A verdant retreat only 35 kilometers from Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges lures foodies, nature lovers and artists with a diverse selection of tourist attractions.
Afternoon tea is a popular way to spend time here, and some of the best places in the dandenongs serve up an elegant high tea experience that includes scones.
The Austen Tearooms
When it comes to scone and tea, The Austen Tea Room has the goods. Not only do they offer a full menu of dainty desserts, they also have a selection of high teas and lunches that you won’t find anywhere else.
The Austen Tea Room is a lovely old house that has been transformed into an elegant cafe complete with polished floorboards, chandeliers and grand mirrors. Throughout the decor there are plenty of prints of Miss Austen’s most popular novels like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey.
The Austen Tea Room’s finest product is its scones, which are made using the most sophisticated equipment and ingredients available. They use a proprietary recipe and sift flour, sugar, butter, milk and clotted cream into a state of the art mixing machine to create these tasty treats. The best part? They come with a hefty side of homemade clotted cream and seasonal jams. In addition to scone’s, this establishment also offers a number of other dainty delights including their signature rhubarb trifle. The food is a hoot and their staff are friendly and efficient. The best time to go is during the week, or on a weekend when there’s not too many people around.
Stables of Como
Tucked among the lush gardens of Como House, The Stables of Como is one of Melbourne’s best kept secrets. It’s a converted horse stable (and one of South Yarra’s best dog-friendly cafes) that blends an elegant fusion of past and present.
The Stables is also home to a solid menu of brunch classics, including expertly done egg breakfasts and rustic ploughman’s plates. Plus the chefs are out in the dedicated vegetable garden every morning picking fresh mint and basil, carrots and cauliflower to go on the brunch dishes.
There’s also a surprisingly impressive range of fancy high teas to eat-in or take out to the garden. They even offer picnic packs that come with a frisbee, croquet set and rugs!
If you want to take your brunch up a level, head down the road from Como. The Alfred Nicholas Gardens are a proper hidden gem, a sloping collection of mountain ash, ginkgoes and maples. If you’re lucky enough to visit in Autumn, you’ll be treated to a proper Kodak moment.
The Terrace
If you’re looking for some of the best scones in the dandenongs, then you’ve come to the right place. We offer a wide range of flavors from the traditional plain and fruit scones to more adventurous Apple and Cinnamon or Cranberry and White Chocolate.
The scones at The Terrace are a staple of the menu and a must-have for anyone visiting the restaurant. These scone sandwiches are topped with a generous dollop of clotted cream and jam.
With a slew of seasonal and locally-sourced dishes on offer, you’ll find a menu that combines the best of French brasseries and American chophouses with a Mediterranean flair. From a wide selection of homemade pastas to meat and fish dishes, each dish is created with quality ingredients and a healthy dose of creativity.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious and sophisticated setting to have a tea, then the Terrace is definitely worth a visit. Its rooftop terrace offers a chic and stylish space to enjoy the views of the Manhattan skyline and New York City water towers.
Byramine Homestead
If you’re looking for the best scones in the dandenongs, Byramine Homestead is the place to go. It’s tucked away in the town of Burramine, 14km west of Yarrawonga, and is surrounded by one of Australia’s largest vegetable farms.
It was established in 1842 by Elizabeth Hume, sister-in-law of explorer Hamilton Hume. She moved here (in an octagon-shaped house) in the wake of her husband’s death by bushrangers.
The building is now classified by the National Trust ‘to be preserved at all costs’ and has remained relatively unchanged. Tours of the homestead are self-guided, while an on-site cider-house serves ciders and beers as well as light lunches.
You’ll find a rustic country-style menu at the homestead, served with tea or coffee by owners Wade and Nicole McPherson. You can also take a tour of the house and wander through the garden, which is filled with the oldest elm trees in Victoria.
The scones at Byramine are as rustic as the surroundings, with both sweet and savoury versions to choose from. They’re perfectly cooked, topped with Chantilly cream or homemade strawberry jam. They’re so good that they’ll have you coming back again and again.
Fairfield Park Boathouse
While it may not be on the tourist trail, Fairfield Park Boathouse is an excellent choice for a relaxing afternoon of scones. This historic site offers views of the Yarra River as well as boating and picnic facilities.
This is a popular spot with families and couples, so it can get crowded during the weekend. But if you’re willing to brave the traffic, this park is well worth a visit.
Aside from the boathouse itself, the park also has an oval and pavilion, walking track, a BBQ area and lots of grass to sit on. You can even hire water vehicles such as rowing skiffs, Canadian canoes and touring kayaks to enjoy a day of Yarra river adventure.
It’s also a great place to have a quiet lunch or dinner. The menu includes a variety of dishes, including scones and sandwiches.
If you’re a fan of tea, you’ll love this elegant Asian-inspired high tea in the Dandenongs. It’s perfect for a romantic getaway or a relaxing family meal. The menu offers a range of themed options, including bottomless scones and mimosas.
The Langham
The Langham is a luxury hotel in a beautiful location on the Yarra River. It is the perfect place for a romantic getaway with your loved one.
The Afternoon Tea at The Langham is a must-try experience for any foodie. It is a classic British tradition of afternoon tea and is known as one of the world’s best.
They offer a variety of savouries, cakes and pastries for you to enjoy with a delicious selection of loose leaf teas. They also have a lovely outdoor lounge with fairytale views looking over the Yarra River and Melbourne city skyline.
The Langham Melbourne is also home to the iconic Melba Restaurant and Aria Lounge. Their daily breakfast is impressive with a variety of cooking stations, hot and cold dishes to choose from.
Hopetoun Tearooms
One of the most famous Melbourne high tea places in town, Hopetoun Tea Rooms is located in the historic Block Arcade. It opened in 1892 and was originally run by the Victorian Ladies Work Association.
This historic location is now a popular eatery, so if you’re a lover of good food and fine tea, it’s definitely worth a trip to this quaint little cafe on the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd. The staff are friendly and the scones are to die for.
The place is also popular for a daily high tea at A$50 per person. The three-tier menu offers a range of different savoury selections and exquisite desserts.
It’s a very genteel place, with green-and-white Regency wallpaper and marble tables. However, the fine china has gone by the wayside, and sugar comes in paper packets.
Despite this, the tea is piping hot and delicious, and the cakes and scones are as good as any in Melbourne. They’ve won multiple gold medals at the Royal Fine Food Awards, so it’s well worth checking this out if you’re looking for a quality high tea experience.
The tea rooms are a great spot to visit with a group of friends or family. They’re a bit pricier than some of the other locations on this list, but it’s well worth it for the high tea experience.
