Who says indulgence is reserved for weekends? Pamper yourself with a weekday high tea sesh from our list of top picks.
High tea in Singapore? So posh. Tiny sandwiches and scones are very Downton Abbey. But, perhaps even better, we’re thinking of traditional treats like kueh. We just love ’em all! Here’s the thing: You don’t have to save this dining experience for the weekend. The proof? We’ve rounded up our favourite weekday tea places in sleek hotels and cosy cafes for that perfect afternoon indulgence.
Best high tea spots in Singapore
1. The Lobby Lounge at The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
Capitol Kempinski’s lobby lounge is the perfect refuge for a zen “Fire & Ice” high tea in Singapore. Choose between a three- ($38) or five-course ($48; $58 on weekends) afternoon tea menu. You’ll enjoy a mix of sweet and savoury snacks such as chicken rice ‘arancini’, smoked salmon focaccia, prawn salad, passionfruit chocolate spread and strawberry cheesecake. Best of all, you get tea pairings with each course to bring out the best flavours. Psst: top up $20 for two glasses of champagne!
The Lobby Lounge, The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore, 15 Stamford Road, Singapore 178906; 3-course menu available on weekdays only, daily 2.30pm to 5pm
2. Atlas
Nothing says treat yo’self like afternoon tea with a side of glitz and glam. Step into the roaring twenties at Atlas, an European Art Deco-inspired bar in the iconic Parkview Square. Settle down for a high tea spread of two selections: Atlas ($56) and Prestige ($60), with the choice of teas being the difference in price points. Savouries include pumpkin quiche with cream cheese, lobster crostini and truffled egg brioche. Meanwhile, sweets feature scones, lemon meringue tart and banana cream pie. Each component is handmade to order, so make your reservation with at least 24 hours’ notice.
Atlas, Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778; Monday to Friday, 3pm and 4pm slots; Saturday and public holidays, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm slots
3. Alley on 25 at Andaz Singapore
Afternoon tea may be derived from Britain but there’s nothing like tucking into a locally-inspired set. Your afternoon just got better with this whimsical picnic basket ($48 per person), featuring two tiffin carriers filled with sweet and savoury treats such as smoked salmon brioche, pulled pork bun and chocolate chip scones. And, of course, free-flow beverages like iced tea, homemade lemonade, TWG teas and coffee. Top up $40 for bottomless wines, beer and prosecco. Brownie points for the amazing city views! Yup, Alley on 25 is strategically located on the 25th storey of the hotel – talk about living the high (tea) life.
Alley on 25, Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189354; Monday to Sunday, 3pm to 5pm
4. Brasserie Les Saveurs at The St. Regis Singapore
At St. Regis, you know you’re in for some pampering – and you won’t even have to wait for the weekend. Just take a day off work and nibble your way through a lavish array of classic sandwiches, desserts and pastries on a two-tiered silver stand, as well as handmade crepes served à la minute. From $48 (per person), you get to enjoy the experience with coffee or tea. At $73, you’ll be clinking champagne glasses with your fellow diners!
Brasserie Les Saveurs, The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911; Monday to Saturday, 3pm to 5pm; Sunday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
5. Skai at Swissôtel The Stamford
Due for a high tea sesh? Why not take it up a notch, literally. Say, 70 floors above ground? Skai has a spread of savoury and sweet creations layered with – in true Skai fashion – Japanese and Asian accents. While you admire the view, munch on bites like crab roll with ikura, foie gras on beet bun, smoked salmon with roe, raspberry almond macarons and yuzu butter cake. For $65 (per person), complete your meal with aromatic brews by TWG or Suzuki coffee.
Skai, Level 70, Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore 178882; Sunday to Friday, 3pm to 5pm
6. The Lobby Lounge at InterContinental Singapore
One seriously spiffy option that’s on our radar is the hotel’s Heritage Royale Luxury Afternoon Tea. Enjoy treats like ayam buah keluak crostini, caviar and smoked salmon pumpernickel, chilli lobster sandwich and gold dusted ondeh ondeh cake. Jazz up your afternoon with two flutes of champagne, tea or coffee and unlimited servings of scones and ice cream ($228 for two).
