Who says treating yourself is reserved for the weekends? Pamper yourself with a weekday high tea
High tea in Singapore, so posh. Cucumber sandwiches and scones – very Downton Abbey; or, perhaps even better, traditional treats like kueh and ondeh ondeh. We just love it and, here’s the thing: you don’t have to save it up for the weekend. The proof? Here are our favourite weekday high tea places for that perfect afternoon indulgence. Or, head here if you prefer afternoon tea on a weekend.
Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel
Get the best of Singapore’s culinary past and present in just seven savoury and seven sweet goodies. At $48++, you get local delights like kueh pie tee, nonya chicken curry, chilli crab bao and an egg tart topped with chilli bak kwa (say what?). For sweet tooths, the menu incorporates British treats with a local twist like pandan Swiss roll, tropical fruit scone with homemade kaya (coconut jam) and Bandung macaron. Wash it down with a strong kopi kosong (black coffee with condensed milk on the side to suit your taste).
Singapore Heritage Afternoon Tea, Clifford Pier, The Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay Singapore 049326, $48++, daily from 3.30pm-5.30pm
The Lobby Lounge at Capitol Kempinski
A new kid on the block, Capitol Kempinski’s lobby lounge is the perfect refuge. The afternoon tea menu serves up a mix of sweet and savoury snacks like the pacific lobster salad in soft buns, chilli crab quiche, yuzu marshmallow and freshly baked scones.
The Lobby Lounge, Capitol Kempinski, 15 Stamford Road, Singapore 178906; $45++; daily, 3pm-5pm
1864 at Sofitel City Centre
Sofitel City Centre Singapore’s bar 1864 serves up a four-tier stand featuring bite-size delights like smoked Atlantic salmon with caviar, house-made gougere with béchamel of Emmental cheese and Valrhona chocolate ganache on brioche accompanied with your choice of TWG tea or Nespresso Coffee. Talk about living the high life – for two hours at least!
1864, Sofitel Singapore City Centre, 9 Wallich Street (Level 5), Singapore 078885; $88++ for 2 pax; daily from 3pm-5pm
Atlas
Nothing says ‘treat yo’self’ like afternoon tea with a side of glitz and glam. Step into the roaring twenties at Atlas: a European Art Deco-inspired bar in the iconic Parkview Square. Settle down for a high tea spread of two selections: Atlas ($52) and Prestige ($56) with the choice of teas being the difference in price points. Savouries include Croque monsieur, crab coquettes and a5 j-wagyu, while sweets feature tropical tartlet, truffle bon bon, and cheesecake with lemon curd.
Atlas, Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778; Atlas Selection ($52), Prestige Selection ($56); Monday to Saturday, 3pm to 5pm.
Chef’s Table at Capella Singapore
When one thinks of afternoon tea, one inevitably thinks of decadent delights, like bite-sized tarts, creamy curd and buttery pastries. But what if we told you that you could have all the luxuries of this Brit tradition without sacrificing your diet? Every Friday at Capella’s The Chef’s Table, a gluten-free and dairy-free, vegan afternoon tea is offered. Called Wellness Tea Time ($59++), the treats include tempeh portobello sliders, sprouted whole grain bread with tomato tapenade and quinoa and zucchini chocolate tea cake and more. Down it all with Ayurvedic tea. For the rest of week, sign up for the Capella Tea Experience that serves up decadent French foie gras sandwiches, chicken satay croque monsieurs, scones, pralines and tartlets.
Chef’s Table, Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island. Singapore 098297; $59++; Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5pm.
LeBar at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa
Add a sprinkle of French flair to this quintessentially British ritual with the Afternoon Tea à la Française at LeBar. Featuring a myriad of French-inspired petit cakes and patisserie all served up in a customised jewellery box (complete with a mini Eiffel Tower playing Fur Elise, no less), this tea ($80++ for 2 pax) will delight even the most discerning of Francophiles. Though traditionalists need not fret; the obligatory scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam remain firmly on the menu.
