Katy RosserAhh, high tea in Auckland: fit for kings and queens, or anyone with a taste for the finer things, right? But here’s the tea: it didn’t start off as a posh affair.
Nope, back in the 19th century, it was a humble meal for the working class. Fast forward, and it’s become THE social event associated with elegance and sophistication.
Why is high tea a big deal? Besides the delicious food and tea, it’s all about bringing people together in a refined setting.
Friends chatting, pinkies up, and memories in the making are now what the modern high tea society is. Now that you’re clued in on the backstory, let’s spill the tea on where you can indulge in high tea with your crew!
- Aotearoa High Tea at The Libraries, The Hotel Britomart
- Vintage High Tea at Moxie
- Sky-High Tea at SkyBar
- Bellini Afternoon Tea at The Hilton
- Afternoon Tea at JW Marriott Auckland
- High Tea at Park Hyatt Auckland
- Heavenly High Tea at Eden Garden
- High Tea Haven by Cordis at The Chandelier Lounge
- High Tea at Cooke's Restaurant & Bar
- High Tea at the Bluebells Cakery
- High Tea at Sea
Aotearoa High Tea at The Libraries, The Hotel Britomart
– Media credit: thehotelbritonmart
Website: https://thehotelbritomart.com/events/high-tea-in-the-libraries/
Address: 29 Galway Street, Britomart, Auckland, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 300 9595
Hours: 12 PM, 2:30 PM
Rate: $95 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking is required for the next available date as dates are occasional and limited.
At last, it’s time to treat yourself to a sumptuous feast at The Hotel Britomart’s newest gem: high tea at The Libraries. Executive Chef Andrew Lautenbach has whipped up three delectable courses, drawing inspiration from our fondest childhood memories.
As you sip on your preferred tea blend (don’t forget the sophisticated sniff test!), get ready for the grand finale: a symphony of sweetness.
Creamy panna cotta, lemon curd macarons, and nostalgic treats like a fluffy lamington and lolly-cake ice cream sandwich await your taste buds. With elegance in the air and portions fit for royalty, this culinary adventure is one you won’t want to miss!
| Pro Tip: Who knew you could park Downtown for just $2 an hour while enjoying high tea here? And get this: it maxes out at $15 on evenings and weekends! |
Vintage High Tea at Moxie
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Website: https://www.moxierestaurant.co.nz/
Address: 82 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead Point, Auckland 0626
Contact details: +64 9 419 9082
Hours: 11 AM, 2 PM
Rate: $60 for adults, children 2 – 5 years old are at half price
Reservation: Yes, booking at least two months in advance is recommended due to high demand.
This vintage affair is a delightful journey through dainty delicacies and refined flavors. Held monthly on the last Sunday, it’s an event worth marking in your calendar.
Moxie, housed within a picturesque pastel Birkenhead heritage building, you’ll feel like you’ve traveled back in time. The refined yet lovingly crafted menu of petit fours, cakes, savories, and sandwiches screams posh.
From heritage favorites like the coronation chicken sammie to contemporary twists on classics, every bite is a testament to culinary craftsmanship.
Each element exudes yesteryear’s glamour while being served on impossibly pretty vintage china, crystal, and glassware. And let’s not forget the star of the show: the high tea scone, irresistibly pillowy and accompanied by an out-of-this-world jam.
Your vintage ambiance is elevated with the selection of Harney & Sons teas, perfectly paired with a glass of bubbles (an additional $10) if you fancy.
It’s an afternoon affair worth dressing up for! We can’t emphasize how important it is to secure your spot in advance, as reservations are highly coveted and often come with a waiting list.
Special event high teas, like Mother’s Day and Christmas editions, are not to be missed, and private functions can be arranged for those celebrating special occasions.
| Pro Tip: Heads up: themed high teas cost a bit. For example, Mother’s Day is at $70 while the Christmas edition is at $75! |
Sky-High Tea at SkyBar
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Website: https://skycityauckland.co.nz/bars/skybar/
Address: Level 50, Sky Tower Corner of Federal and Victoria Streets, Auckland
Contact details: +64 9 363 6425
Hours: 12 PM, 1 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM
Rates: $80
Reservation: Yes, booking is required for the Sky Tea experience.
Your afternoon indulgence is taken to new heights with a soaring high tea experience at SkyBar. It’s perched gracefully on level 50 of the Sky Tower, the highest bar in New Zealand.
You’ll be treated to a tantalizing array of five savory and five dessert creations meticulously crafted by the talented team at SUCRÉ by SkyCity. Plus, these nibbles are accompanied by your choice of coffee, tea, or juice.
For those with a penchant for plant-based delights, you’re in luck! A plant-based option is also available, ensuring everyone can savor the sky-high delights.
You can even level up your cloud-level adventure with the addition of a glass of Moët and Chandon Champagne or a Remember Gatsby cocktail. It certainly adds that extra touch of luxury to your experience, doesn’t it?
