The Tea Room QVB Sydney
Experience a fairytale high tea in Sydney's iconic QVB, with opulent decor and regal charm.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
The Tea Room QVB Sydney
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience a fairytale high tea in Sydney's iconic QVB, with opulent decor and regal charm.
"A beautiful, regal venue perfect for a traditional high tea experience."
🎯 Inform About Dietary Needs
Let them know about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking to ensure a tailored experience.
👗 Dress to Impress
Many visitors dress up for the occasion, enhancing the magical, regal feel of the venue.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Grand Ballroom
Level 1, QVB
Step into a fairytale with opulent decor, chandeliers, and a truly regal atmosphere for your high tea.
Elegant Afternoon Tea Set
The Tea Room
Indulge in a tiered selection of delicate sandwiches, pastries, and scones, a quintessential high tea experience.
QVB Heritage Architecture
Queen Victoria Building
The historic Queen Victoria Building itself is a stunning backdrop, adding to the charm of your visit.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Ahead for Peak Times
Dress for the Occasion
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Inform About Dietary Needs
Let them know about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking to ensure a tailored experience.
👗 Dress to Impress
Many visitors dress up for the occasion, enhancing the magical, regal feel of the venue.
📸 Capture the Magic
The stunning interiors are perfect for photos, so bring your camera or phone!
💰 Consider Weekdays
Weekday visits often mean fewer crowds and a more intimate high tea experience.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Inform About Dietary Needs
Let them know about allergies or dietary restrictions when booking to ensure a tailored experience.
👗 Dress to Impress
Many visitors dress up for the occasion, enhancing the magical, regal feel of the venue.
📸 Capture the Magic
The stunning interiors are perfect for photos, so bring your camera or phone!
💰 Consider Weekdays
Weekday visits often mean fewer crowds and a more intimate high tea experience.
🥂 Ask for Pot Refills
The attentive staff are happy to refill your teapot, ensuring you can savor your tea.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The Tea Room QVB is lauded for its magical, regal ambiance and excellent service, making it a top choice for high tea and events. While the food presentation is beautiful, some find the sweets and scones less impressive than the savory options. The venue's heritage charm is a significant draw, though some furnishings show wear.
"This place is magical. Even the outside is decorated to feel like a fairytale. Can you imagine the inside. The little shop is awsome for gifting and for personal use . Sitting for a tea in this amazing place you feel like royalty. The food very well presented and dietary requirement is not an issue. Different menus to choose from and even for little ones . Love going back . This time I organised a work reunion abs they were super impressed. Thank you staff for you services. You were wonderful"
Theresa Vella
"TL;DR: A beautiful, regal venue perfect for a traditional high tea experience. The service was excellent and the savoury food was lovely, but the sweets and scones were disappointing. The venue’s age shows in its furnishings, though its historical charm still shines through.
Full Review:
The Tea Room QVB is a very elegant and classic venue, exuding a royal and sophisticated atmosphere, exactly the kind of place you’d imagine for a proper high tea. The heritage building adds to the charm, and I love that they’ve kept much of the original décor and finishes. However, you can tell the space has been well-used over the years; the furniture and tableware show visible wear and tear. I wish they would invest in restoration and replacement, not to change the aesthetic, but simply to repair chipped paint and replace worn teaware. That said, I loved the sugar cups, which fit perfectly with the high tea theme.
They use metal teapots, which look elegant but are tricky to handle since the metal absorbs heat, you have to be careful when pouring.
The service was excellent, it was very attentive and thoughtful. The staff even offered a pot refill and an extra plate of sandwiches, which was a nice touch. The savoury items and sandwiches were great overall, though I wasn’t a fan of the one filled with chutney, which is a personal preference.
The desserts, however, were a disappointment. This seems to be a recurring theme with high tea venues, the sweets just don’t live up to the savoury courses. I didn’t end up finishing them. The scones were dry and dense, no matter how much jam or cream I used.
Overall, I would come back for the aesthetic, ambiance, and service, but not necessarily for the desserts. It’s still a lovely experience, especially for those who appreciate old-world charm and a touch of history with their tea."
Dung Nghi Tran
"This is a great wedding venue option for the CBD. The food for our wedding at The Tea Room was absolutely phenomenal! The chef created an incredible menu, and they did a fantastic job accommodating all of our guests' dietary needs.
The room comes with those gorgeous chandelier which is an amazing free decor to the room. I DIYed our own flower arrangement which meant there were lots of setup required from my friends & family and the staff there on the day. They were very accomodating and willing to store lots of stuff in advance - thank you Arabella for that.
The team was also very willing to help with our setup, and we were grateful for their hard work and positive attitude. Thank you for a wonderful night!"
