14 Sydney high teas that redefine afternoon elegance

A tea party is always a good idea and these are the best high teas in Sydney to fill your cup.

No one needs an excuse to enjoy an elegant cup of tea, but if you’re looking for one, then here are 13 of the best high teas in Sydney that deserve to be tried for their sense of occasion and ritual. From locations that impress with dramatic Sydney Harbour views to beautiful tea rooms with white-clothed tables and standout morsels that take the creative cake, when the clock strikes tea’o’clock, book yourself one of these experiences.

1. Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

The Archibald High Tea at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel. — The Archibald High Tea will run until August.

The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is currently hosting one of the best high teas in the country (until August). Their Archibald High Tea is a celebration of the annual art prize and the nearby Royal Botanic Garden. A beautiful spread swathed in purple tones—reflecting both the Art Gallery’s hue for the 2025 prize and the jacarandas in the gardens—is served alongside world-class service. Be sure to leave plenty of room beforehand, as you’ll be making your way through a generous selection of delicate cakes, cheese, scones and charcuterie to be enjoyed alongside a glass of Pommery Champagne and a curated selection of refined teas. The sweets are the highlight, featuring a light and floral jasmine tea macaron that evokes the soft scent of spring blossoms, and a raspberry choux au craquelin inspired by falling jacaranda petals.

Price: $89 per person with a glass of Champagne; $69 per person without.
Address: Sofitel Sydney Wentworth 61, 101 Phillip St, Sydney

2. High Tea on Level 36

High Tea on Level 36 with Sydney Harbour and Opera views — Enjoy high tea up high at the Shangri-La. (Image: Supplied)

Ascend to decadence when you arrive for your high tea experience on level 36 of the Shangri-La. While the cakes are dainty delights that may include matcha eclairs and passionfruit mango tart, they’ll be competing for your attention against that eye-ensnaring view of Sydney Harbour and its icons.

Price: From $88 per person
Address: Shangri-La Sydney, 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

3. The Tea Room

the high tea experience at The Tea Room QVB — This QVB classic elevates your high tea experience. (Image: @msannmarieyuen)

The porcelain is perfection and the ambience is elegantly curated at this QVB classic that is all about the art of tea. Finger sandwiches, scones and the choice to elevate your experience with champagne, cocktails or sparkling makes for an afternoon well spent. They also offer a children’s high tea for ages 5–12 for $55 per person.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Queen Victoria Building, Level 3, 255 George Street, Sydney

4. Aperture Afternoon Tea at Capella

Every day from 12.30pm to 4pm pop an array of meticulously crafted morsels in your mouth under Aperture’s delicate lanterns in the Capella lobby. Nibble demurely on treats made by Capella’s pastry chef served alongside a signature Aperture tea blend or add a glass of Champagne for an additional $25. Kids under 12 may enjoy high tea favourites of egg and mayonnaise sandwiches and scones with jam and cream, as well as ice cream cookie stacks at the dedicated Little Stars sitting.

Price: $95 per person for adults, or $125 to add a glass of champagne.
Address: Capella Sydney, 24 Loftus Street, Sydney

5. High Tea Sydney Cruise

sweet treats at High Tea Sydney Cruise — Cruise past Circular Quay as you nibble on sweet treats.

For something quintessentially Sydney, opt to take your tea at sea with this fun little harbour-top adventure. This Captain Cook Cruises experience begins with a glass of pink bubbles and carries on with tiers of sweet and savoury snacks, such as prawn blinis and petit fours, all while you cruise by stunning Sydney beaches, architectural icons and national parks. Choose to depart from either Circular Quay of King Street Wharf from Wednesday to Sunday.

Price: $99 per person
Address: Darling Harbour King Street Wharf 1; Circular Quay Wharf 6

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6. QTea High Tea

high tea with sugared treats at QT Hotel — The lavish high tea at QT Hotel comes with sugared treats. (Image: Supplied)

Master pâtissier Adrian Zumbo lends his imaginative spins on sugared treats to QT Hotel’s lavish high tea. Of course, being the QT, one shouldn’t come expecting a traditional high tea. Instead, tuck your napkin into your shirt in anticipation of chicken katsu sandwiches, prawn toast and desserts such as ‘Man Goes Coco’, a summery mango and coconut shortbread, and ‘Baubleicious’, Zumbo’s take on red velvet cake with cranberry jelly and sour cream mousse. Served in the Gilt Lounge every Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm, you can also opt in for a gluten-free and vegan menu for the same price.

Price: $99 per person
Address: QT Hotel 49 Market Street, Sydney

7. High Tea at InterContinental Sydney

the dining interior at InterContinental Sydney — Timeless elegance meets breathtaking views at InterContinental Sydney. (Image: Supplied)

With organic Mayde teas and Australian sparkling on the pour in the InterContinental’s elegant 1851 sandstone building, you’re all set for a classy interlude to your weekend. Enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury treats from executive chef Matt Hart and his pastry team, plus a glass of bubbles, between 11am and 2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. There’s also a children’s menu for $45.

