Hopetoun Tea Room

One of the many historic arcades in Melbourne CBD is the Block Arcade on Collins Street, which opened in 1892.  The Hopetoun Tea Rooms inside the Arcade opened during the same year, but its still going strong and seems to be getting only more popular.  Named for the governor at the time and his wife, Lord and Lady Hopetoun, the tea rooms were, and still are, known for their huge etched mirror, which used to hang outside the shop, but is now inside.  This mirror is the largest double-etched mirror in the world.  The decor feels very Victorian, with many tables squeezed into the small room, dark, but intricate wallpaper, and chandeliers providing most of the available light.

We enjoyed a luxurious afternoon high tea at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms.

The first course was the classic tiered trays with (from bottom to top) sandwiches, varied desserts, and fresh fruit.

First Tier
Quiche Lorraine
Vegetarian Quiche
Roast Beef Sirloin Sandwiches – Premium Roast Beef Sirloin with onion jam, tasty cheese, roquette, seeded mustard mayonnaise.
Hopetoun Tea Room Pinwheels – Tomato, cucumber, ham, seeded mustard, mayonnaise & egg on white & wholemeal
Smoked Salmon Sandwiches – Ribbons of smoked salmon sandwiches with dill cream cheese, cucumber, roquette on white & wholemeal
Second Tier – Petit Fours – An assortment of our Signature petit fours: strawberry cheesecake, miniature macarons, pistachio custard, mango slice, and chocolate mousse in a chocolate shell.
Third Tier – A selection of seasonal fresh fruit & berries, including mango, strawberries, blueberries, figs, pineapple, raspberries, kiwi, and watermelon.

The second and final course was the scones (2 for everyone!).  This course came with a new tea and the scones were served with double cream and mixed berry jam.  The cream and jam were gilding the lily on already fantastic scones; they were so buttery with light, but rich texture and not too sweet.

At the end of the tea, I was absolutely stuffed (I actually had to take one of my scones home), but everything was superbly scrumptious and the experience was simply amazing!