Looking for a fresh take on the very British institution that is afternoon tea? Look no further, as we have been checking out the hottest new offerings in Hong Kong
Daaahling, afternoon tea is all the rage in the city these days, don’t you know? But while there’s no shortage of places to stuff yourself with prettier-than-a-picture pastries across Hong Kong – as well as drink more tea than you thought humanly possible – these spots are outdoing themselves with unique from immaculate birdcage presentations to infusing gorgeous pink sakura petals into their treats.
Wear your classiest, stretchiest outfit and enjoy!
Enjoy Teatime like a “Parisian” at InterContinental
In conjunction with Le French May, all the Francophiles out there will swoon over the chocolate overload found at this “Parisian Afternoon Tea”. Satin smooth, deliciously creamy, sweet and sensuous – one bite is all it takes to realise the amount of passion, thought and effort that has gone into making this experience possible.
Alain Ducasse himself sources the best cocoa beans from as far afield as Peru, Ecuador and Madagascar, which are then roasted in his very own Paris factory! Helmed by one of the best pastry chefs in town, Cyril Dupuis (who previously headed Ducasse’s Paris restaurants for over 14 years) whips up irresistible delights such chocolate cups with sarazin ice-cream and craquelin chocolate. Even his warm buttery scones are good enough on their own to merit a trip here!
Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, p. 2313 2323, 香港九龍尖沙咀梳士巴利道18號. Parisian Afternoon Tea is served from 2:30pm to 6pm on weekdays, $608++ for 2 persons and 1:30pm to 6pm on weekends and public holidays, $628++ for 2 persons, until 31 May 2017.
Be charmed by the heritage at The Peninsula
This British colonial marvel definitely sets itself apart as one of the most iconic settings in the 852 to sip a cup of tea with your clique. Historically known for its afternoon tea dances, guests were served by “cigarette girls” selling sweets and chocolate cigars back in the day, and it continues to thrill us, this time with its latest collection of alluring sweet treats.
We can’t wait for you to try out the cappucino chocolate cups and coffee truffles by Executive Pastry Chef Frank Haasnoot, World Chocolate Master Champion, 2011. Taking on the lovely hues of spring, other new confectionaries on offer include the apple mousse tart, peach & ginger shortbread, and buckwheat teacakes (for the health junkies out there). Retreat into the lap of luxury with Peninsula’s iconic afternoon tea, as you take in live music and the enormous amount of history around the lobby area itself.
The Lobby, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, p. 2696 6772, 香港九龍梳士巴利道. Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea is served from 2pm to 6pm, $658++ for 2 persons.
Shopaholics, Let Us Eat Cake at C’est La B
C’est La B, in the swanky Pacific Place shopping mall is perpetually filled with fashionable shoppers and locals who collapse gratefully into the colourful, plush sofas. Afternoon tea here is a whimsical and lovely affair but the triumphs on this menu are most certainly the cakes.
Sunshine, a lemon and poppy-seed chiffon cake with a tangy citrus curd is so dizzyingly good that it’s worth boxing up and taking home for anyone who missed out! Another star from the savoury offerings are the dainty sandwiches in C’est La B’s signature black and white colourway. Smoked salmon and cucumber filled with cream cheese is an infallible formula, and when the ingredients are as fresh as these, the result is lip-smackingly good. This is one spot that should be on your speed dial, always!
C’est La B, Shop 202, 2/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong, p. 2536 0173, 金鐘金鐘道88號太古廣場2樓202號舖. Signature Afternoon Tea is served from 2pm to 7pm everyday; $420++ for 2 person.
Home Away from Home at Kowloon Shangri-La
Leave it to Kowloon Shangri-La’s Lobby Lounge to excite both your eyes and taste buds and – thankfully – you don’t even have to wait for the weekend. Their charming, exotic presentation will have you at hello, and includes Instagram-worthy four-tier golden birdcages suspended from stands (and even the ceiling!)
Guests can choose between a Europe or a Chinese selection – my vote undoubtedly goes to the local savouries such as roasted cod fish fillet with mango chutney and traditional desserts like red peony pastry with homemade lotus seed paste. To get your fix of fancy tiered trays, exotic teas and local delicacies (which you can never usually find on afternoon tea menus), act fast. This is only available to the first 30 guests who book online. So, if I were you, I’d even skip work to bask in this slice of birdie paradise!
Lobby Lounge, Kowloon Shangri-La, 64 Mody Road, Kowloon, p. 2721 2111, 香港九龍尖沙咀東麼地道64號. Hong Kong Birdie Paradise Afternoon Tea is served from 2pm to 5pm only on weekdays, $488++ for 2 person.
Scents of Spring at Ritz-Carlton
Sky-high views from atop Café 103 on the Ritz’s 103rd floor, makes it one of the top spots in Hong Kong for afternoon tea year-round, but it’s the seasonal themes that makes this one of our favourites!
A delight for those who are fans of all things Japanese – the cherry blossom flavoured treats are not just fun to try but the aroma is delightful too! Guest pastry Chef Hideaki from Tokyo infuses the flavour, scent and colour of sakura into everything, including the classic French pastry, Tropezienne. Displaying fusion at its best, strawberry cherry blossom confit and cherry blossom white chocolate ganache is filled into an adorably-tiny sliced brioche. Even the savouries such as the radish roll with snow crab and caviar are sakura-marinated – it’s sure to be love at first bite.
Café 103, 103/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong, p. 2263 2270, 香港中龍柯士甸道西1號103樓. Sakura Afternoon tea is served from 3:30pm to 5:30pm on weekdays, $638++ for 2 persons and on weekends and public holidays, $658++ for 2 persons, until 14 May 2017.
Fashionista’s Dream Come True at W Hong Kong
This exciting, fashioned-themed afternoon tea inspired by Moschino is actually more of a red-carpet affair, featuring tiny chocolate stilettos and mini edible handbags crafted from vanilla fondant sponge cake for a sleek, stylish and oh-so-contemporary affair. However, W Hong Kong Culinary Director Alain Allaire’s showstopper is undoubtedly the iPhone case biscuit, emblazoned with Moschino’s iconic teddy bear.
Don’t miss out on the mouth-watering savouries too, such as the mini lobster rolls as well as the smoked salmon crostini. Inspired by the fashion icon, this afternoon tea is as colourful and exuberant as Moschino’s designs and even includes mini Moschino perfume gifts to take home.
Woobar, 6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, p. 3717 2889, 尖沙咀柯士甸道西1號香港W酒店6樓. Moschino Afternoon Tea is served from 2.30pm to 6pm, Monday to Friday until 31 May; $418++ for 2 person.
