Indulge in the Sheraton Grand Mirage’s new Lillet high tea.
Indulge in the Sheraton Grand Mirage’s new Lillet high tea.
Pull out your floatiest frocks and breeziest linen ensembles – Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast is set to bloom into a haven of summer delights with the launch of their Lillet Summer Garden High Tea. You are cordially invited to ditch the heat and dive into a high tea experience that’s as luxe, as it is delightful!
From 12 – 4 pm daily, Pearls Bar transforms into a culinary haven, serving up an exquisite selection of treats that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance. Sip on the bubbly goodness of Lillet Blanc cocktails, sink your teeth into cream topped scones that are basically clouds of delight, and munch on pint-sized egg sandwiches.
Adults and children alike are in for a treat as the Lillet Summer Garden High Tea promises a sensory feast inspired by the lazy, sun-soaked days. Whether you’re after a leisurely afternoon catch up with friends or a delightful holiday activity with the family. The pool-studded surroundings of Pearls Bar offer an idyllic setting to unwind and enjoy specially curated summer garden-inspired bites.
Enjoy leisurely sips, starting with a glass of crisp sparkling wine or dive into bottomless freshly brewed coffee and herbal French teas. Feeling extra fancy? Upgrade your beverage to a Lillet Spritz for the ultimate taste of summer. It’s a zesty concoction of citrusy goodness, aperitif wine, and summer fruits, all served over ice. We promise, it’s worth it.
Along with the beverages, the selection of bite-sized morsels have been reimagined to suit the season – delivering decadence in spades. Revel in the refreshing duo of summery salads – Watermelon, feta and champagne infused salad, and Chicken, candied walnut and apple. To further sate your savoury cravings with` chilled canapés of Crab and chive mayonnaise stuffed brioche, and Garden pea and Goats cheese tarts.
More of a sweet tooth? To round out the pint-sized spread, peck your way through the tangy and tantalising sweet selection (and perhaps just one more coffee – we wouldn’t want the barista getting bored on our watch), including the Lillet Rose Sponge Tower, Raspberry Tart, Summer Glazed Orange and assorted macarons. Of course, no high tea is complete without the homemade vanilla scones, served with raspberry jam and vanilla clotted cream.
And fear not, young connoisseurs are in for an adventure of their own. The Lillet Summer Garden High Tea has thoughtfully crafted an IRL tea party experience for the little ones. Little ones aged 5-12 are warmly welcomed to engage their creative spirits with a special cupcake decorating activity and a tropical house-made iced tea. Cute!
You can experience the Lillet Summer Garden High Tea daily at Pearls Bar from 12:00–4:00pm, December 1 to February 29. Cost is $37 per child, or $74 per adult (minimum two people) including a glass of sparkling wine plus unlimited tea and coffee, with the Lillet spritz upgrade a steal at an extra $10. Bookings here.
So this summer, skip the ordinary and treat yourself in the most delicious of ways, and get a wee bit fancy instead.
Where: Pearls Bar, Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, 71 Seaworld Dr, Main Beach
When: 12:00–4:00pm, December 1 to February 29
Words by Kellie Leader.
STORY SPONSORED BY SHERATON GRAND MIRAGE RESORT
Sweet dreams are made of (high) teas.
Undoubtedly, one of life’s greatest pleasures is sitting in front of a multi-tiered tray, delicately filled with morish bite-size eats and paired with a cuppa. Or bubbles. Okay both.
And just when you thought high tea couldn’t get any fancier, a lot of places are now serving up seasonal theming with their tiers- think themed décor, seasonally adapted ingredients, and a twist on the classics. It’s high tea with a seasonal spin, and we’re absolutely here for it.
In all honest-tea, here are 13 of the best high tea haunts on the Coast, listed north to south. Bake a leg and get bready to tick them off your must-visit list, one by one. And go!
Following a multi-million dollar refurb, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort is looking better than ever, as is the ever-elegant High Tea menu, hosted in Cove Cafe from 1–4pm every Saturday and Sunday. Elevate your weekend with decadent morsels such as slow-cooked 12-hour Beef Cheek with a Chimmi Churri Doughnut and Milk Chocolate, Hazelnut, Disaronno Amaretto Layer Cake.
