The Brits aren’t the only ones who enjoy a good cup of tea. In Singapore, drinking tea in the afternoon is kind of a big deal. Non-tea drinkers may not know it, but there are two different types of teatime taken in the afternoon: the more-familiar afternoon tea, usually taken between noon and 3 p.m., and high tea, a late afternoon affair. The former often involves a spread of of tiny sweet treats, while high tea is accompanied by heavier, savory dishes. You’ll often find a mix of both savory and sweet treats making their way to the table these days, a way to enjoy the best of both worlds. Here are the best spots for tea in Singapore, no matter what time it is in the afternoon.
Spend The Afternoon In One Of These 7 Singapore Tea Places
Photo credit: Anti:Dote at Fairmont Singapore
1. Luxury: Anti:Dote at Fairmont Singapore
How much more luxurious can you get than a tea spread served inside a jewelry drawer chest? Anti:Dote at Fairmont Singapore attracts the entire gamut of guests—from tea enthusiasts to novices—for its unique tea set and delectable treats. Including delicacies from mini cheesecakes to Hong Kong dim sum, the spread is a crowd pleaser when it comes to both taste and aesthetics.
Address: 80 Bras Basah Road, Level 1, Fairmont, Raffles City, Singapore 189560
Phone: +65 6431 5315
Price: Tea sets from S$48+
Hours: Open Monday to Thursday: 3pm – 5pm; Friday to Sunday: 12pm – 2pm, 3pm – 5pm
Photo Credit: 10 Scotts Grand Hyatt Singapore
2. Classic: 10 Scotts at Grand Hyatt Singapore
Award-winning 10 Scotts in the Grand Hyatt Singapore is one of the post popular places for afternoon tea. The venue boasts an indoor waterfall, classic tea spread and bottomless champagne option that has guests coming back time and time again. It may not be top choice if you prefer all components of the tea service served tableside, but 10 Scotts’ cold cut and live dessert buffet stations offer a delightful mix of choices.
Address: 10 Scotts Road, Singapore 228211
Phone: +65 6732 1234
Price: S$43+ per person weekdays; S$53+ per person weekends
Hours: open daily 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.; 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Photo Credit: Fresh Fruit Labs
3. Contemporary: Fresh Fruit Labs
If you don’t mind deviating from the iconic three-tiered stand of delicacies or the full-on buffet, Fresh Fruit Labs presents an interesting take on afternoon tea. Think gazpachos served in flasks, tiramisu perched atop a tripod and test tubes filled with orange sable. Their entire laboratory-themed tea set is just S$19 per person, an absolute deal for the experience.
Address: 351 Changi Road, Singapore 419818
Phone: +65 6677 6741
Price: S$19+
Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
4. Budget: Foster English Rose Cafe
Most of the “budget” afternoon teas in Singapore offer a sliver of cake or single item off the dessert menu. But at Foster English Rose Café, each person gets two scones, a slice of cake, two finger sandwiches and coffee or tea—all for just S$11. The venue is also a steakhouse, and visitors can order items off their a la carte menu.
Address: 277 Holland Ave., Singapore, 278994
Phone: +65 6466 8939
Price: S$11+
Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Friday & Saturday: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.
5. Local flavor: Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel
For classic afternoon tea with a twist, Clifford Pier at The Fullerton Bay Hotel offers the Singapore Heritage tea experience, combining the best of local flavors and tea time traditions. The dining space is an elegant place to sample authentic Singaporean flavors, such as chili crab and kaya, alongside sweet macarons and classic scones.
Address: 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore, 049326
Phone: +65 6333 8388
Price: S$38++
Hours: Weekdays 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.; weekends and public holidays: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Photo Credit: Pollen
6. Garden tea: Pollen
If your afternoon tea is as much about the overall experience as it is about the edible treats, Pollen is a hidden gem located inside the Flower Dome at Gardens by the Bay. The tea set includes classic offerings: scones, macarons, even parma ham. But it’s really all about the complimentary access to the Flower Dome, as well as the experience of sipping tea amidst all the flora and fauna.
Address: Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay, 10 Marina Gardens Drive, Singapore 018953
Phone: +65 6604 9988
Price: S$38+
Hours: Daily (except Tuesday): 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
7. Seasonal: Chihuly Lounge
The lounge goes all out for their seasonal, themed afternoon teas. Take the Spring Afternoon Tea Buffet, all decked out in pinks, for example. In addition to the usual buffet spread of canapes and other savory delicacies, the dessert station was laden with cherry bubble gum cupcakes, pink choux and pink velvet cake. The Chihuly Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton makes sure afternoon tea never goes out of season.
Address: The Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039799
Phone: +65 6337 8888
Price: S$58
Saturday, Sunday: 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
This article was written by Hanna Choi.