When it comes to high tea in Tāmaki Makaurau, we’re spoilt for choice. From a dedicated scone service to sorbet palette cleansers, there’s high tea for every occasion. Along with a range of savoury and sweet bites to take your pick from, there’s more than just cucumber sandwiches these days. From elaborate entremet to textural tartlets, get ready to take your afternoon tea to the next-level.  

Here are our picks for the best high tea offerings in Tāmaki Makaurau. 

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Jump to: 

• Limited Edition High Tea
• Luxe High Tea Experiences
• Themed High Tea
• High Tea In Auckland CBD
• High Teas That Can Accommodate Dietary Requirements
• Bottomless High Tea 
• High Tea With A View
• High Tea For Kids

Limited Edition High Tea

Afternoon Tea at Truth or Dare Bar 

Snickel Lane 9/23 Customs Street East, Auckland Central

Image credit: truth/dare | Supplied

truth/dare is what happens when a talented mixologist and chef combine forces to create an ‘open stage’ to watch the mixology magic with equally impressive bites in hand. Their latest afternoon tea event was created in collaboration with Aotearoa’s best pastry chef Kenji Yoshitsuka (from Advieh Restaurant & Bar—more on that later). With bites from truth/dare chef Yovinsius featuring a savoury corn mille-feuille with charred and purée corn, and crispy asparagus cigar dipped in bone marrow and fried kawkawa leaves (to name a few), plus Chef Kenji’s sweet line-up (raspberry and ruby chocolate with feuilletine and a cashew-based ambrosia were standout), as well as a ‘morning tea’ cocktail from truth/dare mixologist Theo Tjandra—tastebuds were blown away. Theo only releases one-off cocktails for events like this, and we were treated to London dry gin with clarified croissant, floral earl grey and fragrant fresh perilla leaf to garnish, with an elegant Piper Heidsieck finish. It was the every-changing cocktail that matched every bite. For those that missed out, the truth/dare crew have told me they’re bringing more afternoon tea events like this in the new year—sign up to Urban List Insiders to be the first to know. 

Pricing: Their festive Season of Sparkle high tea was priced at $90 per person including a signature cocktail and glass of Piper Heidsieck on arrival.

Availability: Usually a day event with 3 sittings. 

Care Bears High Tea

83 Symonds Street, Grafton

Image credit: Cordis  | Supplied

Cordis Auckland is bringing back their Care Bears High Tea for one week only on 16th-25th January. Along with buttery and berry scones, fluffy milk buns with silky eggs and mini burgers feature in the savoury line-up, plus tangy citrus mousse (named after Funshine Bear) and Good Luck Bear's Tropical Treasure cake. Get ready for playful Care Bear-inspired desserts with all the glitter-dusted cookies and rainbow jelly cups.

Pricing: $75 per person including welcome drink.

Availability: Monday-Friday 11.30am-2pm, and Saturday-Sunday at 11.30am, 2pm and 4pm, for the period 16th-25th January 2025 only. 

Perrier-Jouët Garden Bar at Huami 

SkyCity 87 Federal Street, Auckland Central

Image credit: Huami | Supplied (Photography by Sonna Studios)

Running until 1st February 2026, Huami is offering a Perrier-Jouët Garden summer special. Think al fresco dim sum, high tea-style, with a flute of champagne in hand. Get a bit of everything with their Bird Cage Platter for $45, which includes any four from their garden menu. We’re eyeing up mānuka honey-glazed char siu bao, XO siu mai shrimp and chicken dumplings, and their signature woodfired roast duck—in bao form. Make the most of the summer weather and book in during the day or an evening sitting while watching the golden hour glow of the city. 

Pricing: From $13.50 per dish (3 pieces each dish) or Bird Cage Platter for $45. Perrier-Jouët purchased separately by the glass or bottle (from $24 per glass and from $109 per bottle). 

