As the unofficial culinary capital of New Zealand, it's no surprise Wellington is home to some seriously epic high teas. Oriental-themed offerings, high teas in swanky hotels and even a one-of-a-kind experience from a famous tea brand are amongst those on offer.
That said, here's my pick of the five best high teas in Wellington in 2025.
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QT Wellington
90 Cable Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: QT Wellington | Website
Many of you will be familiar with the QT's epic high teas already—until earlier this year, their plush, currently-under-renovations bar and restaurant, Hippopotamus, was serving up some of the country's very best (and one of the reasons I often considered a move to Wellington). Now the hotel has switched things up with a reimagining of their OG offering, the aptly-named QTea High Tea. Here treats with a distinctive French flair—Bastille macarons swathed in caramelised apple, pea and leek tarts laced with brown butter and of course, scones piled high with housemade jam and clotted cream—are served alongside peanut brittle and lemon sorbet loose leaf teas. Opt for one of their standout cocktails or mocktails, or a glass of fizz if you're feeling extra fanciful. This spot gets extra brownie points for its epic choice of crockery.
InterContinental Wellington
2 Grey Street, Wellington Central
Image credit: Intercontinental Wellington | Facebook
High tea is getting high (no, not like that silly) at the InterContinental. Currently enjoyed inside their award-winning club lounge on Level 7 while The Lobby Lounge undergoes renos, this high tea is serving up beaut harbour views but more importantly, top-tier treats that will will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing in equal measure. I love how this one changes with the seasons—the current edit includes butternut squash crepes with labneh and sage, pumpkin spice cheesecake with cinnamon ginger crunch, roast pork and watercress finger sandwiches, and a smart take on the classic scone: maple and pecan with mandarin and Earl Grey cream. And just to really drive home how increds this high tea is, there's also mulled wine and cinnamon-spiced cocktails up for grabs alongside their standard T2 range. And all starting from just $59 ($39 for kids).
Lola Rouge
Inside Naumi Hotel Wellington, 10 Dunlop Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Lola Rouge | Facebook
Lola Rouge's high tea is what baby high teas want to be when they grow up. Conceived by executive chef/pastry ninja Jason Ng, this immaculate offering takes cues from the pastisserie techniques of Paris and the bold flavours of Singapore, harmoniously blending the two into a high tea menu unlike any you've ever seen. Sip on a list of teas as long as your arm while grazing over immaculate bites like duck sausage rolls with plum gel, matcha and strawberry opera cake, and shiitake mushroom scones with black garlic butter *catches flight to Wellington, immediately*. Again, cocktails are also on offer, so when in Rome (or Paris, or Singapore)...
Origami
158 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Image credit: Origimai | Facebook
If it's an oriental high tea you're after, you'll find it at Origmai aka Wellington's home of sushi, ramen, and Japanese-inspired patisserie. They're ditching the traditional sammies and scones trope (not that there's anything wrong with that) for a fusion-style high tea featuring a chef's selection of four savouries and five sweet treats (if you didn't know, this spot does some of the capital's most covetable desserts), coupled with pots of piping hot in-house tea. And the best part? It's yours for the very reasonable price of $52.
T-Lounge By Dilmah
22 Willeston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington
Image credit: t-lounge by Dilmah | Instagram
And finally, it'd be absolute sacrilege not to mention one of the darlings of the tea world, Dilmah, who are offering the crème de la crème of high teas from their Wellington t-Lounge. And tea is certainly the star of the show here, in more ways than one-sink cups of their finest Ceylon tea selection, while simultaneously tucking into the sweetest little handcrafted cakes, pastries and savouries, often infused with said teas. Swirl a suitably elegant setting and some warm Sri Lankan hospitality into the mix and well, you know what I'm gonna say next: do try it.
Want more Wellington food content? Check out this list of the city's very best restaurants.
Main image credit: Origami | Instagram
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