Sydney’s Best High Tea for: Quirkiness
I have often heard it said, people should stick to their knitting. You can do both at the Tea Cosy. Practice your actual knitting, with bales of colourful wool, and knitting needles supplied to keep your hands busy. I preferred to keep my hands busy with the real reason I was there. What I would consider the “real knitting” of the Tea Cosy. The high tea. Would this prove to be the best high tea in Sydney?
Let me start by saying I may have just found the best scones in Sydney. Large. Served warm. A slight crunch when you take your first bite, but soft in the centre. It may be a little unfair comparing with more traditional high teas as today we only had the Grand Stand. Sandwiches, scones, tea, but no desserts. We had a big dinner in the evening to consider.
The sandwiches were very good, and somewhat traditional. Small bites of curried egg, a tuna option, and a smoked salmon with cream cheese. Substantial enough to whet the appetite, but small enough to leave room the above mentioned, rather delicious, scones. Walking through the heritage listed building that houses the Tea Cosy, you pass a piano, lots of knitted tea cosies, and for some reason, a lot of Irish memorabilia. I never got to the bottom of that. Ordering at the counter you get a choice of 8 jams. We plumped for tradition. Selecting both a strawberry and a raspberry one. The raspberry was a stand out. There is an extensive range of teas, and the always available coffee. Creme brulee tea was one haven’t seen before. I plumped for the lemongrass and ginger tea.
Back to those scones. If only so that I can close my eyes and remind myself how delightful they were. I must look odd, sat here in the library, typing whilst I lick my lips. Something I should probably stop unless I want to get thrown out. I have written before about clotted cream, and how I wish high teas in Australia provided it. That said, the cream served at the Tea Cosy was a step up from the whipped cream we usually get offered. Thick double cream, that created a great base layer before piling on lashings of that delectable jam.
Whilst the Grand Stand at the Tea Cosy isn’t strictly a high tea, missing the desserts, I have to say that what we did have was right up there with the best Sydney has to offer. The best scones, hands down. I have had good scones in the past, memorably at Boronia House in Mosman, yet they have now been bettered. If the high tea experience is what you are looking for in Sydney, then make a point to head to the Tea Cosy in the Rocks.
p.s. the venue will be moving shortly, but only about 2 minutes away, still in the Rocks.
Sydney’s Best High Tea for: Setting and grandeur
Boronia House – Mosman
https://mosmancatering.com/high-tea-at-boronia-house/
If you are looking for the best high tea in Sydney, you have come to the right place. Come for the grandeur of Boronia House, and stay for refreshments. Built in 1885, Boronia House is one of the few remaining examples of this Victorian Filigree style of architecture. Have a wander through the house, through the gardens, and think back to a simpler time as you sit down to your chosen high tea experience.
I have had both the Classic, and the Champagne high tea over the last few years that I have lived in the area. Having visitors from overseas is always a great excuse to sample the excellent mini desserts created by pastry chef Remi Bataille. And who can resist the smell of warm scones as they are brought out of the oven?
On a cool spring day, you can sit on the veranda. And in summer, if the heat gets too much, take a table inside, and imagine you have been transported back to the late 19th century, as you enjoy a leisurely high tea experience.
- Available: 11am to 3pm Monday to Friday, 10.30am to 3.30pm Saturday and Sunday
- Options include Classic High Tea, Sparkling High Tea (with a glass of sparkling Australian white wine), Cocktail High Tea, Champagne High Tea (includes a glass of Moet & Chandon brut), Devonshire Tea (6 bites per person)
Sydney’s Best High Tea for: Darling Harbour location
Hyatt Regency – Sydney CBD
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/australia/hyatt-regency-sydney/sydrs/dining
If you are on holiday, chances are you will spend some time in, and around Darling Harbour. Over the years the area has constantly reinvented itself, trying to keep up a world that is ever evolving. One place you should be sure to visit is the Zephyr rooftop bar at the Hyatt Regency. Drinks with a sweeping view taking in Darling Harbour, and all the way around to King Street Wharf.
