The Tea Rooms 1892

This place is a very cute quaint tea house, quite busy and does usually have a line, we went for brunch today around 11am, I ordered the French crepes which was nice the stewed fruits were nice and warm not too sweet not too sour, I also ordered the Vienna hot chocolate I requested extra hot but it arrived just warm, mum and hubby both had latte and flat white respectively. They ordered the bay of island eggs and croque madame they both enjoyed their meals and coffees. Overall good experience we also bought two Swiss rolls take away, the chocolate and the red velvet. We are yet to try them.

A Must-Do High Tea Experience in Melbourne Wow—what an experience! This is definitely a must-do when visiting Melbourne. From the moment you see the beautiful cake displays in the window, you can appreciate the charm and elegance of the Block Arcade and the rich history behind it. As soon as you walk in, you’re greeted with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The high tea was a true delight—generous, fresh, and full of flavour. And the scones? Absolutely perfect. Soft, fluffy, warm, and everything you’d want in a classic scone. The tea itself was fragrant and bursting with aroma, adding to the overall experience. The only slight letdown was the juice, which tasted more like a store-bought option rather than something freshly made. That said, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment. Despite arriving without a booking, the staff were incredibly accommodating and friendly. Service was prompt, and we were checked on regularly throughout our visit. Highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for a special treat in the heart of Melbourne!

We ordered the passion fruit cheesecake and new York cheesecake aswell as the club sandwich to share and it was BEAUTIFUL. Price was worth it for the quality, the service was lovely even thought they were busy, checking on us a couple times in our stay. My grandmother and I adorared the food and it was the perfect amount of sweet. Thankyou tea rooms we will definitely be returning on her next visit 🙂

Finally visited this tea room, always so popular with a line outside! The experience was fun, and enjoyable! Food was not bad but not the best afternoon tea I have had. Staff members were so lovely and helpful! It was very very packed inside though and was very loud.

We went there for High tea, and were impressed by the food, the atmosphere and the room itself. As a tea buff I had hoped for some more knowledge on the teas itself, especially the infusion time. All in all a great experience, and we were so satisfied that we bought a gift card so that our host can get the same experience.

The Tea Room 1892 – Block Arcade The Tea Room 1892 is all about the look — and it does look fantastic. The space is beautiful, elegant, and definitely gives off that "treat yourself" vibe. It’s the kind of place you’d take someone if you want to feel a little bit fancy for the afternoon. As for the food? Pretty much what you'd expect. The cakes all look great, but they're clearly the high-quality, bought-in-bulk kind — not homemade. You can tell they’re the type of cakes you’d find in premium catering or shipped to upscale venues. Nothing wrong with them, they just don’t have that fresh-baked charm. The sandwiches were the best part — actually pretty good. Just be aware they come with salads, so make sure you’re into that. No complaints about the food itself, it was all fine, just nothing that blew me away. Overall, it’s not a “yummy yummy” experience — it’s more about the atmosphere and feeling a bit posh. If that’s what you’re after, it delivers. If you’re chasing standout flavours or homemade treats, you might leave underwhelmed.

The teas are absolutely delicious, with a wide variety to choose from, and the desserts are simply delightful. A perfect spot if you’re looking for great flavors and a cozy experience. It’s a great place to stop by for a quick visit rather than staying too long, as the space is quite small.

I love the concept of The Tea Room 1892 the oldest tea room in Australia. Rina, the manager or supervisor was amazing — she was handling the business well & operating delegations of tasks with ease, she even gave us complimentary scones for being nicely patient as we wait to be seated. She was a true gem! People should realise how beautiful it is to be served with respect & for people working in a high traffic place. Other younger blonde server was not as qualified as Rina. I love the experience!

Terrible service. They don't seat us and separate us into different tables. We have children and please not going there. They changed owners and those new owners sucks

The only thing not to like is the exorbitant prices; $15.00 for a piece of cake is steep, even if it is a generous slice. But the pastries are beautiful and delicious. I got 3 things and all three were amazing. Usually just one, maybe two will be acceptable. I wish I had time to do the tea service! The location is beautiful too. Definitely recommend.

Super cute hidden gem. We weee seated almost immediately and helped quickly. The tea and the desserts were amazing. 10/10. Definitely needs to be advertised more. I'm glad we passed by and found it randomly!

