To us, the finer things include finger sandwiches, petit fours, scones with jam and cream, and lots of tea-sipping. Now that restrictions have been lifted and Brisbane is good to go, gather your gal pals and make a date at one of the city’s many gorgeous high tea spots.
PATINA AT CUSTOMS HOUSE | CBD
Imagine enjoying lavish high tea while looking out to the beautiful Brisbane River and Story Bridge. Patina at Customs House has made this vision a reality with its coveted Champagne High Tea!
Take your pick from Patina’s picturesque terrace or the contemporary dining room while you sip on a glass of Louis Roederer champagne, coffee and tea, and enjoy a variety of sweet and savoury canapés worth beholding.
The bite-sized beauties include smoked salmon blinis with sour cream and salmon pearls, gruyere and leek tarts, and Queensland spanner crab and celery buns. On the sweeter side, enjoy raspberry scones with jam, cream and fresh raspberries, assorted handcrafted desserts, and macarons.
This opulent high tea is $75 per person, with 90-minute bookings available from Wednesday to Sunday. A full pre-payment is required at the time of booking, and at least 24 hours notice required. Head here to book your spot!
THE LAB ǀ CBD
As The Beatles famously crooned, ‘I get high with a little help from my friends.’ We at the G&G think we know exactly what they meant: high tea of course!
As for where to treat your friends to sumptuous sandwiches and sugary macarons, look no further than The Lab, set in the heritage-listed Treasury Brisbane. Indulge in a selection of sweet and savoury delights with decadent hand-crafted teas and plenty of Chandon.
OSBOURNE HOTEL | FORTITUDE VALLEY
Looking for somewhere to throw an A1 hen’s party? We know a few places…
For a classy swing on a hen’s, check out the Osbourne Hotel’s high tea package, perfect for a chic daytime event. You’ll be greeted with a cocktail on arrival followed by two hours of free-flowing bubbles, white wine and rosé, and a selection of high tea favourites like pastries, tarts, scones, and cakes.
STAMFORD PLAZA | CBD
We’re not kidding when we say a high tea at Stamford Plaza will leave you in a state of euphoria… Inspired by the great state in which we live, pick between the Spirit of Queensland or Riverside Brisbane high teas. From south of the border? They still have you sorted with the Chocolate High Tea Buffet. Drool.
W HOTEL BRISBANE | CBD
If you’ve ever found yourself enjoying a meat pie and just wishing it was slightly more sophisticated, we’ve got news for you.
Live your classiest Aussie life in W Hotel’s Living Room bar as you sample classic Aussie faves (with a makeover) as part of the High Tea of Aus–taking lamingtons, pies, and Milo and transforming them into decadent treats.
THE MATRIARCH | NEWSTEAD
Mini cocktails. Gin. Brie-filled croissants. Need we say more?
The Matriarch has added a boozy twist to the classic high tea, and it’s G&G approved. The regular high tea comes with a glass of sparkling and a range of bites like financiers, scones, opera cakes, and savoury pastries. A step up from the regular offering is the G&T Partea for two for gin lovers, or opt for the mini cocktail and high tea package and sip on three sweet cocktails while you nibble on the classics.
PASSIONTREE VELVET | VARIOUS LOCATIONS
You’ll be spoilt for choice at Passiontree Velvet!
Peck at the classic Duchess full high tea with jam and cream-topped scones, finger sandwiches and delicate cakes, and treat your little ones to the Teddy Bears Picnic high tea. Awww.
THE RACING CAFE | HENDRA
Step out of the city and into Hendra, as an affordable, home-style high tea lurks in the suburbs.
Savoury delights on offer include finger sandwiches, salmon poppy seed pikelets and caramelised onion and feta tartlets, alongside profiteroles, cupcakes, melting moments and a perfect lemon meringue tart.
ROOM WITH ROSES | CBD
An icon, to say the least.
Located upstairs in the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade, Room with Roses is one of Brisbane’s classic spots for high tea. Take your pick from the deluxe high tea, chocolate high tea, or chocolate fondue high tea, and enjoy a mix of lovingly made sweet and savoury offerings.
PARLIAMENT HOUSE | CBD
Pull up a chair at Parliament House’s monthly High Tea For Me, and enjoy yummy eats and a taste of history! Enjoy your own individual platter of handmade favourites like pumpkin scones, Mt Tamborine truffle brie pinwheels, custard tarts, and a rich opera cake, before heading through the halls of Parliament on an exclusive tour.
CREMA AND CREAM | STAFFORD
This Stafford stalwart offers two different high teas–a classic British-style one, and a modern Italian version! The menus change frequently but always consist of four sweet and four savoury treats, alongside a brew of their famous coffee or a pot of tea.
Turns out you don’t have to be entirely high-brow to enjoy high tea. We’ve proven this on numerous occasions.
Lead image credit: Sarah Taylor, Fire N Honey Images
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