The Victoria Room

Mix high tea with the British Raj era, add a dash of opulence and a touch of class and you will find yourself at the Victoria Rooms in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Take yourself back in time and allow yourself to be waited on in style as you dine on mini morsels of cake goodness, tea that takes you to a place of yester-year.

Their high tea is served from 12-5 and there are three different levels.

Classic - $45 per head
Emerald - $55 per head
Sapphire - $60 per head
Diamond  - $65 per head

Each different High tea has a different alcohol served with it, pick which one you fancy!

All the waiters/ress' are very professional, attentive and dressed to impress.

Its such a lovely atmosphere, you will never want to leave!

Kirribilli markets

Markets are always fun. They are jammed packed with many different characters, colours, tastes sights and smells. They really do stimulate all of your senses. and best of all, if you're on a tight budget and backpacking - they are free!

One of the best markets to visit when in Sydney has to be the Kirribilli markets. Set at the northern end of one of the most icons landmarks in the world - the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the Kirribilli markets makes for a great days of sightseeing.

I would recommend starting the day by strolling over the Harbour Bridge, that is of course if you are staying in the city.

Save breakfast for when you get to the markets - There are so many food stalls with a wide range of food on offer. Aromatic coffee fills the air and gets your taste buds salivating. Save some room though if you have a sweet tooth, there are plenty of cupcake and macaroon stalls to feed your sugar kick!

There are there different market themes.

General markets
Art and design markets
Fashion markets

These run on different days of the month, alternating between the three. For market dates and theme click here.

If you're a local and feel you have a excess of clothing or shoes building up, why not hire a stall. My friend Kim did just that and was able to sell her once loved goods to someone else who will love them! What a great way to make some extra pocket money and spend the day!

www.kirribillimarkets.com

The Hardware Societe

I love Melbourne, I don't know how to explain the love I feel for a city - but it's there...and its real. I feel so at home when I am here (which it should, as it is where I am from, originally).

Melbourne is full of arty eclectic boutique shops, bars and cafes. No space is wasted. Down alley ways and side streets are some of the best hidden delights that you will ever find.

During a recent short trip to Melbourne, a few friends and I went into one of these side streets to the famous 'The Hardware Societe'.

Its a mix of modern country French dining for breakfast or brunch. The best thing is - They do Gluten free and vegan options! Yep! One of the image below is a vegan rice pudding with coconut cream and sour cherry.... YUM!

This place gets packed fast - If you love breakfast (its my favourite meal of the day) and you're an early bird - get you bottom down here early! If you're not an early bird - set your alarm!

You can find this tasty gem on Hardware Street. Look here on - Google maps

Hot Bodhi

Combine to awesome things...

1. Yum Cha
2. Vegan food

...and you get Bodhi.  Tucked away in a pocket in front of St Mary's Cathedral and the aquatic Centre in Sydney is a charming a delicious venue that you may miss, if someone didn't tell you it existed. the indoor-outdoor restaurant is always a buzz as people sit and enjoy the small parcels of tastey food that grace by them on mini carts.

For those who are not familiar with Yum Cha, it is (and dont quote me 100%) a Cantonese traditional meal/serving. Coming from the southern end of China and Hong Kong (if my memormy serves me to be correct), trays of steamed Dim Sums and mini buns and dumplings are on offer. you just pick what you feel like eating and enjoy.

The joy of Yum Cha is that it is a social event, similar to Spanish Tapas, it is a meal best shared. The only down side it that most Yum Cha is full of meat and animal by-products. So this is why Bodhi is such a 'win' for me! Its 100%Vegetarian with a massive amount of vegan options.

As Yum Cha is traditionally servered during the day (think of it as a Chinese high tea) the restruant changes the menu at night still 100% veggie/vegan.

OH - did I mentioned how good the cocktails are too? Amazing!

This place is awesome in the late afternoon and summer nights, put it into your calendar!

For more information look at their website here -  www.bodhi.id.au

Yes Mom...

Looking for a bite to eat in Sydney?

Are you a veggie head?

Vegan?

Or just like a good break from eating meat?

Well Mother Chu's can cater to you needs! A lovely selection of Chinese vegan and vegetarian meals to dive into. Mother Chu's is located on Pitt Street in Sydney - It is just a few minutes stroll from Central Train station (heading north into the City) or from Town hall station (head south).

Graced with the company of two old and good friends, Gary and Kylie, Mother Chu's is a great place to catch up and share a laugh amongst friends.

As far as price goes, it is a little expensive than other vegetarian places in Sydney, but its still cheap and yummy!

www.motherchusvegetarian.com.au

Fernwood High Tea

Personally, if I had to choose between pretty dresses and sparkling diamonds for a day or, bungee jumping off a bridge into water and then dirt bike riding around sand dunes... I'd pick the later. But there is just something with me and 'high tea' that I just can’t pass on - Its super girly, incredibly dainty and somewhat sophisticate, all of which, I am not.

One Saturday, we strolled along to Fernwood High Tea at The Junction, Newcastle NSW. When I say it’s hidden... it is, nuzzled in a main street in suburbia, you may just well drive past it if you're not careful. The two story cottage oozes character and offers guests a 'shabby chic' decor welcoming. Everything is trimmed and draped with lace and vintage materials. Teacup sets poke out from gardens, pot plants and side tables. Attention to detail is the key to any high tea and Fernwood High Tea is very hard to fault.

The layout of the high tea is brilliant. There were four of us there, and we had our own private room, beautifully dressed and full of character. There were two other groups of people there also, each with their own private dining section - One outside in the romantic garden, the other inside in a separate room next to ours.

For me, what separated this high tea experience from others was the food and the order in which is came out. There were more savoury than sweet, which is perfect as we were there around lunch time (and I tend to be sugar free, so I prefer savoury) Each time a course came out I couldn't help but let out a little giggle - everything came in little tea cups or vintage glasses, brilliant!

The courses were managed really well - Allowing enough time to eat and chat. The service was prompt and friendly and the atmosphere was welcoming and relaxing.

Fernwood High Tea also have a Bed and breakfast attached, I look forward to staying there one day.

They were able to cater to my veggie-head Gluten free diet; everything was amazingly tasty and surprisingly filling.

What does it cost? At $38 a head it’s pretty good, I think it is spot on the money! The attention to detail, the quality of the food and the amount was all perfect.

How do you get there? The Junction is located in Newcastle, we drove - It’s about 2.5 hrs north of Sydney. You could catch the train to Newcastle and then bus into the junction, but I recommend a taxi or driving.

Thank you for having us Maria, at Fernwood High Tea.