The Lobby Lounge, L1, InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966; daily, 1.30pm to 3.30pm or 3.30pm to 5.30pm
7. Prego at Fairmont Singapore
This classy Italian resto offers two afternoon tea experiences. The classic one ($48 per person) features rustic Italian treats such as fried ravioli with ricotta, tomato and basil, citrus meringue pie and parmesan cheesecake. Each set comes with TWG tea or coffee. For something a little meatier, the Gentlemen’s Tea on Fridays replaces delicate finger sandwiches with baked beef pie, steak and chimichurri on sourdough, coffee macchiato macaron and bitter chocolate cigars. At $68 per person, you get your choice of tea or coffee, as well as a glass of Scotch single malt whisky Glenmorangie Lasanta.
Prego, L1, Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Road, Singapore 189560; daily 3pm to 5pm
8. 1864 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre
1864 will reopen on 21 June.
For a relaxing afternoon, head to 1864, where you’ll be served a selection of bite-size delights ($78 for two) with TWG tea or Nespresso coffee. Or you can upgrade to cocktails ($98 for two) and champagne ($114 for two). Sweets include green tea adzuki bean cake, vanilla panna cotta with berry compote and peanut butter financier, while savouries feature salmon tartare on buckwheat blinis and stuffed camembert on waffle croissant. Talk about living the high life – for two hours, at least!
1864, L5, Sofitel Singapore City Centre, 9 Wallich Street, Singapore 078885; daily 2pm to 5pm
9. The Grand Lobby at Raffles Hotel Singapore
Settle in for an elegant afternoon at the heritage hotel with a refreshed spread of indulgences in a refined setting. You can’t go wrong with the Classic Afternoon Tea ($78 per person) for a scrumptious experience! Just be sure to make your reservation a day in advance.
The Grand Lobby, Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road, Singapore 189673; Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 5pm; Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
10. Anti:dote at Fairmont Singapore
This fixture at Fairmont Singapore is no small contender in the cocktail scene, being one of Asia’s 50 best bars. For its current Afternoon Indulgence tea, the splendid spread (from $55) includes Madagascan vanilla scones, crustacean rillette sandwiches, salmon gravlax and porcini quiche. Not to mention sweet treats like Nespresso cocoa macaron and hazelnut praline. Oh, and feel free to splurge on extras like champagne or caviar if you’d like. Talk about an antidote to your mid-week blues!
Anti:dote, Fairmont Singapore, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882; daily from 12pm to 2pm; 3pm to 5pm; until May 2021
11. Pacific Marketplace at Pan Pacific Singapore
Get cosy with an English afternoon tea experience ($38 per person) that’ll have you enjoying goodies such as beef pastrami sandwich, matcha yuzu tartlet, strawberry pistachio choux and coffee caramel roulade. Complete the meal with two beverages of choice from a menu that includes cold brew infusions, TWG teas and Lavazza coffees.
Pacific Marketplace, Pan Pacific Singapore, Marina Square, 7 Raffles Boulevard, Singapore 039595; daily 3pm to 5.30pm
12. The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Not one for finger sandwiches? Have your high tea with a homegrown twist instead! This local three-tiered afternoon tea set (from $60) features some of Singapore’s all-star foods, including Nyonya kuehs and desserts like coconut kaya tart and durian dome. As for the scones, they get a splash of familiar flavours like gula melaka and pandan. Wash it all down with tea, coffee, kopi tarik or teh tarik.
The Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350; daily, 3pm to 5pm
13. Lime Patisserie at Parkroyal Collection Pickering
Now, here’s a high tea sesh that brings us Tiers of Joy. Have tea for two in the lush, elegant space with plush sofas and comfy corner tables. From $68, the set for you and a dining partner features goodies such as Earl Grey cappuccino tart, parma ham sandwich, nasi lemak ball, mini shepherd’s pie and pandan coconut tart. Oh, and did we mention the unlimited servings of coffee or TWG tea? That’s your caffeine for the day, sorted.
Lime Patisserie, Parkroyal Collection Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289; Monday to Friday, 3pm to 5pm; weekends, 3:30pm to 5:30pm
14. TWG Tea Salons
Calling all tea lovers! Go gaga at TWG Tea salons with hundreds of brews to choose from. When tea time rolls around, you can pick a spot to lounge around with your fave flavours and light bites. Feeling peckish? Nibble on muffins or scones served with TWG Tea jelly and whipped cream, plus your choice of hot or iced tea with the 1837 set ($20). For $35, you’ll enjoy all that alongside finger sandwiches such as Thai basil chicken brioche and crab meat tart.
