It's hard not to be tempted by the endless array of cakes behind the storefront of Hopetoun Tea Rooms - the dinky little luncheonette seems to be packed at all hours of the day, with reservations having to be made beforehand and a queue perpetually forming outside. Housed in the hallowed walkway of The Block Arcade, it is the grand old dame of cake shops in Victoria seeing as it has been around since 1892; with charming wallpapered interiors and a heart-stopping cake display.
My friend Celene and I managed to get in for a spot of afternoon tea, and we ordered a variety of food, such as their mango and grilled chicken salad, some club sandwiches and a pot of fruity tea to share. The food was good, but were not quite worth the steep price that you have to pay here. But let's face it - as its name suggests, Hopetoun Tea Rooms is really more of a cake / dessert place than anything else, and the cakes we had here were pretty good.
After a bit of umming and ahhing over which sweet treats to pick, we agreed on the carrot cake, as well as a hazelnut praline cake. Both choices were delightful, and quite different from the kind of cakes you can get elsewhere. Celene thinks it's in the kind of flour they use - very fine quality ingredients that elevates the cake to another level.
After a bit of umming and ahhing over which sweet treats to pick, we agreed on the carrot cake, as well as a hazelnut praline cake. Both choices were delightful, and quite different from the kind of cakes you can get elsewhere. Celene thinks it's in the kind of flour they use - very fine quality ingredients that elevates the cake to another level.
That said, while the cakes were enjoyable, I'm not sure if they're worth all the hype. The place was generally cramped as well, and the atmosphere slightly frazzled, perhaps due to the sheer number of people packed in.
I haven't found a place in Melbourne with cakes that blows my socks off yet - would love to hear recommendations! :)
Hopetoun Tea Rooms
282 Collins St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9650 2777
I haven't found a place in Melbourne with cakes that blows my socks off yet - would love to hear recommendations! :)
Hopetoun Tea Rooms
282 Collins St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9650 2777
Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates.