5 high teas in the region
Got a craving for tiny crustless sandwiches, pots of Earl Grey, and scones with jam and cream? You need a dose of high tea. Luckily there are a few great venues in the region running orthodox (and not-so-orthodox) high tea sessions. From traditional pastries in a historic mansion to cake stands stacked with triple-cream brie, there’s a high tea to suit every palette. Some of these are seasonal, and nearly all require bookings. So bring your appetite and remember – when drinking tea, pinkies out. Bon appetite.
Werribee Mansion
The best high teas have a bit of pomp and ceremony, and High Tea in Werribee Park is no exception. Hosted at the historic Werribee Mansion, this is about as close to a Jane Austin novel as you’re going to get in Victoria. High Tea is served inside Joseph’s Dining Room at Lancemore Mansion Hotel, with views out over the gardens and plenty of free-flowing champagne. The Refectory Parlour also does Heritage High Tea Hampers ($130 for two people) which you can enjoy out in the grounds. Perfect for summer. Just remember to bring a picnic rug and a dog-eared copy of Pride & Prejudice.
360Q
Perched above the harbour at Queenscliff, 360Q is famous for its winter High Tea sessions, generally held in July and August each year. A ticket to one of these gets you four sweet and four savoury treats, plus live jazz all afternoon. And don’t worry, with plates of sausage rolls, pastries, macaroons and cakes, nobody’s leaving hungry. Bottomless tea and coffee come standard, but you can also tack on a drinks package, if sparkling wine is more your speed. To check the dates and book your spot, we recommend keeping an eye on their What’s On calendar.
Flying Brick Cider Co
For a dairy-themed spin on traditional High Tea, check out Flying Brick’s famous High Cheese afternoons. Available Monday through Friday, these come with a special ‘High Cheese Stand’, stocked with everything from truffle-baked Camembert to whipped ricotta and Tarago River triple-cream brie. (Yep, you’re going to need a cheese nap after this). Cheeses and accompanying goodies change with the seasons, so keep an eye on Flying Brick’s website for the latest menu. Prices start at $65 for two, which includes free-flowing coffee, tea or hot chocolate. You can also upgrade to a drinks package for an extra $15.
Searoad Ferries
Making the crossing from Sorrento to Queenscliff, why not go all-out with Searoad Ferries’ High Tea on the High Seas. $75 per person gets you a welcome drink on arrival, a tiered platter, tea or coffee, and of course your ferry crossing. Expect the usual High Tea suspects: finger sandwiches, puffy pastries, macaroons, slices and scones smothered in jam and cream. And don’t worry too much about the ‘High Seas’ bit – the crossing between Queenscliff and the Mornington Peninsula is usually pretty calm. You won’t be eating scones and juggling champagne in 20-foot swells. Check out Searoad Ferries for more info.
Black Sheep
Tucked inside the National Wool Museum on Moorabool Street, Black Sheep is mostly known for gin and good times. And they’ve decided to run with that concept, launching Gin High Tea sessions with bottomless cocktails and more G&Ts than you can shake a swizzle stick at. The food menu changes seasonally, but there’s always a distinctive European flair, backed by Bellarine local growers: think antipasto with prosciutto and gooey feta, lemon-pepper calamari, wood-fired flat bread and house-made scones with Chantilly cream. Gin High Tea will set you back $79 per person, and each session lasts two hours. You can book your spot here.