Your booking includes admission to the Sky Tower, allowing you to get yourself in the high life before or after your Sky Tea experience.
| Pro Tip: The Civic car park is offering you a steal of a deal: just $2 per hour, maxing out at $12 on weekends. Weekday evenings come with a flat rate of just $12! |
Bellini Afternoon Tea at The Hilton
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Website: https://bellini.co.nz/afternoon-tea/
Address: Hilton Hotel. 147 Quay Street, Princess Wharf. Auckland
Contact details: +64 9 978 2025
Hours: Thursday to Sunday: 11 AM – 4 PM
Rates: $89 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking is required, especially for themed afternoon teas.
The Bellini Bar is an opulent oasis of indulgence within the prestigious Hilton Auckland. Here, you’ll discover one of the finest high teas in Auckland, set against panoramic views overlooking the glistening Waitemata Harbour.
The ever-changing delights on a three-tiered tray with exquisite savory and seasonal sweet bites guarantee high tea patrons are in for a treat!
Plus, you can sip on your choice of T2 and Zealong loose-leaf teas, elegantly served on luxurious Cristina Re teaware. Or, let your experience soar higher with a glass of Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne, Bedin Prosecco Rosé, or Hunter’s Miru Miru Brut.
Hilton Auckland’s high teas are not just seasonal; they’re themed in collaboration with esteemed local brands and companies.
One of the memorable themed events is the ‘Honey, Let’s Celebrate’ afternoon tea, but the limited-run ‘Kisses by Hilton’ afternoon tea was a close second! Guests even took home complimentary lipsticks to keep those kisses coming.
| Pro Tip: If there are hiccups in your plans, make sure to cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, you might be charged $50 per person booked! |
Afternoon Tea at JW Marriott Auckland
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Website: https://www.marriott.com/
Address: 22-26 Albert Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 309 8888
Hours: Open daily from 12 PM to 3 PM
Rates: $69
Reservation: Yes, booking is required.
At JW Marriott, afternoon tea is an art, where tea takes center stage. With Dilmah’s gourmet T-Series, you’ll find an abundance of tea varieties.
Tea-infused sweets, savories, and cocktails that elevate the experience to new heights? It’s no wonder it’s one of the best in Auckland!
Regulars love the orange and lime tea-infused salmon, green tea macarons, and ginger tea-infused scones. You’ll also get to sip on fragrant brews, like the rose and vanilla blend, to complement the treats.
| Pro Tip: For that extra bit of indulgence, a sparkling wine glass or a tea-inspired cocktail should do the trick! And don’t worry about dietary preferences as JW Marriott offers a vegan option so everyone can join in the fun. |
High Tea at Park Hyatt Auckland
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Website: https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/new-zealand/park-hyatt-auckland/aklph/dining
Address: 99 Halsey Street, Auckland, New Zealand, 1010
Contact details: +64 9 366 1234
Rates: $80 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking is recommended, especially for themed afternoon teas.
The Park Hyatt Auckland, under the culinary mastery of executive pastry chef Callum Liddicoat, has done the impossible!
It’s transformed the conventional high tea into a two-hour extravaganza served in five mouthwatering courses at the waterfront Living Room.
You can expect an ever-changing menu that reflects the season’s freshest flavors. And fear not, dietary needs are catered to with options like gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan versions ensuring everyone can join in the indulgence.
The Living Room restaurant is perfect for a luxurious afternoon tea by the water’s edge. Just try to snag a window seat for optimal people and boat-watching!
| Pro Tip: Park Hyatt Auckland also hosts themed afternoon teas at slightly different rates than usual. A recent one was the Steeped In Support event in October, raising money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. |
Heavenly High Tea at Eden Garden
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Website: https://edengarden.co.nz/cafe-2/
Address: 24 Omana Avenue, Epsom, Auckland 1023, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 638 8395
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Rates: $12 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking 48 hours in advance is required.
In the tranquil haven of Eden Garden hides Auckland’s best-kept secret. And it’s a cafe where time takes a break amidst lush greenery and vintage allure.
And guess what? They serve high tea fit for royalty!
Here, you can indulge in delicate chicken and cucumber sandwiches, mini lemon meringue pies, and classic scones, all included in the garden entry. Then, wash it down with Dilmah tea or coffee, or bring your own wine for a mere $6 corkage fee.
As if that’s not enough, guests are often treated to serenades by tuīs, fantails, and kingfishers, making it the city’s go-to urban retreat.
| Pro Tip: There are classic, vegetarian, or pescatarian high tea options, with a gluten-free alternative. Just note that there are no vegan or dairy-free options available. |
High Tea Haven by Cordis at The Chandelier Lounge
– Media credit: cordis_auckland
Website: https://www.cordishotels.com/en/auckland/offers/dine/
Address: 83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 300 2924
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 2 PM, 2:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, 2 PM – 4 PM, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Rates: Monday to Friday at $65 per person, Saturday, Sunday, and holidays at $79
Reservation: Yes, booking is recommended, especially for themed high teas.
It’s a world of culinary bliss at the Chandelier Lounge at Cordis, where Auckland’s finest high tea experience awaits!
