From traditional English high tea sets to Peranakan-inspired ones complete with rainbow kueh lapis, we’ve rounded up what we reckon are eight of Singapore’s best high tea spots. You’re in for a real treat!
1. For retro vibes
House @ Dempsey’s revamped Hi-Tea buffet (SGD30++) works up a treat with deviled eggs, bite-sized pizzas and all kinds of fries – there’s your standard truffle option, and taro-flavoured ones that are strangely addictive. Also, score 10% off your bill when you come dressed in your vintage best!
House at Dempsey
High Tea Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 3 – 5:30pm
8D Dempsey Rd
Tell: 64757787
2. For the ones on a budget
Not all high teas are made equal. Tucked in one end of Holland Village is Foster English Rose Café, set with kitschy mismatched furniture and knight armour, amongst other knick-knacks.
Their Devonshire Cream Tea Set (SGD11.50++) has all the basics you’d expect, and for cheap: think warm scones, finger sandwiches, fruitcake and coffee or tea.
Foster English Rose Café
High Tea Hours: 3 – 6pm daily
277 Holland Avenue
Holland Village
Tel: 6466 8939
3. For a quiet escape
We have a secret. There is a way to avoid the chatty tai tais who spend their afternoons at TWG or Marmalade Pantry.
Take a short getaway to The Knolls at Capella on Sentosa, surrounded by lush greenery and an oasis of serenity. Its afternoon tea set (SGD39.90++) comes with miniature tarts – think fresh berries and a flambéed meringue – and delicate slices of chocolate mousse cake, amongst other things. A selection of Gryphon teas is also available for your picking.
The Knolls at Capella
High Tea Hours: 3.00pm – 5.00pm daily
Note: Its high tea sets are served in Cassia Restaurant on weekends
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island
Tel: +65 6591 5000
4. For seriously fancy savoury tarts
Located on the other end of Sentosa is Woo Bar, with its fancy high tea set (from SGD65++ for two pax) served in a three-tiered birdcage.
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Bite-sized treats include tarts with foie gras ganache and caramelised onion, served alongside sweets like macarons and warm scones. It isn’t cheap, we’ll warrant, but it gives you an excuse to explore W Hotel.
Woo Bar
High Tea Hours: 3 – 5pm daily
W Hotel Singapore
Sentosa Cove, 21 Ocean Dr
Tel: 68087258
5. For an unconventional afternoon tea
If your childhood involved rainbow kueh lapis, you’d probably remember how much fun it was peeling each layer one by one.
A Peranakan high tea set at Pacific Marketplace (SGD38++) comes with your favourite colourful kueh, plus the usual suspects: kueh pie tee, Nyonya chicken curry, and apam balik – better known as those delicious peanut-sugar pancakes typically found in hawker centres.
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Pacific Marketplace
High Tea Hours: 2 – 6pm
Pan Pacific Singapore
7 Raffles Boulevard, Level 1
6. For the molecular gastronomy dessert geeks
For anyone who loves a sweet treat, but don’t want it to be too sinful. In our saturated, high tea-lovin’ market rampant with tai tais, tai tai wannabes and everything in-between, 2amDessert Bar holds its own – and we’re huge fans.
Standouts from its high tea set (SGD52++) are the BBQ lo mai gai and popping candy chocolate moelleux.
2am Dessert Bar
High Tea Hours: Tue – Sun, 3 – 6pm
21A Lorong Liput, Holland Village
7. For the nature lovers
Sitting within the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay is Pollen, with its lush greenery and plenty of natural light.
Its afternoon tea set (SGD38++) is a resplendent mix of open-faced sandwiches (think chicken liver parfait with verjus gel and cocoa nibs) and banana cake topped with salted caramel Chantilly cream (a fancier name for whipped cream). Reservations recommended.
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Pollen at Gardens By The Bay
High Tea Hours: 3pm – 5pm daily
Pollen Terrace, 18 Marina Gardens Drive
8. For Instagram-worthy pictures
Anti:dote is an Instagram lover’s dream: high tea (SGD45++) begins with your choice of truffled scrambled eggs or dim sum, followed by an impressive selection of sweets in a white chest of drawers.
It may seem a bit gimmicky, but the food is on point: confit duck rilette with foie gras sandwiches, rose lychee macarons on popsicle sticks, and TWG teas all ‘round.
Be sure to make bookings – it’s strictly by reservation.
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Anti:dote
High Tea Hours:
Weekdays 3pm – 5pm
Weekends 12pm – 2pm and 3pm – 5pm
80 Bras Basah Road, Level 1, Fairmont, Raffles City
With a high tea set for every budget, all that’s left is to gather your friends and have one heck of a relaxing afternoon – you deserve it!