As a visitor you must make this a stop ~ everything was delicious . Large selection of loose leaf teas served in individual tea pots so everyone gets the kind of their choice. Any choice of sweet treats will make you day, my vanilla slice was OUTTA SITE DELICIOUS

An old and grand old lady of a cafe. Originally a ladies tea room from the late 1800's, the tea room has lost none of its charm. Solid cafe menu. But the tea cakes! Dessert at breakfast! YUM. Lines out the door - get here early. I had Atlantic salmon with roe and poached eggs. My brekky dessert was passion fruit lemongrass cake. Perfect.

I've not been to a British style tea room before, but I had a lovely time at Hopetoun. We showed up at around 2:30pm and there was a line of about 15 people in front of us which gave us 30 minutes to admire the beautiful pastries in the front window. We intended to have tea and dessert, but we were pretty hungry so we had the Hunter's Platter and the Fish special which was fish and chips. The Hunter's Platter was pretty good - it consisted of a chicken liver pate with pastrami and cheese along with walnut bread. The fish and chips were excellent and very moist and flaky. With the preliminary meal out of the way, we proceeded to have dessert, which is what we came for. We had the mixed berry Frangipane and the chocolate tart along with Fiji and Earl Grey tea. Everything was quite excellent and tasted as good as they looked.

A charming little spot that's worth checking out just for the antique-y decorations and ambience! We stopped by for breakfast - I ordered the chorizo w/poached egg (the egg was cooked perfectly, but the rest of the dish was a little too overpowered by the sauce for my taste). The real standouts for me were the tea (we got a pot of the lemon myrtle ginger and it had that perfect fresh yet spicy kick to it) and of course the cake (we got a slice of the raspberry pistachio love, a deliciously sweet ending to the meal). Note that the cake options vary, so you just check out the window display and let your waiter know which one you want! Plus there may be specials so be sure to ask about those (there was a cute winter-themed cake with meringue snowman when we went). And as an fyi, there is a 1.2% surcharge when paying with card so something to keep in mind.

Lovely. No matter what time of day, you would seldom see this place without lines. Hopetoun Tea Rooms is one of Melbourne famous dessert place. Highly known for their opulent desserts with high end ensemble (which then came with high end pricing), but for those of you who appreciate the art of premium dessert combined with a regal ambiance in an old heritage setting, this is the one patisserie that you shouldn't skip. At Hopetoun, there is no written menu for their desserts, instead you picked out from the cake display window, which showcase various cakes with dazzling artistry. Gorgeous and sinfully delicious selections that made me momentarily giddy with choices. I went with the waitress's suggestion on the passion fruit cheesecake. It was pretty decent, probably best suited for those who enjoy a mix of sweet and tart dessert. The cream cheese was surprisingly light and great balance of sweetness and tartness. I love it. For my tea, I had the Snow White (Apple, white tea, hibiscus flowers, rosehip, mango), maybe my simple palate is not fancy enough as to me this tasted just like a regular hot tea, lol, but it was a great pair for the cake. The service was wonderful, our waitress was accommodating and was welcomely chatty with us. Overall, Hopetoun is like a royal tea Salon with class and elegance, a great place to enjoy your afternoon tea.

I love the british influence in australia...and u can't get more "english" than a great tea room! I had this place bookmarked just in case there was a chance we would be able to visit. While meandering through the block arcade as we were making our way back to our hotel, i came across this place, and fell in LOVE! loved the AMAZING window display of desserts....and even more so of the elegant chic decor of the tearoom itself. Who would've thought emerald green wallpaper would look so magnificent! We weren't able to have the traditional "afternoon tea" as you need to give them advanced notification, but we were able to come and have a delicious mango & banana creme brulee with tea. They have a great selection of teas and the ones we chose were delicious: the colonille (french vanilla and vietnamese black tea) and the cha cha chai. If you're a fan of all things british...come check this place out. They also serve a kick ass brunch and lunch menu, along with coffee! This place is quite popular so make sure to make reservations, or be prepared to stand in line.

Best cake in town. Nice interior and classy.. Very cozy place and easy to find. My son like vannila milkshake, not to sweet .

Had a tropical chicken salad followed by a sticky date pudding. The food could not be better, the only niggle about this place is the constant queue to get in.

