High Tea Society devotees with a penchant for whimsy will find plenty to delight in A Curious Tea Party, the latest themed high tea at The Waiting Room at Crown Melbourne.
Drawing inspiration from Alice in Wonderland, this imaginative experience balances playful storytelling with the polished execution you’d expect from Crown Melbourne, under the culinary direction of Chef Jochen Beranek.
The concept began, fittingly, with dessert. The Mad Hatter’s Hat – a striking 58% Oricao chocolate mousse finished with raspberry coulis, sparked the idea for the entire menu, which has been built “from the top down.” That sense of creativity carries through every tier, without tipping into gimmickry.
Guests can opt for a 90-minute free-flowing Croser Sparkling package, elevating the experience from a traditional high tea into a leisurely afternoon affair. A Mini Croser Spritz sets a celebratory tone, while the Garden de Fleur mocktail offers a fragrant, alcohol-free alternative that feels just as considered.
Scones, always a high tea litmus test, arrive as Alice’s favourites: heart-shaped, warm and petite, served with strawberry jam and classic Devonshire cream. They strike the right balance between charm and comfort.
The savoury selection is generous and well-judged. Cold offerings include a delicate chicken and watercress wrap, a rich lobster and crab brioche accented with vibrant purple yam, and a satisfying mushroom medley with vegetables for plant-forward palates. Hot savouries bring more depth: the Queen of Hearts quiche with spring vegetables is light yet flavourful, seafood and chorizo croquettes deliver a pleasing hit of spice, and the Duchess Peppery Beef and Cheddar Pie is unapologetically hearty.
Desserts are where the theme truly shines. Alongside the Mad Hatter’s Hat, highlights include the White Rabbit vanilla, green tea and strawberry verrine, the Queen of Hearts yuzu and white chocolate praline with its bright citrus lift, and a playful Pocket Watch tiramisu that feels both nostalgic and refined. There really is something for children and adults alike.
At $95 per person with tea and coffee, or $120 with flowing Croser Sparkling, A Curious Tea Party offers strong value for a themed high tea that combines imagination, technical skill and indulgence, without losing sight of what makes the ritual so beloved.
A Curious Tea Party Menu:
Scones
- Alice’s Favourite Scones
- Strawberry jam & Devonshire cream
Cold
- Alice’s Enchanted Chicken Wrap
Chicken, watercress, creamy Dijon mayonnaise, spinach & beetroot wrap, borage - Red Queen’s Regal Lobster & Crab Brioche
Lobster and crab rillettes, purple yam & potato milk buns, sea spray - Wonderland Mushroom Medley
Sundried tomato & olive ciabatta, smashed broadbean, tahini crème fraîche, woodland mushroom
Hot
- Queen of Hearts Quiche
Spring vegetables, tomato & basil relish - Caterpillar’s Dreamy Seafood & Chorizo Croquettes
Fiery red pepper, creamy aioli - Duchess Peppery Beef & Cheddar Pie
Barrel aged cheddar & wagyu beef, pink pepper, snow-aged creamy potato, heirloom mash
Sweets
- Mad Hatter’s Hat 58% Oricao chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis
- White Rabbit Vanilla, green tea & strawberry verrine
- Queen of Hearts Yuzu & white chocolate praline
- Pocket Watch Tiramisu
All packages include choice of tea or coffee
High Tea Melbourne – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory
Reviews for this venue:
- 29 July 2024: Vittoria Coffee High Tea at TWR, Crown Melbourne
- 30 April 2024: Aperol High Tea at The Waiting Room, Crown Melbourne
- 31 December 2023: Moët & Chandon High Tea at The Waiting Room, Crown Melbourne
- 29 July 2023: Nikka High Tea at The Waiting Room, Crown Melbourne
- 1 February 2023: Hendrick’s High Tea at TWR Crown Melbourne
- 2 August 2022: High Tea at The Waiting Room Crown Towers Melbourne
- 2 October 2018: Afternoon Tea at The Waiting Room Melbourne
- 4 June 2013: High Tea at The Waiting Room Melbourne
- 28 April 2012: High Tea at The Waiting Room Melbourne
- 3 August 2025: Crème De La Crème High Tea at TWR Crown Melbourne