The glamorous ambiance under the sparkling chandelier glows as you’re treated to tiers of exquisite delights and personalized tea sommelier service.
This unforgettable experience is a feast for your senses as you take small bites from the mouthwatering array of treats. What could they be, you ask?
Why, truffled brie tartlets to spiced apple scones and pumpkin St Honore, to name some! But it’s the star-studded tea selection from TWG that steals the spotlight. With every sip, you get pure luxury.
And for those craving that extra extravagance, why not top it off with a flute of Louis Roederer champagne?
With the menu changing seasonally, there’s always something new to tantalize your taste buds. And for veggie lovers, Cordis has you covered with a dedicated vegan high tea option featuring teriyaki vegan-cured “salmon” and indulgent vegan carrot cake!
| Pro Tip: Even the little ones are in for a treat with the Cody high tea, complete with an adorable golden wheel cake tray with Cody plushies, the hotel’s mascot. From spinach and beetroot popcorn to fairy bread and chocolate cake, it’s a kid’s paradise. |
High Tea at Cooke’s Restaurant & Bar
– Media credit: fableauckland
Website: https://cookesrestaurant.co.nz/
Address: 60 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 368 9603
Hours: Open daily from 12 PM – 3 PM
Rates: Start at $65 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking is recommended, especially for specific time slots.
Cooke’s Restaurant, within the posh Fable Auckland, spins a modern twist on a classic afternoon that’s sure to delight gastronomic lovers like no other
How’s that? Each dish is meticulously prepared in-house using locally sourced ingredients bursting with flavor.
Here, you can kick off your high tea extravaganza with savory delights like tuna skewer with caviar. Then, dive into a mouthwatering array of sandwiches featuring grilled chicken, cured salmon with creme fraiche, and classic egg mayo.
We’re still remembering how each bite was a flavor-packed masterpiece.
But save room for the pièce de résistance: the heavenly sweet treats waiting to be devoured.
From heavenly buttermilk scones topped with clotted cream and strawberry rose preserve to decadent caramel macarons, rich dark chocolate silk, plum almondines, and more, there’s a delectable delight to please even the most selective sweet tooth.
| Pro Tip: Cooke’s high tea experience offers three beverage options to accompany your culinary odyssey: tea, a bubbly glass of champagne, or a trio of charismatic cocktails. |
High Tea at the Bluebells Cakery
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Website: https://bluebellscakery.com/pages/high-tea-auckland
Address: Ground floor, 7 Queen Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Contact details: +64 9 377 3429
Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 am – 4 PM
Rates: Start at $55 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking with 24 hours’ notice is required.
You’ll be dazzled by one of Auckland’s top high tea experiences at Bluebells Cakery. Renowned for their knack for whipping up scrumptious and eye-catching food, they’ve got venues in Hillsborough, Kingsland, and Commercial Bay.
Their range of high tea menus caters to every taste bud and dietary quirk imaginable! A mouthwatering array of savory treats awaits you: herbed chicken tea sandwiches, mini quiche Lorraine, and the iconic Kiwi sausage roll.
And for all you sweet tooths out there, get ready to be spoiled for choice with mini cupcakes, macarons, cheesecakes, tarts, and freshly baked scones served with jam and cream.
With six different high tea menus to pick from, plus the option for a takeaway experience, Bluebells Cakery ensures that every occasion is extra special.
For those craving a taste of traditional British-style high tea, the standard menu has got you sorted with a delightful mix of savory and sweet treats.
And if you’re expecting, the pregnancy-friendly option offers a carefully curated selection of Indian bliss balls, spiced filo, and coconut ice. They’ve even got gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, making catering for your crew a walk in the park.
| Pro Tip: Bluebells Cakery hasn’t forgotten about the little ones either! Their junior high tea menu is designed to tickle tiny taste buds. Featuring scones with jam and cream, ham and cheese pastry twists, and an array of sweets, they’re bound to keep those little fingers busy and tummies satisfied. |
High Tea at Sea
– Media credit: nzmaritimemuseum
Website: https://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/high-tea-at-sea
Address: Corner Quay and Hobson Streets, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland, NZ
Contact details: +64 9 373 0800
Hours: Open daily from 10 AM – 5 PM
Rates: $98 per person
Reservation: Yes, booking with 24 hours’ notice is required.
You can just forget your run-of-the-mill land-locked high tea with this one. We’re talking High Tea at Sea, people!
You’ll be treated to epic views of Waitematā Harbour stretching out before you as you set sail with the New Zealand Maritime Museum. Once you step aboard NAUTILUS, a vintage motor launch, prepare for a cruise like no other.
Cakes, treats, and tea selections fit for royalty are laid out in front of you as you glide across the waters on this private heritage vessel experience.
It’s high tea with a splash of adventure and it’s all yours for the taking!
| Pro Tip: $930 gets you and five of your closest pals the royal treatment with an exclusive high tea experience. It’s your own private party, fit for queens and kings alike. |
