5 high tea spots in Singapore to live the tai-tai life
As the chilly holiday season sets in, treat yourself to an afternoon of cosy seats, dainty bites and piping hot tea.
Here’re five high tea spots for a luxurious afternoon of munching, sipping and feasting!
1. Champagne high tea: Colony
The Ritz Carlton Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue
Nearest MRT station: Promenade
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (12 to 2.30pm, 3.30pm to 5.30pm, 6.30pm to 10.30pm)
If you have a sweet tooth, you’d love Colony’s set menu, which comes with unlimited servings of desserts. This includes assorted scones, chocolate pralines, ice cream and sorbet.
Savouries are also available, but are limited to one serving per diner. For this, you can choose from a range of bites along the likes of king crab sandwich, Impossible chilli con carne, avocado sandwich with seaweed jam and more.
These are served in a five-tier tingkat (tiffin carrier), and also includes a complimentary flute of either champagne or prosecco.
And what’s afternoon tea without a good brew? Colony has eight specialty varieties for selection from tea atelier Tea Bone Zen Mind, so you’d be spoiled for choice.
What to order: The Journey afternoon tea (from S$58)
2. Buffet: L’Espresso
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (11am to 9pm)
Goodwood Park Hotel’s L’Espresso tea room is one of the best-known purveyors of high tea in Singapore, having served up traditional tea time snacks and beverages since the 1970s.
Tucked away just off the main bustle of Orchard Road, it’s a quiet and cosy spot for a languid afternoon with friends and family.
Food-wise, its tea buffet comprises an all-you-can-eat assortment of sweets and savouries, including the usual suspects of sandwiches and English scones.
The buffet comes with a selection of tea and coffee, but you can also order a boozy cocktail or two separately for enjoyment at the hotel’s poolside terrace nearby — perfect for whiling away the afternoon in an idyllic setting.
What to order: English Afternoon Tea (from S$68 per adult, from S$40.80 per child)
3. Most affordable: The Hainan Story
The Hainan Story: Introduction
Hillion Mall, 01-15/16, 17 Petir Road
Nearest LRT station: Bukit Panjang
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (7.30am to 9.30pm)
The Hainan Story: Chapter One
Hotel Boss, 01-09, 500 Jalan Sultan
Nearest MRT station: Lavender
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (8am to 3am)
The Hainan Story: Chapter Two
Jewel Changi Airport, B2-201/202, 78 Airport Boulevard
Nearest MRT station: Changi Airport
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (8am to 10pm)
As one of the most affordable afternoon tea spots in town, The Hainan Story and its all-day tea set is perfect for a slice of indulgence without breaking the bank.
Bring a friend and order the Na Gu Hor set — which means “very good” in Hainanese — featuring swiss rolls, fried chicken wings, fries with curry sauce and more. There’s even yi bua, a special Hainanese kueh. Wash it down with your choice of two hot drinks.
What to order: Na Gu Hor set ($18.80 for two diners)
4. Kid-friendly: Anti:dote
Fairmont Singapore, Level 1, 80 Bras Basah Road
Nearest MRT station: City Hall
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (12pm to 2.30pm, 3pm to 5pm, 6pm to 12am)
Head to Anti:dote at Fairmont Singapore hotel for a luxurious afternoon tea that’s just perfect for the ’gram.
The bar is best known for its innovative cocktails and monthly-themed afternoon tea sets, so don’t expect to see the same nibbles every time you visit.
These themes run the gamut from the usual seasonal specials, to tie-ups with brands such as Sanrio and Dreamworks, so there’s something for the kids as well!
Regardless of the theme, the bites come carefully arrayed in a now-iconic chest of drawers. There are sweets and savouries along the likes of finger sandwiches, scones, macarons and more.
If you’re in a decadent mood, top-ups are available for a choice of amuse-bouche or free-flow bubbly.
What to order: Afternoon Tea Indulgence (from S$58 per adult)
5. Halal high tea: Carousel
Royal Plaza on Scotts Singapore, 25 Scotts Road
Nearest MRT station: Orchard
Opens: Mondays to Sundays (12pm to 2pm, 3pm to 5pm, 6.30pm to 9.30pm)
Buffet fans will be no stranger to Carousel over at Royal Plaza on Scotts hotel.
Located in the heart of town, this restaurant is perfectly situated for an afternoon break from a day of shopping.
Pop on over for its high tea buffet and be prepared for a smorgasbord of bites.
Diners are invited to try a little of everything, from laksa, chicken rice and other Asian favourites, to afternoon tea staples such as scones, muffins and danish pastries.
Be sure not to miss various stations, including ice kachang, teppanyaki, pasta, seafood and sashimi.
Its kitchens are halal-certified, too.
What to order: High tea buffet (from S$53 per adult, from S$30 per child)
Foo Jia-En
Author
Jia-En has worn several hats in her career — first writing TV scripts, then food and lifestyle stories at Wine & Dine. But some things will never change: Her love of words, cats and caffeine.
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