Hideaway Lane - Wollongong, NSW

Di C.

Today, we had the pleasure of hosting my daughter's baby shower at Hideaway Lane, and I couldn't be more thrilled with how everything turned out. From the moment we arrived, Brayden went above and beyond to ensure the day ran smoothly. His attention to detail and genuine willingness to help make the entire experience stress-free and truly special.
The venue itself is stunning—chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, lush plants creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. It's the perfect blend of elegance and charm. The selection of refreshments was exceptional, with beautifully presented teas and a variety of drinks that catered to everyone's tastes.
The food was outstanding. The grazing board was a true highlight, overflowing with fresh fruits, artisanal cheeses, premium meats, and an assortment of crackers. Every bite was delicious, and the presentation was impeccable.
To top it off, the dessert selection was great.
Brayden’s exceptional service didn’t stop there. He thoughtfully boxed up all the leftover cake and food for us, ensuring nothing went to waste.
As the event wound down, Brayden was happy to stay back while we packed up, never rushing us, which made for such a relaxed and enjoyable end to the day.
I can’t recommend Hideaway Lane enough for any special occasion. The stunning venue, outstanding food, and exceptional service made it a day we will never forget!
Thank you Brayden!

Ann M.

We had a wonderful Moroccan cooking experience at Hideaway Lane. From the moment we arrived at their delightful, quirky space, we knew we had found a hidden gem. Tea, coffee and friands on arrival! Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Great cooking guidance. Beautiful food. I loved this place. Thank you for bringing back memories of my Moroccan holiday.

AJ K.

Most of the reviews of this business have been for their cooking classes. I'll instead be reviewing their Lux High Tea which is usually available on both days of a weekend toward the end of each month. (There are occasional exceptions.) There is usually a morning (10am) and afternoon (2pm) serving. You need to book no later than the Thursday before, and given that the Teas often sell out, the earlier, the better.

It's not cheap, but not "over the top" expensive either and certainly in the same ballpark as other high teas that I've seen. Is it worth it as a treat? Absolutely and unquestionably.

The business is in a small laneway that runs between the Central Chambers building, and what was once a large sporting goods store on Church Street in the centre of Wollongong. The décor is like that of a rustic greenhouse attached to a cottage, with a lot of greenery, a weathered wood door at the front and semi-exposed brickwork at the back, and comfortable and elegant furniture that gives an early 20th century vibe.

There is an indoor area (which I'd call the cottage) and an outdoor area (the greenhouse); I chose the former because of uncertainty about the weather, but the covering over the outdoor area would have ensured that there would have been no problem even if it had rained. The translucent roofing meant that there was a lot of natural light in that area. Still, I had no regrets about choosing inside either.

Each person begins by choosing from... probably the largest selection of teas I've ever seen. Once made, you'll receive a pot with classic crockery. I'm not really a tea person, me, but I chose something more fruity than intense. (Southern Sunrise with white hibiscus, lemongrass and grapefruit.) The taste was nice and subtle, and I found that it went well with the first round of (savoury) treats.

On which point, if I recall correctly we had (each) a tartlet of leek and goat cheese, a middle eastern spiced fetta puff, a cucumber finger sandwich and... something else that I can't recall the name of but remember thinking how good it tasted. I'm no fan of cucumbers as such, but I think there may even be a law somewhere that requires you to have them with a high tea. Not that it mattered because these sandwiches were the business. The sample menu mentions cucumber sandwiches which have green apple and minted mascarpone. I can't swear that these had those ingredients (although I'm pretty sure that the mascarpone was present) and my dining companion swears that there was a taste of dill. My favourite? All of them. It's not merely that each one was excellent on its own, it's that they formed a useful medley of flavours that kept your tastebuds amused all through the course.

After a break to let things settle and cleanse your palette with a bit more tea came the sweet course. The ones I can recall were macarons, raspberry melting moments (which really had a zing to their flavour), small panna cottas, home made scones with strawberry jam and Chantilly cream (of course), sticky date wedges, and... a little cake that I don't recall the nature of, but which I'm glad I went for as my first item because it tasted superb while it was still warm.

Although it's not on the official menu you can ask for a coffee at this point... and will be rewarded with an exceptionally good one. (Cold beverages including water and fruit based drinks are also available in the greenhouse area.)

There is a single washroom, which is as stylishly fitted out as the rest of the place.

The High Tea is best savoured as a "time out" experience. Clear your day, clear your mind, and just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy both the food and the beverages.

elizabeth N.

Absolutely perfect afternoon having high tea for my daughter’s 14th birthday. Highly recommend for any event the location and the food was perfect. ❤️💯

Sophie V.

Hideaway lane was such a beautiful venue for my 21st party. I received many compliments from my guests about how beautiful the space was and how delicious the food was. Tony-Lee was so amazing and accommodating, I felt very well looked after and stress-free. The whole team put so much time, effort and love into my party. I would highly recommend their venue hire or beautiful cooking classes.

Breanna D.

We booked Hideaway Lane for a private high tea and dried floral arrangement workshop in celebration of a bridal shower. Toni was excellent in helping us arrange our event and was very attentive to all our needs. The food was fresh and high quality, made all in house! Thank you for making the day so special and care free

Philippa S.

Just shared a vintage morning tea with a friend at Hideaway Lane.
Top marks to the owners. The tables were beautifully set with real flowers in the vases and tea lights.
The food was superb and the staff were wonderful - friendly without being in your face.
They do cooking classes as well as the high teas. Really worth a visit!

Diane W.

A beautifully decorated and stylish venue. The food, presentation and service were outstanding for our high tea baby shower. Highly recommend