Sleep-in face masks and that obsession with all-day breakfasts and brunches (we even have a list of 10 of our favourite brunch spots) are amongst some of our favourite ways to rest and relax over the weekend; and why not, for that is what weekends are for.
Next up on our list: The iconic “afternoon tea”, featuring a smörgåsbord of sweets and petite treats. The best part is how these treats typically come in tiny portions on tiered trays — think mini sandwiches and what not — which makes this indulgence seemingly a touch less guilty. Or at least, until the moment when you can’t seem to stop eating, just like greedy us!
Part of the three-tiered afternoon tea set at Capella Singapore. Image: Capella Singapore
We won’t quibble over the distinction over afternoon tea (dainty sweet nibbles eaten during mid-afternoon) and high tea (a late evening meal-time of savoury dishes), since the differences have become almost negligible in contemporary usage; most hotels and restaurants listed here will serve a mix of both.
We’ve however, distinguished the replenishable “buffet-style” options from the tiered sets of mini treats (which may not be replenishable) in this list, so that it’s pretty easy to check the prices at a glance.
The spread at select restaurants may even include barbecue meats and lobster rolls too, so you’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to a haute spot for afternoon tea. We’ve already done your homework for you: all you need to do now, is to pick from this list and then to start making your reservation soon.
1. Alkaff Mansion
This afternoon tea spot requires some extra work in travelling to — it's on Telok Blangah Hill — but it's worth the trip for a quiet, cosy afternoon.
Image:Alkaff Mansion
Head down to this restaurant within the historical Tudor-style Alkaff Mansion for an Italian-style afternoon tea accompanied with music. Enjoy a spread of sweets and savouries including cakes, signature pasta and Crepes Suzette from live stations.
Prices: $40++ per adult and $18++ per child (Ages 5-12)
Date and Time: 11.30am to 3pm on Saturdays Only (Last seating at 2.15pm, last order and last pour at 2.30pm)
Address: Alkaff Mansion Ristorante, 10 Telok Blangah Green. Call 6510 3068 or email to make your reservations or got to http://alkaff.com.sg/restaurant/italian-tea-buffet/ for more information.
2. Capella Singapore
Grab a quick escape from the crowded crowds in town via a high tea session with a view at Sentosa.
The Afternoon Tea set (left) and the Dim Sum Afternnon Tea set at Capella Singapore. Image: Capella Singapore
You can choose between either the dim sum for high tea at Capella’s Cassia restaurant or the English-style “Colonial Afternoon Tea”, which features a combination of sweet and savoury bites including salmon burritos with caviar, cranberry scones and lemon meringue tarts, just to name a few.
Prices: $39.90++ per diner for the tea set (non-replenishable)
Date and time: 3pm to 5pm from Mondays to Fridays at The Knolls and 3pm to 5pm at Cassia on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
Address: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island. Call 6591 5000 or go to http://www.capellahotels.com/singapore/ for more information.
3. Fairmont Singapore
For those less keen on a buffet-style spread, this dainty chest of treats is not only photogenic; it would keep you from overeating too.
The Anti:dote high tea set at Fairmont Singapore's Anti:dote lounge. Image: Fairmont Singapore
There’s more than enough to go around, while feeling less of an indulgence compared to an all-out buffet. 10 petite treats are stored within this drawer chest for high tea at Anti:dote — within, you’ll find mini sandwiches, cakes and pastries, to be paired with your TWG tea of choice for a leisurely afternoon tea break. There’s a few menu options to choose from, including the Anti:dote tea set which includes black truffle scrambled eggs, Boston lobster roll and chocolate-dipped strawberries; does that not sound very tempting?
Prices: $38++ per person, inclusive of a free-flow of tea for this high tea set (non-replenishable).
Date and Time: From 3pm to 5pm daily
Address: Fairmont Singapore, 80 Bras Basah Rd. Call 6431 5315 or email to make your reservation or go to http://www.fairmont.com/singapore/dining for more information.
4. Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
For a high tea menu that really goes all-out on Singapore dishes, The Clifford Pier then will be your pick soon. Its brand new Singapore Heritage Afternoon Tea session will start from September 1, 2014.
Clifford Pier's Singapore Heritage Afternoon Tea at The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore. Image: The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore
The new menu will count sandwiches made with hae bee hiam (spicy dried prawns) and Bak kwa jam, kong ba bao (braised pork belly buns), popiah wraps, Nonya chicken curry and chili crab buns among its highlights, as well as a selection of assorted pastries, cakes and scones too. Even the humble Milo Dinosaur that you know (that iced drink so generously powdered with Milo) gets luxed up as the Milo Godzilla with an additional scoop of vanilla ice cream for $8 per glass.
