High Tea in Sydney CBD & Surrounds

Getting High Tea Right

The city centre is the fairest place to meet when guests are coming from all over Sydney, as it is the best-connected area by train, light rail, ferry and bus. The high teas on Party Hero for this area so far are all at its harbour end: three in The Rocks and one in neighbouring Millers Point. The Rocks is the busier, market-lined precinct by Circular Quay, while Millers Point is its quieter heritage pocket beside Barangaroo and Observatory Hill.

Choosing between them:

Getting there: Circular Quay serves The Rocks, and both Wynyard and Circular Quay are walkable to The Langham in Millers Point. Parking across both is limited and paid.
The experience: The Tea Cosy is a scone house in an 1880s building, Shangri-La High Tea sits on level 36 with harbour views, The Langham Sydney High Tea is served in the lounge-style Observatory Bar, and The Fox Hole fills its teapots with gin cocktails.
Group size: The Tea Cosy's three private rooms suit four to 14, The Fox Hole welcomes groups of 10 or more, and The Langham's events team handles bigger private celebrations in its function rooms.
Booking lead time: bookings are essential at The Langham, which serves from 12pm to 2pm every day, and at The Fox Hole, which runs on weekends only.
Food and drinks: The Langham includes iced tea with optional sparkling wine or Taittinger champagne, Shangri-La offers free-flow sparkling wine or Champagne, and The Tea Cosy allows your own cake for $3 per person.

On price, The Tea Cosy starts from $32 per person, The Fox Hole from $90 per person, The Langham Sydney High Tea from $95 per person and Shangri-La High Tea from $98 per person. For a family celebration with children, The Langham has a lower price for ages 4 to 12 and under-4s eat free. For a hens afternoon, The Fox Hole is the livelier choice.

The Rocks puts three options within a few streets, so high tea pairs easily with a wander through The Rocks Markets.
Millers Point is calmer, with The Langham on Kent Street a short walk from The Rocks.
The Langham's dress code is smart casual, while Shangri-La's is casual.
The Tea Cosy's upstairs rooms are reached by very steep stairs, and its Ladies' Parlour, for six to nine, is the downstairs option.

Costs to plan for

Shangri-La's weekday high tea is $98 per person with tea and coffee, $128 with free-flow sparkling wine or $168 with free-flow Champagne, and weekends are $10 higher.
Shangri-La adds a 10 per cent service charge for eight or more and a 15 per cent surcharge on Sundays and public holidays.
The Fox Hole's Gin & Tea is $90 per person, with bottomless teapots an extra $30 per person.
The Tea Cosy's private rooms carry weekend minimum spends of $300, $370 and $500 rather than a hire fee.

Common Questions About High Tea Suppliers

Which city high tea suits a family with young children?

The Langham Sydney High Tea has a lower price for children aged 4 to 12, and under-4s eat free. The Tea Cosy's upstairs rooms are reached by very steep stairs, so they don't suit prams or young children.

Can we book a city high tea on a weekday?

Yes. The Langham serves afternoon tea from 12pm to 2pm every day of the week, and Shangri-La High Tea has weekday pricing from $98 per person. The Fox Hole's Gin & Tea runs on Saturdays and Sundays only.

How do we get to the city high teas by train?

Circular Quay station, with ferries and light rail as well, is the closest for The Tea Cosy, Shangri-La High Tea and The Fox Hole in The Rocks. The Langham in Millers Point is walkable from both Wynyard and Circular Quay.

Can we hire a private space for our group?

The Tea Cosy has three private rooms for four to 14 guests, booked against a minimum spend. The Fox Hole can set aside a semi-private area or the whole bar, and The Langham's events team hosts birthdays and baby showers in its function rooms.

High Tea Sydney CBD & Surrounds

Find the Right High Tea Venue in Sydney CBD & Surrounds