Gatehouse Tea Rooms

A GEM, HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT!*
The Gatehouse Tea Rooms’ gabled gothic architecture, bathed in dappled afternoon sunlight and set within a garden of topiary and roses is a touch of old England framed by beautiful big trees that embody Australiana. Built in 1887, this would have been a perfect synthesis of the old and new worlds in the colony. So what more perfect place could there be to do as the colony’s crème-​de-​la-​crème once did and take high tea here?
I adored the quaint interior of this recently restored world heritage-​listed cottage, looking out a bay window onto the glorious Old Government House across the way with soft jazz playing in the background; it all added to the charm.
For only $ 39 per person** we enjoyed the Gatehouse’s star attraction: a high tea full of delectable dainties; fresh sandwiches and quiche, zingy mini lemon meringue tarts, pastries, rich chocolate tarts, and teeny-​weeny cupcakes, candy-​pink macarons and jam and cream scones. By far, this was the best high tea I’ve ever had made all the more special, as it was Mothers Day. We enjoyed each and every morsel immensely and, since these were combined with unlimited top-​ups to the gorgeous selection of teas we tried — including Rose Gray (the best!), Goji Acai and Lime and Ginger Green Tea — we were so satiated we were compelled to ask for a container to take some of our dainties home for later on when we recovered, which was graciously supplied by the lovely, attentive staff here.
Evidently, high tea at the Gatehouse is an experience in and of itself, but if you are city-​based and need further persuasion to come out to Parramatta to experience it, indulge me for just a moment; I can see you (OK…it’s me) donning a velvety, Phryne Fisher-​esque devoré cardigan-​cum-​kimono and enjoying a high tea in this historic gatehouse as a perfectly divine dénouement to a day that began with a scenic ferry ride down the Parramatta river followed by a tour of a plethora of Parramatta’s heritage sites, most of which are within easy walking distance of the Macquarie Street Gatehouse Tea Rooms. (Be sure to go for a turn around the old convict lumberyard — now the wondrous Rumsey Rose Garden — located directly behind the tea rooms. The Gatehouse is positively stunning from that angle!)
Of course, if you’re just looking for a quiet spot in the area and don’t need the pomp and ceremony of a high tea, know that you can get a beautiful cappuccino, try one of their quality teas, milkshakes or iced coffees/​chocolates, order a piece of cake or freshly-​baked croissants filled with butter and seasonal jam or savoury muffins that come with highly recommended fresh cucumber yoghurt, too.
Dropping in for a lovely bite and beverage is a cinch on the weekdays it is open, (Wednesday to Friday), but can be a slightly more considerable feat on the weekend when it gets very busy, so bookings are recommended. ‘Twould seem the secret of this hidden gem is getting out, and rightly so!
FIVE STARS.
* Oft’ I wax lyrical about the heritage gems t’ be found within the bounds of Parramatta Park, and yet — I am ashamed to admit it — this one escaped my attention until recently. I found this charming little gatehouse cottage nestled in beside the entrance I most frequently use to enter the park — on Macquarie Street. In my defence, it only opened as tearooms in October 2013, but that doesn’t explain how I hitherto failed to see this architectural beauty. The poor lass has only been standing there, looking utterly fabulous waiting to be noticed for 127 years!
** $ 39 per person is a brilliant price for high tea. Note that there is a full gluten-​free high tea option for $ 44 per person as well!
*Review originally written and posted 4 June 2014.

Cute little place for high tea. Came here in January and met with lovely and accommodating customer service. Met with a range of teas and the person serving us was more than happy to explain the types of teas. The food was nice and reasonable for the price and place. The setting is pretty and quaint as is the crockery feeling like a true ‘high tea’ out in Parra Park. Who would have thought.
I’d probably say for the price of the high tea, it’s reasonable if you’re looking for something closer to home and not keen to venture out to the CBD or North Shore. However, I’d say it feels over priced for the location — sounds like I’m contradicting myself but I guess it’s all about whether you want convenience or not!
I’d say come here if you want a nice experience of high tea close to home but if you want to have something a bit more special may be look further afield.

It has a lovely outlook but there is no reason at all for everything to cost almost double what it does in other cafes all throughout Parramatta.
A standard coffee is 5 bucks and a small muffin size frittata was $ 13.
The food and coffee I tried was nice but nothing to rave about. I was amazed at the sheer number of people who appeared to have gotten dressed up to come to Parra Park and pay big $ for high tea. I guess that’s the market its aimed at and they seem to have hit that mark. I think there are a lot of tastier and more affordable options within a few hundred meters.

This is going to be my new hang out.
My sister and I took our father here today for Father’s Day for something a little different and we weren’t disappointed! For $ 39 we got a generous serving of sandwiches, petit fours and scones all with our own pot of tea. beautifully presented as well!
The staff were so attentive and just seemed like really nice, genuine people who were actually happy that they worked there. Nothing was too much of a bother for them and they were ever present if you needed a top up of water or to order something else. It created such a pleasant atmosphere.
The décor and interior is simply gorgeous. I felt as though I were transported to a Jane Austen novel and the temptation to go there for tea in regency dress and a parasol is too strong for me to resist. There are beautiful paintings on the wall of the local area, all for sale too, which adds to the rich cultural atmosphere The Gatehouse offers.
I’ve said it so many times. Parramatta is awesome. I love it. And new places like this are making it a real drawcard for people on t’other side of the bridge.