Cee Luo
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Tea Room is located on Level 1 of the iconic Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney's CBD. You can easily reach it by public transport, with numerous bus routes stopping nearby and Town Hall train station just a short walk away. +1
Yes, there are several parking stations near the QVB, including the QVB Car Park itself. However, parking in the CBD can be expensive, so public transport is often a more convenient and cost-effective option.
Unfortunately, the venue has some accessibility challenges due to its heritage nature. There are two steps to navigate to enter the dining area, which may be difficult for those with mobility issues.
Opening hours can vary, but typically The Tea Room is open for high tea and other services during standard daytime hours. It's always best to check their official website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information.
While walk-ins might be accommodated if there's availability, it's highly recommended to book your high tea experience in advance, especially for weekends, to avoid disappointment.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The high tea experience at The Tea Room QVB is typically priced around $75 per person, though prices can vary. It's advisable to check their official website for the most current pricing and menu options.
The high tea set usually includes a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with jam and cream, and a variety of exquisite pastries and sweets, served with your choice of tea.
Absolutely! The Tea Room QVB is a popular and beautiful venue for weddings, corporate events, and private parties, known for its elegant ambiance and excellent catering. +2
You can often choose from different menus, including a standard high tea, and they are accommodating of dietary requirements if informed in advance.
While there isn't a strict dress code, many visitors opt for smart casual or more elegant attire to match the venue's sophisticated and regal atmosphere.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
The Tea Room offers a traditional high tea experience with a selection of savory sandwiches, scones, and sweet pastries. They also cater to events with full dining menus.
Yes, they are known for being accommodating of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and other needs, provided you inform them when booking.
Reviews on scones are mixed; some find them dry and dense, while others enjoy them with jam and cream. The savory items and sandwiches generally receive higher praise.
A selection of fine teas is typically offered, complementing the high tea experience. You can usually choose from various blends to suit your preference.
Many find the experience and ambiance justify the cost, particularly for the aesthetic and service. While the sweets might be a letdown for some, the savory options and overall atmosphere are highly regarded.
📸 📸 Photography
Yes, photos are definitely allowed and encouraged! The venue's stunning decor, chandeliers, and historic architecture make it a very photogenic spot. +1
The main ballroom with its chandeliers and ornate details is a prime spot. The windows overlooking the QVB also offer lovely backdrops. +1
The Tea Room is primarily a dining establishment and event venue. While you can take photos during your meal or event, it's not a public space for general photography without a booking.
The venue has large windows that allow for natural light, especially during daytime sittings, which is great for photography.
Generally, personal photography is welcome. However, for professional shoots or commercial use, you would likely need to arrange specific permissions with the venue.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
It's a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to a more formal dining experience in a beautiful setting. Booking in advance is essential, and informing them about any specific needs for children will help ensure a smoother visit. The visual splendor of the room itself can be entertainment enough for many kids.
💍 Engaged Couples & Wedding Planners
Beyond the aesthetics, the catering is a major highlight for events, with chefs capable of creating bespoke menus and expertly handling diverse dietary requirements.
🥂 Friends Celebrating Special Occasions
Gathering here for afternoon tea or even a private event allows friends to indulge in delicious food and drinks while enjoying each other's company in a stunning setting. The venue's charm ensures that the celebration will be talked about long after the event.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Enchanting Ambiance
This enchanting ambiance makes it an ideal spot for special occasions, from birthdays and anniversaries to intimate gatherings with friends. The venue's aesthetic is a significant draw, with many praising its beauty and the effort put into maintaining its classic charm.
While the venue is celebrated for its beauty, some reviews note that the furnishings and tableware show signs of wear and tear due to its age and popularity. However, the overall consensus is that the historical charm and the sheer elegance of the space more than compensate for any minor imperfections.
High Tea Experience: Tastes and Textures
However, the desserts and scones have received mixed reviews. Some guests find the sweets to be a bit disappointing and not living up to the standard of the savory courses, while others enjoy them. The scones, in particular, have been described by some as dry and dense, requiring ample jam and cream to enjoy.
Crucially, The Tea Room QVB is known for its excellent accommodation of dietary requirements. When booking, guests can inform the staff of any allergies or dietary needs, and the kitchen will prepare a tailored menu, ensuring everyone can enjoy the high tea experience.
A Coveted Wedding and Event Venue
The venue's catering is also a significant draw for events. The chefs are praised for creating incredible menus and expertly accommodating a wide range of guest dietary needs, ensuring a seamless and delicious dining experience for all attendees.
For those planning a special celebration, whether it's a wedding, birthday, or corporate function, The Tea Room QVB offers a sophisticated and beautiful backdrop. The combination of its elegant ambiance, attentive service, and high-quality catering makes it a top choice for memorable events in the heart of Sydney.
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