Category: Melbourne

I always try to pack a traditional afternoon tea into the itinerary if we are travelling to one of the Commonwealth countries. For our annual family trip to Australia, we decided to pay a visit to the Hopetoun Tea Rooms Melbourne – one of the oldest establishments of the Melbourne tea scene. The tea room has been operating within the Block Arcade since 1891 when its owners secured the space at 18 pounds. Given its popularity, we reserved and paid for the afternoon tea a few weeks in advance.

Finding Hopetoun Tea Rooms Melbourne within the mall was pretty easy. There was already a line when we got there and loads of pastry lovers were admiring the delicious window display of cakes, tarts and muffin assortments. We were so glad that we made the reservation way in advance else the queue will take up quite a while.

As requested, we were ushered to a cosy table by a quiet corner which overlooks the entire seating area. The interiors were tastefully adorned with a rather dramatic Victorian wallpaper. The interiors were well-utilised with lanes that were just right for walking. We were glad most of their patrons were considerate with their conversation volume.

Once we were seated, glasses of water with slices of strawberry, kiwi, orange and lemon were served and

we were offered a wide variety of traditional English teas, herbal infusions as well as newer blends of more exotic flavours and scents. While waiting for our tea to arrive, here’s more details on the tea room’s history. The tea rooms were first run by the Victorian Ladies Work Association and named after their founder Lady Hopetoun, wife of former Victorian Governor and Australian Governor-General Lord Hopetoun. It was a fashionable spot for ladies to take lunch or afternoon tea and the tea room has retained most of the traditions with a refined ambience, beautiful teaware, great service and an impressive array of food.

It did not take long for our afternoon tea arrived. At AUD$65 per person, the tea offered quite an extensive spread. Served on a three-tier cake stand, the bottom tier is full of savoury selections, followed by the sweet bites in the middle tier and last but least the fruits platter right at the top.

With our hotel along Little Bourke Street, Higher Ground Melbourne was naturally our first port of call for an amazing brunch and of course, our caffeine fix after our flight from Singapore. They do have certain requirements for reservations which we, unfortunately, did not make the cut. If possible, always try to make reservations before heading over. We waiting at its outdoor waiting area for around 20 minutes before landing a table. Thank god, we had wifi to keep us entertained and a cup of hot coffee to tide us over.

Higher Ground Melbourne – The Interiors

Converted from a heritage-listed 19th-century power station, the cafe boasts of a chic industrial vibe with its exposed brick walls and clever use of natural lighting.

It is not easy to capture the entire cafe in a shot because of its extensive space and a 15-metre high ceiling. The staff are energetic and moves at a rather fast pace due to the high volume of tables turnover but they are polite and offers ample time for you to make your decision on the menu.

This is the view from the higher levels. Can you spot Mom in red at the lower decks?

Once our orders are taken, this semi-open kitchen is where the magic happens!

Higher Ground Melbourne – The Food

First to arrive was our Mom’s Slow-cooked Tasmanian Salmon with Poached Eggs, Chat Potatoes, Beetroot Puree and Shaved Fennel (AUD$28.50). Fish dishes are always safe for Mom. She adore the freshness of the salmon and the creative blend of ingredients. 

Next to be served was my Brother’s Minced Lamb Fry Up With Mso Eggplant, Fried Eggs, Barberries, Smoked Yogurt, Pinenut Dukkah Over Sour Dough (AUD$24). This could be a hit or miss dish but we were glad the gamy taste of the lamb did not surface.

Last but not least, I got the most instagrammable dish of all – The Ricotta Hotcake With Maple Syrub, Seeds & Grains, Cream, Seasonable Fruits and Flowers (AUD$24). I loved the fluffy pancakes coupled with a crunch with each delicious bite but that sentiment did not last very long. The portion is huge and after a while, the taste and texture kind of gets repetitive. Recommend to order it as a sharing dish between a group of friends.   

Overall, we enjoyed our first meal at Melbourne. The city has an amazing cafe culture and they are really proud of their coffee. After sampling Higher Ground and other coffee joints around the city, I am proud to say that Singapore coffee standards are equally good (if not better). Melburnians should come and try our coffee too!