Quite frankly, there’s nothing more sophisticated than taking two or three hours out of the day to sip tea from a bone china cup whilst nibbling on crustless sandwiches. It’s delightful to be able to sit down for afternoon tea catching up with girlfriends or spoiling loved ones on a special occasion. Ah, the tai tai life.
For me, afternoon tea must be served at the table with scones, clotted cream and jam— that’s the true English way of having tea. With that in mind, I went in search of the best afternoon high teas that Singapore has to offer. Here are my current favourite spots to indulge in this most glorious of afternoon rituals!
1. ANTI:DOTE at The Fairmont
For the stylish and uber chic, afternoon tea at ANTI:DOTE will be right up your street. The interior is modern and sumptuous: Think velvet sofas, interesting light installations and clean lines.
The afternoon tea line-up changes according to the season. From 1 Mar to 30 Apr 2024, take part in Adventures in Storyland, a Cinderella-inspired high tea that comes in at S$68 per person. This royal affair takes you through delightful creations fit for a princess— how about some Granny Smith Apple Pie or MSC Certified Boston Lobster served with Finger Lime and Charcoal Brioche to start?
Every savoury bite, scone and sweet treat is perfectly put together and tastes sublime. This is the ideal venue for a girls’ day out, but parents are welcome to bring their little ones here to indulge in the luxury too— ANTI:DOTE has a Children’s High Tea too, priced at S$35 for kids aged 6 to 12 years old.
80 Bras Basah Road, #01-00, Fairmont Singapore, Singapore 189560
+65 6431 5315
Daily: 12pm – 12am
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2. Atrium at Pan Pacific Singapore
Pan Pacific Singapore’s Atrium might just be one of my favourite places to wind down after a long week at work.
Not only does it have a 44-metre long bar (in fact, it’s Asia’s longest bar), the restaurant also features an eclectic collection of seating pods floating over a reflection pool.
Its Panache of Singapore Afternoon Tea is a locally-inspired high tea that pays homage to beloved Singaporean flavours. For S$68++ per person, indulge in savouries like Coronation Chicken Charcoal Bun and Chilli Crab Choux Puff, and soothe your sweet tooth with the unique Milo Dinosaur Panna Cotta, Canelé Yam, Ondeh Lamington and Pandan Coconut Macaron, among others.
Wash it all down with your choice of Lavazza Coffee or TWG Tea.
7 Raffles Boulevard, Marina Square, Singapore 039595
+65 6826 8240
Daily: 12pm – 10pm
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3. Lobby Lounge
The Thai-rrific Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge is unlike most other high tea sets on this list, as it heavily incorporates the flavours of Thailand into its dishes. Priced at S$68++ per person, the high tea is available from 1 Apr to 30 Jun 2024, and includes a glass of Thai Milk Tea and free-flow coffee and tea.
There are 6 savoury items on the menu, including Som Tum Poo-Nim (Chang Beer Battered Soft Shell Crab with Papaya Salad), Goong Lobster Yang (Grilled Lobster Marinated with Pad Thai Sauce) and Khanom Thuai (Thai Coconut & Pandan Rice Custard).
Meanwhile, the 7 sweets range from classics like Khao Neeo Ma-Muang (Mango Sticky Rice) to more unique desserts, such as Kanom Thong Yip (Pinched Gold Egg Yolks).
12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Level 32, Singapore 018961
+65 6922 6988
Daily: 10am – 12am
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4. The Marmalade Pantry
For those with a smaller appetite who struggle to polish off a full-on afternoon tea, why not try The Marmalade Pantry’s stripped back version of events?
Featuring a selection of sandwiches, buttermilk scones with clotted cream, heavenly petite cupcakes, and macarons, it’s an ideal way to enjoy the tea tradition without over-indulging. In my view, these are all the best bits anyway.
