It’s an age old tradition that’s survived all today’s modernisms, because who doesn’t love an excuse to make a date with your mum or girlfriends and act fancy over finger sandwiches, tartlets, scones and steaming tea served from a dainty tea pot?
Yet a curve ball of creativity has kicked cucumber ribbon sandwiches to the curb, the addition of bubbles has brought a whole new meaning to the long lunch and on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country we even have the fellas covered with a very unique version for the gents. Read on for the best high teas on the Gold Coast in 2024, according to Urban List.
Easter High Teas
Valrhona High Tea
94 Seaworld Drive, Main Beach QLD 4217
Image Credit: Urban List
Chocolate fiends, look no further for your dream high tea. The Imperial Gold Coast's Valrhona Chocolate-themed High Tea pulls out all the stops with a exquisitely curated selection of sweet and savoury delights.
Before you dive in, you'll be run through the four types of Valrhona chocolate which have inspired the High Tea, so you can truly savour the flavours, from velvety milk chocolate to an intense dark variety. The elegantly displayed chicken sandwich and the stracciatella and vegetable tarts are our highlights—we'll be coming back for more.
THE DETAILS
When: Available from Friday 29 March to Sunday 28 April
Price: $99 per person
For more information, click here.
QT's Easter High Tea
7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: QT Gold Coast | Supplied
Once upon a time, inspired by magical creatures from far off lands, a lavish assembly of tiny tiered treats awaited for an indulgent sugar rush at QT Gold Coast. A decadent display of panda-inspired delights (perfectly timed for the launch of Kung Fu Panda 4), chocolate eggs and freshly baked hot cross buns. A high tea so enchanting, best shared in good company.
QT's Easter-themed high tea is undoubtedly one of the prettiest we've ever seen—the bunny macrons are as sweet as a the tiny panda cakes and miniature hot cross buns. This Easter high tea is only available over the Easter long weekend, so you need to get in quick.
THE DETAILS
When: Friday 29 March (Good Friday) to Monday 1 April (Easter Monday), from 10am to 2pm
Price: $64 per adult and $39 per child
For more information, click here.
JW Marriott's Easter High Tea
158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: JW Marriott | Supplied
JW Marriott certainly doesn't do high teas (or anything) by halves, so when we heard they were launching an incredible Easter High Tea, we had to sample it. Full of sweet and savoury delicacies, the decadent high tea is curated by Executive Chef Paul Smart himself.
Delight in savoury nibbles such as smoked salmon with caviar on brioche and king prawn with citrus mayonnaise and sorrel leaves, contrasted by sweets like a chocolate egg nest with salted caramel chocolate tara and dehydrated raspberry, and of course both traditional and chocolate hot cross buns.
THE DETAILS
When: Available Saturday 30 March to Tuesday 30 April (12pm to 3pm daily)
Price: $79 per guest (with Laurent Breban Blanc de Blanc Sparkling) or $89 per guest (with Laurent Perrier Champagne)
For more information, click here.
Regular High Teas
QT High Tea & 'Man Tea'
7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
The quirky QT Gold Coast has always operated outside the box and their imaginative high tea is no exception. QT's signature high tea showcases unique bites like bacon mozzarella donuts and beetroot cured salmon blinis, which are paired with your choice of teas and coffee. Or push the boat out with the addition of bubbles or a spritz jug to share. Littles ones are sorted with the 'Little Q'Ties' high tea from $39 per child.
If that wasn't cool enough already, QT is home to the famous 'Man Tea', which is designed for casual get-togethers, business meetings and buck celebrations. Hint: there's no tea involved. The men in our lives can feast on delights like tempura bug rolls, cheeseburger dumplings and a couverture 'chocolate cigar', all paired with a craft beer for the sweet price of $64 per person.
THE DETAILS
When: Available 7 days, from 10am to 2pm
Price: $64 per person (champagne from $84 per person)
For more information, click here.
Traditional High Tea
32 Eagle Heights Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
Nestled away in the serenity of Tamborine Mountain, this is one special place we love to go when you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast. Perfect for a relaxing day trip into the picturesque Scenic Rim, you can pamper yourself with the ultimate high tea experience at Tea And Niceties' vintage-inspired tearoom.
The charming team have an array of high tea options available, but the traditional high tea serves up freshly baked plain scones, fresh sandwiches, warm savouries and an array of sweets like lemon meringue tartlets and profiteroles. Once you've eaten your way through their elegant menu, wander through their enchanting gardens and celebrate the elegance of a bygone era.
THE DETAILS
When: Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm
Price: $59 per person (traditional high tea)
For more information, click here.
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Afternoon Tea
38 Old Burleigh Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: The Langham, Gold Coast | Supplied
Sure, you know about High Tea but what about the time-honoured British tradition of Afternoon Tea? The Langham, Gold Coast pays tribute to its heritage with a bespoke offering of the traditional Afternoon Tea with a menu crafted by culinary experts.