Price: From $99 per person
Address: InterContinental Sydney 117 Macquarie Street, Sydney

8. High Tea at Gunners’ Barracks

high tea with a view at Gunners’ Barracks, Mosman — Feast on dainty sandwiches with a cuppa on a picturesque waterfront setting. (Image: Gunners’ Barracks)

Follow the scent of freshly baked scones to Mosman’s Gunners’ Barracks, where Ronnefeldt tea flows in this waterfront historic setting. Feast on harbour views, dainty sandwiches and petit fours as you work your way through a truly extensive tea menu. If you’re after more than leaves in your cup, choose the sparkling, cocktail or champagne version. Finish with a wander around the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Price: From $75 per person
Address: Suakin drive, Mosman

9. The Langham Afternoon Tea

a Doggy Afternoon Tea at The Langham, Sydney — The Langham offers a Doggy Afternoon Tea to pamper pups. (Image: The Langham)

Moving forward with a tradition that began at The Langham, London in 1865, high tea is served at Langham Sydney’s Observatory Bar daily between 12pm and 2pm. In keeping with the long-observed ritual, things remain decidedly British with soft finger sandwiches, fluffy scones and the Langham Pink Rose made with pink gin compote, lychee mousse and vanilla financier. You may add Aussie sparkling or Tattinger for an additional cost, and kids under four eat free.

Price: From $95 per person
Address: 89-113 Kent Street, Sydney

10. Hyatt Regency Gin High Tea

gin high tea at Hyatt Regency lounge, Sydney — Partake in the Saturday Gin High Tea at Hyatt Regency. (Image: Wes Nel Photography)

Should you prefer your botanicals infused in something a little stronger than hot water, head directly to the Hyatt Regency lobby lounge to partake in their Saturday Gin High Tea from 2.30pm. You’ll sip your way through two G&Ts made with Fever Tree tonic as you work your way through an array of canapes and sweets, such as lobster and caviar brioche, lychee panna cotta and s’mores pudding. There’s also a kids’ version for $55, which naturally does not include the gin.

Price: $95 per person
Address: Hyatt Regency 161 Sussex Street, Sydney

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11. High Tea at Burnt Orange

sweet treats at Burnt Orange, Sydney — Settle in for sweet treats at Burnt Orange. (Image: Spooning Australia)

Freshly prepared to order by the pastry kitchen, high tea at Burnt Orange is a delicious endeavour of cakes and treats in a stunning, bush-enclosed setting. Gazing across the water, the former 1920s-era clubhouse for the Mosman Golf Club has a deep wraparound balcony, which is the pick of the spots to partake in one of Sydney’s most competitively priced high teas. Kids under 12 enjoy a menu more attuned to their palate, including cake pops, fairy rolls and scones for just $40 per person.

Price: From $60 per person
Address: 1108-1109 Middle Head Road, Mosman

12. Estate Vaucluse House High Tea

the high tea experience at Estate Vaucluse House, Sydney — Indulge in Endless Spritz High Tea and feel like a character from a Jane Austen novel. (Image: Estate Vaucluse House)

Enjoy the meticulously tended gardens of the beautiful Vaucluse House pre- or post-tea when you undertake this most pleasant of rituals. It’s all tradition here with prettily arranged scones and finger sandwiches and an ambience that will have you feeling like a character from a Jane Austen novel. If you’d like to indulge in a manner unbecoming of a Regency-era novelist, then we suggest you go for the Endless Spritz High Tea, which includes unlimited Prosecco, limoncello spritz Aperol spritz or lychee spritz.

Price: From $70 per person
Address: 69A Wentworth Road, Vaucluse

13. The Palace Tea Room

sweet treats at The Palace Tea Room, Sydney — Treat yourself to the elegant high tea on offer at The Palace Tea Room. (Image: Supplied)

Sip tea daily at this lower-level QVB tea room, which is elaborately styled with ornate chandeliers, velvet chairs and artful wallpaper. Fittingly, the high tea is as classic as the fit-out with finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. The children’s menu swaps out the tea for either a milkshake, hot choc or soft drink for $35 per person.

Price: From $65 per person
Address: Shop 20-22, Level 1 Queen Victoria Building 455 George Street, Sydney

14. The Tea Cosy

sweet treats and pastries at The Tea Cosy, The Rocks — Tuck into a cuppa and scones at The Tea Cosy. (Image: Anna Kucera)

Get into the Grandmacore styling at The Tea Cosy with all manner of doilies, fringed lampshades, crocheted tea cosies, mismatched floral porcelain and traditional doorstop-style scones. It’s also the best-priced high tea in the city at just $27 per person. For that, you can tuck into three tiers of delicious goodies, including cucumber sandwiches, scones with butterscotch cream, and fresh fruit. And while that price doesn’t include drinks, tea is just $7 per pot.

Price: $27 per person
Address: 7 Atherden Street, The Rocks

Still hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Sydney

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.