raspberry opera slices, profiteroles, macaroons and Portuguese tarts. The pillowy scones with housemade jam and clotted cream seal the deal, along with a glass of complimentary sparkling and unlimited tea and coffee.

How much? $59

Go for: Unbeatable views of Sydney Opera House

What’s for tea? Sit back in the dining room at this luxury hotel and enjoy multiple courses of impressive, bite-sized delights. The savoury offerings are five-star delicious, and may include spanner crab tartlets and salmon quiche. But also save space for the warm yoghurt scones with strawberry gum jam and clotted cream. Wash your afternoon tea down with a Byron Bay Tea – ginger zing, oolong and chai to name a few. Or go all out with a glass of NV Tattinger Cuvée Prestige.

How much? $95-$140

Go for: High tea inside the Parliament of New South Wales 

What's for tea? Overlooking the gorgeous greenery of the Botanic Gardens, each Friday a high tea is put on for the public from 12-3pm. The line-up may include blueberry scones with housemade jam and cream, lemon meringues, mini leek and gruyere quiches and beef brisket pillows, among two tiers of other impressive treats. Go traditional with tea and coffee, or start your weekend early with a glass of sparkling wine or rosé.

How much? $65-$80

Go for: A seriously affordable high tea experience

What’s for tea? The scone specialists at the Tea Cosy pay tribute to Britain’s age-old tradition with a grandstand of treats made using recipes from three generations of their family. Pump up the jam with a sampling of freshly baked scones, plus finger sandwiches filled with curried egg, cucumber or housemade maple butter. Although drinks aren’t included, you’re spoilt for choice with house blend black and herbal teas for $7 per pot, all served in fine china teapots and dressed in cute knitted tea cosies. You can also go down the boozy route with a smooth Bailey’s hot chocolate, Peach Bellini or glass of sparkling. 

How much? From $27

Go for: An inclusive, accessible tea

What’s for tea? If you're going for the traditional high tea, one of the La Maison Du Thé teas or Vittoria coffee will be served at your table in true style, alongside a delectable selection of sweet and savoury delights. If you choose the gluten-free and vegan high tea, they'll swap out the chicken curry puffs and triple layer chocolate mousse cake for creamy vegetable pies and sticky date pudding with caramelised nuts and candied orange peel. Let your little ones feel like royalty for the day with Radisson Blu’s Kids in the City high tea, which features mini sausage rolls, vanilla sprinkle cupcakes and chocolate chip scones.

How much? $85