Afternoon teas in Singapore are a lovely way to spend time with friends or family. And they’ve evolved into not just tasty but visually creative experiences too! From a hotel high tea in Orchard to one with water views, we’ve sampled the best scones, savoury bites and dainty desserts, plus a range of delicious drinks. Read on for our reviews!
Do check venue websites for the latest details, prices and timings, as some of our reviews are of seasonal afternoon teas that may have new menus and themes.
The Grand Lobby at Raffles Hotel Singapore
What’s brewing at this afternoon tea in Singapore: The Raffles Afternoon Tea Experience
Tea time: Daily, 12.30pm to 5.30pm
Price: $108 per guest; from $128 with a glass of champagne
Our review
Afternoon tea at Raffles Hotel Singapore is one of those things you feel you should do at some point, and I’m glad I did it with my daughter. It turned into a really lovely, unhurried afternoon together.
The Grand Lobby is just beautiful, with its white pillars, high ceilings and iconic chandelier. With a live harpist playing softly in the background, the whole space feels elegant and relaxed. You settle in quickly, and the outside world fades away for a while.
We were welcomed with a refreshing Singapore Sling tea, and I liked the small rituals around the tea service, from the trolley to the hourglass timer that lets you know exactly when the tea has steeped and is ready to pour. It adds a bit of theatre, without feeling stiff or overly formal.
The savouries and sweets arrive on a silver three-tier stand – the menu is refreshed periodically, so selections may vary – while the scones are served separately, warm and fresh with clotted cream and rose petal jam. A couple of savouries stood out, especially the Marinated Tuna Loin Tartlet with Avocado Salsa and Lemon Gel, which had a nice freshness, and the White Balsamic Roma Tomato Sandwich with Dill Cream Cheese, simple but full of flavour.
By the time we got to the sweets, we had both slowed down and were just enjoying the moment, chatting away. They were beautifully presented and nothing felt too heavy, which we liked. The Matcha Strawberry Cake was light, the Chrysanthemum Passion Fruit Mango Profiterole added a bit of tang, and the Chocolate Caramel Pecan was our clear favourite.
It’s not just about the food here. It’s the atmosphere and that rare feeling of slowing down completely. You end up sitting there a little longer than planned without really noticing. A really nice option for a special occasion, or simply an easy afternoon with someone you enjoy spending time with.
Karin Galley
1 Beach Road
raffles.com/singapore
The Fullerton Hotel
What’s brewing at this hotel high tea: Daily afternoon tea, plus special menus
Tea time: Daily, 12pm to 2.30pm, and 3.30pm to 6pm
Price: From $58 per person, add $78 for two hours’ free-flow Veuve Clicquot Champagne or $38 for two hours’ free-flow Blanc de Blancs alcohol-free wine, or $15 for a flute of Veuve
Our review
The Courtyard is a gorgeous internal space at The Fullerton that’s ideal for a leisurely afternoon tea. There are regular special mennus on offer. We enjoyed the Strawberry Bliss Afternoon Tea, running until 30 June. The Straits Classics Afternoon Tea is available from 1 July to 14 August.
My sister chose the vegetarian option from the menu, and I had the regular offerings, but there’s also a nut-free option if you need that. We thought the savouries were very good – mine included king prawn and caviar, beetroot Atlantic salmon with ikura, seared Hokkaido scallop with strawberry relish, and a cucumber sandwich with strawberry crème. The cage-free egg, seasonal truffle and locally farmed mushroom canapé was my favourite!
The sweets were so beautifully created it was almost a pity to eat them. And they tasted as good as they looked. We both agreed the scones with jam and cream were exceptional – and we’ve eaten a lot of cream tea in our lives!
Drinks-wise, you have tea and a welcome drink included. There’s a huge range of teas and coffees; my sister chose the Royal Orchid tea, which she really liked. It was semi-fermented Formosa Oolong blue tea infused with the fragrance of a night-blooming orchid. The welcome drink was interesting – house-brewed sticky rice pu’er tea with strawberry purée, lime juice and cranberry juice.
There’s a whole range of coffee which I should have tried, but I stuck to a safe cappuccino. I will have to go back to taste the others!
Rebecca Bisset
1 Fullerton Square
fullertonhotels.com
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
What’s brewing at this high tea in Orchard: Summer Berries Afternoon Tea available until 30 June, with other themes to follow
Tea time: 3pm to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday; 2pm to 3.30pm and 4pm to 5.30pm from Friday to Sunday and public holidays
Price: From $48 per person on weekdays and $58 on weekends
Our review
The Lobby Lounge at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel is one of my favourite spots in Singapore to enjoy a leisurely afternoon tea with girlfriends – not only for its fantastic location (shopping on Orchard afterwards!), but also its revolving menu of themed afternoon tea sets that changes every few months.
The theme du jour this season? Delicious summer berries. On a beautiful tree-shaped four-tier stand, we were served a plethora of berry-inspired sweet and savoury bites. We dug into the latter first, which included chicken and tarragon cream tartlets, smoked trout vol-au-vents and cute finger sandwiches, before moving on to the oh-so-pretty sweet treats. I especially loved the matcha scones (they also served a classic version), strawberry panna cotta terrines and pistachio raspberry gâteaux, which struck the perfect balance of sweet and zesty. And, lucky us, each afternoon tea set comes with two free-flow rotating canapés of the day. Ours were delightful mini macarons and pistachio gâteaux.
