Join me as I review the latest Spring High Tea offering at Mount Lofty House in Adelaide, South Australia.
World-class food with exceptional service and stunning views
Date visited
Late September 2025
Location
1 Mawson Drive, Crafers, South Australia
Visit www.hardysverandah.com.au for bookings, venue photos and more…
My dining companion
My husband and fellow Afternoon Tea fan Mr B.
Cost
Weekdays: Monday – Thursday 12pm | $89 Per person (AUD)
Weekends: Friday – Sunday 12pm & 2pm | $99 Per Person (AUD)
Includes a glass of delicious house sparkling on arrival.
Location and setting
Nestled in the picturesque Adelaide Hills, just a 20-minute drive from Adelaide’s CBD, Mount Lofty House is a luxurious, award-winning estate renowned for its romantic setting. The property boasts elegant bars and lounges, a historic 175-year-old cellar, and the acclaimed Hardy’s Verandah Restaurant, which proudly holds three Chef Hats.
Good to know
Mount Lofty House is exclusively for adults, so it’s the perfect excuse to leave the kids at home or school and treat yourself to a fancy day out.
Dress code
Smart casual (with a bit of room for all the delicious food!)
Tea selection
The tea menu featured just two black teas (which was surprising); The Queen’s Breakfast and a French Earl Grey. Fruit and Herbal Blends were far more extensive and included Green Citrus Cleanse, Peppermint, Chamomile and Lemongrass & Ginger to name a few. Barista coffee was also available which given the limited tea choices was my preferred alternative on this occasion.
Other drinks
On arrival we were offered a glass of house sparkling wine which was a cold, bubbly and very easy to drink in the middle of the day! The grapes are actually grown on the estate – you drive right past the vines on the way to the carpark. We were also given a choice of still or sparkling water.
Mount Lofty House High Tea Menu
The menu we received on the day differed slightly from the September 2025 menu listed on the venue’s website. I mention this because Mr. B has a shellfish allergy and can also be a bit particular about certain foods. I always read the menu to him before booking to make sure there aren’t too many dishes he’ll avoid—otherwise the visit ends up being a waste of both time and money.
Of course, venues are perfectly entitled to change their menus, so what you see online might not match exactly what’s offered on the day. If you have a bit of a fussy guest (or partner) then give Mount Lofty House a quick call beforehand to confirm that the current menu is similar to what’s shown online—just to avoid any disappointment.
What we ate
Our Mount Lofty House High Tea started with a lovely little amuse bouche of Truffle Gougères which featured crispy choux, mascarpone, cheddar and parmesan cheeses. They went very well with the cold sparkling and set the scene for the tower of treats that were delivered to our table not long afterwards that featured:
Savoury (bottom tier)
- Bluefin tuna tart, harissa, ginger and chive
- Lobster roll, celery, apple, dill, salmon roe
- Duck and mushroom pithivier
Scones (middle tier)
Buttermilk scone, house preserve, whipped clotted cream
Sweet (top tier)
- Earl Grey madeleine, citrus curd, Earl Grey frosting
- Cherry Bakewell tart, spiced cherry puree, macerated cherries
- Mini pavlova, strawberry & basil
- Choux craquelin, hazelnut mousseline & praline
Allergies
As mentioned earlier my husband has a shellfish allergy so the Lobster roll was replaced with a curried egg roll and served on a separate plate together with the other savoury items. There is plenty of space to advise Mount Lofty House of any allergies when you book online. The waitstaff also double checked with us when we were seated.
My favourites
The standout item was the Lobster roll. What an indulgence! Packed full of delicious sweet Lobster meat and finished with salty salon roe and a garnish of acidic Granny Smith apple to balance it all out, it was so delicious that I could have eaten three!
From a sweet perspective, the Earl Grey Madeleine was fragrant, soft and fluffy. Complemented with a couple of swirls of citrus curd infused Earl Grey frosting, it was a modern take on a traditional madeleine and something I’d been keen to replicate in my own way (so look out for a Madeleine recipe soon).
Service
The service was polished, professional, and genuinely friendly – they even provided a little stool for my handbag, which was such a thoughtful touch. Mount Lofty House also acknowledged our Anniversary with a plate of little rich and fudgy chocolate cakes which made our visit feel extra special!
The bathrooms also deserve a mention for their impeccable cleanliness, fresh local flower arrangements, soft cotton hand towels, and luxurious Jurlique hand wash and creams. Yes….it’s strange to mention the bathrooms but they do matter and add to the overall experience in my opinion.
Run or return?
Definitely return. This is such a wonderful place with views galore and indulgent food and wine served at a pace that feels relaxed and a little bit otherworldly. Whether you have a special occasion or just because you feel like a delicious afternoon tea experience this is the perfect venue to reminisce, spend time with someone you love and make plans for the future.
