High Tea in Melbourne's CBD, Southbank & Docklands

Getting High Tea Right

Two very different rooms serve high tea in this region, and both happen to sit in the CBD grid. One is a hotel dining room on Spring St, opposite Parliament House; the other is a period tea room in the Block Arcade off Collins Street, pouring since the 1890s.

Set them against each other on:

Start times: The Tea Rooms 1892 seat guests at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm, whereas the Windsor's service begins at noon from Wednesday to Sunday.
Entry price: From $75 per person at The Tea Rooms 1892, or From $89 per person for Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor.
Weekend extras: Windsor guests on Saturdays and Sundays get a dessert spread with a chocolate fountain, at a higher price.
Special diets: gluten-free and vegetarian are covered in both rooms; vegan guests are catered for at the Windsor, and the Tea Rooms add a pescatarian option.
Little ones: a children's price applies up to age 10 at the Tea Rooms, and the Windsor's kids' stand is for 12 and under.

Neither sitting is rushed, since each runs for two hours, so the choice for a shower, birthday or family catch-up usually comes down to group size and whether you want a room to yourselves.

Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor offers two heritage rooms for private parties, the bigger one taking up to 80 and the Winston Room up to 50.
A private party there begins with a glass of sparkling wine, and waiters look after the table throughout.
At The Tea Rooms 1892, groups of more than eight book by email rather than online.
Being licensed, the Tea Rooms can add wine or bubbles to any stand.

Paying and planning ahead

Windsor bookings can be made up to 150 days out, and guests are asked to come smart casual.
The Tea Rooms 1892 charge in full at booking and stop taking bookings at 4pm the day before.
Expecting guests should mention it to the Windsor, which can prepare a stand to suit pregnancy.
For nut allergies, note that the Windsor kitchen uses nuts and can't promise a nut-free stand.

Common Questions About High Tea Suppliers

Which high tea works for a larger shower or birthday?

For a big group with no other diners around, Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor has two heritage rooms for private parties, seating up to 80 or up to 50. The Tea Rooms 1892 handle parties of more than eight by email, which suits a family table or a smaller shower.

Are children catered for at both high teas?

Yes. The Hotel Windsor puts together a stand of its own for under-12s, with Golden Gaytime, Wagon Wheels and Vegemite flavours, and The Tea Rooms 1892 charge a children's price up to age 10 when each child is booked with an adult.

Do The Tea Rooms 1892 serve a vegan stand?

No – vegan, dairy-free and halal requests can't be met there, though gluten-free, vegetarian and pescatarian stands are available. The Hotel Windsor can prepare vegan stands if you note it when booking.

What changes at the Windsor on a weekend?

Weekday sittings are the classic service. On weekends the price goes up and the tiered stands are joined by a dessert buffet and chocolate fountain in the One Eleven dining room.

High Tea in CBD, Southbank & Docklands

Find the Right High Tea Venue in CBD, Southbank & Docklands