Availability: Lunch on Wednesday to Sunday from 11.30am-2pm and Dinner from Wednesday to Sunday from 5.30pm-9pm

Luxe High Tea Experiences

High Tea at Advieh

Advieh Restaurant & Bar, 1 Queen Street, Auckland Central

Image credit: Advieh | Vicki Young 

Head into the Intercontinental Hotel Auckland in Commercial Bay for luxurious High Tea with a Middle-Eastern twist. With the menu designed by Partner Chef Gareth Stewart and Head Pastry Chef Kenji Yoshitsuka, this is High Tea unlike anything else. Start with a refreshing rose and pomegranate shaved ice, followed by savoury items like the goat curd tart with pops of freshly shucked peas and asparagus, or their signature crisp filo that gives way to a melt-like-butter chicken liver parfait, alongside sweet, juicy cherry halves. No cucumber or egg sandwich in sight—expect the only sandwich to be a mini bite-sized ‘shawarma’ flatbread with black garlic-pulled mushroom, and taramasalata with pickled anchovy on sesame-covered simit (Turkish bread). Finish with a creamy textures of strawberry-studded milk pudding, rich black sesame financier, walnut and orange blossom baklava, and a tahini macaron reminiscent of sesame snaps. Savour each bite with complimentary Zealong organic tea from the Waikato, or locally roasted Kōkako coffee, and with views overlooking the water. 

Pricing: $75 per person, includes complimentary Zealong Organic Tea or Kōkako barista coffee

Availability: Thursday-Sunday from 2pm-5pm

High Tea At Esther

QT Auckland, 4 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Esther  | Vicki Young

You won't find the usual scones at Esther's extravagant high tea—but you will find a roaming dessert trolley that steals the show. Laden with a variety of offerings including delicate beet-raspberry macarons with dark chocolate ganache, choux with chocolate-crafted swans and a large bowl of Chef Sean Connolly’s signature orange zest-scented tiramisu (that features made-from-scratch savoiardi a.k.a. ladyfinger biscuits) to name a tantalising few—with the latter built right in front of your eyes and finished with a large block of dark chocolate grated tableside (just say when). Esther's high tea runs every Saturday from 12.30-2.30pm (go bottomless for an extra $20 with free-flowing Prosecco, Mimosas and peachy Bellinis).  

Pricing: From $79 per person including barista made coffee or tea, or go bottomless (prosecco, Mimosas or Bellinis) for an additional $20

Availability: Saturdays from 12.30-2.30pm

Themed High Tea

Vintage High Tea At Moxie

82 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead, Auckland

Image credit: Moxie Restaurant  | Website 

Held on the last Sunday of every month, Moxie’s Vintage High Tea is set in their beautifully restored villa. Dressed with all the vintage teacups and wares, flowers and pearls for each High tea occasion, all the details are taken care of—from silver teaspoons and sugar tongs to crystal cream pots and jam jars for the ultimate vintage high tea experience. The menu is classic, with savoury bites like Coronation chicken sandwiches and mini Yorkshire puds with all the lamb and horseradish cream trimmings, as well as sweet scones with cream and jam, strawberry lamingtons and panna cotta. Their 2026 dates have been announced up until June, with the February edition starting on Sunday 1st March (due to a private function). You can even book the villa for private function high teas (with it set up specially, like the photo above)—jump on their website for all the details. 

Pricing: Adults at $65 per person (plus they have pricing for little ones aged 2-8 at $35 per person) including tea selection. Additional bubbles for $10 by the glass or $50 per bottle. 

Availability: Usually the last Sunday of the month (check website for dates)

Roaring '20s High Tea And Tipsy Tea 

Hotel DeBrett, 2 High Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Hotel DeBrett  | Supplied

Channel your inner Gatsby at Vivace Restaurant and Bar at DeBrett’s. Every weekend, their art deco space transforms into their Roaring ‘20s and Tipsy Tea themed high tea sessions. Dress up and treat yourselves to a selection of savouries like their beef turnover, chicken slider, and crispy prawns, followed by sweet offerings like souffle cheesecake, honey madeleine and dark chocolate macaron. Add on the Tipsy Tea upgrade, which includes a cheeky line-up of three prohibition-inspired cocktails. If you’re stuck for dress-up ideas, they also have accessory packs to purchase to encourage guests to get into the 1920s dress-up theme (pre-order 24 hours in advance). 

Pricing: Roaring 20’s High Tea from $70 per person (includes a cocktail, plus tea selection) or Tipsy Tea for $85 per person (which includes three cocktails and tea selection).

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays, from 12pm-3pm.

Dietary requirements: The team will check in with dietary requirements when confirming the booking, but best to note any dietaries when making a booking (as they prepare special dietary dishes to order).

