The Austin Tea Room Review

We waited 50 minutes for fish, chips and salad that came out with half cooked chips and old iceberg lettuce with some sliced tomatoes and cucumber as salad which we didn t even touched. Terrible service and food.

Had lunch on Saturday, the food was delicious but it was missing the "Jane Austen" touch. It would be nice if coffee or tea were in beautiful china cups and a china teapot, unfortunately they were only in plain white cups. The seating was comfortable in the highback chairs but they were the only ones in the dining area.

If I could leave a 0 star I would because that s what it deserves! $45 a head and you get nothing!! The sandwiches were not fresh at all! Don t even start me on the pies sausages rolls and quiches you get 1 of each mind you there mini and they were terrible, pretty sure they were frozen patties pies. I have called the manager and spoken to her and told her we were really unhappy with what we received and she was so rude about it just denying that the pies are from a bakery and saying well pretty much too bad that s what you get and was very argumentative. I went for my birthday lunch with my mum and sister and it was there first experience and probably there last now thanks for Austen tea room! Would not recommend to anyone wanting a quality high tea!!!

I have had take away coffee's here a few times. Unfortunately though they are incredibly slow at making the simplest of drinks and seem to bumble around resulting in a very average coffee. Not my first choice.

Lovely place to come with a group for high tea as they have some individual rooms. My book club of 10 people thoroughly enjoyed the food and setting. Some plan to return again with family. Very convenient location in Essendon makes this place a better choice than going into the city for a similar experience.

Visit this place weekly. It's my local. Awesome setting. Old house turned into a cafe. Haven't eaten there yet but coffee is 100%

Good coffee, great cheesecake and reasonably priced.

We had high expectations for this place but were very disappointed. It's nicely decorated, but the service was inattentive to say the least. We ordered a baby cino for my daughter that took over 20 minutes to get, same with a cappuccino. This was our first high tea and I brought my mom from overseas... there was no explanation of the menu and what to expect until I eventually asked for one, we also had to keep asking for assistance for removal of food, top ups for tea and milk, etc. Considering it's named after Jane Austen, we thought we might get some background info about the writer and how the cafe might honour her but got nothing. We had asked prior to arriving if we could split the cost of the high tea since we thought it'd be too much food (two adults), but were told no, strict 45pp, no splitting. Fair enough, but for 45pp, we expected much better. In the end we paid far more than we would at a regular restaurant for average service and mediocre food. I don't recommend this place and won't be returning.

The setting is exactly what you would want for high tea. Unfortunately the food was a slight let down - we asked in advance if they could cater for pregnant women and we were told yes. However on arrival the sandwiches had processed meats and when we asked the staff member if we had the right order we werw met with hostility. Her rude manner and "what do you expect me to do about it" wasn't exactly the service I'd expect. She also told us they had closed and then slammed the door - no staff member had come to tell us they were closing so of course we kept eating our scones and drinking tea. I don't generally leave bad reviews but for $45 a head and to have food served that you cannot eat and rude service this I feel should be know - especially if your are planning a baby shower!

Great ambience... staff.. prices... location and someone has gone to a lot of trouble being super creative with the menu.

Yummy scones and heaven for a Mr Darcy fan girl such as myself.

Jump in and ask for freshly made muffin. You will it

What a total disappointment. Went there for High Tea. Was presented with a stand of ribbon sandwiches that were caked with butter. Fillings were not fresh, and the meat was processed and not fresh at all. Very odd combinations indeed.
The sweet selection came out of plastic containers from your local supermarket. There was nothing fresh or homemade about them. When asked about where the food came from, they agreed it was brought in from off site....how appalling.
The staff were inattentive, did not offer tea or coffee just brought us what they thought we would want. Did not bring the sparkling as ordered at the time of booking. Ignored us pretty much.
The price was exorbitant for what we received. It was priced up there with other high teas akin with five star dining experiences...which this definitely was not.
I would rate it NO STARS if this app would allow me to.
Don't both wasting your time, money or tastebuds......steer clear is all I can say.

We go here regularly and it's normally terrific. Don't know if it's changed staff but last Sunday when we called in there were new waitress staff and the service was appalling.

Our walking group came here for coffee and toast after a morning walk along the Moonee Ponds Creek. Coffee very good and reasonably priced; fruit and plain wholemeal toast excellent. Service very good and we enjoyed the info about Jane Austen, especially the appropriate menu items! Thank you.

Went there today with a very good friend.
They completely stuffed up our order, then to my horror,
while eating my toastie, out of my mouth pops a metal bread
tie. Disgusting. Won t be going back.

I was there for Mothers Day ...and what a wonderful day you made it for me ...every thing perfect ...food ..atmosphere ....just a wonderful day ...Thank You for making my day perfect ...Highly recommend ....just a memorable day .....

