The best Mother’s Day High Tea experiences 2026
The best Mother’s Day High Tea experiences in Sydney for 2026
High tea experiences fit for the Queen in your life
Mother’s Day lands on Sunday 10 May 2026 — and if you’ve ever tried to organise something the week of, you’ll know this is one booking worth locking in early. High tea is firmly in its main-character era for Mother’s Day, and for good reason: set sittings (usually 90 minutes to two hours), no menu decision fatigue, and something for everyone on the table.
This year, most venues are running across Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May, which is ideal if you’re juggling multiple celebrations, kids’ sport, or just want to dodge the Sunday squeeze.
Thinking of skipping the brunch chaos? This is your upgrade. Expect tiered stands of sweet and savoury bites, harbour views that do half the work, and enough tea (or Champagne) to make it feel like an actual occasion. Whether it’s a multi-gen catch-up, something manageable with kids, or a slightly elevated “no one’s cooking today” plan — these are the high teas worth booking in 2026.
🍰 Best for glamour and sparkle
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney
If your mum leans classic-with-a-twist, The Fullerton delivers. Served in The Bar, this is a polished, CBD high tea with elevated touches — think crab and caviar, choux pastries and signature scones done properly.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May | 12pm–4pm
Cost:
- $95pp (tea/coffee)
- $110pp (with Chandon sparkling)
- $120pp (with Veuve Clicquot)
📍 Fullerton Hotel | Lobby Level/1 Martin Pl, Sydney | (02) 8223 1111
🍰 Best for pampering with pastries
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Aperture x Auriga Spa
Looking to really elevate your Mother’s Day plans? Swap the usual catch-up for an indulgent Afternoon Tea at Aperture, the glass-ceilinged heart of Capella Sydney, where light streams in and the striking kinetic sculpture Meadow hovers overhead like a floating garden. Curated by Executive Chef Gabriele Taddeucci and Head Pastry Chef Arthur Carré, the seasonal menu delivers a mix of sweet and savoury bites – think delicate pastries like the raspberry macaron, handcrafted savouries like the signature lobster roll with gem lettuce and orange mayo and picture-perfect presentation, all in one of the city’s most photogenic spaces. And it gets better – each guest receives a $50 credit to Capella’s dreamy Auriga Spa. Book and redeem it by 31 July and they’ll throw in a glass of Champagne post-treatment.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May | 12:30pm–4pm
Cost: $145pp | Children $75
📍 Capella Hotel | 24 Loftus St, Sydney | (02) 9071 5000
(Image courtesy of the Team Room, QVB)
🍰 Best heritage setting
Mother’s Day High Tea, QVB Tea Room
An Inner West Mums’ favourite, the Tea Room at the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) conjures up visions of Downtown Abbey with its ornate high-ceilings and glittering chandeliers. And like Downtown Abbey, the service is fit for aristocracy – tiered platters of Royal Albert fine china depart the kitchen in such quick-fire succession you know those scones have to be freshly baked.
For mums, it’s a weekend of celebration with the Mother’s Day High Tea offered from 10-11 May. For early risers, and let’s be honest which new mums aren’t, there’s an 8am traditional high tea sitting so you can get in early and enjoy the city as it wakes up. Kids are catered for as well with child friendly sandwiches, sweets, savouries and hot choc, juice or soft drinks for little ones who aren’t into their tea.
The QVB Tea Room caters for dietary requirements including GF, vegan, vegetarian and nut-free – just mention it when you book.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May (multiple sittings, including early morning)
Cost: (Typically from ~$85–$110pp, confirm on booking)
📍QVB Tea Room | Level 3, Market Street End, Queen Victoria Building 455 George St Sydney | (02) 9283 7279
🍰 Best sky-high indulgence
Mother’s Day Buffet High Tea at the Shangri-La, Level 36
If your mum’s idea of a perfect Mother’s Day includes Champagne, indulgent sweets, and panoramic views, this elegant sky-high high tea ticks all the boxes. Hosted on Level 36 of the Shangri-La Sydney, with front-row seats to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, it’s a luxurious setting for an afternoon of spoiling. Executive Pastry Chef Kumiko Endo has curated a three-tier tower of sweet and savoury delights — from chestnut chocolate bites and fig & pecan tarts to roast pork banh mi and wagyu mushroom pies. Naturally, scones come warm and fluffy, served with Southern Highlands clotted cream and house-made jam. Go classic with tea and coffee, or level up with free-flowing sparkling or Champagne. Views this good deserve bubbles.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May | 11am–4pm (90-min sittings)
Cost:
- $128pp (tea/coffee)
- From $148pp (sparkling upgrades)
- Up to $208pp (Champagne tiers)
📍Level 36, Shangri-La Sydney | 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney | (02) 9250 6000
🍰 Best for amazing views
Mother’s Day High Tea, Gunners Barracks
Want a high tea with a view you can savour along with your freshly baked scones? Gunners Barracks, nestled in leafy George’s Heights on a headland so spectacular that many have said ‘I do’ at this location, is the place for mums who like their high tea with a side of Sydney Harbour to gape at. That’s Camp Cove and Watson’s Bay that you’ll see – if you’re lucky enough to snag a seat on the balcony. But rest assured, even from inside, there’s plenty to keep mums happy – starting with tiers of fine bone china resplendent with perfectly cut-finger sandwiches (crustless too!), tea served in mirror-like silver pots, and best of all – swathes of lush, green lawn where little ones can burn off all that sugar!
