Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor Melbourne

Photographer: Michelle Milton
Hotel WIndsor
Hotel WIndsor

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.

Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor

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.

The Hotel Windsor Dining Room
The Hotel Windsor Dining Room
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor

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.

Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor
Afternoon Tea at The Hotel Windsor

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.

The Hotel Windsor Melbourne:

111 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000

When:

12 noon Monday and Tuesday; 12 noon and 2.30pm Wednesday through Friday; and 12 noon and 3pm Saturday and Sunday.

Cost:

Monday to Friday $69 per adult, $25 for children aged 3-6 years, and $40 for children aged 7-12 years: Saturday and Sunday $89 per adult, $30 for children aged 3-6 years, and $50 for children aged 7-12 years

Prices are correct at the time of publishing, but subject to change. Please contact the venue for further details.

Charlene Macaulay

Charlene has been a High Tea Society contributor since 2013. She has over ten years’ experience working as a journalist and is now a communications specialist in the local government sector. Charlene loves reading, travel, going for long walks and a good glass of champagne or red (depending on the occasion). Having tried scones from just about every Melbourne high tea venue there is (and some interstate and international venues too) she can definitively state that her mum’s remain the best.

Articles by Charlene