The afternoon tea at each outlet varies, but The Marmalade Pantry Spring Blossom Afternoon Tea, available from 8 Jan to 30 Apr from 3pm to 6pm daily, comes in at S$78++ for 2 pax. The menu has a good mix of sweet and savoury bites, ranging from the indulgent Deep-Fried Taro Dumpling Puffs and Mala Duck Kueh Pie Tee to the delicate sweet Mango Purin with Osmanthus Sago Pearl and Pineapple Financier.
For a list of outlets, opening hours and contact numbers, refer here.
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5. SKAI
SKAI puts the high in high tea— this sophisticated restaurant lets you enjoy a breathtaking high tea 70 floors above the ground! The SKAI High Tea is priced at S$68 per pax, and includes your choice of TWG Tea or Suzuki Gourmet Coffee, plus free-flow champagne for 1.5 hours.
Tuck into a selection of sandwiches filled with ingredients like Foie Gras “Cheesecake”, Smoked Salmon & Crème Cheese Mousse and Red Prawn. The stunning sweets are not to be missed— beautiful creations include the Hazelnut Paris-Brest, Tochiotome Strawberry Shortcake and Matcha Goma Sesame Tart.
Choose from 5 TWG Tea options or 8 Suzuki Gourmet Coffee choices to pair with your delectable food.
2 Stamford Road, Swissôtel The Stamford, #70-02, Singapore 178882
+65 6431 6156
Sun to Thu: 5pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 5pm – 1am
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6. ATLAS Bar
Dining at ATLAS Bar is an exquisite affair from start to finish. Situated within Parkview Square, ATLAS’ grand interior is inspired by the glamorous Art Deco skyscrapers of Europe and New York, and stepping in will instantly transport you into the world of The Great Gatsby.
The ATLAS Afternoon Tea (S$65++ per pax), served in a stunning rose-gold tier stand, comes with a medley of sweet and savoury bites, served with your choice of tea. You’ll be able to enjoy traditional offerings such as Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream, as well as more unique treats like Tomato Basil Arancini and Lobster on Crystal Bread.
If you’re not yet convinced that an afternoon tea session at ATLAS Bar is utterly worth it, try this — its unique tea selections are created and curated entirely by themselves. Take for example The ATLAS Art Deco Blend, which was specially blended for the bar and incorporates dry gin botanicals, or Palace Grade Pu’er, a vintage black pu-erh tea.
Parkview Square, 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778
+65 6396 4466
Tue to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 2am
Closed on Sun & Mon
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7. Violet Oon Singapore
If you’re looking for a fancy way to impress the in-laws, Violet Oon‘s Singapore High Tea Set (S$59++ for 2 pax) might just be the solution.
Serving familiar favourites with a Peranakan twist, you’ll be able to indulge in selections such as Kuay Pie Tee and Tauhu Goreng, or traditional sweet treats like Bandung Agar Agar and Chendol Pudding.
What’s an afternoon high tea without a selection of classic scones? Enjoy four house-made scones — 2 plain and two gula melaka ones — which are served with clotted cream and jams, and that’s not enough for you, order additional scones from its a la carte menu at S$12.
For a list of locations, opening hours and contact numbers, refer here.
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8. The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
For a simple yet luxurious afternoon tea, head over to The Landing Point at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore for their Expressions Afternoon Tea. The high tea costs S$62 per pax from Mondays to Thursdays or S$68 per pax from Fridays to Sundays, with live piano performances everyday.
Savouries are the Marinated Boston Lobster, Smoked Salmon and Duck Rillettes, while sweet treats include desserts in the flavours of Kopi Peanut Butter, Strawberry Lavender, Gula Melaka Spiced Apple and more.
The extensive selection of Bacha Coffee and TWG Tea is more than enough reason for you to head down for this high tea. Indulge in unique tea flavours like Crème Brûlée, Chocolate Earl Grey and Irish Morning, or if you’d prefer coffee, you can opt for Black Pearl, Happy Gianduja and Orange Sky, amongst others.