LeBar, Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road, Sentosa, Singapore 099891; $80++ for 2 pax; Afternoon Tea à la Française is served daily from 12pm to 5.30pm.
Como Cuisine
The lush green scene at Como Cuisine sure sets the mood for an elegant high tea. Every Tuesday and Friday, indulge in tower of bites ($70++ for 2 pax) that marry contemporary and local flavour. We’re talking pandan profiterole, calamansi tartlet, trout remoulade tian, crab bun, macarons and more. Apart from coffee and tea, put a little spirit in it with a Taittinger or bellini for an extra $15.
Como Cuisine, 18A Dempsey Rd, Singapore 249677; $70++ for 2 pax); Tuesdays and Fridays 3 – 5pm
The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
Not one for scones or finger sandwiches? Have your high tea with a local twist at The Shangri-La Singapore’s The Lobby Lounge. The set (priced at $38++ per person) features some of Singapore’s all-star food – savouries include char siew puffs, yam cake and lemper udang while sweet options are gula melaka macaron, durian cake, and ondeh ondeh. But more than tiered trays, plated hot dishes like satay and white carrot cake are also available on rotation, with desserts like cheng teng, pulot hitam, and bubur chacha.
The Lobby Lounge, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350; $38++; Monday to Friday, 3pm-530pm
Anti:dote at Fairmont Singapore
This fixture at Fairmont Singapore is no small contender in the cocktail scene – it was one of Asia’s 50 best bars and a former winner of Bar Awards’ Bartender of the Year. But did you know it also whips up a mouthwatering afternoon tea $50++) too? All types of treats are available – think duck rillette sandwiches, homemade pork sausages and sweet potato coconut cone. You can even find a gluten-free menu too. Talk about an antidote to your mid-week blues!
Anti:dote, Fairmont Singapore, 2 Stamford Road, Singapore 178882; $50++; Monday-Thursday, 3pm-5pm, Fridays, 12pm-2pm and 3pm-5pm
Lime at ParkRoyal on Pickering
Now here’s a high tea that brings Tiers of Joy. Available at the hotel’s Lime Pâtisserie, this elegant high tea set has recently undergone a makeover with a distinctly Asian take on dishes like Peking Duck Duxelles encased in Profiterole, Ayam Percik Shepherd’s Pie and Coconut Pandan mousse. Need caffeine to get through the day? $52 will get you unlimited servings of speciality coffee and TWG tea. Each set serves two people.
ParkRoyal on Pickering, 3 Upper Pickering Street, Singapore 058289; $52; Daily from 3pm to 6pm
TWG Tea Salons
Calling all tea lovers! Go gaga at TWG tea salons with over 800 different types of teas to choose from for the high tea set. With four outlets in Singapore (Republic Plaza, Ion Orchard, Takashimaya, and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands), you can easily sip a cup of your favourite tea and munch on their signature tea-infused pastries and savoury bites. Prices range from $19 to $42.
TWG Tea Salons, Republic Plaza, Ion Orchard, Takashimaya Department Store, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands; $19++ to $42++; Daily from 2pm-6pm
Brasserie Les Saveurs at The St. Regis Singapore
At St. Regis, you know you’re in for some ample pampering – and you won’t even have to wait for the weekend. Take a day off work, and indulge in The Grand Astor Afternoon Tea at the hotel’s eminent French restaurant. Goodies here range from foie gras mousse with pear jelly and smoked salmon with capers, to pineapple pate de fruits and homemade chocolate praline. Not to mention, the hand-made waffles and crêpes served à la minute and the myriad of fine teas ripe for the picking.
Brasserie Les Saveurs, The St. Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Road, Singapore 247911; $49++; Mondays to Fridays, 3pm to 5pm
National Kitchen by Violet Oon
One of Singapore’s national treasures puts her spin on the high tea tradition, turning it into a homely feast of Peranakan-inspired staples and local bites. A three-tier stand offers snacks such as buah keluak crostini, hae bee hiam sandwiches, kueh pie tee and beef-bak pow. And instead of Western pastries and desserts, you’ll dig into Nyonya kuehs, roti jala with gula Melaka banana sauce, and kesturi lemon tart with papaya compote. What can this kitchen doyenne not come up with??
