Tea for two, tea for three, tea for all—who doesn’t love themselves the bliss of afternoon tea? For residents of Hong Kong, it’s been a favorite past time for ages, as they adopted the classy tradition way back during Britain’s colonial rule. Whether it’s a traditional pairing of dainty cucumber finger sandwiches, scones, and clotted cream, or more creative indulgences like foie gras mousse macarons, Japanese cheesecakes, and bits of sparkling champagne, high tea remains one of the most gastronomic delights one can experience anywhere in the world. In Hong Kong, however, it’s a quintessential daily “must do.”
Come around 15:00 hours, you’ll find plenty of locals and visitors alike crowded in plush dining rooms or hotel lobbies all over town filled with a genteel selection of fancy cakes, endless teas, the finest china and silverware, and other sophisticated and innovative twists. The next time you’re in the Pearl of the Orient, experience the joys of this common English rite of passage for yourself by heading over to these six best places for high tea in Hong Kong.
Enjoy Hong Kong High Tea In These 6 Exquisite Places
1. Café 103 – Ritz Carlton
It’s literally the highest of all high teas-- a half kilometer into the sky on the 103rd floor café of the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. Delight in a Chocolate Afternoon Buffet featuring tasty treats courtesy of visiting chocolatiers from around the world, along with incredible versions of classic cakes, tarts, and biscuits imbued with even more masses of chocolatey goodness made piping hot by the expert kitchen team on site. Plus, along with nonstop tea and bubbly, hot chocolate is available too!
Basically, if you’re looking for any sort of Choco high, this HK hotspot located in Kowloon is the place to race towards. What’s more is that since it is directly connected to the famed Elements Shopping Mall, you can easily combine a five-star afternoon tea extravaganza with a stellar shopping spree.
2. The Lobby - Peninsula Hotel
Another one of the city’s most popular teatime joints, this tourist attraction slash lobby café offers the classic British experience inside the Peninsula Hotel. Sophistication meets elegance as you dine on a bountiful array of quality scones, chocolates, and teas-- all while dressed in your finest attire and feeling like you’re back in the olden days as a live string quartet plays nearby.
Though this period favorite may be one of the pricier options in town, all those Tiffany china cups, Sheffield silverware pieces, and genuine Devon clotted creams used along with those tasty smoked salmon bits, cucumber sandwiches, scones, and fancy cakes, make the grand trip back to yesterday well worth the higher cost.
3. Woobar – W Hotel
A bit newer than most, this one’s renowned for its fresh and modern take on a classic favorite. If you’re looking for a truly modern interpretation of the afternoon tea experience in Hong Kong, there really is nowhere better than the Woobar Afternoon Tea-se Me T Buffet at W Hong Kong, where there’s a special focus on sweet treats of all shapes and sizes—as well of never-ending amounts of bubbly champagne.
The creative hotspot is also the most flexible than anywhere else in town, as guests can choose from two separate seating times along with innovative offerings like crab and citrus mayo charcoal brioche, roasted Australian lamb and tomato club, or new high tea sets like Fragrance D’Amour, which is one of most cutting edge and surprisingly aromatic afternoon teas in the world. It’s a collaboration with perfumeries Lanvin, Balmain, Jimmy Choo, and Montblanc that’s especially perfect for fashion-forward ladies.
4. Clipper Lounge - Mandarin Oriental
An exceptionally decadent high tea set, the soft, romantic atmosphere and wonderful service at the Mandarin Oriental’s Clipper Lounge remains one of Hong Kong’s most indulgent traditions. Situated inside one of the area’s leading hotels, afternoon tea at this colonial favorite is always a polished presentation, featuring everything from three-tiered displays of sweet niblets to exquisite oolong teas from China bearing subtle hints of vanilla and cocoa-caramel flavors.
What’s more is that both the lobby and the actual lounge exude timeless elegance, a dreamy space that perfect for ladies and gents to fancy themselves with a leisurely lunch of grilled cheese and truffle sandwiches or scones topped with rose petal jam. Easily experience the epitome of high tea by visiting one of Hong Kong’s finest tea time settings today.
5. Sevva
Viewed by many as the icon of tea time luxury, this girly spot is a princess party favorite that’s famous for its dainty cakes and petites and super fancy environment—think a sky garden surrounded by a house of colorful flowers, a stunning high ceiling laced with florals, as well as a gorgeous harbor view.
Sevva takes a simple approach to high quality food without being saturated by over-complexity, and it really is no wonder why it’s become the talk of the town. Be sure to try their signature Marie Antoinette’s Crave, a whopping three feet tall beauty of marshmallows and colorful macarons that looks as good as it is to eat. There’s also the signature tea set for those wanting something more traditional, complete with staples like smoked salmon on toasted crumpets and foie gras mousse with onion marmalade (there’s even a vegetarian option called the We Love Vegetables high tea set that’s just as decadent as the signature tea set but with wild mushroom ragout and the house specialty vegetable spring rolls instead!). Don’t forget to top it all off by ordering a few of Ms. B’s Bakery’s famous caramel crunch cakes or their infamous Gokson creation, a cherry topped banana split sundae cake that’s to die for. Yum!
Photo credit: Hoiki Liu
6. Café Grey Deluxe – The Upper House
Located in the swanky Upper House in Pacific Place, this is the spot you’ll want to be at to savor fresh, scrumptious takes on European classics by Michelin-star chef Gray Kunz. Along with adorable nibbles like mini white chocolate muffins and smoked salmon on pumpernickel, this foodie favorite allows your taste buds to embark on a unique and spectacular adventure all while you take in breathtaking views of Victoria Harbour from the 49th floor. You’ll be desperate to come back for more after just one visit for sure.
This article was written by Pamela Chan.