Pinkies up! You don’t have to hunt high and low for the best weekend afternoon tea places when you have our list of crowd favourites.
We’re all about indulgence, whether it’s at the city’s best restaurants, hip cafes or amazing bars. Because you only live once, right? But afternoon tea is our favourite way to feel fancy without getting too stuffed – there’s nothing quite like comforting conversations with your gal pals over a pot of tea, scones and other tasty treats. If you’re looking for a little midday splendour, these afternoon tea venues in Singapore will hit the spot.
Iconic weekend afternoon teas in Singapore
The Grand Lobby at Raffles Hotel Singapore
There’s nothing as classic as afternoon tea ($78 per person) at this iconic hotel. So dress to impress as you indulge in finger sandwiches, sweet treats and scones paired with clotted cream and rose petal jam. For a spin on this experience, travel across the globe with themed menus – this time, we’re landing in Vienna. To eat your way around the Austrian capital, nosh on lobster crostini and sacher cake paired with premium tea or Raffles’ custom-blended coffee. For a boozy time with your squad, treat yourself to a round of cocktails (from $20 each).
The Grand Lobby, Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673; Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 5pm; Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm; Vienna Afternoon Tea Experience available until 16 December 2020
Tea Lounge at Regent Singapore
For an elegant afternoon with teas and light bites, cosy up in one of the plush seats at this glamorous space. Buffets aren’t available at the moment, so you’ll get three-tiered sets of sandwiches and scones on weekdays ($47 per person). But we say skip that and save your stomach space for weekend indulgence! The high tea experience ($68 per person) features local dishes and English treats served to your table. You’ll be nibbling on finger sandwiches, quiches and scones alongside laksa, wagyu beef and an array of desserts. Complete your meal with two cups of coffee or tea, or splash out extra on prosecco and champagne.
Tea Lounge at Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715; Monday to Friday, 2pm to 5pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm, 3pm to 5.30pm
One-Ninety Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore
With a sophisticated space and impeccable service, One-Ninety Bar is an idyllic place to relax. On weekends, the afternoon tea sets ($46 per person) bring you a mix of savoury and sweet delights. Think smoked salmon with caviar, hazelnut praline choux puff and raspberry rose dome. Oh, and let’s not forget the freshly baked selection of raisin and vanilla scones! Take your pick of tea or coffee to pair with the dainty bites, or add on $20 for sparkling teas.
One-Ninety Bar at Four Seasons Hotel Singapore, 190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248646; Saturday to Sunday, 2pm to 5pm
National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore
The grand dame of Singapore’s Peranakan food scene puts a homely spin on the afternoon tea tradition, with a set for two ($58) offering snacks such as chilli crab tartlet, dry laksa and pulled beef sambal pao. These are punchy, Peranakan flavours, but totally doable for afternoon tea! For sweets, you’ll sink your teeth into sugee financier, kueh kosui and mini gula melaka cupcakes. Plus, the art-deco-meets-colonial interior is one evocative scene. What can we say? We’re suckers for chandeliers and Peranakan tiles.
National Kitchen by Violet Oon Singapore, #02-01, National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, 1 St Andrew’s Road, Singapore 178957; Friday to Sunday, 3pm to 5.30pm
Renku Bar & Lounge at Marina Bay Sands
This earthy, modern space is perfect to unwind after a spot of shopping. It’s open 24 hours, with daily high tea experiences ($48 per person) in two seatings. Finger sandwiches come topped with everything from beef pastrami to smoked salmon, while scones are served with jam, fresh orange butter and clotted cream. Besides mini desserts such as Earl Grey mousse cake, you can also snack on kuehs, mochi and chocolate bon bons. Feeling adventurous? Try green teas like mango sticky rice, or go for the exclusive durian lapis blend of black tea, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg and freeze-dried durian.
Renku Bar & Lounge at Marina Bay Sands, Lobby, Hotel Tower 1, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956; daily 2pm to 3.30pm, 4pm to 5.30pm
The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
It’s hard not to get swept off your feet here. If you fancy an afternoon tea experience replete with spectacular views of the Marina Bay waterfront, this is for you. Decked out in marble mosaic and gold elements, The Landing Point is a perfect place to recline and relax. You’ll be treated to delicate treats and delish desserts, alongside scones, coffees and teas.
The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326; Monday to Friday, 3pm to 5.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm, 3.30pm to 6pm
Brasserie Les Saveurs at The St Regis Singapore
This is the Grace Kelly of afternoon teas. Step inside and you’ll see why – opulent furnishings deck its every corner. Think towering ceilings with crystal chandeliers, massive windows and plush seatings. Goodies range from pastry baskets filled with lemon madeleines and raisin scones to a two-tier stand stacked with treats. We’re talking about Maine lobster, cured salmon, vanilla rose tartlet and lychee ganache macaron. Not to mention the à la minute station and the spread of chocolate pralines! Prices start at $48 on weekdays and $55 on weekends.
Brasserie Les Saveurs, The St Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911; Monday to Saturday, 3pm to 5pm; Sunday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
L’Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel
Situated off the Orchard Road stretch, this grand hotel sits on a sweet spot where it’s centrally located yet tucked away from the bustle. The cosy L’Espresso cafe has been serving its English afternoon tea (from $45 per person) for decades, injecting a dose of elegance into our lives. You’ll love how it’s quiet yet sophisticated, with a menu of mini sandwiches, pastries, scones and desserts for you to enjoy.
L’Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221; Monday to Friday, 2pm to 5.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm or 3pm to 5.30pm
Atlas
Immerse yourself in the grandeur of Atlas’ art deco space while it’s filled with natural light in the day. For $56, you’ll be treated to savouries like Iberico jamon toast, pumpkin quiche and lobster crostini. Plus, sweets take the form of brown butter scones, passion fruit cheesecake and banana cream pie. Don’t miss out on the teas, too! Try the Atlas blend, a black tea that features dry gin botanicals, elderflower and yuzu.
Atlas, Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778; Monday to Wednesday, 2pm to 4pm slots; Thursday to Friday, 3pm to 4pm slots; Saturday, 1pm to 4pm slots
The Rose Veranda at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Temporarily closed.
While this isn’t your traditional high tea, it’s still an afternoon delight we wouldn’t mind skipping work for (*cough* you didn’t hear this from us). The Rose Veranda has been serving afternoon tea since 1991, and there’s no other quite like it. Purists will be happy to find a selection of over 50 premium tea blends alongside scones, pastries and other desserts. It starts as early as 11.30am, which is a great perk, so you’ll have all the time you want to pile up your plate with sushi, sashimi, roast beef and more.
The Rose Veranda, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350; Friday to Sunday, 11.30am to 5pm
Which iconic afternoon tea experience in Singapore are you excited to try first?
