The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks Sydney

The newly renovated Gunners’ Barracks Tea Room near Mosman, in Sydney. Long an iconic heritage site known for its great food, peaceful bushland setting and spectacular harbour views, this dining and event space has now evolved to become one of the city’s most stylish venues.

High Tea Society welcomed in spring over a fabulous High Tea at the newly renovated Gunners’ Barracks Tea Room near Mosman, in Sydney.  Long an iconic heritage site known for its great food, peaceful bushland setting and spectacular harbour views, this dining and event space has now evolved to become one of the city’s most stylish venues.

With everytable on the subtly enclosed terrace positioned to take in the magnificent panorama, and the re-imagined dining and lounge areas epitomising plush chic, the Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks is striking to visit. Add to that the scrumptious ‘Afternoon Tea’ service and this place becomes a must-do for a glorious, memorable treat.

Settling on one Traditional Afternoon Tea, and one with Sparkling, we were guided through the extensive selection of Black Teas, Green Teas, Flavoured Teas and Herbal Infusions. We chose Orange Pekoe and Green Dragon (a premium hand-picked tea ‘with flowery elegance and luscious fragrance’).

Clinking ever-so gently, the classic Royal Albert Old Country Roses setting was placed on the table, along with a plate of fresh-from-the-oven scones, homemade berry jam and heavenly clotted cream. The artfully loaded three-tiered silver standsoon followed.

From the scones, we moved on to lovely little vegetarian samosas and mini pumpkin feta quiches, and it was at this point that the unexpected occurred… the sandwiches. Roast beef, rocket and caramelised onion, smoked salmon with dill cream cheese, plus egg mayonnaise. They may sound ubiquitous but with a firm dose of je ne sais quoi, they were simply delectable. Could the rest of the fare possibly live up to these sandwiches, we wondered?

All our High-Tea training came in to play as we ‘hiked’ our way up the silver stand, attempting to be delicate, gobbling up sweet, after sponge, after sweet.  Opera Slice, Mandarin Cheesecakes, Cookies and Cream Macarons, Carrot Cupcakes – and at the very pinnacle, Strawberry Panna Cotta with Mint Granita (which had sadly melted by the time we got to it).  And it was just gorgeous- all of it.

With the superb food and refreshments, beautiful surrounds and truly lovely service, it’s no wonder the Barracks is a favourite spot for brides and event-planners, as well as casual visitors. Sometimes booked out for months in advance on Saturdays, this is definitely a call-ahead and check place, if you plan on visiting during weekends. Weekdays you might get lucky just dropping in- but still we’d recommend booking.

High Tea at The Tea Room Gunners’ Barracks offers affordable luxury – and is infact, one of Sydney’s loveliest pleasures. Best of all, service generously begins at 11am, as what better way to ‘do’ brunch or lunch than to do High Tea!