Sofitel Brisbane, Brisbane City
Hosted in the hotel’s lobby bar, the Sofitel Brisbane’s high tea is a Francophile’s dream with a menu inspired by the decadent art of French patisserie. Savour a selection of handcrafted delights like macarons, éclairs and gateau opera cakes, and delicate finger sandwiches while you take in expansive city views. High tea at the Sofitel Brisbane is $79 per person, and its complimentary glass of Veuve Clicquot makes it the perfect destination to celebrate milestone moments. 

W Brisbane, Brisbane City
High tea at this inner-city hotel is served amidst the luxe lounge setting of the Living Room Bar that overlooks the Brisbane River. W Brisbane’s high tea menu changes seasonally, with an ever-evolving roster of savoury and sweet treats that pay homage to whatever the theme may be. Currently, W Brisbane takes you down the rabbit hole with its fantastical Ever After High Tea – dedicated to QAGOMA’s ongoing exhibition. Devour fairy-tale-themed treats like the midnight pumpkin tart and the Queen Of Hearts chocolate and hazelnut cake. High tea is served with bottomless tea, barista coffee and optional upgrades of Clicquot Champagne or the Love is Blind cocktail and starts at $79 per person.

The Lab at Treasury Brisbane, Brisbane City
On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, this heritage venue transforms into an elegant tea room, serving pedestals of snacks and sandwiches and ever-flowing tea. Spearheaded by executive chef Steven Jones, The Lab’s high tea service honours this beloved pastime with a traditional menu of scones, petite quiches and pastries made by The Lab’s in-house. Sip tea blends from the Parisian La Maison Du Thé French and even elevate your afternoon with a glass of Möet & Chandon Imperial Brut NV Champagne for $58 per person. 

Dandelion & Driftwood, Hendra
This northside institution has run its coveted high tea service every day for the past 13 years. Nestled inside a Queenslander home, Dandelion & Driftwood is dedicated to balancing delicate subtly with bold adventure – as its dyad name would suggest. The high tea features tiers of signature ribbon sandwiches, mini savouries and light pastries like lemon-curd tart and specialty cupcakes. The cafe offers a seemingly endless menu of award-winning tea blends that pairs perfectly with the tiers of treats. Dandelion & Driftwood’s high tea starts at $60 per person.

Bar 1603, Brisbane City
The weekly Zen Garden High Tea has been designed transport your taste buds to Japan with a range of culinary delights. From Friday to Sunday, the contemporary speakeasy Bar 1603 reimagines the classic high tea service with the flavours of Japan. The menu includes plates of sashimi, gyoza, sandos and karaage chicken, as well as a medley of matcha desserts served under an edible chocolate cherry blossom tree. Pair these diverse and delicious flavours with bottomless blends of Japanese teas for $89 per person. 

The Matriarch, Newstead
The Matriarch has repurposed a Newstead warehouse space into its charming cocktail garden, finished with lush velvet seats, gold-accented chandeliers and an olive tree centrepiece. Just like its unexpected setting, The Matriarch takes a playful approach to afternoon tea, putting a twist on the traditional staples. Sample from a clutch of savoury and sweet treats paired with varying drink packages like the three-cocktail medley, gin and tea or champers (with booze-free options available as well). The Matriarch’s FancyTea starts at $55 per person. 

Bacchus Restaurant, South Brisbane
Bacchus has honoured this age-old tradition with a refined high tea service, led by the likes of Harney & Sons teas, William Edwards fine bone chinaware and delectable small bites. Served in the parlour of Bacchus’ own tea room, this high tea lets you immerse yourself in refined classicism with a medley of fresh scones and delicate ribbon sandwiches. The perfect destination for your bridal shower, baby shower, birthday or any celebration, Bacchus Restaurant’s high tea starts at $49 per person, with the option to upgrade to an endless bubbles package, if desired.

The Balfour Kitchen & Bar, New Farm
Situated just off the cliffs of New Farm, The Balfour Kitchen & Bar is nestled inside Spicers Retreats’ quaint Queenslander abode. The Vietnamese-inspired restaurant fuses its high tea service with the history and flavours of Southeast-Asia, found in dishes like the pandan cake with pandan glaze and the Portuguese tart. You’ll also feast on a rich savoury tier, featuring spanner-crab tart with avocado mousse and pork terrine. The Balfour Kitchen & Bar only serves its high tea one Saturday a month for an exclusive and considered experience. 

Belle Epoque, South Brisbane
This Brisbane brasserie has upped the finesse of its high tea with a touch of French sensibility. Located in the Emporium Hotel, Belle Epoque feels transplanted from a Parisian promenade with its mirrored interior, booth seating and art-deco tiling. The high tea service is heroed by French patisserie delicacies like choquette, rum baba and savoury vol-au-vents. The traditional high tea service is $80 per person, with a kid’s service featuring little one-approved flavours and portions also available.  

Lennons Restaurant & Bar, Brisbane City
This modern-Australian restaurant has put a local spin on high tea, celebrating nostalgic flavours and Queensland produce. Lennons Restaurant & Bar’s weekend high tea celebrates old-school favourites like finger buns, pavlova and lemon-drizzle cake as well as savoury treats ranging from elevated Vegemite scrolls to prawn and Moreton Bay bug rolls. Surrounded by breathtaking floor-to-ceiling windows, this high tea service is $49 per person, with optional drink upgrades for bubbles or the house Tim Tam espresso martini.  

Patina at Customs House, Brisbane City
With iconic river and bridge views as its backdrop, Customs House’s restaurant Patina serves high tea on its terrace everyday bar Monday. Patina keeps it classic with a high tea menu of ribbon sandwiches, fresh raspberry scones and petite desserts, paired with French handcrafted tea and a complimentary glass of Taittinger Champagne. For $88 per person, you can unwind in this heritage location with Patina’s afternoon tea – uniquely served on Art Deco-inspired high tea stands. 

Forget Me Not Cafe, Graceville
This westside haunt hosts high tea on both weekdays and weekends, with an elegant selection of snacks and diverse range of teas on offer. All served on fine English china stands, the high tea consists of classic finger sandwiches, scones and delicate sweets. Forget Me Not Cafe also offers takeaway high tea options, complete with cardboard three-tier stand that lets you dine wherever you please.