GBA Lifestyle News
High tea is one of those great Hong Kong traditions — a holdover from its colonial days — that you just can’t go wrong with. Here we’ve rounded up some of the best offerings in town — from casual affairs to fancy venues perfect for special occasions. Expect exquisite sandwiches, tea served in beautiful china and of course, scones. These are the best afternoon teas in Hong Kong:
If you like being able to choose exactly what to eat for afternoon tea, then be sure to book a table at The Drawing Room, the elegant, light-filled lounge at The St Regis Hong Kong. A selection of eight sweet and eight savory bites are wheeled around on sophisticated trolleys—a nod to the city’s heritage of dim sum carts—and guests can make up their own selection of eight treats from the dazzling array on offer. The offering changes every few months, but we were fans of the New York Deli (soked walmong and Kiri cheese on a dinky onion bagel), and the French Dream (a vanilla pastry cream with dark chocolate glaze). Pair your eats with an extensive selection of teas by local brand Plantation by Teakha; there’s Champagne on offer, too, if you so desire.
When: Daily, 2:30–5:30pm
How Much: $398 for one; $718 for two; $48 for each additional item.
2/F, The St. Regis Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Drive, Wanchai, 2138-6800, website
For a little something different, why not treat yourself to a flavor-filled afternoon tea by chef Will Meyrick? Inspired by Southeast Asia’s vibrant street food scene, the tea set is filled with all the best treats and flavors of the region – think soft-shell crab rice paper rolls, caramelized pork belly, passion fruit cheesecake, and even a pandan custard cream puff. Grab a tea to wash it all down – or perhaps one of the refreshing juices or signature cocktails.
When? Daily, 3pm-540pm
How Much? $248 for one; $38 for a cocktail, wine, spirit, or beer; $168 for a 90-minute free-flow package.
Shop 1045, 1/F, ELEMENTS, 1 Austin Road West, TST, 2511-0100, website
The popular lounge at the W Hong Kong is now a top choice for afternoon tea—and it’s easy to see why. The recent arrival of chef Rafael Gil—of Netflix’s “The Final Table” fame—has reinvigorated the offerings; he’s responsible for the exquisite savory bites on each tea set. Meanwhile, Executive Pastry Chef Baptiste Villefranque whips up imaginative, decadent sweet treats to round out each set. The culinary pair debut a new afternoon tea offering quite regularly—they did a Year of the Ox-themed one for Chinese New Year and they’re currently offering a truffle-themed set in partnership with Plantain Kaviari—so there’s always a delicious reason to return.
When? Daily, 215pm-630pm
How Much? Changes for each set, but expect to pay around $500-$700 for two, depending on whether you’re here on a weekday or weekend.
6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3717-2889, website
Slip into this bastion of British elegance for a classic afternoon tea. The restaurant, by iconic British brand Fortnum & Mason, dishes up two types of treats—an classic Afternoon Tea, and a more savory-heavy High Tea which features thoroughly british delights such as a Classic Scotch Egg and Welsh Rarebit. Both, of course, comes with scones and cakes aplenty, and a pot of your choice of Fortnum’s signature teas.
When?: Daily, 2pm to 5:30pm
How much?: $588 per person; $100 for a glass of Fortnum’s Blanc de Blanc NV Champagne.
Shop 022, G/F, K11 Atelier, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3916-8181, 181fortnums.com.hk
Tucked away in the contemporary arts district of Tai Kwun, the afternoon tea at this stylish place is popular with the Instagram set. Not only is the afternoon tea set here truly photogenic, the restaurant’s interiors are too—most people request the sought-after pink room for maximum ‘Gram-worthiness. Wherever you end up sitting, you’ll be treated to a full array of sweet and savory treats. Tea sets here are often done in collaboration with another brand—right now, it’s cosmetics brand Sulwhasoo for the “Sulwhasoo x Madame Fu “The Best of Me,” which features Strawberry Cream Cheese Cake, Bailey’s and Chocolate Tiramisu Cup, Foie Gras Terrine Crostini with Jeju Mandarin Coulis, and Kimchi Cheese Cracker.
When?: Daily, 230pm to 530pm
How much?: Varies by set, but expect to pay around HK$550 for two.
3/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2114-2118, madamefu.com.hk
The Langham’s Palm Court serves up an OG afternoon tea: the offerings here pay homage to the the hotel’s London outlet, which started serving a classic spread some 150 years ago. Dig into cakes, eclairs and sachertorte, a Viennese chocolate treat. Wash it down with tea from UK heritage brand Wedgwood, served in exquisite teaware.
