High Tea at Strangers’ Restaurant, NSW Parliament, Sydney

Step back in time and experience Australian history in the most delicious way, at the historic NSW Parliament building.

We don’t know about you, but it seems like everyone is or knows a history buff these days. Whether it’s podcasts, period dramas, or true crime series that sparked the obsession, there’s no shortage of inspiration for those with a passion for the past, and luckily, there’s now a high tea for that, too.

Strangers’ Restaurant, nestled within Australia’s oldest Parliament building, is right in the centre of the CBD. It’s situated overlooking the lush green expanse of the Domain, and opens it’s grand sandstone doors for guests to enjoy high tea during a glimmeringly short time window, from 12 – 3pm each Friday. Something about the fact we could only enjoy this meal at a specific time gave it a shimmery exclusivity, so we were already incredibly excited when we crossed the security clearance of the grand entrance. We padded in our high-heels quietly across the vintage patterned carpet and were seated by our host, Andrew, to begin the proceedings. Andrew jovially told us that they served up to 1,000 guests in the restaurant just in one Friday, and indeed, the place was humming and thrumming with the delighted banter of guests enjoying a treat in the sun-filled dining room.

Menus vary at Parliament House and are seasonally adjusted to accommodate local produce. All of the food, both sweets and savouries, were delivered at the same time on a mirrored tiered tray, just as we like to see them! These menu items had an imaginative festive twist on this particular day in July. We were thrilled to pull a cracker at the table, and wore our party hat merrily scoffing a Christmas smoked salmon sandwich on dark rye bread, a Beef Wellington with tarragon aioli and an absolutely gorgeous mini crab croissant. Ho ho ho! ‘How could these be topped?’ we wondered, as we sipped on our fresh New South Wales-grown Peppermint Tea.

Much like real Christmas Day, dessert was the showstopper. A mini pumpkin pie spiced with ginger conjured images of cosy fireside evenings, while mini Christmas puddings and fruit mince tarts hit all the nostalgic notes. But the true classics? Vanilla scones, served warm with house-made jam and cream, were impossibly fluffy, little clouds of joy that needed no festive twist.

At $65 per person, the High Tea at Parliament House is exceptional value, featuring a generous selection of high-quality, seasonal fare. Add a glass of sparkling for $10 or a rosé for $15 to toast the occasion in style.

And if you fancy feeding your mind as well as your appetite, complimentary guided tours of Parliament House are available before your seating, a charming and thoughtful touch that lets you steep yourself in Australian political history before steeping your tea.

High Tea Menu:

Sweet

• Vanilla scones with homemade jam & cream (V)
• Mini pumpkin pie with ginger spiced biscuit (V)
• Rhubarb trifle with crème pâtissière
• Mini mince tarts (V)
• Christmas pudding

Savoury

• Cauliflower & leek pie (V)
• Christmas ham finger sandwiches with pickles
• Smoked salmon bagel
• Turkey & Cranberry Pithivier
• Pea, parmesan & lemon croquettes (V)

Tea and coffee selection

 

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