This grand dame overlooking the Yarra delivers the perfect afternoon tea to pair with its endless marble, chandeliers and fountains. Specialty teas from Ronnefeldt are served in Wedgwood china made exclusively for the hotel, while miniaturised treats from the kitchen include egg and avocado sandwiches (crustless, of course) and chorizo and sweet corn arancini flying the flag for savoury; with blackberry vincotto macarons and vanilla and raisin scones for the sweet life. Two-hour sessions are held daily, and you can also induct the kids into the ritual with a special menu for under-12s replete with fairy bread, cookies and cupcakes. 1 Southgate Ave, Southbank | langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/melbourne

This high-tea specialist certainly knows its way around towering tiers of cakes and scones, whether at its English-styled country tearooms in the Dandenong Ranges town of Montrose or at the character-filled ‘gritty glam’ shopfront on Brunswick’s Sydney Road. If you’re packing a bottomless appetite, sign up for one of Mary’s packages with unlimited scones with jam and cream (and those with dietaries rejoice over the specialty vegan and gluten-free high teas). So what does Mary eat with her cake? Salmon and spinach quiche, dainty chicken and leek pies and strawberry mille-feuille. Sounds like all the food groups are covered, then. maryeatscake.com.au

Enjoy a slice of history at the site of Melbourne’s very first afternoon tea. Served daily since 1883, it’s clocked up more than two million customers and countless more scones in the process. The majestic dining room of the hotel’s One Eleven restaurant sets a fine scene with white linen tablecloths, fine bone china and baronial chandeliers. The tiered silver stands are another elegant sight with their ribbon sandwiches and sweet and savoury pastries. Toast to indulgence with Champagne and 11 types of freshly brewed tea and enjoy the scone service. On weekends, tea goes buffet-style, with a chocolate fountain. 111 Spring St, Melbourne | thehotelwindsor.com.au/afternoon-tea

If views are your thing, Melbourne’s luxe five-star hotel offers a sky-high afternoon tea that doesn’t disappoint. Served in the Ritz-Carlton’s 80th floor Lobby Lounge overlooking the CBD and Docklands, this spectacular arvo tea service rises to the occasion. Bijou treats like heirloom tomato tart with lemon and burrata, beef tenderloin tartare tartlets dabbed with Oscietra caviar and jasmine tea mousse with white peach jelly bring their own attractions to the just-baked scones served with a trio of raspberry jam, vanilla Chantilly cream and honey- and lavender-infused butter. Just add a glass of sparkling and toast to the high life. 650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne | theritzcarltonloungemelbourne.com/

Collingwood’s upwardly mobile transformation reaches its apotheosis at Mámor. The self-described ‘high tea salon’ is an Old-World vision of red walls and velvet drapes, gilt-framed chairs and an air of excess. It’s the perfect setting for a high tea as simple (and affordable) as bottomless scones with jam and cream and a pot of tea – or go all out with the selection of dainty pastries and handmade chocolate fit for Marie Antoinette, including the signature truffles in a rainbow of flavours, including absinthe and raspberry framboise. But do book ahead – a seat at this elegant table is by appointment only. 153 Johnston St, Collingwood | mamorchocolates.com.au/

Ever wondered what all those people were doing on the NGV’s first floor as you made your way to the European art collection? Overlooking the cascading water wall, the gallery’s Tea Room is the perfect pit-stop on any culture fix. The sparkling high tea gets a glass of bubbles and a great selection of ribbon sandwiches; savoury treats like prawn and chicken siu mai; and choc-miso ganache cake. There are freshly baked scones, too, naturally. Junior art appreciators can get down with the children’s high tea – a comfort zone of mini sausage rolls, mac and cheese croquettes and confetti doughnuts. 180 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne | ngv.vic.gov.au/plan-your-visit/food-and-drink/

Get the inside running on Victorian democracy over scones and tea at Spring Street’s grand Parliament House. One of the city’s best-kept secrets despite being a fixture since 1924, it’s served only on Thursday afternoons when parliament is not in sitting. Hit the Strangers Corridor Restaurant, a 19th-century vision of maroon carpets and dark timber panelling, for scones (both traditional and Yorkshire’s ‘fat rascal’ rock-cake style) with bacon vol-au-vents, lemon meringue tarts and tea in bone china cups. Take a free tour of Parliament House while you’re there, but don’t forget: just like voting, high tea bookings here are compulsory. Spring St, East Melbourne | parliament.vic.gov.au/visit/restaurant

A wander through the CBD’s extravagantly beautiful Block Arcade is a treat in itself, but double down on the experience by booking a table at the venue known to many by its longtime incarnation as The Hopetoun Tea Rooms. Melbourne’s oldest purveyor of high tea has retained the green botanical wallpaper and ornate mirrors (along with the uncanny feeling that Queen Victoria might be imperiously sipping tea in a corner somewhere), and continues to deliver its triple-tiered stands groaning under the weight of quiche Lorraine, roast beef sandwiches, pâté, smoked salmon pin wheels, fruit tarts, macarons and, of course, scones. Shops 1 & 2 The Block Arcade, Collins St, Melbourne | thetearooms1892.com.au/

The spanakopita puffs might give a clue to the owners’ Greek heritage; so too might the much-anticipated occasional appearance of Greek-themed high teas here. A vision of snowy white linen and sparkling crystal, this chic salon close to Sandringham beach will take you on a whirlwind trip around Europe with the help of its tiered stands boasting Basque cheesecake, orange blossom panna cotta, French chocolate mousse and cucumber and cream cheese ribbon sandwiches. This is all backed by a good selection of loose-leaf tea and bottomless specialty coffee – and there’s always the option of hitting the sparkling too, of course. 5 Waltham St, Sandringham | dzert.com.au/

The floral arrangements are blooming, the chandeliers are twinkling and the black, white and herbal tea is pouring at this north-west Melbourne flag-flyer for the high tea scene. You’re bound to run into a hen’s gathering, baby shower or birthday do at this special-occasion favourite, while Mothers’ Day is Peak Scone (lucky they’ve got the recipe down pat). But there is plenty to life here beyond these huge fluffy numbers, with towers of pretty macarons, cakes and cream-filled pastries, and savoury options that include delicate finger sandwiches and an electric-pink bao bun that threatens to steal the entire show. 524 Mt Alexander Rd, Ascot Vale | amazinggrazetearooms.com.au/