Top 10 tea spots

Enjoying a high tea spread, like this one at the Langham Hotel, has become increasingly popular. Photo / Dean Purcell

1. Orbit
Sky Tower, City, ph (09) 363 6000
Possibly the highest high tea in the world, and even has a scone recipe to take home. Recommended. Sat-Sun 2.30pm-4.30pm. Bookings are essential.

2. The Tea Lady
100 Hinemoa St, Birkenhead, ph (09) 419 6257
The tiniest tea shop in town - and the quaintest. Open Mon-Sat 9am-4.30pm.

3. Tea Culture
208 K Rd, City, ph (09) 377 9335
The coolest spot to sip a cuppa. Open Mon 12-6pm, Tues-Fri 10am-6pm.

4. Brookview Tea House
1335 Leigh Rd, Matakana Village, ph (09) 423 0390
A traditional tea house perfect for playing ladies (or gentlemen). Open 9am-4pm every day except Tuesday.

5. The Langham
83 Symonds St, City, ph 0800 880 260
Sink in with a gaggle of girlfriends at the cosiest and most luxurious afternoon tea in town. Served 12pm-4.30pm daily.

6. Chapter
442 Mt Eden Rd, Mt Eden Village, ph (09) 623 2319
A cafe-cum-specialist bookstore that serves its tea loose-leafed with a slice of murder. Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, weekends 9am-4pm. Tea tastings Sundays 10.30am.

7. Smith
Britomart Quarter, City, ph (09) 309 5529
Tea and cake in an opulent retro setting. Open Mon-Sat 11.30am until late. Bookings essential for high tea.

8. Agnes Curran
181 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, ph (09) 360 1551
Retro tea shop, famous for its chocolate lamingtons. Open daily 7am-4pm.

9. Zarbo
24 Morrow St, Newmarket, ph (09) 520 2721
A modern take on high tea. Mon-Fri 2.30pm-4.30pm. Bookings essential.

10. Tea Total
87 Kitchener Rd, Milford, ph (09) 486 5291
Founded by Anna Salek and offering a huge range of teas. Open daily 8.30am-4pm.