Pinkies Up!:
There’s nothing quite as enjoyable as sipping on tea and chit-chatting over dainty treats with your best friends. The EL team (lucky us!) had the chance to try some of the finest afternoon teas in town – read on for our reviews.
Afternoon tea spots around the island
Raffles Hotel Singapore
Tea Time: Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 5pm; Friday to Sunday, 12pm to 6pm
Spill the Tea: I’ve always wanted to try the classic high tea at the iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore; the grandiose setting of the restored Grand Lobby is reason enough for a visit! Stepping into the lobby, I’m first struck by the warm welcome and impeccable service, and then the impressive floor-to-ceiling Victorian pillars – a refreshing change from the tall skyscrapers and bustling traffic outside.
Priced at $78 per person, this afternoon tea is notably one of the pricier options on the island. The three-tier display includes a few savoury sandwiches in simple yet satisfying flavours like wholegrain egg mayo, and my mum’s favourite, tuna. The scones, which frankly weren’t the best I’ve had, were served warm with house-made jam and clotted cream, but the real stars of the show were the handcrafted sweets. There’s a neat selection of delicate pastries, including a refreshing raspberry choux, a delightfully crisp chocolate caramel tart, and a creamy apple-ginger parfait. Everything was elegantly presented, well balanced in flavour, and thankfully not overly sweet.
You get to choose your tea from the “Mariage Frères” menu; my pick was the Orange Pekoe Ceylan, a full-bodied black tea from Sri Lanka, which went exceptionally well with the desserts. Mum loved the fruit tea, a fragrant blend of caffeine-free red rooibos with red fruits and vanilla. Take it up a notch by topping up for a premium tea or a glass of bubbly (from $25).
From 1 June to 31 August, enjoy a special Madrid Afternoon Tea Experience ($88 per person) at The Grand Lobby! Featuring a moreish selection of Spanish bites and sweets, the thematic high tea whisks you away to a summer escapade in the beautiful capital city of Spain.