Afternoon Tea Chocolate Bar at The Langham Melbourne

Review by on
Langham Melbourne
Langham Melbourne

The Chocolate Bar at The Langham’s ARIA Bar & Lounge certainly is a sweet lovers’ paradise.

As you make your way up the grand hotel staircase, you’re greeted with the soothing sounds of a live pianist. Moon River treacles over the ears as calm conversation fills the space. Plush surrounds, regal colours and mood lighting add a glamorous touch. Seating is comfortable and customisable, allowing for everything from romantic high teas to giggly get-togethers between girlfriends to be catered for.

The food encompasses everything you would expect from a traditional afternoon tea. Classic salmon and cucumber finger sandwiches, along with scones with jam and cream, are served on three-tiered stands. Other sandwich fillers include egg mayonnaise and cress, and cream cheese and chives. The fruit jam is organic and the cream is true to high tea roots – being clotted.

Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne
From the afternoon tea buffet
From the afternoon tea buffet
Afternoon Tea Buffet
Afternoon Tea Buffet

The servingware is classic and is completed by linen napkins wrapped in paper Mad Hatter rings, which add a whimsical Alice in Wonderland touch. As you would expect with any high-rated hotel, service is fast and professional but not as stuffy as you might find in other Melbourne high tea institutions.

The Chocolate Bar is served with hot chocolate, leaf tea and/or espresso coffee. I went all out and indulged in a couple of hot chocolates.

Now for the afternoon’s main event: the desserts! The generous spread can change between seasons but upon our visit, we were treated to a selection of the following:

The Langham Melbourne Afternoon Tea Menu:

  • Valrhona chocolate and Malibu rum soufflé
  • Alpine Rocky road
  • Lime and bitter trifle
  • Hazelnut chocolate éclair
  • Almond Florentines with yoghurt chocolate
  • Jaffa chocolate
  • Torte Chocolate truffle
  • Marquise Strawberry chocolate
  • Vacherin with Elderfower cream
  • Amarascata roulade with cocoa nibs
  • Chocolate biscotti
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne
Afternoon Tea at The Langham Melbourne

With the all-you-can-eat setup, we’d recommend going on a semi-empty stomach so you can sample as many of the delights as possible. Naturally you will come away with a feeling of ‘death by chocolate’, although the proximity to Southbank allows for a stroll by the Yarra to ease the pain. Overall, The Chocolate Bar at The Langham is a great venue for the timeless high tea experience with a reasonable price tag.

 

Aria Bar & Lounge at The Langham, Melbourne:

View Directory Listing

1 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, Melbourne, Victoria 3006, Australia
When:

Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon – 2pm or 2.30 – 4.30pm.
Bookings recommended.

Cost:

$69 per adult (price updated 13 May 2012)

For bookings, click to call: 03 8696 8888 Website

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

Kate Kendall
Kate Kendall

Kate Kendall is a British-Australian entrepreneur and writer based in Regional Victoria. She's reviewed high tea services across multiple continents and was an early contributor to High Tea Society. When she's not drinking her daily dose of brewed chai, she's busy raising her young daughters on a farm in the Macedon Ranges. To follow her personal and professional pursuits, follow her on Instagram and around the web at @katekendall.

Articles by Kate