Spot of Tea

Our Favourite High Teas in Singapore

Monday, 13 Feb 2012

Let’s pretend you’re royalty.

You’re sitting down to afternoon tea, nibbling on smoked salmon sandwiches, drinking tea – pinkie in the air, ordering more scones, hogging the clotted cream… wait, what? Yes, afternoon tea this divine can make you forget your manners. Tut, tut.

Here are the most amazing high teas – byo graces please!

Tea Lounge

Hotels here generally do high teas well, but the Tea Lounge has a killer rep. The weekday afternoon tea set sits dainty on a three-tier stand – you pick a selection of savory and sweet treats. We adore the scones – they’re moist, fluffy, and divine with clotted cream and lemon curd. If you’re a big eater, head down on weekends for their high tea buffet.

Price: $38++ on weekdays, $48++ on weekends

When: weekdays 12-5pm, weekends 1-530pm

Where: The Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715 p.6725 3245 or 6725 3246

Antoinette

Antoinette is high tea on steroids. The place may look chichi, but see the desserts and you’ll understand why – they are DECADENT. With no formal tea sets or fixed high tea hours, dining here is a luxury. We especially love their French toast and their namesake dessert, the chocolate and earl grey Antoinette.

Price: $6 and up for dessert

When: See Antoinette for details

Where:Antoinette, Penhas Road, Mandarin Gallery, Palais Renaissance & Scarlet Hotel.

House

If Zooey Deschanel invited you to high tea, this would be it. The spread is some of their regular menu made mini and updated afternoon tea classics. Food’s good, but we’re here for the vintage-inspired party.

Price: $22+

When: Every Thu- & Fri 3-530pm

Where: House, 8D Dempsey Road, Singapore 249672. p.6475 7787

Halia

You may be dining in the middle of the Botanic Gardens but you definitely won’t be roughing it. Served on a two-tier stand, this is high tea made modern and more indulgent: foie gras mousse, wild salmon caviar, and an unusual ginger jam best eaten with scones.

Price: $28++

When: Sat-Sun, Public Holidays 3-5pm. Reservations not accepted

Where: Halia, 1 Cluny Rd, Singapore. p.6476 6711

TWG Tea Salon

The draw here isn’t the food but the extensive tea list. Go the traditional route of finger sandwiches and scones (both set and a la carte menus available), but we suggest heading straight for dessert. Try their macaroons and Singapore Surprise – a secret dessert not found on their menu.

Price: $19-$39++ for sets, $16-$24++ for a la carte orders

When: 3-6pm

Where: TWG, Republic Plaza, Takashimaya, ION Orchard, Marina Bay Sands.

The Rose Veranda

The Rose Veranda has a full buffet spread, vegetarian options, and, get this – 164 blends of tea from TWG. The savory menu is substantial but the quality can be a little ho-hum. The desserts, however – ace.

Price: Weekdays $34-$48++, weekends $36-$50++

When: 1130am-6pm daily

Where: The Rose Veranda, Shangri-La Singapore, Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258350. p.6213 4486

Tian Fu Tea Room

High tea may be an English tradition but this teahouse could make a convert out of you. It’s well-worth it too, offering a 7-course dim sum set and three kinds of Chinese tea pairings.

Price: $20++

When: 230-6pm daily

Where: Tian Fu Tea Room, Parkroyal on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591, p. 6505 5722, Parkroyal on Kitchener Road – 181 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208533, p. 6428 3170 & TOP of UOB Plaza, 80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624, p.6535 6006

Image: courtesy of House