The accompanying drinks here deserve their own spotlight. Not only do you get unlimited TWG tea (the large selection includes the popular Silver Moon tea) and Lavazza coffee (my cappuccino was excellent), but also a flute of Duval-Leroy Brut Champagne or sparkling tea on weekends. The afternoon tea is priced from just $48. It’s quite a steal for spending a lovely time in the heart of town!
Cherry Lai
320 Orchard Road
lobbyloungesg.com
Pacific Emporium at Pan Pacific Singapore
What’s brewing at this hotel high tea: English Afternoon Tea
Tea time: 1pm to 3pm (first seating) and 4pm to 6pm (second seating)
Price: From $58 per person
Our review
Pacific Emporium’s seasonal afternoon tea takes on a more classic British theme, while still retaining the polished presentation and leisurely atmosphere the space is known for. My colleague and I visited together and ended up having a particularly lovely, unhurried afternoon over tea and conversation.
We were first welcomed with a refreshing mocktail before selecting from TWG’s range of Asian and English teas. I chose the Moon Fruit Black Tea, whose light fruity aroma didn’t overpower the food. My companion opted for the Vanilla Bourbon tea as a caffeine-free alternative. Two tea servings are included, allowing guests to pace the experience comfortably.
The signature high-tea tower mirrors the elegant Emporium décor and arrives beautifully arranged with both savoury and sweet bites. The savoury selection was satisfyingly hearty. It included duck rillettes, bacon-wrapped shrimp, ham quiche and a mini salmon bagel. For the weekday menu, each guest could also select a main course, from classic British options such as chicken pie, braised beef short ribs, English curried rice with smoked haddock and fish and chips. These were all presented with a modern twist.
Desserts balanced bright citrus flavours with traditional comforts. The yuzu scones and pink grapefruit mint gâteau added freshness, while the custard pudding and classic scones offered familiarity. One of the more memorable creations was the corn roulade topped with a parmesan crisp and popcorn-infused Chantilly cream, which brought an unexpected savoury-sweet finish to the afternoon. On weekends, the experience is transformed into a buffet-style affair with a selection of savoury and sweet delights, and much more.
Geeta Colaco
7 Raffles Boulevard
panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pp-marina/dining/pacific-emporium.html
SKAI Restaurant at Swissôtel The Stamford
What’s brewing at this afternoon tea with a view: Seasonal afternoon tea. (Menus are updated regularly so visit the website for details.)
Tea time: Served daily. First seating: 12pm to 2.15pm, followed by second seating options at 2.30pm, 2.45pm, 3.00pm, 3.15pm and 3.30pm
Price: From $68 per person including a choice of TWG tea or Suzuki gourmet coffee
Our review
SKAI, located on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford, offers exceptional city views for a perfect high-tea experience. Like almost everyone when they first arrive here, we immediately took a few pictures of the stunning view.
The Japanese-inspired high tea features both sweet and savoury bites, with a good selection of TWG tea, Suzuki gourmet coffee and non-alcoholic cocktails. The staff recommended a specific order of items to bring out the maximum flavours. I loved the contemporary, modern presentation of the food and the Japanese simplicity, which perfectly matched the backdrop for even more pictures.
Our favourites from the menu were the moromi miso smoked salmon and tuna tartare devilled egg from the savouries, and the matcha yuzu choux from the sweets.
We really enjoyed the atmosphere and opted for a drink from the bar, as we were not ready to head back to reality just yet.
For something a little different, SKAI is currently hosting a Winnie the Pooh- themed high tea, available until 31 August. A nice one to enjoy with kids!
Judit Gál
80 Bras Basah Road
skai.sg
The Lobby Lounge at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore
What’s brewing at this hotel high tea: Malaysian Heritage High Tea
Tea time: 3pm to 5pm
Price: $68 for two with two glasses of Pryce Sparkling Tea; or $108 for two with two glasses of Devaux Coeur de Bar Blanc de Noirs
Our review
For a local twist on the classic afternoon tea, head to Grand Copthorne Waterfront, where the Malaysian Heritage High Tea blends nostalgic regional flavours with the elegance of a traditional high tea experience.
Served in partnership with Singapore-based Pryce Tea, the experience begins with your choice of beautifully curated blends. We kept it classic with a British Breakfast, though there’s plenty on offer for both caffeine lovers and those after a herbal option. Sets start from $68 for two with a glass of sparkling tea, or upgrade to a Devaux Coeur de Bar Blanc de Noirs each at $108 – not a bad way to spend an afternoon!
The highlight is the scone trolley, offering unlimited freshly baked scones with premium jams and clotted cream. We tried both the plain and the gula melaka scone – both good, but the classic took the crown.