National Kitchen by Violet Oon, #02-01 National Gallery Singapore, City Hall Wing, Singapore 178957; $56++ for two pax; Daily from 3pm to 5pm
The Rose Veranda at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore
While not your traditional high tea, this is still an afternoon delight that we wouldn’t mind skipping work for (*cough* you didn’t hear this from us). High tea purists will be happy to find a selection of 164 premium tea blends alongside scones, pastries and other desserts. But bear in mind that this high tea buffet also stocks international fare like sashimi, a rotating carving station and even local laksa – so much for saving space for dessert! It also starts as early as 11.30am, which is a great perk.
The Rose Veranda, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350; $56++; Mondays to Fridays from 11.30am to 5pm
The Lobby Lounge at InterContinental Singapore
One seriously spiffy option that has recently come onto our radar is afternoon tea at InterContinental Singapore’s Lobby Lounge. Swanky setting? Check. This Bugis-based hotel has recently revamped its lounge area into a luxurious space ideal for tea; think old-world grandeur meets modern design, with touches of colonial charm and Peranakan heritage. Scones? Check. We love the sound of the lemon raisin scones served with coffee mascarpone clotted cream and house-made wild strawberry jam! Affordability? Jackpot! As part of Singapore Bicentennial, the three-tiered stand offers iconic Afternoon Tea delights inspired by Singapore’s vibrant flavours.
The Lobby Lounge, Level 1, InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road, Singapore 188966; $78++ for 2 pax; Daily from 2pm to 5pm
Chihuly Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton Millenia
Kick back on the couches at Chihuly Lounge while sipping on loose leaf teas from the Ronnefeldt tea collection. Savour the impressive eight-course high tea set, featuring delicacies like baked fish ballotine, bacon wrapped chicken galantine and truffle egg mayonnaise alongside a mixture of decadent tarts.
Chihuly Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Millenia, Singapore #03-00, 7 Raffles Avenue Singapore 039799; $49 per pax; Daily from 12pm-5pm
Crossroads Bar at Swissôtel Merchant Court
This bar by the river does a mean afternoon tea every single day. You might want to check their Facebook page for updates – apart from the English afternoon tea, they keep it fresh with their specials. The Straits afternoon tea with Nyonya savouries was recently replaced with Hokkaido themed one that includes ingredients like Hokkaido scallops, lavender, green tea and yuzu.
Crossroads Bar, Swissôtel Merchant Court, 20 Merchant Road, Singapore 058281; $38++, Daily 3pm – 5.30pm
The Providore at Tangs
Go ahead and shop till you drop; here’s a cosy spot where you can catch your breath, dump your bags and relax with a cup of tea (or a glass of Prosecco for extra kick). Cloistered conveniently within the second storey of Tangs in the heart of Orchard, The Providore always packs a treat with its high tea set menu. Poached chicken and avocado sandwiches, bruschetta and crostini, buttermilk mini scones with jam or marmalade are just some of the goodies you can sink your teeth into. Energy for the next shopping escapade.
The Providore, 310 Orchard Road, Tangs Orchard, Singapore 238864; $27.50++ (tea) or $37.50++ (champagne); Daily from 12pm to 6pm
L’Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel
Choose to enjoy your high tea spread in the cosy indoors or by the breezy poolside terrace at L’Espresso. The reputable high tea buffet features a dazzling assortment of dainty sandwiches, salads, pastries, a chocolate fountain and, of course, traditional English scones. Prices range from $68 to $72 for an additional glass of Laurent-Perrier champagne.
L’Espresso, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, Singapore 228221; Monday-Thursday, 2pm-5.30pm: $45 per pax; Fridays, 12-2.30pm & 3pm-5.30pm: $48 per pax.
