Top High Tea Places in Singapore

Why you should indulge in a high tea experience

Tiers of hearty bite-sized pies, savoury finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones served on beautifully crafted bespoke display stands. Alongside fancy petit fours, tempting chocolate tarts and an assortment of cookies, paired with a fancy pot of aromatic tea or freshly brewed coffee to go with every bite. 

Usually available all week long, this tea time dining experience offers the perfect weekend indulgence. It is also a great way for you and your friends or family to pamper yourselves and chase away those mid-week blues. Savour all these beautifully crafted goodness in the cozy lounge seats surrounded by stunning decors and grand ambience or soak in the scenic skyline views of Singapore – what an irresistible treat for both your taste buds and eyes! 

Top High Tea Places in Singapore

From the classic British offerings such as scones and cakes to a unique blend of Japanese inspired or traditional Peranakan flavours, check out some of the top high tea places in Singapore.

Origins of high tea then and how it has evolved

It started way back in the early 1800s and afternoon tea gained popularity thanks to the seventh Duchess of Bedford. Back then people only had two meals a day, breakfast and dinner, with tea served midday around 4 PM. Feeling peckish, the Duchess usually paired her afternoon tea with a light snack. She started to invite friends over, and friends invited friends over to their own afternoon tea sessions. Soon enough it became a popular social event for the upper-class in England.

Since then, both the terms high tea and afternoon tea have been used interchangeably. As our lifestyles and eating habits have evolved, high tea is now served between lunch and dinner starting from around 2 PM to 5 PM. These days the menu typically consists of a combination of sweet and savoury light bites sometimes recreated with a local or modern twist. This is also supplemented by the wide variety of complimentary premium tea blends and coffee of your choice. 

Tips on how to pair your afternoon tea with the menu

Just like fine wines, the art of tea pairings can help to accentuate the flavours of both the dish and beverage.There are multiple varieties of tea types, each with its own unique scent and distinct flavour profile. Aside from the sensory attributes, drinking tea has many health benefits including lowering the risk of stroke and encouraging weight loss. 

As the traditional high tea menu continues to evolve, combining different elements of other culinary traditions, choosing the right cup of tea offers a fun way to engage your taste buds and enhance your overall dining experience. Here are some of the popular types of teas and their recommended pairings you should try during your high tea visit!

Black tea

Like its distinctly dark appearance, black teas are often bolder in taste and aroma. The rich roasted flavours along with a hint of pleasant bitterness tastes best with full-flavoured food or pastries. Some of the popular classic black teas like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, have a robust flavour which pairs best with hearty food like creamy desserts or savoury snacks. 

Green teas

The subtle grassy and herbaceous flavours of green tea offers a refreshing finish which complements mild flavoured food like seafood, chicken or unsweetened pastries. Fruity teas like Ceylon green tea have a light natural sweetness that compliments fruit salad and pastries. Japanese green teas such as Sencha have a light seaweed-like taste that is best paired with the umami flavours of seafood dishes.

Oolong teas 

There are a variety of Oolong tea types and its flavour profiles can vary from light and floral to strong and toasty – making it the perfect all rounder for afternoon teas. Lighter Oolongs usually have an aromatic floral note that is best for both sweet and salty flavours like scallops and fruit salads. Whereas the darker Oolongs have a slightly stronger complex taste which blends in well with smoked meats and cheese. 

What to look out for when choosing a high tea place 

Including luxurious hotels to fancy cafes and lavish savoury sweet creations to refillable treats, there are so many types of high tea places to choose from! Here are some tips to consider when choosing a high tea place:

Deals and discounts

Weekend high teas are usually more expensive as compared to weekday dining for the same set of dishes. However, afternoon tea does not always have to be an expensive affair. There are many ongoing credit card discounts and one-for-one offers available. Hence do check out the websites or online reviews in advance before you make your booking to get more bang for your buck!

Type of high tea dining

Restaurants usually offer either fancy high tea set menus or a buffet spread of bite-sized sandwiches, scones and desserts. Set menus are great for those looking to indulge in some midday light refreshments. If you are planning to have a heavier tea break or gathering for a large group, consider buffets instead. You can get to enjoy both the extensive menu and free flow of gastronomic delights.

High tea menu selection

Scones, sandwiches and desserts, these are some of the common treats you can find on the high tea menu. But that is not all! Many restaurants offer regular updates to their menu to complement the holiday seasons or special occasions, you can always expect to enjoy new ranges of special seasonal varieties. If you fancy a bubbly addition to spice up your fancy affair, many also serve a diverse selection of champagne or prosecco at an additional top-up.

Ambience of restaurant

Aside from the quality of food, the right atmosphere and visual aesthetics can contribute to your overall dining experience. High tea sessions are often meant to be a calm and relaxing break, for you enjoy good food and spend quality time with friends and family. From rooftop restaurants with a view to cozy lounge seats by the waterfront, there are so many different types of settings available to enhance your high tea adventures.

Editor’s Note:

While every precaution has been made to ensure the accuracy and fairness of this listing, we acknowledge that they may be inaccuracies. Therefore, we urge you to contact the service provider above for the correct information and/or contact us with the correct information.

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