Plus, since they also have the bragging rights as the first hotel to feature globally renowned Tea Forté teas, you can rest assured you’ll be treated like royal-tea, starting with a welcome of Tea Forté-infused towel and palate-cleansing iced tea piccolo from your host. You can also upgrade your tea time to include their signature ‘Pear-tea-ni’ cocktail, NV Jansz Premium Cuvee or NV Miguel Torres ‘Santa Digna – Estelado’ Pais Sparkling Rose, with more options to choose from! Prices start at $69 per person.
Where: Cove Cafe, InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Manor Circle, Sanctuary Cove
Have you tried a Middle Eastern high tea yet, and if you’re shaking your noggin, we’re about to open up a whole new world of d-lish. Boasting exotic sweet and savoury bites a-plenty, it will become your new normal to meet your mates here. Tuck into three tiers brimming with treats such as Orange Blossom Cheesecake and Halloumi and Eggplant Skewers, with unlimited barista-made coffee and tea, and a sparkling wine or mocktail on arrival. $65 pp, minimum of four people.
Where: 18/10 Santa Barbara Road, Hope Island
This eclectic fave with warm mood lighting for days is known for its rotating seasonal high teas. From now until May 31, they invite us all to celebrate the ethereal hues of a Gold Coast sunrise with their Golden Aurora High Tea. The limited-time high tea, served daily from 12–4pm, is a tribute to our fave time of day- golden hour! The warm glow of sunrise will come to life in every dish, from the Smoked Salmon with Citrus Cream, Cucumber and Onion Pickle on Rye, the Lemon Meringue Choux Craquelin and Passionfruit & Gold Leaf Sponge.
It all gets better with a Gilded Spritz– a radiant cocktail featuring gin, Angostura bitters, lemon, honey, and organic prosecco, elegantly garnished with a golden rim and raspberries dipped in edible gold dust. $79 per adult or $39 per child (aged 5-12 years), which includes a glass one Gilded Spritz cocktail (over 18 only) and unlimited Tavalon tea and coffee.
Where: Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
The Imperial Hotel, Seaworld Drive’s HQ of luxury, might be sporting a fresh new name – but thankfully, they’re serving up that same fabulous Couture High Tea experience we know and love. Bringing a fashionable culinary experience to the perennial classic – you’ll feel very high socie-tea indeed, sipping bubbles surrounded by the sparkling crystal chandelier and grand vaulted ceilings.
There are two high tea options (fancy and fancier) – depending on how boujee you’re feeling. You have the Couture High Tea with all the embellishments for $69 per person. You begin with Buttermilk Scones with English Breakfast spiked Sultanas, White chocolate and treacle, served alongside Double Thick vanilla-bean cream and House-made Preserve– just to give you an indication as to where tea is going (somewhere marvellous, that’s where). Or for a slightly less extravagant experience (that doesn’t skimp on the delish factor), there are also four curated mini-spreads to pick from (think Devonshire tea) starting from $25 per person.
Where: Imperial Hotel, Seaworld Drive, Main Beach
Located in the luxurious JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa, high tea at Chapter & Verse is an unmissable resort tradition created by their esteemed culinary team. Using local ingredients, this team take their high tea business seriously – sharing that each homemade morsel is inspired by the echo of birds in the resort’s peaceful and tranquil surrounds. So excuse us as we channel our inner seagull and duke it out over the likes of JW lavender, honey, white chocolate chip scones with fig and peach jam and fresh cream and Lobster crumpet with citrus aioli… we kid, of course – only our best etiquette for a classy establishment like the Marriott. There’s also a cute mini-me version for the little ones, Teeny Tiny Tea for $39 per child. Prices start from $79 per adult.
Where: 158 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Tucked peacefully a stone’s throw from the Budds Beach waterfront, Surfers stalwart Bumbles has long been a beloved spot to meet for coffee and some grazing action (and now cocktails – thanks to neighbouring big sis sip spot, Blue House #squee).
Inside the most charming little cafe in 4217 (and perhaps, the entire coast), there’s a mix of themed private rooms that branch off the main space – so it figures that it also makes a particularly spesh spot for a fanciful high tea soiree. Acquaint yourself with the divinely appointed Library (or luxurious Hamptons room, perhaps) and tuck into a spread of smoked salmon blinis, pint-sized quiches, fruit tarts and tea sandwiches. Bookings for the “regular” high tea (a misnomer if ever we’ve heard one) come in at $50 per person, with dietary and bubbles options also available. La-de-dah indeed.