And having made it here, make sure you make it to the Sailmaker restaurant for a fabulous high tea experience. All your high tea favourites are here, including the traditional, but done very well, egg sandwich (it is surprising how easy it is to get this wrong). Smoked salmon makes an appearance, as does the ubiquitous cucumber, partnering up with chicken in this instance. Desserts include creme of passion fruit, strawberry tarts (of course), and the polarising coffee eclairs. Personally, I am a fan, but non coffee lovers may struggle to enjoy as much.
The scones were excellent, and as they should be, they were served warm, with lashings of cream and jam. The only question is, in what order? Are you Devon, or are you Cornwall?
- Available: Thursday – Sunday: 1:30pm to 3:30pm
- Classic Afternoon Tea – $46pp includes T2 Tea or Vittoria Coffee
- Champagne Afternoon Tea – $59pp includes a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne, T2 Tea or Vittoria Coffee.
Sydney’s Best High Tea for: Relaxing away from the hustle of Sydney CBD
Intercontinental Hotel – Double Bay
https://www.icsydneydoublebay.com/dine-and-drink/high-tea
Stylish Double Bay is the venue for this high tea. And the Intercontinental hotel would give the Peninsular in Hong Kong a run for its money. The Intercontinental has a storied history, and fans of INXS will know it under its previous guise of the Ritz-Carlton, as the place that MIchael Hutchence spent his last evening. Over the years the hotel has welcomed guests such as the late Princess Diana, Madonna, and the Clintons.
Unique to the hotel, they also offer a “High Martini”, which I would have called “High MarTEAni”, for $69, which as the names suggests comes with a martini. Three in fact, drawing on the bar’s collection of over 100 rare and vintage gins.
Have little ones? Don’t fear. The Intercontinental has you covered with a “Children’s High Tea”.
I have been for high tea twice at the Intercontinental, both times for a slightly different take on the traditional high tea. Both were chocolate focussed, featuring delicious delights from Max Brenner, and Haigh’s, respectively.
A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon is by sitting in the chairs overlooking the prestigious Double Bay village, with a glass of champagne in one hand, and chocolate scone in the other.
- Available 12pm to 4pm daily.
- $69 per person including a glass of champagne.
- $59 per person standard high tea
Sydney’s Best High Tea for: Novelty
Westin Hotel – Martin Place, Sydney CBD
http://www.westinsydney.com/afternoon-tea-sydney
A fan of Alice in Wonderland? Ever wanted to have your very own Mad Hatter’s Tea Party? Look no further. Situated in the grand GPO, in central Sydney, you get to sit under glass, getting great views of the original clock tower. Constructed in 1866, the GPO (General Post Office) underwent a large facelift following the privatisation of the building. Amongst high-end office tenants such as Macquarie, and LinkedIN, the GPO also houses many restaurants and bars, and is worth a visit in its own right. But today, we are here for the high tea, in the Westin Hotel.
And not just any high tea. But the “Mad Hatter’s High Tea”, served with a glass of Ruinart champagne. In my opinion, you would have to be as mad as a hatter to miss out on this fabulous experience.
Starting with the traditional high tea tower, the bottom rung included such delights as roast beef and asparagus roulade, a delightful mouthful of an Alaskan crab sandwich, and a very fresh little salad with bocconcini. The dessert tier did not disappoint. With a chocolate mud cake in the shape of a top hat. A large, very tasty macaron doubling as a clock. And of course, the Queen of Hearts made an appearance.
Knowing that the scones were coming last, so they stayed toasty warm, I had to make sure I saved some room. And am I glad I did. Emanating heat, the scones were a delight. With plenty of clotted cream, and a choice of jams, this was a high tea to remember.