The cakes are amazing, they have such a vast selection of cakes, tarts and cheesecakes, which are very well made. It is very pretty inside, it had a vintage design. Although staff were polite, it was worse than going to McDonald's they want you in but as soon as you are in, they want you out. As soon as we sat down we were asked what we wanted to drink without having time to look at the menu, as soon as we ordered our drinks and cakes they were there within 5 minutes, then as soon as you had finished your drink or cake the dishes were taken away from you. It was just very obvious that they wanted you in and out which was a shame because it wasn't cheap and it could have been such a great/unique experience. I would recommend getting take out so you don't have to be rushed.

We stumbled upon this adorable restaurant while wandering around Collins Street. Everything was so cute and tasty! Service was speedy. We waited about 10 minutes (on a weekday around lunchtime), and shared a pot of tea, some scones, and two cakes. The scones were amazing, slightly warm with clotted cream and fresh jam. The raspberry pistachio love cake was also phenomenal. The vanilla slice was solid - the pastry was hard to cut through but the the cream was good. We really enjoyed our visit and I'd love go as the food looked delicious too!

Cute quaint space with mouthwatering displays of cakes and other delicacies. That's where pretty and taste part ways. We had the carrot cake and the chocolate mystic. Both cakes were bland the carrot lacking the spiciness you expect and the frosting was just bland. Not cream cheese nor vanilla but some bland vanillish frosting. There is also no menu for the dessert. You have to look at the display caqse and figure out what you want which is slightly odd. The teas were good ESP the snow white but otherwise did not live up to the beautifully displayed Windows But kuddos to our server Susannah who noticed that we didn't seem very happy and left most of the desserts and asking forvfeedback

A quaint old world cafe with the most fabulous cakes. Even though we were early for lunch there was already a line at the cafe so be prepared to wait. It is not a big cafe and it is rather cramped but o so reminiscent of cafes in Europe. I wanted the signature pinwheel sandwich but it was sold out. In the end I had the crab salad and my son had the duck. Both very good. The chocolate gateaux for dessert was absolutely yummy. The service is excellent and staff very friendly. Will go back again perhaps for the high tea. #maneklady #manekeats #manektravels

Hopetoun's colorful, mouth-watering window display piled high with cakes and tarts is an immediate magnet to this centuries-old tearoom. The flavours are delicate but beware the prices (not displayed in the window) are steep - upwards of $9 per slice. It's a lovely experience that transports you back in time. Unfortunately our service was patchy - our order of scones never arrived despite us asking twice. (We were told the server was still training)

It's like you are in a dream when looking at the Hopetoun cake display at the front. Countless times walking past, I finally had a chance to nab a seat on an early Monday morning. The service was efficient but not particularly friendly, perhaps it is because my friend had a stroller (though the cafe was very empty). The food here is amazing though and I had a fluffy scone with jam and cream and she had a strawberry tart that was gobbled up by the toddler and herself as I sipped on a chai tea and they split a strawberry milkshake. I will be back next time and would love to try their high tea but you have to book months in advance so get onto it everyone!

Great little English tea-room hideaway in the heart of Melbourne. For someone who got an instant craving for scones with jam & cream this was a lifesaver. Prices were very decent, but you got what you paid for in terms of the size of the scones ($7 for 2 x small scones). Although normally busy, and with a small queue outside while we were eating, we walked straight through upon arrival. Service was fairly quick. Beautiful decor & noise level was perfect. It's quite a small room so tables & chairs are very close together, but not enough to be a huge issue.

Nice place for tea and pastries, but the wait to get seated was way tooooooo looooong

When in Rome, do what Romans... In this case, Melbourne. We saw a lot of places that offer high/afternoon tea and figured to try it out. I was excited to try this place but I thought it was going to be filled with tourists. To my surprise, it was filled with both locals and tourists alike. Tucked inside the Block Arcade, this place was small and only opens until 5pm. The wait wasn't too bad since you can look at their window display filled with desserts... so many yummy goodies to choose from! I got their croissant sandwich (we had a late lunch), green tea and their dessert special which was some type of chocolate mousse. Needless to say, I was one happy camper. Although this place was a bit pricey, it wasn't as expensive as others I've seen - for 2 lunches, 2 teas and 2 desserts, our total came out to be about $60. Just be prepared to wait in line.

