Wednesday 17 October 2012

Marie Antoinette Style Feasting At The Hopetoun Tea Rooms

I can't believe it took me this long to discover one of Melbourne's greatest treasures. Hidden away in the Block Arcade, with one of the finest window displays I have ever seen in the world, lies the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

The tea room has been operating in some form or another for over a century - it first opened in 1891 (for you overseas readers, in Australia this counts as positively ancient). As a result of it's long history, the Hopetoun Tea Rooms are steeped in tradition, charm and decadence.

This is the sight that you feast your eyes upon as you approach the tea rooms. The window is so extravagant that you have to jostle for a space amongst the ever present crowd of people gazing in awe at all of the mountains of sweets. 

This is as close to Marie Antoinette style sweet feasting as you will ever get...





After what can sometimes be a little bit of a wait, you get seated inside the quaint little dining room. It feels opulent to dine in, with its rich emerald walls, grand mirrors and chandeliers.



I've been lucky enough to dine here twice. The first time I ordered a strawberry milkshake and some scones. The scones were delicious, light and fluffy. Although they were served with this weird Rosewater Quince which was oddly chunky. I'd have preferred simple raspberry or strawberry jam thanks! The milkshake was lovely, but just tasted as normal milkshakes do.





The second time I went I had salmon and cucumber petite sandwiches which were amazing and so delicate. Quite a small serve though. Unfortunately I forgot to take a photo sorry! 

I then followed this up with a slice of the most incredible lemon meringue I have ever tasted...


Words cannot describe how amazing this lemon meringue was. It has to be tried to be believed.

Some other notable items on my list of must go back and try are the following...

Red Velvet Swiss Roll:



Strawberry Sponge Cake:



Macaroons:



Spiced Strawberry Sponge:



All in all a meal here is a must do if you live in or ever visit Melbourne. My only complaints were that you can often get some quite rude and unhelpful staff, but this is probably just due to the fact they are run off their feet. Still no excuse in a place like this. Also it is fairly expensive. Everything I ate and mentioned above was priced between $8 - $15 per item. They don't take bookings which is annoying, and often you can be waiting a little while to get a table. Try to avoid the peak lunch rush if you can.

If you want to read more check out the pretty antiquated looking website (fitting I suppose) for the Hopetoun Tea Rooms here.

Have any of you ever been here? What is your favourite place to go for high tea and sweet type feasting? Any places you fellow Melbournites can recommend that I must check out?

17 comments:

  1. You really made me hungry reading this. Thanks for reminding me what a fabulous place this is.I've been lucky enough to visit twice and must go again.

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    1. Yes you must visit again! So many sweets to sample! I must go back also, I have to walk past the tempting window all the time and it kills me to not go in :P

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  2. I can't believe I've never stopped and eaten there. I'm probably always marvelling at the gorgeous floor and glass ceiling. I absolutely love the Royal arcade too. My Dad used to always take us to see Gog and Magog there. Will definitely be popping in for the red velvet Swiss roll. Obsessed with red velvet at the moment, even though I looked up recipes and it's just red food colouring...it's still gorgeous. I always get the red velvet cupcake at Little Cupcakes. I already know you frequent that establishment!

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    1. Definitely go, it's amazing! I'm going to the Windsor Afternoon tea tomorrow...so excited!!! Blog post on that coming soon! :D
      Haha yes I love my Little Cupcakes. Go there way too much :P Is red velvet really just food colouring!? I swear I can taste a difference! Maybe the taste difference is all in the cream cheese icing! x

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  3. Macarons are pretty much my favourite thing ever!

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    1. Me too! Especially the ones from the Lindt store, and Belle Miette! Have you tried those? x

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  4. I wish I knew about this place when I was in Melbourne 2 months ago! I LOVE lemon meringue and I'd love to try the red velvet swiss roll. Can't wait to visit Melbourne again!

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    1. Guess you'll just have to come back asap! Can't believe I only just found out about it! I must try those red velvet swiss rolls too.
      x

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  5. This looks absolutely amazing! Wish I could teleport over there and check it out haha!

    I just tagged you in the Think Pink tag for breast cancer awareness month on my blog! It's a really fun and easy tag, so do check it out if you get a chance! And definitely enter my giveaway when you stop by :)

    x Ellie @ Ellalogy 
    deborah lippmann/fresh giveaway

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    1. Just entered! How exciting! :D Haha I wish I could teleport too, would come in handy that's for sure! x

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  6. The interior of this place looks amazing and all the cakes, oh my! I adore lemon meringue so I'd definitely be going for a slice of that. :) xo

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    1. Yeah it really has a grand feeling about it, which helps add to the ambience. Yes that lemon meringue was to die for! I want to go back asap and stock my tummy up on lots more of it :P

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  7. These little delights look delicious! Thank you for stopping by. Following also.

    xx
    The Fashionable ESQ
    http://www.thefashionableesq.blogspot.com/

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    1. They were! Anytime, your blog is awesome! xx

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  8. Replies
    1. It was! It makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

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  9. Oh my yum! May I come visit and you take me on a little excursion! This looks amazing! heh I am totally jk btw!

    Ashley xx

    Steps To Perfection...With Romanianbutterfly206

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