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High Tea In Auckland CBD

High Tea At The Aviary 

Grand Millenium Auckland, 71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Grand Millenium Auckland  | Supplied

Step into the lush surrounds at The Aviary (a nod to the 400-odd wooden birds that once hung from the ceiling), inside the lobby of Grand Millenium Hotel in Auckland. Curated by their Head Baker and the culinary team, treat yourself to three stages of high tea—think savoury canelé made with gruyere, beetroot and honey from their rooftop hives, duck sausage roll with house HP sauce, chicken liver parfait and pear liqueur jelly to start, house scones (with rhubarb and Pimms compote) and Battenburg cake for the second stage, and a showstopping ‘The Coconut’ shaped sweet and a mango popsicle to name a few of the sweet treats to finish on. 

Pricing: From $75 per person with tea selection and coffee. 

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-3pm. 

Dietary requirements: Minimum 48 hour notice required for special dietary restrictions. 

Modern High Tea At Cooke's Restaurant

Fable Auckland, 58/60 Queen Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Fable Auckland  | Supplied

Cooke’s Restaurant at Fable Auckland brings a modern spin to classic high tea. From kewpie and togarashi-spiced egg and chive sandwiches, to other savoury offerings like snapper kokoda (Fijian-style raw fish) with jalapeño and lime pearls, beef doughnuts with smoked aioli and tartlets with goats cheese and pistachio. Get your scones in buttermilk form (with lemon curd as well as housemade preserves) and save room for dessert—there’s hazelnut eclairs, black sesame and caramel cream sticky pud, refreshing jasmine tea panna cotta and a decadent dark chocolate mandarin tart. 

Pricing: From $75 per person including Dilmah Tea Selection. Children aged 12 or under can also book for $45 per person.

Availability: Daily from 12pm-3pm.

Dietary requirements: Gluten-free and vegan high tea menus are available on request.

Afternoon Tea At La Marée

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour, 21 Viaduct Harbour Avenue, Auckland Central

Image credit: La Marée | Supplied

The peaceful surroundings at La Marée would make you forget you're right in the city. Spend your Saturdays indulging in their afternoon tea selection while looking out into the Auckland Harbour. From truffle egg mayo sandwiches, yuzu and blood orange opera cake, to housemade pistachio praline and ganache in a dark chocolate cup—enjoy each bite with an extensive selection of Dilmah teas to choose from, or get the Bubbly Package upgrade (including champagne cocktails like Kir Royale).

Pricing: From $79 per person with two choices of Dilmah tea or coffee. Add on an additional $79 per person for the Bubbly Package, which includes a welcome glass of Veuve Clicquot and two champagne cocktails.

Availability: Saturdays from 12pm-3pm (last order at 2.30pm).

Dietary requirements: Advise staff of special dietary requirements prior to booking recommended.

High Tea With Dietary Options 

Bluebells High Tea

Various Locations

Image credit: Bluebells  | Supplied 

Served at both their Kingsland and Commercial Bay venues, Bluebells has several high tea menus to choose from—standard, pregnancy-friendly, vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and even one for the kids. With classic high tea bites (as well as their signature cupcake), this one is a crowd-pleaser when it comes to hitting all the dietary restrictions. They even offer takeaway high-tea which comes boxed with a Harney & Sons tea bag, and paper stand, so you can set up your own High Tea at home. Top tea tip: If you are ordering high tea for groups, you can specify what tea flavours you’d like to try in the notes as they provide one tea bag per order. 

Pricing: From $59 per person (with Junior High Tea menu from $35 for the kids) including one drink from their drinks menu (Coffee Supreme coffee, Tea Total tea, Karma cold drink or Otariki water). Keep an eye on school holiday high tea specials. 

Availability: Any day of the week, with larger group space (13-25 people) after 3pm at their Kingsland Cafe. Note their Kingsland Cafe sits 2-12 guests, and Commercial Bay cafe sits 2-6 guests only. 24 hours notice is required for all bookings. 

