Strangers' Restaurant at NSW Parliament House
Pro4.6 stars from 69 Google reviews
|Highlights
- Friday high tea inside NSW Parliament House, looking out over The Domain
- Add a guided Parliament tour before you eat for the same $70 per head
- Tables for 2 to 24 in the restaurant, with larger groups seated in a function room
About Strangers' Restaurant at NSW Parliament House
Strangers' Restaurant is the public dining room inside NSW Parliament House on Macquarie Street, and on Fridays it turns into one of the city's more unusual places for high tea. Windows look out across The Domain, and the room is hung with large contemporary artworks. The menu changes with the seasons and is refreshed at the start of each month, arriving on tiered stands with sweet and savoury items, some served over tumbling dry ice, then tea and coffee. There are three ways to book. The traditional high tea is $70 per head, the sparkling version adds a glass of bubbly on arrival for $80, and the tour package pairs a guided 45-minute walk through the building at 11:30am with a 12:30pm sitting for $70. Groups of up to 24 sit in the restaurant at round tables of six or long tables of eight or ten. Parties of 24 to 60 are moved to a function room they may share with other groups, and a private room can be hired from $100 an hour. It is a restaurant rule that there are no speeches, music, gifts or table swapping in the dining room, so hens and birthday groups who want those should hire a private room. Only vegetarian and gluten-free diets can be catered for at high tea. Entry is through airport-style security, there is no on-site parking, and Martin Place station is about 200 metres away. It suits a relaxed birthday, a hens morning, a farewell or a Christmas get-together.
Inclusions & amenities
Activity type
Price range (per person)
Pricing
Food
Beverages
Availability
What's Included
Frequently asked questions
How much is high tea at Strangers' Restaurant?
The traditional high tea is $70 per person and the sparkling high tea is $80 per person. The tour and high tea package is also $70 per person. The site lists 2027 prices of $75, $85 and $75.
How many people can we book for?
Restaurant bookings take between 2 and 24 guests, with no more than 10 at one table. Groups of 24 to 60 are seated in a function room that may be shared with other groups, and exclusive private rooms can be hired from $100 an hour.
When is high tea on?
Fridays only, from 12pm to 3pm, with the last seating at 1:30pm. The tour package runs on most Fridays but not on public holidays or when Parliament is sitting. The last Friday for 2026 is 18 December and service returns on 15 January 2027.
Can we bring gifts or make a speech for a hens or birthday group?
Not in the restaurant itself, where speeches, music, entertainment, gifts and table swapping aren't allowed. Groups who want those can hire one of the private dining rooms instead.
Can dietary requirements be catered for?
At high tea only vegetarian and gluten-free needs can be met. Guests with dairy-free or other requirements can order from the à la carte lunch menu instead.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Nubia
4 months ago
Taste good above average of event/ foundations 3 course meal.
Benjamin
4 months ago
Delicious experience at the NSW parliament. All meals were amazing and the presentation was also well thought. There is no formal dress code but wearing appropriate clothes is recommended. Reservation is required to be s…
Inspired4me2You
9 months ago
Christmas Update Check out photos the restaurant is looking lovely for the celebrations including a Christmas tree. Update October 2025 - high tea Best high tea I have had, absolutely wonderful experience. Excellent ch…
Robyn Taylor
10 months ago
The whole High Tea experience was amazing and top class. They catered for my daughter’s nut allergy with an extra plate of four beautiful cakes. Would definitely go again and recommend it to anyone.
Is this your business? Claim this listing
Related listings nearby
From $98pp
From $32pp
From $95pp
From $90pp