Cutest little tea room with Alice in Wonderland type wallpaper and chandeliers. We didn't wait in line for long and then when we were seated, the staff were lovely and the cakes and tea, delicious. A bit crowded but you manage and soon forget once all the tasty cakes and tea comes out. Try the Ruby Sippers tea, mmm. Definitely a must visit in the Block Arcade :)

After spending most of the morning on a tour bus, hubs and I were looking for a spot to grab a mid afternoon snack, and remembered walking by this place a few days earlier. We didn't make a reservation in advance, so high tea was out of the question, so we settled for a pot of tea for two and a slice of strawberry sponge cake for me, and a raspberry pistachio cheesecake. Everything was amazing, including the ambience, and the eternally long line of people waiting to get in speaks to what a nice spot this is. Highly recommended!

A beautiful tea room in the centre of Melbourne! There can be a queue to wait in, however I was by myself today and was seated almost immediately. Service was wonderful - there was always someone nearby and the staff were attentive without being intruding. I had the mango-passionfruit creme brûlée, which was served with ice cream and pears. The caramel was beautifully crisp and the base custard creamy and with raspberries which blended perfectly. There is a reason this place is packed - they provide a high-quality service from beginning to end.

The wallpaper, the cake display and the sheer decadence of this place will instantly draw you in but there's something not quite right about lining up for tea rooms or paying $6 for tea but sometimes you've just got to treat yo'self to a tiny $11 tart. It's definitely a little pricey here but everything is just beautiful and you'll feel a bit posh. It's a great idea for brunch or high tea with the girls but there's not much room inside and they will bring you the bill as soon as they see you've taken the last mouthful of your cake so they can seat some new customers. Try the Hopetoun Tea Rooms for something a little special but if you're after a long winded catch up you'll have to take it outside.

Ok whether for afternoon tea (high tea) or just for lunch or breakfast you will be enthralled. Your tea senses will resonate your stomach will roar with the wait of delicacies and hot tea. Yummy. You must have a booking for high tea all other eating options you wait in the queue. Which can be 20 minutes long. (However from 9-1130 it's no wait. After that line goes all out into the street). It's a tiny tradition in a lovely setting at the Block Arcade off Collins Street. Don't pass by... the block arcade is a gem. Hopetoun Tea... amazing!! Do stop to have a spot of tea and a baked sweet ok?

After walking past a few times in the last couple of days we eventually walked in at about 4.30 on a Sunday afternoon. Just got in as they close at 5pm. I was there with a coffee bitch and he was so impressed that he asked about the beans. My tea, Cha Cha Chai was delicious, but it came quite a while after we'd finished our cakes! My fig creation was wonderful as I prefer something not too sweet or sticky. Yes, the decor is a tad magical and the service was attentive, apart from the tedium of the tea. Not cheap, but it was chic!

It's always packed here! The cake window looks sensational - so I can see why. We were in a hurry so thought we would grab something to takeaway. We got vanilla slice. It was quite exxy at $8 or $9 for a very small piece. I did enjoy it - the custard was lovely! I do prefer a flakier pastry however. Would go back to try some other desserts as they look delicious.

I spotted the long queue and thought to myself it must be a good dessert place. So why not give it a try. After 30min, I was promptly seated by the espresso machine. Service was great! They made sure my food arrived at a timely manner and the wait staff were friendly and attentive. I ordered their catch of the day: pan seared snapper with spinach, potato, topped with pomegranate. Presentation was nicely plated but the fish was a bit overcooked. For dessert, I had the passionfruit tart...delish! Their flat white was also good.

I absolutely love the window display here, it is so amazing and delicious looking. I was so devastated the last time I walked past here just after closing time so I couldn't get anything. Then the next time I was in Melbourne, it was closed for renovation. So was looking forward to trying this place out the next time I was in Melbourne for university. So I tried to book for afternoon tea here 3 months in advance, and the place was booked out! So got 3 cakes instead. Cost over $30, so a little more than $10 per slice of cake. Not cheap, but quite delicious. I got: Ricotta and Blueberry (gluten free), good dense cake and not too sweet. Raspberry Mousse cake, smooth tasting Chocolate Marquis, white nice as well Will definitely come back here if I'm next in Melbourne.

