High tea in the Hunter Valley is an easy way to add a slower, more indulgent experience to a weekend in Wine Country. Across Pokolbin and the surrounding region, venues serve tiered selections of savouries, freshly baked scones and sweets alongside tea or coffee, with some experiences also offering sparkling wine. This guide covers where to go for high tea in the Hunter Valley, what each venue offers, and practical tips to help you choose the right experience for your visit.
Where to Go for High Tea in the Hunter Valley
1. Taste of the Country
Taste of the Country offers a more casual alternative to the classic hotel high tea. Located at the De Iuliis Wines complex, the café is known for country-style cooking and a Cheese High Tea for two, featuring Hunter Belle Cheese from its neighbouring cheese room. It is a good choice if you prefer savoury local produce over a formal afternoon tea. The café also welcomes children, while groups of six or more are encouraged to book ahead.
- Location: De Iuliis Wines Complex, 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin NSW 2320
- High tea style: Casual country-style cheese high tea
- Price: Current Cheese High Tea price is not published online, so confirm directly when booking
- What’s included: Cheese-focused sharing experience featuring Hunter Belle Cheese; exact inclusions should be confirmed when booking
- Best for: Couples, families and visitors wanting a relaxed, savoury alternative to traditional high tea
2. Restaurant Eighty Eight
Set inside The Convent Hunter Valley, Restaurant Eighty Eight offers the most traditional experience on this list, overlooking the Wisteria Courtyard. Its published high tea menu includes finger sandwiches, an Angel Scone with Chantilly cream and house-made jam, petit fours and other sweets, accompanied by French tea or coffee. Guests can also upgrade from the traditional option to sparkling wine or Champagne. One point to check before visiting: The Convent’s current official dining page now focuses on breakfast, so confirm that weekend high tea is operating when you book.
- Location: 88 Halls Road, Pokolbin
- High tea style: Traditional three-tier high tea
- Price: Traditional $60; London with sparkling wine $70; Paris with Champagne $85 per person
- What’s included: Finger sandwiches, sweets, scones, tea and coffee; sparkling or Champagne depending on package
- Best for: Couples, birthdays and special occasions in a more elegant setting
3. Elay High Tea
For something dedicated entirely to the high tea experience, Elay High Tea in Branxton stands apart. The purpose-built tea room combines Victorian and Parisian influences, with dark timber, gold detailing, fine china and mirrored tiered stands creating a more theatrical setting. Guests can choose between a full high tea and a smaller one-stand version, making it useful for different appetites. As Elay is a small specialist venue rather than a walk-in café, reserving ahead and confirming the current session time is advisable.
- Location: 102 McMullins Road, Branxton
- High tea style: Traditional, Victorian and Parisian-inspired
- Price: Latest published local guide lists $70 for the full experience and $45 for the mini high tea
- What’s included: Tiered sweet and savoury selections with tea; inclusions vary by full or mini experience
- Best for: Birthdays, intimate celebrations and guests looking for a dedicated high tea setting
What Can You Expect at a Hunter Valley High Tea?
Most high teas are designed to be enjoyed slowly, making them a good fit for celebrations, catch-ups or a quieter afternoon between other Hunter Valley activities. The exact menu and presentation vary by venue, but the experience usually combines a mix of savoury and sweet items with tea or coffee, often served over several courses or on tiered stands. Some venues also offer sparkling wine or Champagne as part of the package or as an optional upgrade. You can typically expect:
- Savoury items such as finger sandwiches, tartlets or small pastries
- Fresh scones served with jam and cream
- Sweet treats including cakes, slices, macarons or petit fours
- Tea and coffee, with several tea varieties often available
- Optional sparkling wine or Champagne at selected venues
- Around 1.5 to 2 hours for a relaxed sitting, depending on the venue
What Should You Check Before Booking?
High tea arrangements can differ between venues, so it is worth checking the practical details before confirming your booking. Availability may be limited to selected days or sitting times, while pricing, dietary options and booking conditions can also vary. If you are travelling with children, celebrating with a larger group or have specific dietary requirements, confirm these directly with the venue in advance.
Before you book, you can check:
- Serving days and times, as high tea may not be available daily
- Current price per person and whether sparkling wine or Champagne is included
- Advance booking requirements, including minimum notice periods
- Dietary options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or allergy requirements
- Children’s pricing or menus, if travelling as a family
- Group-size requirements for larger celebrations
- Weekend or public holiday surcharges
When Is the Best Time to Book High Tea?
Weekends are typically the most popular time for high tea in the Hunter Valley, particularly during school holidays and around occasions such as Mother’s Day, birthdays and bridal celebrations. If you are visiting during one of these busier periods, booking well in advance gives you a better chance of securing your preferred venue and sitting time. For greater flexibility, consider a weekday session where available and check the venue’s current schedule before planning other activities around your high tea booking.
Best Places to Stay Near Pokolbin High Tea
If you are planning high tea as part of a longer Hunter Valley escape, staying in Pokolbin makes it easier to combine the experience with nearby cellar doors, restaurants and other Wine Country activities. A central base also means less time travelling between bookings and more time enjoying the region at a relaxed pace.
Hermitage Lodge offers accommodation for couples and some families, with selected rooms and suites featuring private balconies overlooking the onsite Shiraz vineyard, separate living areas, spa baths and kitchen or kitchenette facilities. Explore Hermitage Lodge accommodation and choose a room or suite that suits your Hunter Valley getaway.
