There's a new name on one of Sydney's most storied addresses — and it's marking Mother's Day in style. Paradox Sydney is hosting a Mother's Day Buffet High Tea on Sunday 10 May, set within the elegant Lady Fairfax Room at the heart of the CBD. It's a generous, unhurried afternoon built around sharing — and one that's been thoughtfully designed to make Mum feel genuinely celebrated from the moment she walks in.
A Building with History Worth Celebrating
The venue itself adds something no fit-out can manufacture. Paradox Sydney occupies a 169-year-old sandstone building that once housed Sydney's Fairfax newspaper empire and the esteemed Bank of New South Wales. The Lady Fairfax Room — where the high tea takes place — is awash in natural light from stunning Georgian-style windows overlooking Pitt Street, a room that carries the kind of quiet grandeur that makes an occasion feel earned.
It's a fitting setting for Mother's Day. The name, the history, the light — everything about the room communicates that this afternoon matters.
The Buffet — Made for Sharing
What Paradox Sydney has put together for Mother's Day goes beyond a standard tiered stand. This is a buffet high tea — a generous, flowing spread designed to be shared at the table and returned to at will. There's no rush through courses, no sense of it ending too soon.
The afternoon moves beautifully through savoury and sweet:
To Begin Delicate finger sandwiches, truffled egg wraps and coronation chicken — refined, considered bites that set the tone for everything that follows.
Warm & Savoury Ricotta and asparagus tarts, golden pastries and savoury bites made to share — the kind of warm, comforting flavours that sit perfectly alongside a pot of tea on a Sunday afternoon.
Something Sweet Light meringue tarts, creamy cheesecakes and seasonal desserts. And then — a chocolate fountain, running with fruits, brownies and marshmallows. It's indulgent and celebratory in exactly the way Mother's Day should be.
To Finish Freshly baked scones served with jam and cream. The classic note that closes a high tea properly.
Every mother at the table will be welcomed with a rose stem and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival — a small gesture that sets the right tone from the very first moment.
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Pricing & Session
| Adults | $109 per person |
| Children (under 12) | $49 per child |
| On arrival | Rose stem & complimentary glass of sparkling wine for Mum |
| Session | 1:30pm, Sunday 10 May 2026 |
| Venue | The Lady Fairfax Room, Paradox Sydney |
Why This Works for Mother's Day
The buffet format is a deliberate choice — it gives the afternoon room to breathe. Rather than working through a fixed menu in sequence, the table can move at its own pace, revisiting what they love, lingering over the chocolate fountain, ordering another pot of tea. That kind of ease is exactly what makes a celebration feel genuinely relaxing rather than orchestrated.
The Lady Fairfax Room's capacity and its Georgian windows overlooking Pitt Street make it well suited to groups — whether you're coming with just Mum, bringing the whole family, or gathering a group of friends for the afternoon. The location at 27 O'Connell Street puts you squarely in the CBD, a short walk from Wynyard and Martin Place stations and easy to reach from across Sydney.
Good to Know
- Date: Sunday 10 May 2026
- Time: 1:30pm
- Where: The Lady Fairfax Room, Paradox Sydney, 27 O'Connell Street, Sydney NSW 2000
- Pricing: Adults $109 | Children (under 12) $49
- Includes: Complimentary rose stem and glass of sparkling wine for Mum on arrival
- Getting there: 4-minute walk from Wynyard Station or Martin Place Station
- Contact: +61 (0) 2 8214 0000 | reservations@paradoxsydney.com
👉 Book your Mother's Day Buffet High Tea at Paradox Sydney
High Tea at Paradox Sydney Year-Round
If you'd like to return after Mother's Day, Paradox Sydney's regular high tea runs in the Fax Bar from 10:00am to 2:30pm, Friday to Sunday, through to 31 May 2026. The Fax Bar offers a more intimate setting for smaller groups, with the Lady Fairfax Room available for larger gatherings of 20 or more. Every sitting includes barista-made Vittoria coffee and a selection of La Maison Du Thé teas — two touches that speak to the care taken with the overall experience.
Book Before It Sells Out
A single sitting, a stunning heritage room, and a buffet format with a chocolate fountain — this is one of the more distinctive Mother's Day high teas in Sydney this year, and it will fill. Secure your tickets before they go.
Visit the Paradox Sydney listing on Find High Tea and book directly through the venue.
Looking for more Mother's Day high tea options in Sydney? Explore all Sydney high tea venues on Find High Tea.
