Where to Find the Best High Tea in Canberra

Bottomless tea and coffee, one or two hours of free-flowing bubbly and a bevy of delicious freshly baked treats in miniature form… what’s not to love about high tea?

Across the ACT, restaurants, cafes and hotels serve high teas fit for a Queen, serving everything from finger sandwiches and scones to fancy Champagne. Whether you’re organising a casual Sunday afternoon with Nan or marking a special occasion, here are our picks for the best high tea in Canberra.

First Edition Canberra

Make your way to the first floor of Novotel Canberra for an indulgent high tea in a modern oasis overlooking the city. With sweet and savoury treats made using the best local produce, this is our idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon.

With a Kids High Tea with unlimited hot chocolate, a Giggly High Tea with two hours of free-flowing cocktails or a classic experience with loose-leaf tea and barista-brewed coffee, everyone gets to join the fun!

65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra

Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Given the Hyatt has a dedicated tea lounge, you know you’re in for a real treat. The hotel’s high tea is a classic take that includes scones with jam and cream, dainty sandwiches, savoury morsels, mini cakes and slices.

If you don’t quite have the appetite for a full high tea, keep it simple with a Devonshire tea with scones, jam, cream and your choice of tea or coffee.

120 Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra City

White Rabbit

Living up to its theme, White Rabbit serves high tea with an Alice in Wonderland twist; enter Tipsy Tea! Every Saturday and Sunday, you can enjoy sweet and savoury bites paired with signature cocktails and the option to add French sparkling.

The best part is you can book a spot in the late afternoon, so if you plan to stick around at White Rabbit after your high tea experience, you can easily move straight on to evening drinks.

65 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra City

The Marion

With views over Lake Burley Griffin, The Marion is one of Canberra's most picturesque high tea experiences. The menu leans traditional, comprising a high tea stand filled with scones with jam and cream, petite sandwiches, savoury pastries and mini cakes – complemented by an extensive selection of Ronnefeldt teas.

You can order glasses of sparkling and cocktails, or make it bottomless if you prefer your high tea on the boozy side.

ACT Parks Depot, Barrine Drive, Parkes

Adore Tea

Adore Tea takes its high tea very seriously. Not only do you get a sparkling iced tea on arrival and three types of tea, but you can also enjoy a delicious tea-infused high tea menu: think sandwiches, savoury delights, desserts and scones imbued with different tea flavours like a chai-infused carrot cake.

Yep, this is one for the tea lovers!

2/2 Dacre Street, Mitchell

Queen’s Terrace Cafe

High tea at Parliament House? How very Canberra. At Queen’s Terrace Cafe, enjoy a delightful morning tea with sweets and savouries, your pick of tea or coffee, and an optional glass of bubbles.

Make an afternoon of it and tour Parliament House and its picturesque gardens before or after your feast.

Parliament House, Parliament Drive, Canberra

Did you love our roundup of the best high teas in Canberra? We’ve got another list of our favourite bottomless brunch spots in Canberra. And if you’d like to kick on, check out our list of the best bars.