High Time For High Tea

It’s the brunch of the afternoon. The quintessential girls’ day out must-do. It’s high tea, and it’s high time you experience some of the best high teas in Melbourne at Crown. 

Long-time locals and first-time visitors alike can indulge in a relaxing outing filled with tasty morsels, refreshing beverages, and exceptional company. 

What is High Tea?

It’s hard not to have heard of high tea in recent years. But what exactly is high tea? Naturally, tea is involved– but so is all manner of delicious snacks, from the savoury and filling to the light and sweet, from warm freshly baked to the cool and refreshing. 

These bites can include anything from mini croissants to sandwiches, tarts, warm breads, croquettes, macarons, madeleines, quiches, and mini crumpets. They will often include meat dishes for something more filling and nourishing, as well as vegetable bites for lighter nibbles. Tea and coffee to sip on are a given, and most restaurants and cafes will often also serve cocktails, wines, and bubbles as part of the experience. Even better when it’s free-flowing.

And if there’s one thing people like more than getting together with friends and loved ones, it’s getting together with friends and loved ones over a shared meal occasion. High tea has therefore quickly become a favourite way for people to catch up, enjoy each other’s company, and devour some signature afternoon snacks along the way. 

High Tea: The Origin Story

There is one country known perhaps above all others for their love of tea – England. Not so much a stereotype but an accurate representation of a nation that celebrates tea at every opportunity. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that high tea originates in 19th-century Britain. What may be surprising however, is that the event came from the working-class, traditionally taking place on ‘high’ tables.

Imagine coming home from a day’s work, tired and needing sustenance. What would have been better than sitting down and resting your legs, with a cup of tea in one hand and a nibble in another. Incorporating sweets like cakes, pastries, and biscuits with savoury items like bread, cheese, vegetables, meat, and fish– high tea quickly became the tradition it is today. This was in stark contrast to the relaxing schedules of the upper class, who could sit around all afternoon nibbling on sweet pastries and luxury goods. And that is why high tea and afternoon tea are, historically at least, quite different occasions. 

As for the name, is it said to have come from the furniture. The ‘high’ in high tea comes from the high-back chairs of a dining table, as opposed to the lower, more casual low-back chairs that might have been more suited to relaxed occasions outdoors. 

So, while high tea comes from working class routine, there has certainly been a huge shift to what it is today; an event enjoyed by everyone around the world.

The Modern Take

High teas are no longer about working gruelling hours then slumping down for a quick meal as soon as you get home. Fortunately, they’re much more aligned with the old upper-class occasion of a shared meal. 

That is, they’re relaxed, indulgent, slow, social, creative, and endlessly delicious. Plus, most modern high teas come with a tipple or two. 

These days, a high tea is something you do with a friend or loved one. There’s no need to rush as you sit back and relay the bouts of the day, watching passersby’s get to early evening plans, and taking a sip as you let the afternoon slip away in a welcoming surround.

And whether the seats are high backed or not, they’re always comfortable at a modern high tea. 

Set Your Expectations to High (Tea)

The modern high tea demands more from the food – and even from the diners – than a slap-dash meal thrown together after a long workday. 

You can expect: 

• A classy dress code 
• A beautiful setting
• Elegant, yet small dishes such as finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries
• Both savoury and sweet bites 
• Specialty teas
• Sometimes; a wine or bubbly 

High Tea at Crown 

High tea has already taken on a glamorous modern look. Now try high tea at Crown Melbourne. 

Available Fridays through Sundays, the TWR high tea offer is a weekend must-do. With exquisite nibbles both savoury and sweet, you’ll explore tiers of bites to keep your tastebuds tantalised and your appetite appeased. 

This high tea experience changes periodically, keeping the theme as fresh as the pastries. As well as tiered treats, you will have tiered high tea pricing options, giving you the chance to enjoy a sparkling brut with your meal.   

And since these high teas are held in TWR, you can expect timeless glamour and beautiful presentation no matter when you visit. 

From humble beginnings to luxurious modern-day occasions, high tea has come a long way in history. These days, you don’t need to grind to earn a high tea – simply make a reservation at TWR with Crown Melbourne to treat yourself to this blissful, modern afternoon experience.