If you fancy fine china and sweet treats, then it’s time to taste the sweeter side of life with a high tea on the Gold Coast. From dreamy valley cafes to sophisticated coastal venues, there are plenty of places to indulge in delicious delicacies, pretty pastries and tiny, tasty sandwiches. While it’s the perfect way to celebrate any special occasion, we say you don’t need a reason! Here’s some heavenly high teas on the Gold Coast.
PERFECT FOR THE PALETTE
Head to the the magnificent HOTA Gallery on a Sunday for a spectacular high tea at Pallette Restaurant. The carefully prepared delicacies are an artwork in themselves. Enjoy a curated menu, balanced with savoury and sweet options including pumpkin spice macarons, Davidson Plum Danish and mulled wine fruit scones. Enjoy with Tavalon tea or a glass of Veuve Clicquot. As an added bonus you can take a tour of HOTA’s latest exhibitions at your leisure.
Where: Home of the Arts, 135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise
HIGH TEA AT THE HILTON
Housed in the Hilton Surfers Paradise Hotel, Ms Margot’s serves their signature high tea from 11am - 3pm daily in a charming venue that combines coastal chic with sleek design. Inspired by guest favourites from the all-day dining menu, Ms Margot’s high tea is accompanied by a selection of tea, barista made coffee, cocktail or glass of sparkling wine. Savoury bites include Moreton bay bug roll, pumpkin arancini and halloumi with pickled fig, and for sweet treats, indulge in macarons, chocolate salted caramel cups and freshly baked petite fours. With a view of the bustling Orchid Avenue, it’s the perfect place to enjoy the finer side of life and watch the world go by.
Where: 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
CHAPTER & VERSE
Housed in the iconic JW Marriot Hotel in Surfers Paradise, Chapter & Verse makes you feel like you’re on a holiday at home. Sink into large comfy couches with views across the tropical gardens to the pool beyond and indulge in a traditional high tea. There’s an emphasis on local produce with Witches Chase cheeses, Bangalow Pork sandwiches and seasonal berry macaroons, complimented by an array of tea and coffee. Or get really decadent and opt for bubbles instead.
Where: 158 Ferny Ave, Surfers Paradise
TAKING TEA TO GREAT HEIGHTS
Take high tea to a new level at Videre. Located on Level 21 of the RACV Royal Pines Resort, the contemporary bar offers sublime panoramic views of the Gold Coast skyline with you freshly baked scones, quiches, sandwiches and the sweetest meringues and macaroons. The pretty pastries and sweet treats are served with Tea Drop tea, French press coffee, sparking or champagne.
Where: Ross St, Benowa
HIGH TEA AT QT
QT Gold Coast serves up a high tea that is out of the ordinary. Devour a three-tiered stand of mouth-watering treats with a hint of signature QT quirkiness. The top chefs whip up wonders such as Beetroot and Whipped Goats Cheese Macarons, Lemon Lime Mignon and Ferroro Rocher Tartlettes. (On Mother’s Day they’re mixing it up with an interactive display of sweet and savoury dishes and a chocolate fondue fountain.) Available seven days a week from 10am-2pm.
Where: 7 Staghorn Ave, Surfers Paradise
A COFFEE KICK
The Fireplace Restaurant at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove offers an appealing alternative to high tea – high coffee. Sample various flavours of Vittoria coffee accompanied by three-tiers of sweets and savouries inspired by and infused with everybody’s favourite bean. You can add to the caffeine kick with coffee based cocktails and mocktails created by their resident mixologist. High coffee is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 12.30pm – bookings essential.
Where: Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island
SKY HIGH TEA
The term high tea has never been more appropriate than it is here – we’re talking really high! Visit SkyPoint on Level 77 of Australia’s tallest building, the Q1, to enjoy buttermilk scones with cream and jam plus sandwiches, cakes, seasonal fruit and petit fours with 360’ panoramic views of the ocean and city below. Served with your choice of coffee or tea from 11am daily.
Where: 9 Hamilton Ave, Surfers Paradise
THE JET SET
The Runaway Restaurant and Bar at Rydges Airport Hotel offers a high tea experience designed for ladies, gents and jetsetters. Feast on house made cakes and savoury sandwiches, with bottomless tea and coffee. Stay awhile and enjoy sunset cocktails on the rooftop bar, The Salty Fox, with views across the ocean and valley beyond, plus all the action on the tarmac.
Where: Lot 5 Terminal Dr, Bilinga
TARTS & TEA
Create an incredible DIY high tea with treats from Tarte Bakery and Café in Burleigh, known for its great coffee and home-made French inspired pastries. Take some cinnamon crullers, seasonal gallates, fresh bread, strawberry tartlets and a picnic blanket to Burleigh Point and you’ve got yourself decadent high tea, with the ocean as the backdrop. After you indulge, take a walk to James Street to browse and shop an array of beautiful boutiques.
Where: 1748 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads
TEA IN TALLEBUDGERA
Set amongst the lush surrounds of Tallebudgera Valley, Teavine House is renowned for its classic high tea and is the ideal place to relax and indulge in the sweeter side of life. Enjoy a selection of home-made cakes, savoury treats, fine teas and of course, champagne. Inspired by France, the provincial garden setting of Teavine house oozes traditional charm, with floral touches, soft hues and antique interiors.
Where: 268 Tallebudgera Creek Rd, Tallebudgera Valley
BEACHSIDE TEA
The iconic Bumbles Café at Budds Beach offers high tea seven days a week. This cute and quirky cafe offers vegan and gluten free options as well as your regular high tea and you can add bubbles for some extra pizazz. Situated on the banks of the Nerang River with water views and a pretty park, it’s an ideal spot to sit back, indulge in delicious delicacies and enjoy the finer things in life. Book the Bumbles Library, Hamptons or Blue room for a private soiree on a special occasion.
Where: 19 River Dr, Surfers Paradise
If you enjoyed this blog, you might like to read Catch of the Day: Gold Coast Seafood Restaurants.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Destination Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.