Tiffin Room

Raffles Hotel Singapore, 1 Beach Road 6412 1816 | raffles.com

Teatime: Daily from 3 to 5.30pm, at $62 per adult and $30 per child. The beautiful and bright Tiffin Room at Raffles Hotel, with its high ceilings and charming colonial architecture, is buzzing on most days, so make sure you book a table at least a week ahead. They can also cater to gluten intolerances or other special dietary requirements if you give them at least two days’ notice.

Begin with a refreshing glass of BillecartSalmon Brut Réserve champagne for $26, or just choose from the selection of teas, accompanied by a three-tier stand displaying all sorts of sweet and savoury delights. From tasty finger sandwiches (the tuna mayonnaise was a firm favourite) to delicate English cakes (you’ll want to savour the chocolate praline and raspberry Madeleine – absolutely sinful!), there’s a treat to delight every palate.

Undeniably, one of the best things is the buffet. With both an Asian and a European twist, it comprises chicken curry pies, assorted dim-sum, croque monsieur with grain mustard and, of course, scones – an assortment of plain, raisin and savoury ones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam. If, after all of that, you still have a stomach for dessert, you can dive into an assortment of tropical fruit and bread and butter pudding with vanilla sauce. Tastiest treat: As a serial scone-sampler, I think I know a good one when I taste one! Raffles Hotel’s scones were the perfect consistency – firm, not too crumbly, and not too flaky. Psst! Instagram addicts should try to snag a seat by a window where there’s more natural light to take great shots of your teatime treats!