The Best Teahouses in Melbourne, Australia

Sydney Rd in Brunswick overflows with hipster coffee shops … but tea lovers shouldn’t fret, because this place has got you covered. Mary Eats Cake (formerly Impala and Peacock) carefully curates a menu of custom tea blends, sells a range of take-home packets, serves a scrumptious high tea (including vegan and gluten-free options), and hosts guided tea tastings and blending classes, too. There’s also a second location at the foot of Mount Dandenong, Montrose.

Established way back in 1892, the Hopetoun Tea Rooms have been brewing quality pots of tea in the ornate Block Arcade for more than a century and a quarter. This elegant venue is named after its founder — Lady Hopetoun — and retains the old-world charm of the 19th century through its Victorian era decor, providing a genteel setting for a cuppa and a delectable sweet treat.

This Chinese-style teahouse bridges the gap between ancient Oriental traditions and Melbourne’s contemporary dining scene, serving 60 different tea varieties alongside a finger-licking yum cha menu — we’re talking dumplings stuffed with chilli wagyu beef and even white chocolate. The Oriental Teahouse is a Melbourne institution, open seven days until late in two great locations: Chapel St in South Yarra plus Little Collins St in the city centre.

Storm in a Teacup isn’t a tea room per se, but this retail, ceremony and education business does run events out of the Botanical Store in Northcote, offering tastings of their range of specialty single origin and tea blends. Follow their website for upcoming events as well as a full list of the dozens of cafes in Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne where Storm in a Teacup blends are served.

Located on Level One of the National Gallery of Victoria International, this modern tea room isn’t your nana’s typical tea and scones. A team of talented pastry chefs create an inventive menu of eclairs, macarons, lamingtons, cakes and savoury dishes, each perfectly paired with an array of teas, including the house blend of chai as well as the classic English Breakfast.

For more than 150 years, the Tsujiri brand has been offering some of Japan’s best matcha tea — a finely ground powder of green tea leaves — and that ancient tradition is carried into the new millennium at this Swanston St teahouse. Experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at this inner-city establishment, which aims to spread Japan’s unique tea culture to Australia.

The friendly service at this Camberwell favourite makes it a good first stop for rookies who want to learn a little more about the tea scene, as well as hardcore tea lovers who want to burrow into the extensive selection on offer. Cuppa Cha ethically sources their product directly from farmers, focusing on high quality organic leaves for everyday, special and rare teas.