TWG Tea Salons, multiple locations including Ion Orchard and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; daily 2pm to 6pm
15. Mo Bar at Mandarin Oriental
Make your high tea situation an unforgettable one at Mo Bar. The six-course afternoon tea set ($48 per person, $88 for two) comes with rotating treats like potato with citrus mayo and chicken floss, black truffle egg mimosa kueh pie tee, nutty pistachio choux and Earl Grey chocolate mousse. And yes, vanilla and chocolate scones are also available. Pair your meal with a pot of tea or take it up a notch with a signature cocktail or a flute of champagne ($65).
Mo Bar, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039797; daily 3pm to 5pm
16. 10 Scotts at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Fancy indulging in a high tea spread after shopping in town? 10 Scotts offers an afternoon of respite over a scrumptious tea set (from $55) including toasted crumpets with caviar, Pacific oysters and black tiger prawn, clam chowder and poached barramundi. If you’d like to jazz it up, go for the $88 set with booze.
10 Scotts, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211; daily 12pm to 2.30pm or 3pm to 5pm
17. Colony at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
One of our favourite hotel buffets in town, Colony provides the best dining experience complemented by a sophisticated yet cosy setting. The Journey Afternoon Tea ($52) gives you a true taste of Singapore with its five-tier menu. Think scones with jam and clotted cream, mini mushroom cheese chicken pie, seafood rendang and king crab sandwiches, yuzu praline tart, lemon confit cheesecake and more. To complete the experience, you’ll be sipping on your choice of champagne or prosecco.
Colony, The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799; Monday to Saturday, 3.30pm to 5.30pm
18. L’Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel
Choose to enjoy your high tea spread in the cosy indoor space or by the breezy poolside terrace at L’Espresso. The reputable afternoon buffet-turned-tableside service (from $45) features a dazzling assortment of dainty sandwiches, cheeses, pastries, meats, ice cream, an assortment of dessert and, of course, traditional English scones. Pair your light bites with TWG teas or coffees, or toast to luxury with a glass of champagne (from $68).
L’Espresso, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221; Monday to Friday, 2pm to 5.30pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 12pm to 2.30pm or 3pm to 5.30pm
19. The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Unwind at The Landing Point as you dine along the waterfront and soak in magnificent views of the Marina Bay area. This “East Meets West” afternoon tea ($51) English tea time treats with an Asian twist, alongside scones, coffees and teas. If you’re in the mood for bubbly, add on $78 for free-flow prosecco, moscato, house white, red and rosé for two hours. Cheers!
The Landing Point, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326; Monday to Friday, 3pm to 5.30pm; Saturday to Sunday, 12pm to 2.30pm or 3.30pm to 6pm
20. Fennel Cafe at Gardens by the Bay
Nestled within the lush garden of Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, this experience allows you to bask in a Mediterranean setting and admire the exotic flora around you. For $45 per person, the set includes savoury bites like gruyere cheese gougere and smoked salmon sandwich, plus lemon meringue pie and violet choux pastry. Oh, and there’s also a vegetarian menu for plant-based diners!
Fennel Cafe, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953; Wednesday to Sunday, 3pm to 5pm
21. The Marmalade Pantry
This quaint cafe has bloomed in popularity, and it’s one of the more affordable places in Singapore to get your high tea fix. Served on a two-tiered stand, the menu ($54 for two people) has a great mix of sweets and savouries. We’re eyeing the spicy crabmeat with fried mantou, truffle egg mayo sandwiches, buttermilk scones with clotted cream and handcrafted bonbons. Sip on tea from homegrown label Monogram or get your hot or cold coffee fix.
The Marmalade Pantry, available at Downtown and Novena; Friday to Sunday and public holidays, 3pm-6pm
22. Arteastiq
Arteastiq is synonymous with relaxed art jamming afternoons and chi-chi meals. But if busting out your Picasso moves isn’t the plan of the day, perch yourself on a plush, velour chair for an afternoon of dainty delicacies. The signature high tea set ($32 per person, $48 for two) comes with truffle shell pasta, mochi, mini New York cheesecake and teas. Meanwhile, the National Treasure set ($39 per person, $55 for two) goes the local route with otah fries, satay chicken with rice cake, rainbow kueh lapis and baked tapioca kueh with lychee.
Arteastiq, multiple locations including Mandarin Gallery and Plaza Singapura; daily 1pm to 5pm
So what are you waiting for? Time to book yourself a luxe weekday afternoon tea sesh in Singapore!