When: 3-5:30pm, Monday and Wednesdays to Saturdays.
How Much: $348 for one; $598 for two.
Lobby, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2375-1133.
European restaurant The Continental takes up a vast space in the midst of Admiralty’s highrises and hotels, and with comfortable outdoor seating too. For an afternoon tea that’s on the light side, The Continental’s spread does the trick. Start with a tuna salad on brioche and grilled vegetables on baguettes, followed by ham and cheese toasties and salmon rillette sandwiches. Then there’s French dessert Paris-Brest, pistachio financiers with strawberry, raspberry macarons and caramel and banana cupcake to end. There are coffees and seven types of teas to choose from, too.
When: 2:30-5pm, weekends.
How Much: $380 for two.
Unit 406, 4/F, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2704-5211.
For afternoon tea in an elegant setting, look no further than AMMO — a heritage site that takes up a 19th century explosives compound. The afternoon tea menu has all the usual suspects: raisin scone with blueberry jam and cottage cream, almond financiers and green tea cheesecake — plus a whole bunch of posh savories like parma ham with figs, chicken consomme jelly, white anchovies with ratatouille on toast and shrimp spring rolls with basil mayonnaise. As if that’s not enough to fill you up, there’s even a wagyu beef burger with cheese (!).
When: 3-5pm daily.
How Much: $368 for two.
Lower Level, Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, 2537-9888.
Another Tai Kwun Gem, Statement is the purveyor of modern British cuisine by Aqua Group and partners with premium Champagne house Ruinart for its afternoon tea offering. Expect a lavish selection of both sweet and savory snacks, From a roast turkey, pomegranate, and pistachio sandwich; cucumber, celery, and dill sandwich; bittersweet chocolate cake; and passion fruit mousse and biscuit crumble. All served with a side of both raising and rose-perfumed scones—with Cornish clotted cream and homemade jams, natch. Feel free to take things up a notch with the addition of Osetra Caviar, premium teas—or, of course, a glass of Ruinart.
When: Thursday–Sunday, 3–5pm
How Much?: $288 per person, minimum two required; $100 for Champagne.
2/F, Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2848-3000, book online
We’d argue there’s no better place to enjoy an exquisite afternoon tea with stunning harbor views in Hong Kong. HUE takes its culinary cues from modern Australian fine-dining, and its afternoon tea sets are equally Aussie-inspired. The inclusions change on occasion, but its current collaboration with Aromatherapy Associates features bites inspired by the brand’s signature scents—think ginger-pumpkin scones with lavender whipped cream; forest mushroom croquettes with Australian truffle; oregano chicken quiche with juniper berry, black pepper, rhubarb, and sage cream pavlova; and bitter orange Petitgrain and rosemary curd tart—and, of course, a chocolate and barley malt cream lamington. Be sure to order up a paired cocktail—they’re shaken up tableside!
When?: 330pm-530pm
How Much?: Varies by set, but expect to pay around $680 for two, and extra for cocktails or Champagne.
1/F Hong Kong Museum of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3500-5888, huedining.com.hk
Arguably the most famous afternoon teas in Hong Kong, the spread at The Peninsula’s Lobby offers delicious bites in a sophisticated setting complete with live classical music — perfect for impressing a business partner, or your mother-in-law. Start with dainty crustless finger sandwiches with smoked salmon, egg salad, and prawns and cucumber; then move on to scones made with the hotel’s own recipe, served with strawberry jam and clotted cream — a thick variety created using milk scalded over a low heat. Save space for Stilton and leek tart, and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon.
When?: 2-6pm daily.
How Much?: $368 for one; $658 for two.
Lobby, The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2696-6772, website
Afternoon tea with an ocean view? Don’t mind if we do. The Repulse Bay’s Verandah restaurant offers a luxurious tea set. On weekdays, choose from a menu of homemade scone ($148), assorted tea sandwiches (smoked salmon, gammon ham, curried egg, and tuna, $148); plus the Repulse Bay signature panini ($208), which sounds like the perfect thing to refuel with after a day on the beach — it comes with roasted chicken, bacon, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, and fried egg. On weekends, it’s a classic afternoon tea spread with sandwiches, savories, and quiches, plus pretty much every dessert you can think of: scones, financiers, macarons, tartlets, and puddings — an assorted tea cakes trolley is available, too.
When: 3pm-530pm daily.
How Much: $288 minimum spend per person, weekdays; $308 per person, weekends.
The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Repulse Bay, 2292-2822.
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