Relax in the stunning Palm Court, revel in views of the lagoon pool and make your way through the tantalising high tea menu. Recieve the royal treatment (literally) with nibbles like Tasmanian ocean trout rillettes, wagyu beef pastrami steak sandwiches and rose-scented raspberry cake with passionfruit compote.
THE DETAILS
When: Monday to Friday, from 2pm to 5pm; Weekends, 12pm to 2pm and 3pm to 5pm,
Price: $109 on weekdays; $119 on weekends
For more information, click here.
High Tea Immersion
Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island QLD 4212
Whether you're treating mum, spending the morning with the girls or just feeling a little fancy, nothing beats indulging in a spot of high tea. And what if everything on the menu pays homage to tea with new interpretations of globally renowend tea flavours?
High Tea Immersion is Australia's first high tea to feature Tea Forté and is happening every Saturday and Sunday from 1pm, where you'll tuck into three tiers of sweet and savouries each boasting unique flavour profiles of a contemporary artisanal brew and designed to pair perfectly with your beverage choice. Our tip? Opt for the Tea Forté-infused 'Pear-tea-ni' for just an extra $18.
THE DETAILS
When: Saturday and Sunday; from 1pm to 4pm
Price: $57 per person
For more information, click here.
Traditional High Tea
7 Johns Rd, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
Tucked away in peaceful Mudgeeraba, Bon AppéTea offers traditional French-inspired high tea that’ll definitely give your pinkie a workout. Think: homemade jam and cream scones, petite patisseries, organic sandwiches and savoury delights galore.
Whether you’re after traditional high tea with scrumptious scones and pastries, a vegan high tea or even a gluten-free high tea, the talented team behind Bon AppéTea has got you covered.
THE DETAILS
When: Wednesday to Friday, from 10am to 1pm; Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 1:30pm
Price: $55 per person
For more information, click here.
Traditional High Tea & Teeny Tiny Tea
158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: JW Marriott | Urban List
The culinary trailblazer of inventive high teas on the Gold Coast, JW Marriott's Chapter & Verse serves up an incredible high tea which will have you coming back again...and again. Their traditional high tea is as delicious as it is a feast for the eyes. Indulge in a variety of artful sweet and savoury nibbles, like tiger prawn cos hearts, smoked salmon and caviar and JW's signature choux bun.
The littles ones don't need to miss out and will be spoiled with the cute-as-can-be 'Teeny Tiny Tea'. Think: chocolate candy lollipops, finger sandwiches and mango and coconut passionfruit slice. Bookings are essential for these in-demand high teas.
THE DETAILS
When: Available daily; from 12pm onwards
Price: $79 for traditional high tea; $39 for teeny tiny tea
For more information, click here.
Traditional High Tea & Vegan High Tea
8/6 Ashmore Rd, Bundall QLD 4217
Image Credit: Greendays | Instagram
A leafy oasis amid Bundall’s busy retail district, if there’s one thing Greendays reminds us of, it’s island vacations somewhere exotic. Their high tea is served on a cute three-tiered stand, stacked with delights like poached chicken and pistachio finger sandwiches, pork and fennel sausage rolls and pumpkin and pine nut arancini.
For the sweet tooths, you'll love the citrus vanilla panna cotta with raspberry coulis or perhaps the raspberry chocolate cheesecake. For all our plant-based friends, they've got an incredible vegan high tea and you can also enjoy two hours of bottomless bubbles added onto your high tea for just $45 per person.
When: Available daily; from 7am to 3:30pm
Cost: $65 for traditional high tea; $75 for gluten-free; $75 for vegan high tea
For more information, click here.
High Tea
19 River Dr, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Ideal for a special occasion or a sporadic treat, Bumbles Cafe is the perfect place to spend an afternoon celebrating with your nearest and dearest. This is the perfect place to raise your pinkie and nibble on fruit custard tarts, decadent raspberry brownie slice, mini quiches, smoked salmon blinis and more.
Plus, they also serve gluten-free and vegan high teas, so no one needs to miss out. There’s no denying this vintage-styled gathering is one of the best places to experience high tea on the Gold Coast.
THE DETAILS
When: Available daily
Price: $45 per person ($55 with a glass of bubbles)
For more information, click here.
Couture High Tea
94 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach QLD 4217
Indulging in a spot of high tea at the Imperial Hotel Gold Coast (formerly Palazzo Versace) involves an afternoon under the sun-drenched windows and sparkling crystal chandelier of the swanky Le Jardin lobby bar. Taste a selection of succulent savoury and sweet treats served on a traditional three-tiered tray while you sip on tea, coffee and bubbles.
Marvel at the sparkling crystal chandelier, vaulted ceilings, hand-crafted mosaics and bespoke Italian furnishings whilst soaking up views of the sparkling blue Lagoon Pool, a spectacular backdrop for the hotel's Lobby Bar. We love the 'Little Royal High Tea' for $30 per child.
THE DETAILS
When: Available daily
Price: From $79 per person
For more information, click here.
Looking for more? Check out:
Main image credit: QT Gold Coast | Supplied
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