Woobar at W Singapore – Sentosa Cove
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and venture to Woobar for a relaxing high tea experience. Their high tea set (W T Time – Drop The T²) is served in an exquisite decorative silver bird cage and features savoury delights like crispy foie gras with duck rillettes bon bon and sweet treats like macarons and scones. Complement your delicious munchies with Dilmah’s finest teas or a glass of bubbly.
Woobar, W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Dr, Singapore 098374; $65++ for 2 pax; Weekdays from 3-5pm
The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
Unwind at The Landing Point as you dine along the waterfront and soak in the magnificent view of the Marina Bay area. Savour a refillable three-tier high tea set, which boasts an assortment of premium savoury and sweet treats like Boston lobster cornet, smoked duck capsicum wrap, and macarons.
The Landing Point, The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326; $50++ per pax; Daily from 3pm-530pm
Arteastiq
Arteastiq is synonymous with relaxed art jamming afternoons and chichi meals. But if rolling up your sleeves and busting out your Picasso moves isn’t the plan of the day, perch yourself on one of their many plush, velour chairs for an afternoon of dainty delicacies from the Deluxe Teasery set ($38++ per set). On your gilded rack you’ll find smoked salmon roulade with cream cheese and chocolate soil, oysters baked with cheddar cheese and tobiko, macarons and a chocolate cone and banana custard.
Arteastiq, outlets in Mandarin Gallery and Plaza Singapura;$38++ for 2 pax; available all day.
10 Scotts at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Fancy indulging in a high tea spread after an afternoon of shopping in town? 10 Scotts offers an afternoon of respite over a mix of local and international treats like scones with raspberry jam and kaya (coconut) jam. Each set comes with free flow coffee and tea and $85 per adult for free flow champagne.
10 Scotts, Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211; $52++; Daily from 12pm-2.30pm and 3pm-5pm.
The Marmalade Pantry
This quaint franchise has bloomed in popularity since establishing itself as a household name in Ion Orchard, and that means more places in Singapore – including Oasia Hotel Downtown, Singapore that we recently reviewed – to get your high tea fix! Served daily, the Afternoon Tea Set includes two pots of Gryphon Teas; a selection of egg and cress, beef and horseradish, and green land shrimp finger sandwiches; buttermilk scones with strawberry preserve and clotted cream; and your choice of two cupcakes.
The Marmalade Pantry, available at several locations; $60 for 2 pax; daily from 3pm to 6pm
Tisettanta Lounge at Hotel Fort Canning
Not a fan of English high teas? At Hotel Fort Canning’s Tisettanta Lounge, traditional Asian delicacies are the star of the game. Enjoy savouries like crispy carrot cake with hot sauce, seafood kueh pie tee, plus gourmet coffee or TWG tea at $25++ per set. Picture-perfect views of verdant foliage, a gorgeous heritage venue and affordable high tea treats? We’re sold.
Tisettanta Lounge, Hotel Fort Canning, 11 Canning Walk Singapore 178881; $25++ per set; daily from 3pm-6pm
Nesuto Patisserie
French techniques and Japanese ingredients are the heart and soul of this lil’ cafe in Tanjong Pagar. The daily Stairway to Heaven afternoon tea will leave you up in the clouds. Expect five sweet and four savoury bites including a yuzu tart, smoked Norwegian salmon croissants, brie quiche, rose raspberry bavaroise and a pot of tea (with one refill on the house).
Nesuto Patisserie, 53 Tras St Singapore 078992 Tras Street, Singapore 078992; daily 12pm-3:30pm
Pollen at Gardens by the Bay
Nestled within the lush garden of Gardens by the Bay’s Flower Dome, enjoy Pollen’s high tea set while basking in the Mediterranean setting and admiring the exotic flora around you. We love that Pollen prepares their bites with fresh herbs and vegetables from their in-house garden too.
Pollen, Pollen Terrace, Gardens by the Bay, 18 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953;$38++ per pax with coffee or tea, or $50++ with a glass of white peach bellini and $78++ with free-flow prosecco; daily except for Tuesday from 3-5pm
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