Where: 19 River Drive, Surfers Paradise
This is no ordinary high tea! … well, okay, technically speaking, they do offer an ‘Ordinary’ High Tea option, but since you know QT Gold Coast is all about infusing the unexpected into everything they do – trust us when we say it’s anything but. The variety of pinky-popping menus also includes a champas-studded Extraordinary High Tea experience, a Man Tea for a more savoury take and a mini spread for your little Q’Ties for $39 per child.
Here, the typical savoury tea fare has been treated to a tapas-style twist, such as Spiced Tempura Cauliflower and Smoked Salmon and Cucumber Poppers to excite the taste buds – so, move over cucumber sandwich, you culinary snooze-fest you (there, we said it). And don’t get us started on the Caramello chiffon and Mini Pavlova. Prices start at $69 per adult with a variety of boozy upgrade options, such as jugs of Aperol Spritz and Pink Gin Spritz to really enhance your experience.
Where: QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
A pretty little gem nestled just inside the lobby of Hilton Surfers Paradise, Ms Margot’s certainly knows a thing or two about being boujee. Along with serving up superb sips and all-day bites, the signature High Tea spread is available from 11:30–3:00 daily for whenever the urge for a lavish light lunch hits. Gather your gal and/or guy pals for a glam #SATC style rendezvous, and spill the tea over Roast Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin, Slaw and Kewpie mayo, Gelato Bon Bon, and, of course, Freshly Baked Scones with Dollop Cream, Blackberry Jam and Berries (plus more). The Signature High Tea comes in at $49pp with an optional upgrade to bottomless Mimosas or Sparkling Wine for an extra $25pp- very Carrie approved!
Where: Hilton Surfers Paradise, 6 Orchid Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Every Sunday, locals and visitors alike flock to HOTA not just for their arty fix or a spot of market browsing, but to tuck into a delightful High Tea. Served in the critically acclaimed and ever-popular Palette restaurant, superstar Executive Chef Dayan Hartill-Law has curated the ultimate high tea experience. A couple of highlights are the Glazed ham with wattle mustard, smoked cheddar and pickle, the Coronation chicken and the Caramel pecan millionaires shortbread. Divine! Prices start at $70 per adult with bubbly upgrades available.
Where: HOTA Gallery, 135 Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
With its pavilion backdrop, lush gardens, and tranquil setting, this centrally located secluded oasis is the home of high tea. Not only high tea, though! They also have High Cheese! What’s High Cheese, you ask? It’s basically a tour through cheese land with 8 decadent dishes and a wine in hand. Say less! Stop one- champagne poached pear with gorgonzola. Stop two- house specialty carrot cake with cream cheese, and so on. That dairy dream boat is $85pp.
They also have a French Inspired high Tea- think Spinach Choux with Creamed Eggs and French Apple Tart Tatin for $68pp. Also, a Vegan High Tea for $78pp, a Gluten Free High Tea for $78pp and a Junior High Tea (babycinos included!) for $39 per child. No one misses out!
Where: 8/6 Ashmore Road, Bundall
Okay, so technically this one is officially called an Afternoon Tea, but when it comes to sumptuously snacking our way through bite-sized helpings of Opera cake made with coffee, almond and 54% dark chocolate Callebaut and tarts of crispy prosciutto, mushroom, truffle mousse, and fried quail egg.
In a British nod to its namesake at The Langham, London, where traditional English afternoon tea was served over 150 years ago, the stunning Palm Court restaurant inside the hotel pays tribute to its heritage. Serving a bespoke offering of the traditional Afternoon Tea crafted by culinary experts, it’s time to start practising your tea drinking etiquette (no pinky!). Prices start from $95 per person.
Where: 38 Old Burleigh Road, Surfers Paradise
Nestled in leafy Mudgeeraba, the stunningly decorated and truly breathtaking Bon Appetea Teahouse exudes French charm and traditional elegance. Popular for bridal showers, baby showers, birthdays and basically any event you can think of, their Luxe High Tea is the definition of decadence. Think buttermilk scones with homemade jam and cream and a selection of petite patisseries, organic sandwiches and savoury bites. Oh and if you’re on the hunt for a truly beautiful, quaint, spot to tie the knot, this one’s a keeper. $55 per adult.
