Miss Marple’s Tearoom

Miss Marple’s Tearoom is a traditional English-style tearoom in Sassafras, known for its generous scones, homemade raspberry jam and Agatha Christie-inspired decor. The Tudor-style building, floral furnishings and teapot displays make the setting part of the visit, rather than simply somewhere to stop for a drink.

It works well as a leisurely lunch or afternoon-tea stop while exploring the mountain villages. The dining room can be busy and lively, and the venue does not accept bookings: put your name on the waiting list on arrival and follow staff advice about when to return.

The Tearoom Experience

The interior draws on the world of Miss Marple, with memorabilia and an old-fashioned English tearoom atmosphere. Expect a compact, sociable dining setting rather than a quiet, spacious restaurant. Looking at the teapots and pictures is part of the appeal while you wait for your food.

The menu suits a sit-down visit, whether you order scones and tea or make lunch the main event. Allow around an hour at the table, plus any wait for seating. A tightly timed stop before another booking can be difficult on busy weekends.

Scones, Lunch and Desserts

Miss Marple’s Scones

The signature serving is two plain scones, two fruit scones or one of each, with homemade raspberry jam and freshly whipped cream. The published menu lists this at $17.50, with beverages charged separately. A teapot of tea is listed at $6.50 per person, so do not assume the scone price includes a Devonshire-tea drink.

The substantial serving makes a good reason to leave room after lunch. If you are ordering for children or sharing dishes, ask staff about the venue’s minimum-charge arrangements before deciding on your order.

Savoury Food and Sweet Choices

The menu extends beyond scones. Open toasted sandwiches, known as fingers, include combinations such as ham with cheddar and chutney, chicken with cheese and asparagus, and Welsh rarebit. More substantial choices include cottage pie, fish and chips, quiche Lorraine and a ploughman’s lunch.

Desserts include sticky toffee pudding, chocolate and pecan fudge cake, Belgian waffles and sundaes. There is also a children’s menu for under-10s. These options make the tearoom suitable for a meal as well as a sweet stop, but it is worth deciding how much you want to eat before ordering several courses.

Gluten-free options are available at an additional cost. Tell staff about allergies or intolerances when ordering; the printed menu does not list every ingredient. A 10% surcharge applies on weekends and 20% on public holidays, and the venue does not split bills. Budget for the surcharge when comparing the menu prices and arrange one payment for your table.

Opening Times and the Waiting List

Miss Marple’s opens at 11am seven days a week. For a late-afternoon visit, confirm the closing time with the tearoom rather than arriving close to the end of service.

Bookings are not taken. Go to the venue first, add your name to the day’s waiting list and ask staff how long the wait is likely to be. They will advise when to return for seating. Browsing Sassafras shops can fill the waiting time, provided you stay close enough to return as requested.

Weekends and holiday periods can be particularly busy. Arriving near opening or choosing a weekday may make the visit easier, but neither guarantees immediate seating. Leave a buffer if you are combining lunch with a train journey or another timed activity.

Getting There and Access

The tearoom is at 382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road in Sassafras. Use designated village parking and allow time for the walk from your space; the most convenient spaces may fill during popular visiting periods. Winding mountain roads can also slow the approach in rain or fog.

Public buses serve Sassafras, including the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road corridor. Use the current journey planner to choose your station connection and check the return service. If you need step-free access, particular seating arrangements or room for a mobility aid, call (03) 9755 1610 before travelling.

Making a Day of Sassafras

The village’s shops and other cafes are close enough to explore around your meal. For a longer day, pair the tearoom with one garden or forest stop, such as Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens or a suitable Sherbrooke Forest walk.

Tea Leaves has moved to Olinda, so visitors remembering the former Sassafras tea shop should plan a separate stop in that village. Leave time between attractions instead of assuming everything is within walking distance of the tearoom.

Miss Marple's Tearoom FAQs

Can I book a table?
The tearoom does not accept bookings. Add your name to the waiting list when you arrive and ask staff when to return; leave a buffer before any other timed activity.

How much are the scones?
The menu lists two scones with homemade raspberry jam and cream at $17.50. Choose plain, fruit or one of each; drinks are separate, and the weekend or public-holiday surcharge increases the total.

Does the scone price include tea?
Tea is charged separately, with a teapot listed at $6.50 per person. Account for drinks and any surcharge when budgeting, rather than assuming the scones are a complete Devonshire-tea package.

Can I have lunch rather than afternoon tea?
The savoury menu includes toasted fingers, cottage pie, fish and chips and quiche. Decide whether you want a full meal or a sweet stop so you leave enough room for the substantial scone serving.

Are there options for children?
There is a menu for children under 10, alongside the regular food choices. Ask staff about minimum charges if children will share dishes, and allow for the same possible seating wait as other diners.

Are gluten-free options available?
The menu offers gluten-free options at an additional cost. Explain allergies or intolerances to staff before ordering so they can advise on ingredients and preparation for your particular needs.

When does Miss Marple's open?
It opens at 11am seven days a week. Confirm the closing time before a late-afternoon visit, and remember that arriving before the end of service does not guarantee immediate seating.