80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326
+65 3129 8557
Daily: 10am – 10pm
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9. Isabel Bar
Lush. Posh. Royal. The opulence of Isabel Bar inspires those adjectives and more. Gracing an intimate corner of the exquisite Maxwell Reserve Hotel, it is a sophisticated and exclusive niche destination for discerning patrons to whom afternoon tea is an event.
Isabel’s Afternoon Tea (S$54) is a medley of sweet and savoury bites served with your choice of tea. Enjoy delightful treats like the Herloom Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella on Sourdough, Smoked Chicken Sandwich and Rosemary Focaccia, or indulge in sweet treats like Ondeh Ondeh, Vanilla Profiterole, Les Carolines and Caneles de Bordeaux.
Isabel Bar is an homage to every girl’s princess fantasy, borne out in the life of the eponymous character and personified in the plush, pretty and feminine luxury here.
2 Cook Street, The Maxwell Reserve Hotel, Singapore 078857
+65 8866 0159
Daily: 3pm – 12am
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10. Wildseed Cafe at The Alkaff Mansion
While Wildseed Cafe might not be the most accessible to get to — The Alkaff Mansion is located within Telok Blangah Green — its tranquil and idyllic outdoor setting make it a perfect place to have a cup of tea on a sunny afternoon.
Surrounded by a lush garden landscape, Wildseed Cafe is a floral cafe and patisserie located on the first level of The Alkaff Mansion. Its Afternoon Tea Set (S$58 for 2 pax) serves a selection of small bites such as assorted macarons, cakes and toasts.
While the afternoon tea set comes with your choice of coffee or tea, you can also top up S$2 for its Cold Brew Tea or Signature Blooming Tea. Alternatively, top up S$15 for a glass of Chandon Garden Spritz.
Here’s a plus point: Wildseed Cafe is also pet-friendly, so be sure to bring along your furkids for a relaxing day out!
10 Telok Blangah Green, Level 1, Singapore 109178
+65 8126 8484
Mon: 8am – 5pm
Tue to Thu & Sun: 8am – 9pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 11pm
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11. One-Ninety Bar
Seeking a garden escape? One-Ninety Bar is a stunning establishment recognised through its strong usage of plants and greenery, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a lush tropical wonderland. Their Peranakan Afternoon Tea, which costs S$68 per pax, is only available on weekends from 2 Mar to 28 Jul 2024, and is brought to you in collaboration with the Michelin-starred restaurant Candlenut.
Each dish in this high tea set are curated by different chefs— for instance, the Laksa Crab Cake and Mom’s Chicken Curry are made by the chef and owner of Candlenut, Malcolm Lee. Other dishes available are Boston Lobster, Kueh Salat, Chempedak Crème Brûlée and Kaya Coconut Cake.
You can opt to add on cocktails for S$27 per glass. The unique cocktails are inspired by local flavours, including Chendol and Little Nyonya.
190 Orchard Boulevard, Singapore 248646
+65 6831 7653 / +65 9455 3466
Daily: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm & 6pm – 10.30pm
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12. L’Espresso
Is one set of high tea not enough to satiate you? If that’s the case, check out L’Espresso— their Afternoon Tea Buffet with English & European Classics will be available until 30 Apr 2024, and comes in at S$65 per pax from Monday to Thursday and S$68 per pax from Friday to Sunday.
Dig into over 50 free-flow sandwiches, cheeses, delicatessen, hot dishes and desserts. The Chef’s Specials are exclusive treats on rotation that are available for a limited time per seating. These include Wagyu Beef Sliders with Foie Gras & Purple Coleslaw and Creamy Chicken Pot Pie with Puff Pastry.
Be spoilt for choice as you peruse the desserts from different countries in Europe and the UK, such as Lemon Curd Tartlet, Donauwellen, Tarta De Mazana and Apricot Cake.
22 Scotts Road, Goodwood Park Hotel, Singapore 228221
+65 6730 1743
Daily: 11am – 9pm
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