High Tea in Sydney CBD & Surrounds

Getting High Tea Right

The harbour end of the city is where this region's high teas gather: The Rocks, neighbouring Millers Point, and Macquarie Street, where NSW Parliament House opens its dining room for high tea on Fridays. Further south, One Dining Teahouse serves a Chinese fusion high tea inside the Chinese Garden of Friendship in Haymarket.

They range from a scone house with small private rooms to a level-36 hotel lounge, so the right one depends on group size, budget and how much ceremony you want.

Comparing the harbour-end options:

The Tea Cosy, Atherden Street, The Rocks: scones and tea in an 1880s building, private rooms for 4 to 14, from $32 per person
The Fox Hole, Harrington Street, The Rocks: from $90 per person for gin cocktails in glass teapots on weekends
The Langham Sydney High Tea, Kent Street, Millers Point: daily afternoon tea in the Observatory Bar, from $95 per person
Shangri-La High Tea, Cumberland Street, The Rocks: from $98 per person for three tiers 36 floors up
Strangers' Restaurant at NSW Parliament House, Macquarie Street: Friday high tea with an optional building tour, from $70 per person

Circular Quay and Wynyard stations serve The Rocks and Millers Point, Martin Place station is roughly 200 metres from Parliament House, and parking at the harbour end is limited and paid. Town Hall and Central are the nearer stations for Haymarket.

Small family catch-ups: The Tea Cosy's rooms seat four to 14, booked on a minimum spend
Hens or birthday groups wanting speeches or gifts: hire a private room at Strangers', as the dining room doesn't allow them
Groups of 10 or more after something social: The Fox Hole can rope off a section or give over the entire bar, and groups over 20 at One Dining Teahouse arrange private or semi-private spaces by email
Families with young children: The Langham has a lower children's price, and under-4s eat free

Views, rooms and atmosphere

Shangri-La: floor-to-ceiling glass looking over the harbour, the bridge and the Opera House
Strangers': windows over The Domain and large contemporary artworks
The Langham: sofas, marble tables and a backlit bar
The Tea Cosy: heritage rooms above The Rocks Markets, one with a record player

Common Questions About High Tea Suppliers

Which CBD-area high tea can we book on a weekday?

The Langham Sydney High Tea runs every day from 12pm to 2pm, and Shangri-La High Tea runs weekdays as well as weekends. Strangers' Restaurant serves high tea on Fridays, while The Fox Hole's Gin & Tea is weekends only.

Where can we have high tea with alcohol in the city?

Gin cocktails are poured from the teapots at The Fox Hole, and Shangri-La has free-flow Australian sparkling or Champagne packages. The Langham adds a glass of sparkling or Taittinger, and Strangers' has a sparkling version.

Which high tea in the region suits a budget-conscious group?

At the lower end, The Tea Cosy is from $32 per person, with rooms booked on a minimum spend rather than a hire fee. Strangers' Restaurant at NSW Parliament House starts from $70 per person, and One Dining Teahouse in Haymarket is from $68 per person with entry to the Chinese Garden of Friendship included.

Is there a high tea near Martin Place?

Strangers' Restaurant at NSW Parliament House is a short 200-metre walk from Martin Place station. Entry is through airport-style security, and there's no on-site parking.

High Tea in Sydney CBD & Surrounds

Find the Right High Tea Venue in Sydney CBD & Surrounds