High Tea in The Rocks

Getting High Tea Right

A level-36 view, a scone room in an 1880s building or a teapot full of gin: high tea in The Rocks can mean any of them. Shangri-La High Tea is served at 176 Cumberland Street, The Tea Cosy occupies a heritage-listed building on Atherden Street among The Rocks Markets, while The Fox Hole, a compact bar styled on London's back lanes, sits on Harrington Street.

What each Rocks table brings:

Shangri-La: three tiers of sandwiches, quiche and sausage rolls, small cakes and tarts, then scones, with vegan menus too
Shangri-La's tea list: Australian blends such as smoked redgum and wattleseed chai, plus barista coffee
The Tea Cosy: scones baked throughout the day with double thick cream and Australian-made jam
The Tea Cosy's Grandstand: finger sandwiches, a warm quiche and the day's scones on a tiered stand
The Fox Hole: a teapot of gin cocktail for every pair, plus sandwiches, savoury bites and sweets

Prices start from $98 per person at Shangri-La, from $32 per person at The Tea Cosy and from $90 per person at The Fox Hole. Circular Quay, with its trains, ferries and light rail, is the easy way in; drivers will find parking scarce and paid.

The Ladies' Parlour: semi-private, downstairs, six to nine guests
Nanna's Nook: fully private upstairs for four to eight, with a record player and a market view
Pop's Place: eight to 14 guests, dedicated wait staff and extra time to decorate
The upstairs rooms have very steep stairs, so skip them with prams or mobility concerns

Timing and table rules around The Rocks

Shangri-La seats tables for 90 minutes, with a service charge on tables of eight or more
The Fox Hole's Gin & Tea sittings are 12pm and 2:45pm, weekends only
Tea Cosy rooms usually go for two hours, in a morning or afternoon slot
The Fox Hole needs a booking, and the bar stays open after for a gin and tonic

Common Questions About High Tea Suppliers

Which Rocks high tea has the best harbour view?

Shangri-La High Tea's level-36 windows take in Sydney Harbour, the bridge and the Opera House. Pop's Place at The Tea Cosy offers glimpses of the bridge and Opera House too.

Can we bring a birthday cake to high tea in The Rocks?

The Tea Cosy allows your own cake for a per-person cakeage fee. It's worth asking the other venues when you book.

Is there a vegan high tea in The Rocks?

Shangri-La offers separate vegan menus on both weekdays and weekends. The Fox Hole covers vegetarian and gluten-free options, and The Tea Cosy can do gluten-free on request.

How does the Gin & Tea at The Fox Hole work?

Glass teapots are filled with gin cocktails rather than tea, each shared between two people, alongside finger sandwiches, savoury bites and sweets. The teapots can be made bottomless for an extra charge.

High Tea in The Rocks

Find the Right High Tea Venue in The Rocks