Had a lovely high tea! Plenty of food, all delicious! The service was excellent! All staff went above and beyond. Thank you for a great afternoon!

the decor is beautiful. But the owner or manager in charge is extremely hostile and despite confirming in advance they could accomodate pregnancy dietary requirements they only served sandwiches with ham, processed meats or cold chicken. When we queried if our order had been mixed up she argued with us for 5 minutes that "all pregnant people eat ham and processed meats". Scones were served without jam or cream, so we had to wait 10 minutes for the jam and cream to arrive. The experienced was finished by a very rude "we closed 15 minutes ago" as the Manager /owner brushed past our table, ignoring a request to bring the bill. I'm still not sure how we were supposed to know closing time, but it was a consistent end to the rude service delivered throughout the entire dining experience. I think there are better high tea establishments.

Food was really nice but slow service. Understaffed while dealing with a function and usual customers.

A very disappointing visit on Monday 17th February owner was very very rude will not visit again .

A hit and miss type of venue. Rarely consistent and to top it off, the owner s review responses lack the literary skills befitting of Jane Austen, how ironic!

MAGNIFICENT! This place is an instant favorite! The coffee is amazing and the food is great. Friendly and obliging staff coupled with the old world charm of the building are what sets the bench mark for all others!

Just amazing this is the decond time l have been here.They even did a Muffin for a birthday cake . The staff very friendly. Would go back again and again. Thank.you so much Austen Teahouse

looked like it would have been lovely but we could only look through the window.
not open at 8:45

Name isn't Jeff - but thanks for the reply :)
Not sure if we looked at website or elsewhere but daughter and i both read opening time as 8:00 all days. we wil l try again another time.

I went to the Austen tea rooms last saturday 27th of july i absolutely loved it the table was decorated beautifully the food was amaizing however we had to ask for more tea in the teapots a couple of times but overall it was a lovely day . Keep up the great work I will be coming back ...

A beautiful place for high tea. Gluten free friendly.

Please please check you're bill BECAUSE THEY CHANGED ME TWICE Paul

It was ok. Food and coffee were alright but I could easily make the same quality at home.

Service was also pretty slow.

And, this did not affect my rating, but I'd ask that you stop serving plastic straws. You gave them to us and we hadn't asked for them. Please stop using environmenrally damaging, unecessary plastic straws. Thanks.

Coffee was alright but nothing amazing. Service was fine. Food wasn't great though, French toast and scone was kind of soggy. Good venue though, plenty of space in the back

This is a wonderful place.
The food is lovely, the staff are very friendly and the decor with the chandeliers, elegant mirrors and flower boxes add a unique charm.

Fantastic atmosphere and very cute. Great scones warm, tasty desserts and a variety of sandwiches and who doesn't love to look at pics of Mr Darcy on the wall.

Pros
- Beautiful rooms, lovely table setup including stunning pink roses
- Food was presented well
- Finger sandwiches were nice enough
- Gluten free option was good (I didn t get gluten poisoning so that s always a bonus for us coeliacs!)

Cons
- Service was extremely slow
Our sandwiches and hot food trays were delivered within 15 minutes of arrival BUT
We were not asked for tea (or coffee) orders, as we assumed at least a pot of each would be brought to us...but no. Eventually after 45 minutes we asked for some! Only a pot of tea was brought to our table, no coffee. We were then told that had to be ordered by the cup.
- Staff and owner not that friendly
Perhaps they were all having a bad day, but there definitely wasn t service with a smile the day we went!
- Hot food was not hot, more like lukewarm on delivery to the table
- Had to ask for tomato sauce (who serves pies without that?)

They would be more efficient if they planned and prepared better, rather than constantly running backwards and forwards, especially when there are so many little separate rooms.

Final verdict
Unfortunately I have to say I wouldn t return here or recommend it to others.

A little gem tucked in the corner. Great food, amazing desserts and great service from staff. Definitely with the visit.

We turned up at 3.50pm they close at 4.00pm but the two of us were able to have a cake and coffee

Had a mother daughter afternoon tea here. We booked ahead of time and enjoyed our high tea in a private room. Staff were attentive, checking in if we wanted more tea. The room was decorated beautifully with floral tea sets and classical musical playing throughout the tea room. If you want a local high tea at an affordable price you must try The Austen Tea Room

Great food and girls are awesome so friendly and the price is realistic

The Austen Tea Room is absolutely perfect!!! Its tucked away from the busy Mt Alexander rd, so its nice and quiet whether you choose to dine inside or out! The staff are polite, attentive and welcoming! I bought my mum and grandmother here for Mother's Day and we were absolutely blown away! The decor is beautiful and charming , and the atmosphere is homely, yet, elegant :)
Coffee = 11/10 (absolutely spot on! and i'm a self-confessed coffee snob lol!)
Tea = 11/10
Sweets and savouries = 11/10

I will certainly be returning!
Thank you so very much, The Austen Tea Room, for hosting a wonderful high-tea! You do it brilliantly!