Indulge with bespoke bites and dainty drinks at some of the state’s best spots for high tea.

Words Zoe Rice

Hilton Adelaide

The savoury offering at the Hilton Adelaide’s high tea is the perfect palate-warmer for what’s to come.

The house-made pork sausage roll, delicate herb chicken sandwich and classic salmon-topped bagel provide just the right amount of tastebud-tantalising before you get started on the sweeter stuff.

Sip on a glass of bubbles as you contemplate what to try first. There’s a full range of flavours, from the lemon meringue tart and opera cake, to the strawberry and vanilla red velvet cake and the hazelnut Paris Brest.

The savoury and sweet bites are all prepared by the Hilton’s in-house patisserie, and complemented by French hand-torn tea from La Maison Du Thé.

Hilton Adelaide’s High Tea is served Saturday and Sunday, from 1pm until 3.30pm. Gluten free options are available with prior arrangement.

Mayfair Hotel

The menu changes with the seasons at Mayfair Hotel’s high tea. Served at the Mayflower Restaurant on weekends from 2pm to 4pm, the high tea is created by the hotel’s chefs, overseen by executive chef Bethany Finn.

Bethany says the high tea is the perfect way to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy a weekend indulgence.

“The Mayfair has invested in a highly-skilled chef patisserie and most delicacies are hand-crafted in our pastry kitchen,” Bethany says.

The Sparkling High Tea includes a glass of Petit Cordon by Maison Mumm or non-alcoholic bubbles, five savoury and five sweet items, served with Wedgewood tea and freshly-brewed coffee. The Champagne High Tea includes the option to purchase from the Champagne trolley.

The menu often includes favourites such as chocolate dipped strawberries and smoked salmon and herb creme fraiche on brioche.

Madame Hanoi

Even if you’ve had the Hendricks High Tea once, it’s time to get yourself back to Madame Hanoi for another go.

The menu has been updated for the warmer months, and is now full of lighter dishes, such as the master stock braised chicken bao with mango, yuzu mayo and Vietnamese mint. The braised beef slider is another highlight, with squid ink brioche, braised chilli beef and chilli mayo.

Head chef Raj Kumar’s specialty is a decadent one — a chocolate ganache mini ice-cream cone. There’s also a coconut panna cotta and assorted macarons.

The experience is complete with a pot of Hendricks gin tea — made with Oolong teas, rose petals and cucumber.

Stamford Hotels

At the Stamford Plaza, choose from the Traditional Sir Stamford High Tea or the gluten-free option, both featuring finger sandwiches, pastries, petite fours, hot savoury options and a glass of Hentley Farm Blanc de Noir.

There’s also the option to upgrade to a glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne or Heidseck Champagne, or add an espresso martini.

On the menu are curry puffs, made to the owner’s wife’s family recipe, handed down through generations, tracing its roots back to Singapore.

There’s an extensive range of tea to choose from, including fragrant jasmine green tea, rose with French vanilla and Italian almond.

If you have a sweet tooth, the Belgian Chocolate High Tea features Veliche Chocolate, ethically sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

If you prefer to indulge in more open surroundings, the Stamford also offer a takeaway high tea on a portable three-tiered stand. It’s a collection of sweet treats, including Japanese green tea cheesecake and kiwi fruit, opera slice and mini cherry torte.

Dine beach-side at the Stamford Grand, with the option of a high tea with a French touch.

There’s no need to leave the children out of the fun, with the Kids High Tea; they’ll get some of their favourite treats, as well as mocktail and hot chocolate.

Topiary Cafe

Set in the beautiful garden surroundings of Newman’s Nursery at Tea Tree Gully, Topiary Cafe serves their high tea any time from 9am until 2.30pm on weekdays, and from 10am until 3pm on weekends.

The menu includes a selection of ribbon sandwiches, hot pastries and handmade petit fours. It’s all made on-site, and includes a sandwich with house smoked salmon, locally smoked bacon, leek and parmesan quiche, and a rich chocolate and walnut brownie with ganache.

The experience includes tea or coffee, or upgrade to enjoy a glass of bubbles. The cafe also has a local wine and drinks list to peruse, or cocktails to take it all to the next level.

 

This story first appeared in the Dec 2019 / Jan 2020 issue of SALIFE magazine.