Savouries and sweets are served on a Ferris Wheel stand, which is as charming as it sounds. Work your way up from the savoury tier, where the lemongrass peanut chicken skewer and mini Ramly burger bring the nostalgia, alongside otak-otak on focaccia and crispy keropok lekor with sambal.
Desserts go all in on local flavour: cendol cake, mousse ubi kelapa, jagung manis cake and durian mochi. The D24 durian cream puff was the surprise of the afternoon – rich and creamy, but lighter than expected.
While there are plenty of twists, it’s all familiar enough to feel like proper high tea – and a fun one at that.
Fenella Woodhouse
392 Havelock Road
tinyurl.com/MalaysianAfternoonTea
The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore
What’s brewing at this afternoon tea in Singapore: Springtime Soirée afternoon tea
Tea time: Two seatings available from 12:30pm to 2:30pm or 3pm to 5pm
Price: $59 per person
Our review
It has been many years since I stepped foot back at the Capitol Singapore, but to my delight, it looks cosier than ever, thanks to what The Kempinski has contributed to the space.
I enjoyed the setting of the The Kempinski’s afternoon tea, which is tucked into a stylish nook away from the main lobby, with old photos of colonial Singapore a feature of the design. The area is perfect for catching up with a friend or for business meetings.
As for the afternoon tea, it’s a feast for the senses! You’re invited to smell the teas and pick the flowers, creating your very own beautiful bouquet. You can also explore a range of botanical-inspired Aperol Spritzes.
As for the food, it was a beautiful, enchanting mix of flavours, presented so elegantly. I couldn’t help my “wow” expression as it arrived at the table – a three-tiered selection of savoury and sweet bites, perfect for sharing with a friend or partner.
Highlights included seared scallops, tartare in a crispy shell with passionfruit hollandaise, smoked salmon Swiss roll, and – my favourite – Scotch quail egg with caviar. Classic scones received a creative savoury twist here with gammon ham and Gruyère cheese, served alongside garlic chive clotted cream and a refreshing pea soup with Parmesan foam.
On the sweet side, we also enjoyed classics such as Eton Mess and Neapolitan pastiera, a signature Italian cake made with orange blossom, ricotta and candied orange.
Susan Knudsen-Pickles
15 Stamford Road
kempinski.com/singapore
Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore
What’s brewing at this hotel high tea: Seasons of Spring Afternoon Tea
Tea time: Daily from 1pm to 5pm until 30 June
Price: $68 per person, with two servings of tea or coffee ($88 with a house champagne or seasonal cocktail added; or $118 with two hours of free-flow champagne, wine, seasonal cocktails and Tiger draft).
Our review
Sit beneath the soaring atrium of Portman’s Bar at the Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore for a delightful afternoon. After freshly baked warm vanilla scones, paired with rich clotted cream and homemade marmalade, this hotel high tea really kicks off when the waiter serves a super cute miniature picnic basket. Inside is a curated selection of savoury and sweet delights. Having everything chosen for you makes the whole experience feel relaxed. Plus, it’s fun to try new flavours.
And new flavours you will definitely try! Savouries include an applewood-smoked salmon trout sandwich with green apple on lovely pale purple bread; a vibrant red pie tee filled with crab, mango and passionfruit; miniature chocolate popsicles with a surprising foie gras and apricot filling; scallops crusted with zucchini and asparagus; and a miniature chicken pot pie. Yum!
But the true magic happens when you turn your attention to the sweets – everything from the lavender macaron to the chamomile tea-infused Chantilly with lemon confit is a must-try. Love chocolate? Don’t miss the orange blossom financier with bitter chocolate mousse and matcha crémeux.
The grand finale happens tableside, when the waiter prepares a one-of-a-kind tiramisu on the spot, with little coffee jelly squares and more. Unusual and delicious!
For the ultimate indulgence, you can even book a stay at the hotel in a Lifestyle Premier Room and enjoy the afternoon tea as part of your getaway package.
Melinda Murphy
6 Raffles Boulevard
panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-collection-marina-bay.html
This article first appeared in the June 2026 Expat Living magazine. You can buy the latest issue or an annual subscription or read the digital version free now.
Interested in knowing about editorial options? Email us at sales@expatliving.sg.
Liked this article on afternoon teas, from high teas in Orchard to hotel experiences with waterfront views? Visit our Wine & Dine section for more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – click for the answers!
A light mid-afternoon dining experience featuring savoury bites, pastries, scones, and premium tea or coffee.
Typically, 1pm to 5pm with 90- to 120-minute seating sessions.
Around $40 to $120 per person, depending on venue and menu style.
Yes – advanced booking is recommended, especially on weekends and festive occasions.
Many hotels offer halal-friendly, vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free options if requested in advance.
A three-tier stand of savouries, sweets and refillable tea or coffee; some venues offer champagne upgrades.
Yes – menus frequently feature seasonal, luxury-brand, local flavour or festive themes.
Absolutely – several places have child-friendly menus and dessert counters.
Most require smart casual – for example, no beachwear or flip-flops.
Usually 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the venue’s seating policy.
Don't miss out on the latest events, news and
competitions by signing up to our newsletter!
By signing up, you'll receive our weekly newsletter and offers which you can update or unsubscribe to anytime.
