Few things make me happier than sipping on wine. Leave it to the Australians to find a way to incorporate alcohol into an old British tradition: Afternoon tea. There has been a resurgence of high tea in Australia, and with the added bonus of alcohol thrown in the mix; a new modern take on high tea has emerged. Many places offer a unique spin on food pairings as well that go beyond the traditional cucumber sandwiches and scones. Here’s where to go to experience the best High Tea in southern Australia:
The romantic hotel Lindrum in Melbourne, offers High Tea in the charming Felt restaurant. What stands out here is the assortment of beautiful macarons. Yum. High Tea here includes a glass of sparkling wine. Or, you can step it up a notch and order a bottle of Taittinger Bruit Reserve Reims. Yes Please.
If mini finger foods are not enough to fill you up, then Riverside’s Indulgent High Tea Menu might be for you! Located in the Intercontinental Adelaide, this Lunch High Tea ensures you will not leave hungry with their selection of tapas, sandwiches, pastries and scones. Here you can choose between a glass of Rose wine or champagne.
Not your average tea party, Madame Brussels restaurant in Melbourne feels like an outdoor garden party. The focus here is more on alcohol versus tea, which is fine with me. The signature drink is the DD Cup, which is Melbourne’s take on Pimms and Lemonade.
Who doesn’t love Vanilla? The InterContinental Sydney recently debuted its Heilala Vanilla High Tea offering. The focus here of course is vanilla: Vanilla crème brulee, vanilla tart, vanilla macaron and more. This is a good one to take a date to because of their “manly” food selections such as Beef and Guinness Pie. Sparkling wine or champagne is included in the price. Oh, and tea too of course!