Where: 7 Johns Road, Mudgeeraba
It was only a matter of time before the Gold Coast’s fav boujee bakery and brunch spot threw their hat into the High Tea ring. Thank god they did, because now we have a gorgeous tea garden to drink tea and coffee and nibble on cakes, scones, and sweet treats amongst greenery. Could we ask for more? No, but they delivered more. Starting with Tiramisu Coffee, Traditional French Hot Chocolate (AKA a teapot of liquid chocolate), fresh-baked scones, mini pastries, ceremonial-grade matcha, batch-brew coffee and cloud drinks. My goodness! Walk-ins welcome or book ahead.
Where: 2 Thrower Dr, Currumbin
Words by Kellie Leader and Chelsea Ipsen
Indulge, relax, repeat at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort.
The Northern Gold Coast officially has a brand-new chic Lagoon Beach Club now open at InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove.
This $2.5 million masterpiece is the first of its kind on the GC, set to elevate its already iconic surrounds to unparalleled heights of coastal indulgence and style.
The epitome of chillaxation, get ready to bask in the breathtaking view of the resort’s stunning one-acre Lagoon Beach Pool where laid-back leisure, contemporary design, and summer fun collide. After four months of extensive renovations, you can safely cancel your Euro summer vacay, because the Euro vacay (with a quintessential GC glow up) has come to us!
Best of all, it’s not just for InterContinental guests or Sanctuary Cove residents, it’s for everyone to enjoy – and enjoy we will! Perfect for a balmy GC arvo with friends or a taste of the good life with the fam in tow, it has people talking for all the right reasons from laid-back locals to vibrance-seeking visitors.
So just what can we expect from this game-changing summery stunner? An expansive deck for events and dining – check. Direct access from the marina to the resort – double check. Three cabanas and double day beds for ultimate relaxation? Yes, they’ve got that covered too.
Watch the day unfold from under the comfort of a pool deck umbrella or the shade of a nearby palm tree, and it would be remiss of us not to mention the fresh new menu offering seafood galore, share plates, gourmet pizzas, and casual poolside fare. Wash your meal down with an extensive drinks selection showcasing a tropical holiday in a glass, including expertly crafted cocktails, wines, beers, spirits, mocktails and other non-alcoholic drinks (because someone has to drive).
We suggest a Bucket of Whole Mooloolaba Prawns accompanied by a zesty seafood sauce and fresh lemon #ShrimplyDelicious. Not a seafood fan? No worries, how about a sharing platter and we can’t go past the Fromage Extravaganza with Kingfisher double cream brie, Maffra matured cheddar and King Island blue, paired with homemade lavosh, muscatels, chutney, dried fruits, and crackers.
If you’re after a small bite, tuck into Smokey Pulled Pork Soft Shell Tacos, three tantalizing tacos with slaw, guacamole, and sriracha mayo. There are also refreshing salads, larger meals, sides, a kid’s menu, and as per our teaser, five gastronomically gratifying pizzas. Try them all but in our humble opinion, you ‘knead’ to order the Spicy Chorizo and Wood-fired Capsicum with black olives, ricotta and spinach.
Our beverage vote goes to the Chilli Sunset house cocktail, with White Oat mango chilli gin (#supportlocal), Aperol, pineapple juice, and passionfruit pulp. Feel like sharing and if so, who can go past a Pimms Jug (not us), with Pimm’s, strawberries, mint, lime, lemon, orange, and ginger ale.
How about a healthy helping of live tunes and yes, InterContinental has that covered. Live music, DJ sessions, and even some Malfy Gin magic are all part of the plan to woo us, and mission accomplished – we are officially wooed.
And here’s the kicker – if you’d like to enjoy the lagoon pool and fabulous facilities, you can purchase a Resort Pass for just $30 per person (limited availability so book ahead). Summer hangs sorted!
For more information or to book your Resort Pass, go here.
Where: InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort, Sanctuary Cove, Manor Circle, Hope Island
When: 10am – 5pm Sunday to Thursday. 10am – 9pm Friday & Saturday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
STORY SPONSORED BY INTERCONTINENTAL SANCTUARY COVE RESORT
