The best places to have high tea in Brisbane City

Experience the beloved British tradition of high tea right here in Brisbane City. Indulge your taste buds in an afternoon of sweets and savouries with tea and champagne. Brisbane City's thriving high tea scene will have you spoilt for choice. Take your pick of traditional or modern – either way you’ll leave feeling like the newest member of the Royals. 

Traditional

Built in 1886, Customs House provides a spectacular backdrop for high tea on the banks of the Brisbane River. With views of the Story Bridge, take the time to sit back, relax and enjoy turkey and cranberry finger sandwiches while sipping champagne on the terrace.

In the heart of the CBD on the upper balcony of the historic Brisbane Arcade, Room with Roses is a quaint tea café beloved by generations. Regulars travel a long way for the raspberry cupcakes.

Keri Craig Emporium Fashion Café is also in Brisbane Arcade and acts as a regular gathering spot for those who love high tea. Presented with a glass of French bubbles, it’s a very posh way to enjoy your scones.

Housed within one of Brisbane's most recognised buildings, Shingle Inn City Hall is one of the Queensland capital's oldest and most treasured cafes. A selection of 15 loose-leaf teas and Shingle Inn’s unique coffee blend ensure there is an afternoon tea accompaniment to suit everyone’s taste. If you have a Prince or Princess check out Shingle Inn’s Kids High Tea, featuring a ribbon ham sandwich, mini donut, biscuits and kids shake or babychino.

Modern

Dello Mano may be well known for their brownies, but they also serve delicious high tea each Saturday and Sunday. Treat yourself and enjoy the decadent treats, select either the Arcadian or Chocolate Queen High Tea (hint: you can’t go wrong). The high tea might be out of the ordinary, but the historic Tattersall’s Arcade makes for a grand old backdrop. 

At the City Botanic Gardens end of Edward Street, you will find Madders Brothers Patisserie. The plush interior matches the ultra-luxe sweet treats, with the flagship store stocking 21 different sweet and savoury canapes daily. Some of our favourite flavours include liquid centre mandarin chocolate verrine, coffee jelly marshmallows, green tea white chocolate mousse and mini macarons. High tea is served with your own curation of sweet treats from the daily selection, scones and sandwiches. 

Hotels

For a different kind of high tea head to W Brisbane's Living Room Bar on the ground floor of the hotel. Forget your traditional kind of high tea, instead think Australian flavours with a twist, like meat pies, lamingtons and milo. Plus you can indulge with Veuve Clicquot rosé champagne and Mezzo Mezzo Martinis. 

Sofitel Brisbane City provides an innovative menu that balances perfect service and elegant high tea. High tea is created under the guidance of executive chef Patrice Falantin to make this a magnifique classic.



At the prestigious Stamford Plaza, choose from a traditional morning tea, lobby high tea or chocolate high tea buffet. Whatever you fancy, elegance and sophistication are the hallmarks of the experience as you enjoy meticulously crafted treats, with stunning Brisbane River views a bonus. 

On the weekends you can revel in an elegant high tea experience in the ambient surrounds of the Treasury Heritage Hotel. Your afternoon high tea will be served in the sunlit surrounds of The Lab Restaurant and Bar with your choice of bottomless La Maison Du Thé French handcrafted teas.

At Motion Bar and Grill in the Marriott Hotel lobby, a decadent high tea is served on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm to 1.45pm or 2pm to 3.45pm. A selection of Ronnefeldt loose-leaf tea served in bone china with assorted crafted biscuits and biscotti.

Step back in time at the Ovolo Inchcolm Hotel. Its signature restaurant, Salon De Co, plays up the building’s 1930s charm and Art Deco styled interior. Expect a high tea that injects rock 'n' roll to Brisbane's high tea scene, with edgier morsels like Daintree chocolate lamingtons, crumpets with Queensland spanner crab and tomato marshmallows.

Treat yourself to decadent savouries and sweets, like citrus cream, mint and cucumber sandwiches and choux au craquelin, at The Westin. High tea is available every Saturday from 12.30pm.