Prices: $38++ per adult and $19++ per child for the high tea buffet.
Date and Time: Available from September 1, 2014, from 3.30pm to 5.30pm daily.
Address: The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore, 80 Collyer Quay. Call 6333 8388 or go to www.fullertonbayhotel.com for more information.
5. Goodwood Park Hotel
Said to be in service from as early as the 1970s, the L’Espresso English Afternoon Tea certainly sounds like it has become an institution indeed.
The English Afternoon Tea spread at L'Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel. Image: Goodwood Park Hotel
This afternoon tea destination is known for its freshly baked scones, sandwiches and hot savoury dishes like the braised kurobuta pork in hot pot, the latest menu update in May 2014 now adds a selection of charcuterie, hot smoked salmon, a chocolate fondue section and a selection of local treats such as the Sago Gula Melaka.
Prices: $45++ per adult and $22.50++ per child for the high tea buffet, inclusive of two servings of coffee and tea each.
Date and Time: From 2pm to 5.30pm on Mondays to Thursdays and two seatings on Fridays to Sundays and Public Holidays from 12pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 5.30pm.
Address: Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road. Call 6730 1743 or email to make your reservations; go to www.goodwoodparkhotel.com for more information.
6. Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
If just pastries and dainty sweets aren't quite enough for you, check out this barbecue-themed high tea buffet at the hotel’s Cafe Brio restaurant, which features quite a good deal of Singapore-style food too.
Grand Copthorne's barbecue high tea. Image: Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel
Besides the requisite mini sandwiches, this large spread also includes satay, fried dough fritters, laksa, dim sum and even mini coffee-marinated pork spare ribs; certainly quite a spread that combines almost the best of a buffet lunch (albeit in smaller servings!) with a high tea session.
Prices: $38++ per person for the high tea buffet.
Date and Time: Every Saturday from 2pm to 5pm
Address: Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, 392 Havelock Rd. Call 6233 1100 or email , or book via Chope to make your reservation.
7. Hotel Fort Canning
If verdant greenery is your preferred high tea view, do check out this afternoon tea set at Hotel Fort Canning. Canapes, pastries, macaroons and some Asian-style bites like the kueh pie tee pastry (as seen above) will be served with a choice or either Illy coffee or TWG tea.
Price: $25++ per person for the high tea set (non-replenishable).
Date and Time: from 3pm to 6pm daily
Address: Hotel Fort Canning, 11 Canning Walk. Call 6559 6770 or email for more information.
8. InterContinental Singapore
Looking for a break from the classical "English" afternoon tea set? Then try the aptly named Not-An-Afternoon-Tea series from this hotel for a change, daily.
The Not-An-Afternoon-Tea set, as seen above, is currently all about coffee, for all you caffeine lovers. Your premium house-blended roasts come together with coffee-infused pastries that'll be sure to give you the mid-day energy boost you might be seeking. If, however, you're looking for a more traditional tea set, then fret not: InterContinental will also be serving its Royal Heritage Afternoon Tea, complete with TWG blends; the exclusive in-house InterContinental Singapore Heritage Tea; and lemon raisin scones, so there's something for everyone.
Prices: $42++ for both sets, inclusive of one mocktail and a selection of TWG teas or coffees (for the Not-An-Afternoon-Tea Coffee Edition set); $56 for the cocktail option.
Date and Time: 2pm to 5pm daily.
Address: InterContinental Singapore, 80 Middle Road. Call 6825 1008 or email to to make your reservation.
9. Mandarin Oriental
The five-course high tea set at Mandarin Oriental changes monthly at its Axis Bar and Lounge, so this is one afternoon tea spot that you could easily often re-visit.
Image: Mandarin Oriental
Highlights for August include a barbeque kurobuta pork wrap with lettuce and mayo, a chili crab pie, as well as localised sweets like the Pandan creme brulee and a kumpquat and walnut tea cake.
Prices: $42++ per person, $80 for two for this five-course high tea set (non-replenishable), inclusive of a tea of your choice.
Date and Time: 3pm to 5pm from Mondays to Sundays and an additional 12.30 to 2.30pm slot over the weekends and on public holidays.
Address: Mandarin Oriental, 5 Raffles Ave, Marina Square. Call 6885 3500 or email for more information; reservations can be made online via the hotel’s website.