If you're a tech savvy grandmother and reading this review today is your lucky day. Unless of course you already know about the Hopetoun Tea Rooms then your lucky day was the day you found out about it the first time. Set in the iconic Block Arcade, the Hopetoun Tea Rooms will satisfy any craving that you might have on any given day. I don't recommend that you have a look at the window display unless you want to risk raising your cholesterol levels for a slice of heaven. I can never go past the vanilla slice, it is one of the best in town.

The Hopetoun Tea Rooms are a sight to behold. Found in the beautifully maintained Block Arcade, complete with glass ceiling and mosaic surfaces, the tea room catches you off guard. The inside partially hidden by the light on the window, so you may not notice the magic until you are straight across from in. The wallpaper calls out to you - all dark leafy greens that map out the assumed safety and comfort inside. And this is after all a tea room, so what else do you come for but tea and scones! Not just the one, the cake menu strays into cakes and tarts of several varieties, and for those after something more substantial, the breakfast and lunch menus offer heartier salads and bread bits. The staff are wonderful and keep up the sophisticated vibe the place carries. And this is one of the few places in Melbourne City where you can come for High Tea on a Sunday. Layer trays stacked elegantly with mini treats and more. This is definitely something to try at least once, but also be aware of the tourist pull of the place. You may find yourself surrounded by out-of-towners.

Oooh to have tea makes me feel like such a lady! It may not be an English garden, or buckingham palace but this quaint little tea room makes me want to use words like quaint.... For $49 high tea includes Scones with jam and cream, and a 3 tiered cake holder thingy with little cakes fruits and sandwiches. And of course the tea!The food is absolutely delicious, and the service is great. The place is always filled with ladies of different ages, gossiping away. The atmosphere is always fun and lively, and is a fun and different thing to do with your girlfriends ( or guys, if they are into it!). The green leaf wall paper doesnt really make it feel like you are outside, but it still works and makes the room feel cozy and intimate. I would highly recommend you try it. And of course, bring your table manners!

Heard a lot about this place before I went. The atmosphere was charming but the service left a little to be desired. The tea was nice but the food and pastry were a little underwhelming after all the hype.

We went for breakfast. The food was excellent, the staff were friendly and very competent. The choice of music resulted in a calm and relaxing ambience. We cannot rate our experience highly enough. If you get the chance, make time for a visit. If going on a weekend, get there early or be prepared to stand in line to wait for a table. Oh so worth it!!

A great place to spoil yourself (and others). We booked online a couple of months ago so didn't have to queue up outside like many others. The tiered stand of sandwiches, quiches, sweet treats and fruit was delicious and looked as good as it tasted. Then came the yummy scones!! You won't need to eat for the next day or two!! High tea with two drinks (juices, tea, coffee etc) was $50ph

Nice place with friendly staff and awesome cakes. Much nicer than your run of the mill Coffee Club or Michelle's. Often a line out the front to get in (says it all really) but it seems to move a long quickly.

This place was amazing from the time you walked in till the time you walked out. We were there for the high tea and we were not disappointed. We had reservations for 10 AM and we're promptly seated. Very friendly staff greeted us at the front door. The mini sandwiches were creative and tasteful. Desserts were over the top. A wide variety of Tea was available. This is definitely a must stop place when you're in Melbourne

A Decadent tea spot fit for a king or queen hehe! It reminds me of the tea rooms back in England (Betty's of Yorkshire types). Lots of teas and cakes to choose from all in the setting of a traditional tea room. Don't be put off if there is a queue outside- there's a high turnover and it's worth the wait!

One of the greatest deserts in Melbourne! But I just prefer to take them away and find a more comfortable place to eat.

A lovely little place.. but with a constant line of people waiting to get in. The cakes in the window are the subject of 6 tourist photographs per minute. So when you do wait in line you are in a ton of pictures. Not great for most peoples 'waiting face'. Once you do get in, the tables are far too close together. The tables are also ridiculously small. If you go as a couple and each order a pot of tea, you might end up wearing it. One reason to go back is the Club Sandwich. It's good. It reminds me strangely of a Big Mac in flavour. I couldn't eat a whole one as it gets a bit sickly after two small triangles. Most of the food is a little bit on the 'too rich' side when it comes to cheeses and sauces. I would still check it out if you're in the CBD and looking for something a little different. Definitely not for a group or a lunch meeting though.

