High Tea at Fairfield Park Boathouse Melbourne

High tea by the Yarra? It’s hard to resist, and Fairfield Park Boathouse makes a compelling case with riverside views, rustic charm and a menu that punches well above its casual setting.

Built in 1908, Fairfield Park Boathouse – not to be confused with the nearby Studley Park Boathouse – is steeped in history, starting out as a boatshed and refreshment room.

The building fell into disrepair and was closed in 1980, then secured a new lease on life in 1985 when it was painstakingly restored and reopened to the public.

Our high tea is served in the Willow Dell Parlour, a cosy space that combines Victorian details with the character of an old American-style boathouse.

High Tea at Fairfield Park Boathouse

Timber walls, stained glass windows, ceiling roses and a small fireplace give the room some charm, while the white linen tablecloth and Cristina Re teaware add a more polished touch to the table.

That said, the venue itself is fairly casual and shows its age in places. The floors are decidedly rustic and the bathrooms could certainly use some attention.

With families, couples, dogs and people stopping by after a walk or run, the overall atmosphere feels more like a relaxed riverside cafe than a traditional, elegant high tea setting. Whether that is a positive or negative will largely depend on what you are looking for.

Sweet selection

Scones with strawberry jam & fresh cream

The food, however, is where the experience really comes together. Everything is made in-house, and there is clear care taken with the preparation and presentation, with the menu including some staples as well as some rotating items.

The high tea is served across two courses, starting with a gold two-tier cake stand topped with a delectable selection of sweet treats, and an impressive array of hot savouries rounding out the bottom tier.

A special shout-out goes to the precision-cut double-decker ribbon sandwiches, especially the perfectly balanced chicken and mayonnaise option.

High Tea at Fairfield Park Boathouse

Another highlight is the three-cheese scone served with generous helpings of spicy Kasundi chutney (a delightful mustard-based Indian condiment) and sour cream for those wanting to temper down the heat. Meanwhile, a veggie fritter topped with avocado and smoked salmon is simply delicious.

Sweet tooths will love the rich vegan chocolate cake, topped with chocolate ganache, a raspberry and gold leaf flake for added drama. The mini pavlova has a satisfyingly chewy pink meringue shell, and the fresh, crumbly orange poppyseed cake is another favourite.

Once the cake stand is cleared, large freshly baked warm scones arrive with generous bowls of whipped cream and jam. It is a simple but satisfying finish to the meal.

Fairfield Park Boathouse, supplied photo

Balcony Fairfield Park Boathouse, supplied photo

All of this is served with a bottomless selection of T2 teas, herbal tea and barista coffee, and you can also add a cheeky glass of bubbles for an extra $10.

Families may also appreciate the special Children’s High Tea menu for young ones 12 and under. For $30, children are spoiled with ribbon sandwiches, petite sausage rolls, scones, mini pancakes and an Italian hot chocolate.

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Overall, Fairfield Park Boathouse delivers a very good high tea menu in a venue that is more casual and weathered than refined.

The food is thoughtfully made, varied and enjoyable, and the riverside setting adds to the appeal. However, the condition of the building and relaxed cafe atmosphere means it doesn’t quite offer the polished high tea experience some may expect.

A good choice if the food and riverside setting are your priorities, but don’t expect a formal or luxurious high tea setting.