Mother’s Day high tea sitting are available from 8am – perfect for those early risers – on 10 and 11 May.
Want to make a day of it? Go on a self-guided Talking Object Tour of George’s Heights where QR codes posted on objects scattered throughout the headland bring history to life on your phone.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May
Cost:
- $90pp (traditional)
- $100pp (sparkling)
- $125pp (Champagne)
- Children’s high tea $60 (ages 5–12)
📍Gunners Barracks | End of Suakin Drive, Georges Heights, Mosman | (02) 8962 5900
🍰 Best for Blue Mountains Charm
Mother’s Day High Tea at The Wintergarden, Hydro Majestic
For a truly grand gesture, whisk mum away to the mountains for high tea with a view. The Wintergarden Restaurant at the iconic Hydro Majestic offers an elegant Mother’s Day experience set against the sweeping vistas of the Megalong Valley — a timeless setting that’s just as spectacular as the treats on your plate. Expect all the high tea classics done right: delicate finger sandwiches, petite sweets, fluffy scones and a glass of bubbles to toast the day. Want to make it extra special? Opt for free-flowing sparkling wine and settle in for the afternoon.
When: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 May
Cost:
- Adults: $129 per person includes glass of sparkling
- Adults : $164 per person with free flow sparkling
- Children: (4-12 years) $55 per child
📍The Wintergarden, Hydro Majestic | 52-88 Great Western Hwy, Medlow Bath NSW | (02) 4782 6885
(Image courtesy of QT Sydney)
🍰 Best for foodie mums (or Zumbo devotees)
That’s Zumbo, as in Adriano Zumbo, King of the Macaron, not Zumba – the dance exercise class that had most of us in a spin (literally) pre-Covid. Whilst you may not be whittling your waist at QTea High Tea, thanks to a menu that includes Thai Chicken Sambo, Mr Mojito Tart, Earl & Mandy Chocolate Adventure, not to mention a handful of ‘Zumbarons’ – you’ll certainly be indulging your senses.
This moody hotel of dark-hues and opulent jewel-tones screams playful glamour. It’s a grown-up experience with a DJ in the corner spinning sexy beats and a free flowing Perrier-Jouët champers option (get out of here) to make you or your mum’s Great Gatsby dreams come true. Got a fur-baby too? This is one of the few pet-friendly hotels in the CBD so bring Bowser along for the ride.
Want more? Read our full review of the QT Sydney’s high tea here.
When: Available throughout the year
Cost:
- QTea High Tea with free-flowing tea $79pp
- QTea High Tea Plant-Based and Gluten-Free with free-flowing tea $79pp
📍QT Sydney | 49 Market St, Sydney 2000 | (02) 8962 5900
🍰 Best for families (and value)
Mother’s Day High Tea at Bacar, Pullman Sydney Olympic Park
If you’re after something that feels like a proper outing (without the CBD price tag or logistical juggle), Bacar at Pullman Sydney Olympic Park is a quietly strong contender. It’s one of the more accessible high teas on the list, but still delivers where it counts — a generous spread of sweet and savoury classics, a relaxed dining room, and a format that works well for families.
Expect a mix of elevated and familiar favourites: cured salmon crêpes with cucumber and salmon roe, smoked duck with pickled figs and focaccia, plus warm spiced scones served with rosella jam and wattleseed cream. There’s also a dessert trolley moment — always a win with kids — loaded with handcrafted sweets that make it feel a bit more special than your standard afternoon tea.
For mums, there’s a complimentary glass of Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé on arrival (which feels very on brand for Mother’s Day energy), and for kids, a dedicated menu that doesn’t feel like an afterthought. It’s an easy, low-stress option if you’re bringing the whole crew — or if you just want something that feels considered without tipping into overly formal.
When: Sunday 10 May | sittings from 1:30pm
Cost:
- $79pp adults
- $39 children (4–11)
📍 Pullman Sydney Olympic Park
🍰 Best for mums who prefer cocktails over tea
Hendrick’s Gin High Tea at Hyatt Regency Sydney
For mums who’d happily swap a teacup for a cocktail, this is where things get a little more fun. The Hendrick’s Gin High Tea at Hyatt Regency Sydney takes the classic format and loosens it up — pairing sweet and savoury bites with gin-based drinks and a slightly more relaxed, social vibe.
The menu balances traditional high tea elements with a few playful twists, while the drinks offering leans into Hendrick’s signature botanical profile. It’s less about delicate china and more about a long, leisurely catch-up — the kind where you don’t feel rushed out the door.
Crucially, there’s also a children’s option available, which makes this one of the easier “meet in the middle” choices if you’re celebrating with a mixed group. It works just as well for a mums-and-kids outing as it does for something a bit more grown-up.
When: Sunday 10 May
Cost:
- From $99pp adults
- From $50 children
📍 Hyatt Regency Sydney, Darling Harbour
Got a high tea experience that you love? Let us know – leave a comment below or email us at info@theinnerwestmums.com.au so we can add it to our list.
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