10. Regent Singapore
Have the best of local and international cuisines at this high tea buffet deal; highlights include squid ink sandwiches with crabmeat, roast duck otah, Nonya laksa and an assortment of Spanish cheeses.
The weekend high tea buffet spread at Regent Singapore. Image: Regent Singapore
Of course, the sweets are just as tantalising, with a range of homemade gelato, as well as chocolate soufflé, chocolate tarts and more from a hotel with one of our favourite dessert selections in Singapore.
Prices: $58++ per person for the high tea buffet.
Date and Time: From 12pm to 2.30pm and 3pm to 5.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays
Address: Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road. Call 6725 3245/6 or email to make your reservation. Go to http://www.regenthotels.com/EN/Singapore for more information.
11. The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Bite-sized sandwiches and canapés await, arranged in such a pretty array at this upcoming high tea buffet spread. Available from September 6, the Autumn afternoon tea menu at Ritz-Carlton's Chihuly Lounge will include English scones, as well as Swiss Gruyere Rolls.
Image: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Sweets are a must-have too: Must-tries include the Umeshu Green Tea Macaroon (perfect for the matcha-loving crowd!) and Rum Raisin Pumpkin Tart.
Prices: $58++ per diner for the high tea buffet.
Date and Time: From 2.30pm to 5pm, from September 6 to November 16, 2014
Address: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue. Call 6434 5288 or email for more information.
12. Shangri-La
The Rose Veranda in Shangri-La is another favoured choice for afternoon tea in Singapore; its high tea sessions are said to be in service since 1991.
Image: Shangri-La
Besides the lush environs, this spot is known for its staggering tea selection (there are exactly 164 flavours to choose from) as well as bite-sized range of international and local treats, which includes a selection of dim sum, sashimi and sushi too.
Prices: $45++ per adult, $23++ per child for the high tea buffet.
Date and Time: From 11.30am to 6pm on weekdays; from 11.30am to 2.30pm and 3pm to 6pm during weekends and public holidays.
Address: Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, 22 Orange Grove Road. Call 6213 4486 or go to this Shangri-La webpage to make your reservation online.
13. Sheraton Towers
Have a weakness for Japanese food? Then this is the high tea deal for you. This afternoon tea set at the hotel’s lobby lounge serves a very Japanese array of dishes like cold soba noodles, mochi, sushi, salmon sashimi and more sweet treats.
The Japanese high tea set. Image: Sheraton Towers
Prices: $39++ per person for the high tea set (as shown above, non-replenishable).
Date and Time: From 2pm to 5pm daily
Address: Sheraton Towers Singapore, 39 Scotts Road. Call 6839 5625 or go to http://www.sheratonsingapore.com/ for more information.
14. St. Regis
A pretty three-tiered silver stand of finger sandwiches and pot pies (as seen below) will be served to you at the start of your high tea session.
Image: St. Regis
Afterwhich, knock yourself out with the selection of sweet and savoury scones at the scone bar, with flavours as intriguing as the Perigord Black summer truffle as well as an unusual mix of pistachio and cranberry. Be sure to check out the stand for crepes and waffles made upon order as well as the array of meringues, cakes, macaroons and assorted Nonya kuehs are all there too for you to sate that love for all things sweet.
Prices: $48++ per person for the Grand Astor Afternoon Tea on weekdays, $48++ per person on Sundays; $58++ for the Grand Astor Afternoon Tea Dance service on Saturdays.
Date and Time: From 3pm to 5pm on Mondays to Fridays and 4pm to 6pm on Sundays; 3pm to 5pm on Saturdays.
Address: St Regis Singapore, 29 Tanglin Rd. Call 6506 6860 or email to make your reservation. Go to http://www.brasserielessaveurs.com/ for more information.
15. TWG
If you’re unlikely to finish more than a few pastries or two (not all of us have that insatiable “second stomach” for sweets!), the tea sets at TWG may be a better idea than the large buffet-like spreads at the hotels.
Image: TWG
Pick and choose between sets that feature just a pair of baked scones, a French pastry item and jelly to go with your pot of tea of choice.
Prices: From $19++ to $40++ for the tea time set menus.
Date and Time: Daily, throughout the day
Addresses: Available at all TWG tea salons in Singapore.
Want more great dining options? Read our stories Best chilli crab and 'crab in bag' restaurants in Singapore!; 12 Halal buffets you should try in Singapore; and if you want some at-home options, read our stories 9 unusual and weirdly delicious instant noodle flavours to buy in Singapore! and REVIEW: Which of these 8 Singapore food delivery services is the best?
