From the beautiful dining room decorated stylishly with ornate chandeliers, artwork and plush seating, to each individual table adorned with white linen tablecloths and napkins and Noritake home wares, the Hotel Windsor boasts old-school class and elegance.
As a high tea reviewer, I am often asked for my favourite Melbourne venue. This is a tougher question than you may imagine.
With the popularity of high tea growing in recent years, countless venues are serving up their own wonderful twists on ribbon sandwiches, scones and tea.
But for the uninitiated, and for those who like their high tea to be ultra-traditional, my answer is always The Hotel Windsor – and my most recent visit did not disappoint.
In Melbourne, high tea and the Hotel Windsor are synonymous with class, and with good reason.
From the beautiful dining room decorated stylishly with ornate chandeliers, artwork and plush seating, to each individual table adorned with white linen tablecloths and napkins and Noritake home wares, the Hotel Windsor boasts old-school class and elegance.
The Hotel Windsor in Melbourne has been serving traditional afternoon tea since 1883, and the attention to detail shows.
Showing up for the second Saturday sitting, we are immediately offered a glass of Louis Perdrier French sparkling wine, and are referred to the tea list.
There are 12 varieties of tea on offer, including the popular Hotel Windsor Afternoon Blend, and our selections are served on individual silver teapots with an extra pot of hot water.
The high tea is served on a traditional three-tier stand, with scones on the top, followed by a trio of savoury items – a mini lamb pie, pumpkin and goat cheese tart, and an éclair with porcini mushroom powder and mascarpone – and, lastly, the ribbon sandwiches.
The sandwiches were meticulously prepared and wonderfully fresh, with the smoked salmon and cucumber a personal favourite.
For those wanting second helpings, waiters also came around with a silver tray of sandwiches.
The savouries were also lovely, and it was great to try both the traditional and sultana scones, especially paired with lemon curd, which is slightly unorthodox but nevertheless enjoyable.
Despite the three tiers already leaving us quite full, the weekend dessert buffet beckoned, offering up everything from a passionfruit crème caramel, to a blackcurrant delice, to mini lemon meringues, to salted caramel donuts, and a chocolate fountain.
The Hotel Windsor has one of the most expensive high tea offerings in Melbourne, but considering the superb offering of food, service and surroundings, it is well worth it.
The Hotel Windsor Afternoon Tea Menu
- Traditional and sultana scones with clotted cream, lemon curd and Windsor jam
- A selection of savoury itemsRibbon sandwiches:
- Chicken, celery, apple and lemon thyme
- Egg mayonnaise, cornichons, Dijon and dill
- Smoked salmon, cucumber and caraway cream cheese
- Indulgent dessert buffet with chocolate fountain (weekend sittings only)
- Tea, coffee and a glass of French sparkling wine
The Hotel Windsor is featured in our Best High Tea in Melbourne list.
Reviews for this venue:
- 2 December 2020: Afternoon Tea at The Windsor Melbourne
- 27 April 2020: Scone Box from The Windsor Hotel Melbourne
- 14 October 2018: Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Windsor Melbourne
- 8 January 2018: Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor Melbourne
- 29 August 2014: Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor Melbourne
- 17 May 2010: Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor Melbourne