- Available in the hotel’s The Bar, Lounge & Room from noon to 6:00pm
- A Mad Tea Party $54.00 – A feast with friends including a cup of tea or coffee
- Down The Rabbit Hole $64.00 – See how deep the rabbit hole really is with a ‘Drink Me!’ Cocktail
- Ruinart’s Queen of Hearts $74.00 – Your Royal treat with a flute of Ruinart Champagne
Sydney’s Best Tea for: Something totally different
Swissotel – Market Street, Sydney CBD
https://www.swissotel.com/hotels/sydney/dining/dining-offers/buffet-high-tea/
The buffet high tea is available year round, on Saturdays and Sundays, at the Crossroads Bar. And by “buffet”, they really do mean buffet. I wasn’t sure what to expect, as never had I seen a high tea advertised as a buffet style before. But, having been, it is what it says. A total smorgasbord of goodness, and happiness. And as much as you can enjoy in the 1 and half hour time limit. In my opinion, it does lose a little of the sophistication, and elegance, that I associate with a high tea experience.
Service was a little slow regarding the arrival drinks, which were a glass of bubbles. And we waited what seemed a very long time for the tea and coffee. However, there was much to keep us occupied whilst we waited.
If you have been to as many buffets as I have, you will know that you need to determine your strategy before heading up to the food. Are you a “separate plates of food in a certain order” kind of person. Or a “find, and fill, the biggest plate you can, with everything” kind of person? Fans of Alan Partridge will relate.
I am a bit of the former, and a lot of the latter. I start with good intentions, thinking I will slowly make my way from savoury, to sweet. But whilst there, filling my plate, something invariably catches my eye, and I end up with both sweet and savoury fighting for space on my plate.
The high tea at the Swissotel did not disappoint. All the old favourites are here. Egg sandwiches. Warm, soft scones. And lots in between. If you want a less traditional high tea experience, the Swissotel is place for you.
Please note that the Swissotel has a “smart casual” dress code.
- $69 per person which includes a glass of sparkling on arrival.
- You can “trade up” to a glass of NV Laurent Perrier champagne for an additional $25.
- Full range of T2 teas. With coffee also available.
The “also rans” in the search for Sydney’s best high tea
Lobby Lounge – Shangri-La hotel
Taking advantage of the Queen’s birthday, and the subsequent long weekend in Sydney, I booked us into the high tea at the Shangri-La. Would this be Sydney’s best high tea? Scooping up a discount on GroupOn, the price for the sparkling high tea came in at $79 for two, a saving of $31. This is the option we usually opt for, so it gives us a like for like comparison when recommending the best high tea in Sydney. And who can go past a glass of sparkling wine?
What was pleasing here was that tradition was the order of the day. Several times lately, the high teas we have had have been offered as a buffet style. Whilst good for choice, it is not good for the waistline, as with any good buffet (weddings, visits to Las Vegas!), you always over indulge. Or is that just me? OK, moving along. I do prefer high tea to be a high tea, and come on the fancy looking tower. I am sure there is a name for these things, so if you know it, let me know in the comments.
Whilst the scones here were delicious, a mix of plain, and raisin, and the cream was some of the best I have had in Sydney (how hard is clotted cream to get over here?), it was the middle layer that left me feeling disappointed. A cheese toastie. Did I mention I like tradition? And the toastie was cold, which kinda felt, and tasted odd. We also got a mini beef pie, with ketchup. Now, don’t get me wrong, I do love a good meat pie. But served as part of a high tea? Traditional? And it was lukewarm, which further dampened my spirits.
With a high tea, I am usually so excited when it arrives, that I am out of the blocks like a greyhound, racing to finish everything in front of me. By the time I get to the top layer, the sweet stuff, I am struggling. And so this proved to be the case today. I could have happily called “elegant sufficiency”, and walked away, but in the name of research, I pushed on. Whilst desserts are not my forte, today’s selection was quite divine. Even if I did have to be rolled out of the lobby of the Shangri-La.
As you would expect, there is a vast range of teas available. For the coffee drinkers amongst us, you can also complement your high tea, with a coffee. Does that make it a high coffee? Who knows.
Whilst a pleasant afternoon, and being so full I could burst, the Shangri-La fails to make it into my top 5 high teas in Sydney. There were just a few things that could do with improvement, and the competition is very tough, as you can read below. The search will continue in a few weeks when I will be trying out the high tea at Cicchetti Wine bar in the Queen Victoria Building. Keep your eyes peeled for my review.