High Tea at Cornwall Park 

Cornwall Park Eateries, Cornwall Park, Pohutakawa Drive, Epsom

Image credit: Cornwall Park Eateries | Supplied 

Cornwall Park Eateries has been offering High Tea in the stunning garden setting of Cornwall Park for years now and it's been a popular choice for young and old. High Tea is available most days of the week except Mondays, plus they have menus to cover those dietary bases (with thoughtfully designed separate vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan and dairy-free menus). The menu has the classics and modern offerings like an Angus beef sausage roll (yes please) and Earl Grey basque cheesecake. They even have a kids high tea option for the wee ones—make it a family day out for a spot of tea and treats post-park walk. 

Pricing: From $68 per person including Harney & Sons tea selection, or $82 with bubbles. Kids High Tea (5-12 years) is $28.00 per person. 

Availability: All day Tuesday to Friday, and from 2pm-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Dietary requirements: They have separate menus for special dietary requirements.

Bottomless High Tea

Surprise And Delight High Tea

Various locations 

Image credit: Farm House Café | Supplied

Surprise and Delight High Tea at Hill House Cafe and Farmhouse Café is no ordinary high tea. Hill House is set in the peaceful green surroundings of Monte Cecilia Park that looks out to skyline city views of Tāmaki Makaruau, while Farmhouse Café is 30 minutes away for a countryside escape—pick your location for your high tea experience. Both locations' signature High Tea includes a barista made coffee and five bottomless teas to sip from—or you can upgrade the experience with bottomless beverages of the matcha, prosecco or champagne variety (various additional pricing noted below). The menu starts with a hot and cold savoury course (think smoked chicken croquettes and duck liver pâté), followed by a separate scone service (sweet and savoury, with housemade raspberry compote, lemon marmalade and a pat of butter). Expect a refreshing house-churned artisanal sorbet palate cleanser (made exclusively by their sister café Farmhouse Café in Clevedon)—before the dessert course with tiramisu cheesecake, ube lamington, mille-feuille and mango panna cotta to name a few. The menus vary at both sites, but expect to be surprised and delighted with seasonal offerings from the talented bakers and chefs (see what we did there).  

Pricing: From $79.90 per person including barista-made coffee and bottomless tea (five options), plus a tamariki menu for $49.90 per person (including a barista-made drink or cold drink, and the bottomless tea options). Adults can upgrade to bottomless beverages including matcha (additional $19.90), Da Luca prosecco ($49.90) or Piper-Heidsieck champagne ($69.90).

Availability: Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm (90 minute seating). 

Dietary requirements: Not suitable for vegan or dairy-free diets but other dietary requirements may be catered to, if given advance notice. 

High Tea With A View

Summer High Tea At The Living Room 

Park Hyatt Auckland, 99 Halsey Street, Auckland CBD

Image credit: Park Hyatt Auckland  | Supplied

High tea with a stunning waterfront view—enter Afternoon Tea at Park Hyatt Auckland’s Living Room. The menu (by talented pastry legend, Executive Pastry Chef Callum Liddicoat and his team of talented patisserie chefs) is an elegant, four course affair—with a complimentary glass of H. Lanvin & Fils champagne to start. From lime foam-topped green heirloom tomato gazpacho to start, to savoury bites like their pepper-crusted venison vol au vent with Kikorangi blue and pistachio fig jam, then to sweet offerings like canelé with strawberry salsa and basil cream, vanilla oat crumble scone and those fluffy doughnuts are just a few of the highlights to expect on the menu. 

Pricing: $81.60 per person, includes choice of tea and glass of champagne.

Availability: Every Thursday-Sunday from 12-3.30pm.

Dietary requirements: Specially designed Vegetarian, Vegan and Kids High Tea menus are also available.

High Tea For Kids 

Red Panda Pals High Tea

83 Symonds Street, Grafton

Image credit: Cordis  | Supplied (Photography by Asher Milgate)

Cordis Auckland has designed a special high tea just for the wee ones. Supporting the red panda at Auckland Zoo, this whimsical high tea experience has sweet and savoury bites designed with zoo animals in mind. Starting off Cordis’ Cody the red panda mascot and his famous quiche brunch bites to finishing with chocolate red panda lollipops, along with fun animal fact cards at the table (and a free red panda toy for kids under 12), this is the ultimate high tea for your red panda-loving pal.

Pricing: $38 Monday to Friday, $48 on Saturdays and Sundays.

Availability: Various times, check website for details.

Want more wining and dining goodness? Try checking out:

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Main Image Credit: truth/dare | Supplied 

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