Nice atmosphere, cool walls and ceiling, lovely cake display, but... -Overpriced: I paid about $30 for two teas and two slices of cake for myself and a friend...poor value for money to say the least, when I've definitely had better quality cake elsewhere. They're definitely trading on their name above all. -Crowded: the tables are quite close together, there's always a queue, and always lots of people in what is actually quite a small space. In summary - go at least once just to tick it off your bucket list, but for your next cake indulgence, consider going somewhere else with higher quality food and service and a better value ratio.

I went to Melbourne for a week and did not have the foresight to book at Hopetoun Tea Rooms. And because I am a late riser on holidays, by the time we were galavanting in the CBD the queue for this place was ridiculous. I was heartbroken. I am about as snobbish about tea as you can get and absolutely love to hit up the different tea rooms. Despondent, we turned away. It was on the fourth try at 10am Sunday morning that I thought I'd take a chance. The Tea Gods smiled as we were seated right away and dived into the menu. Bard's Tempest, Snow White, Madamoiselle Grey...there were so many different fusions and combinations. I went with the Bard's Tempest -purely for the name. When it came it was you basic run of the mill English Breakfast but quite a bit stronger. The scones were fresh and delicious and the staff were just so lovely. If I had more room in my already packed to the limit bag I would have bought about 4 different types of tea - but I stuck with Bard's Tempest. I'm so glad we got to go here, but next time I'll be booking for the whole High Tea experience!

Hopetoun is perhaps the nicest looking tea room in the heart of the CBD with a gorgeous display of mouth-watering cakes and tarts. The place is filled with tourist, and the interior is reminiscence of a old Victorian room. My friend and I waited for 30mins to get a table that was probably too close to the next one. Even though the wait was long, the service was not! All of the staff were extremely helpful in taking our orders before claustrophobia started kicking in. . Unfortunately, the nice looking cakes looked better than they tasted. Now that this is off my bucket list, I might only come back if I have a guest from out of town. Note: The kitchen closes after 4pm.

Great little English tea rooms. The window display of cakes are enough to make anyone start drooling at the mouth but the real magic comes from those pots of tea. Try the Snow White which has hints of rose and vanilla! The cake looks amazing and for the most part tastes amazing too. It's worth bringing a group so you can treat yourself to trying everyone else's cake as well as your own. I really enjoyed the sticky date pudding thought the white chocolate cheese cake was ok too - maybe a little too dry and rich. Whoever decorates those cakes does a fantastic job!

Hopetoun Tea Rooms draws you in with the amazing decor. The atmosphere could not be better and their massive window display of cakes never fail to attract the attention. There's very often a queue, but I have to say that the quality of their amazing looking cakes have been quite disappointing. Dry and dusty, looks good but taste meh. And the prices are a little ridiculous given the quality of the cakes. The tables are closed together and you feel like you are one of the many sardines in a can. As a result, the noise level is incredible with people rising their voices ever so slightly to be able to be heard. I hardly ever go there now. There's better places around the city without having to queue!

Brunch is special and taste good. Fish n chips is unlike other normal fast food. The fish is juicy and fresh. Salmon is special, love scrambled egg, mushrooms and asparagus.

Where to start? Firstly, if you don't want to wait in line, get here just before lunch for a quick sit down. Late afternoon is also pretty chockers. As for once you're inside, the place is set up quite nicely and while rather small is quite cosy. Came here twice over the weekend for cake and was not disappointed. I suggest getting a few between friends and sharing just to try as many things as you can. As for what we ate, we tried the chocolate mousse cake, passionfruit tart, mixed berry cheesecake, chocolate tart, berry mousse cake, apple and blueberry crumble and the vanilla slice. All were absolutely lovely!!!! Favourite has to be the passionfruit tart however. As for the teas, a good range which you can also buy to take home. Try the Snow White if you are a fan of fruity teas - light and refreshing.

I must say I was a bit disappointed. After waiting in queue for a long time, we had to also wait for ages for the food to arrive. When the food finally came it was pretty good, however it was nothing exeptional. The truth is that I have eaten much better and for a fraction of the price at other cake shops. The window presentation however, was amazing. I could eat it all with my eyes.

Always stop here in Melbourne for coffee and cake. Always fabulous. Always a line up.