There had been somewhat of a English and Kiwiana cultural redux around Auckland in the recent years, what with the trending of old-school gourmet teas and back-to-basics dainty cakes or lamingtons. With high teas and afternoon teas gaining traction amongst the locals of Auckland again here in New Zealand, we here at View Auckland have raked the hotels, restaurants and cafes in Auckland to bring you a list featuring the best High Tea spots in Auckland just for you.
If you're going to go English and sip demurely at your Earl Grey tea - complete with the pinky in the air - you might as well dine in style while you're at it, right? Escape the hustle and bustle of the Auckland central city - come on out to West Auckland and have your high teas done the right way. With absolute extravagance.
And in the odd chance that a couple hours' worth of getaway in the lush greenery of the Waitakere Estate isn't enough to quell your need for some serious pampering, this West Auckland restaurant even offers a High Tea Package. For $440 per pair, Waitakere Estate will offer you a weekend away inclusive of a no-holds barred High Tea for two upon arrival, a three course dinner later in the night, a night's accommodation amongst the dreamy rainforest wildlife AND a cooked breakfast the morning after. Yep - high tea doesn't get any more decadent than a 24-hour long extravaganza like this!
573 Scenic Drive,
Auckland,
Our Recommended High Teas in Auckland list has got a most eclectic and varied selection of Auckland restaurants and eateries on the list, but you will not find anything on this list that, as individually significant as they all are, will beat Bracu Restaurant in terms of innovativeness. Like the offerings on all its other menus, the high tea goods at Bracu Restaurant is more than just the typical soggy sandwich medley or cream scone spectacle. Take our word for this; their tea cakes will be unlike any other tea cake you would have eaten at a high tea, and the puzzlingly refined and un-rustic looking cream scones will convert even a non high tea believer.
Haven't got the time to travel out of the central Auckland CBD to enjoy a luxurious high tea? Or alternatively find yourself in stuck in the inner Auckland city and not able to escape the hectic bustle that is? We here at View Auckland have got the perfect solution for you: Britomart Country Club. This restaurant establishment is an Auckland city centre haven that whisks you away from the concrete jungle out there. And besides, where else in the heart of the Auckland CBD will you be able to find an afternoon tea offering as sophisticated and urban as this Auckland restaurant and bar's Country Club High Tea?
31 Galway Street,
Auckland,
1010
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While it certainly is by far one of our favourite central Auckland function venues (few places can beat the picturesque beauty and calming qualities of Cornwall Park), Cornwall Park really shouldn't be outlawed as a casual destination either. We highlight their iconic high tea offering here not only because it happens to offer one of the longest running traditional high teas in Auckland; we also especially love how Cornwall Park Restaurant offers its high teas in the mid-morning as well - there is genius in offering dainty high tea goods in lieu of the usual heavy, greasy brunch meals, don't you think? Couple the affordable rates at which Cornwall Park Restaurant charges for its high teas with the unbeatable Cornwall Park atmosphere and you have yourself a high tea experience to die for.
Cornwall Park,
Olive Grove,
Auckland,
1023
Introducing the locavore and vegan dream Auckland restaurant - the Hectors Restaurant & Lobby Bar, that sources most of its produce within a 50 mile radius and that comes with a full vegan set of menus for the Lobby Bar, inclusive of a vegan breakfast menu, vegan lunch menu, vegan tapas menu, vegan petit fours AND a vegan high tea, amongst other vegan specialities - ooh la la! For only $21 - by far one of the cheapest high teas in Auckland - not only do you get finger sandwiches featuring hummus and vegan cashew cheese; thrown also into the mix are vegan treats even a carnivorous eater will be able to enjoy such as cranberry, orange and ginger scones, vanilla macaroons and the positively adult chocolate-dipped apricots, amongst others. Does one even need any more convincing beyond this?
Heritage Hotel,
35 Hobson Street,
Auckland,
1010
High teas are aplenty in Auckland, and it can be difficult to tell them apart after a while; they all serve the same old buttermilk or date scones, accompanied by a smattering of triangular cucumber sandwiches and the odd tea cake or two.
Peace and Plenty Inn of Devonport, Aucklaad realises this, and manages to keep it real by offering a humourously absurd differentiator - Victorian hats. While they enthusiastically encourage customers to bring along their most outlandish hat, this Auckland restaurant has got a wonderfully flamboyant array of Victorian hats to borrow, too. Nothing like spicing up a usually uptight afternoon tea tradition with a dose of quick splashed into the equation!
6 Flagstaff Terrace,
Devonport,
Auckland,
1309
The glasses of champagne that often accompany our high tea sessions take the traditionally demure occasion up to a more adult notch, but Prohibition takes it a level further with its no children-under-10-allowed policy, even for the normally family-friendly afternoon tea session. Prohibition is the perfect location for the group of friends looking to enjoy a lazy afternoon out without the possibility of bumping into the odd raucous child in an eating establishment - the high tea option really just comes as an additional bonus!
108 Ponsonby Road,
Auckland,
You would be hard-pressed to find a high tea or afternoon tea experience more traditionally English than the one you'd get here at Stafford Villa. For only $40 per head (and yes, that is inclusive of a glass of French bubbly), you will be able to nibble lavishly in the refreshing seclusion of this impeccably dressed up and homely Victorian villa. With the Auckland city centre miles away and nothing but sheer elegance and etiquette to accompany the distinct setting of this high tea destination, Stafford Villa makes for a prime afternoon tea escapade!
2 Awanui Street ,
Birkenhead Point,
Auckland,
Sure, the high tea is usually associated with tradition, primness and properness; but who says that they actually have to be all these things? To have the concept and decadence of high teas relegated to prissiness and upper class-ism is a great shame, which is why we couldn't be more excited to introduce to you the antithesis to the high snobiety control over the high tea concept: Takapuna Beach Cafe.
We couldn't think of a better cafe counterpart to challenge the uptight sentiment that surrounds the high afternoon tea, what with Takapuna Beach Cafe being one of the few cafes that genuinely treasure the sanctity of properly created food. Helps too that their rustic (yet still incredibly hedonistic) version of - cheekily named the Royal High Tea - appeals to our sardonic sense of humour.
22 The Promenade,
Auckland,
0622
It would not be right for us to come up with a Recommended High Teas in Auckland list without including The Winery from The Langham, Auckland, what with The Langham Hotel of London being the first silver service high tea restaurant in England. Their afternoon tea, affectionately dubbed Tiffin at The Langham (or Champagne Tiffin at The Langham for the bubbly enthusiast) lives up to the London Langham legacy, too - most Auckland high tea lovers will assure you that the high tea at The Winery ranks amongst the best in Auckland.
The Langham Hotel,
83 Symonds Street,
Auckland,
1010