Whether you have visitors in town, a special birthday to celebrate, or just fancy treating yourself, we’ve done the legwork and now present our ultimate guide to afternoon tea!
Hong Kong may be known for its staples such as Har Gau and Chau Sui, but sometimes we like to stray a little from our local faves and go quintessentially British (if just for an afternoon!). Whether you have visitors in town, a special birthday to celebrate, or just fancy treating yourself, we’ve done the legwork and now present our ultimate guide to afternoon tea! Spend time sippin’ champagne whilst munching scones, pastries and other delights. We don’t need any more convincing, so it’s time to par-tea!
Traditional afternoon teas:
Traditional Afternoon Tea at The Repulse Bay
Sophisticated and refined, The Verandah at Repulse Bay is all about offering the relaxed charm of the original Repulse Bay Hotel. Serving traditional Continental cuisine with a modern twist, The Verandah brings about elements of a bygone era (think lavish flavours, fine wines, witty conversations and unrivalled service). The Traditional English afternoon tea set has all the classics, from home-made scones with clotted cream and jams to French pastries and finger sandwiches. One of the unique selling points here has to be the ambience – you’re set in a historic building, surrounded by an elegant garden, overlooking a picture-perfect view of the sea.
When: Wednesday-Saturday, 3pm-5:30pm; Sunday, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: The Verandah, Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
How much: Weekdays, $308 for one / $588 for two; Weekends & Public Holidays, $328 for one / $604 for two
Café Gray Deluxe, The Upper House
Dine on the 49th floor overlooking Victoria Harbour at Café Gray Deluxe, located in the utterly swanky Upper House in Pacific place. The dainty tea sandwiches are deliciously paired with intricate sweets, such as a strawberry shortcake with Chantilly cream and golden raisin scones with Devonshire clotted cream.
When: Daily, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Café Gray Deluxe, 49/F, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
How much: $310 per person / $560 for two. Add a glass of “Mini” Brut Champagne or Rose for $150 (plus 10% service charge)
Lobby Lounge, Island Shangri-La
Relax and enjoy an afternoon tea surrounded by tropical gardens and live entertainment. You can choose between either the Signature Afternoon Tea set, including classics like salmon & cream cheese bagels; or the Pink Afternoon Tea set offers pink-themed desserts such as the rose macaron.
When: Daily, 3pm-5pm
Where: 6/F, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Signature Afternoon Tea Set: $308 for one / $528 for two. Pink Afternoon Tea Set: $338 for one / $558 for two. Add a glass of champagne for $128 (plus 10% service charge)
The Lounge, Four Seasons
With all-time classics, like freshly baked scones, alongside more ambitious (and delectable) spins, like its devastatingly adorable caramelised puff pastry or fresh mint gelato filled with lime and strawberry semifreddo, your taste buds will be zinging for days on end.
When: Daily, 3pm – 5:30pm
Where: The Lounge, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central
How much: Afternoon Tea Set – Weekdays, $285 for 1 / $540 for 2; Weekends & Public Holidays, $305 for 1 / $585 for 2; A la carte options are also available!
Afternoon Tea at Gough’s on Gough
Feel like British royalty at Gough’s on Gough! The newly released afternoon tea menu is complete with British classics like finger sandwiches and scones made from quality ingredients sourced from the British Isles. Even the porcelain is sourced from the UK!
When: Saturdays, 2:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Gough’s on Gough, 15 Gough Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $248 per person / $488 for two. Add a glass of Brut Premier for $138 or Brut Rosé for $168 (plus 10% service charge)
The Window Café, The Kowloon Hotel, Harbour Plaza
Overlooking the iconic shopping street along Nathan Road, this café gives you the best bang for your buck and is one of the most inexpensive options on offer. Along with the afternoon tea set, The Window Café also offers an all-you-can-eat afternoon tea buffet.
When: Afternoon Tea Set: Monday – Friday, 3pm-5:30pm. Afternoon Tea Buffet: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 3pm-5pm.
Where: The Window Café, The Kowloon Hotel, 19-21 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: Afternoon Tea Set: $198. Afternoon Tea Buffet: $278 per person / $198 for children and elderly (plus 10% service charge)
Afternoon Tea with Wedgewood at Palm Court, The Langham Hotel
Famed as the birthplace of the traditional afternoon tea experience in London, Palm Court’s Afternoon Tea with Wedgewood is a must try in HK. Complete with a warm selection of fresh plain and raisin scones, served with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam, why mess with the classics?
When: Monday-Friday, 3pm-5:30pm; Weekends and Public Holidays, 2:15pm-4:15pm & 4:30pm-6:30pm
Where: Palm Court, The Langham Hotel, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $348 per person / $598 for two. Upgrade to deluxe experience with a glass of Jouet, Rose Champagne, and a Macaron Lollipop for $528 / $888 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Classic Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula
This is the iconic Hong Kong afternoon tea. Whether you’re visiting the city or have been here for years, tea at The Peninsula is bucket list worthy, for sure. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, sweet and savoury pastries, freshly baked raisin scones and your choice of teas from The Peninsula Tea Collection. Add on a glass on bubbles for an extra special tea to remember!
When: Daily, 2pm – 6pm (first-come, first-served basis)
Where: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $388 For one person / $688 For two people. Add a Glass of Deutz Peninsula, Brut Champagne for $220 (plus 10% service charge)
Afternoon Tea with a View at the Sky Lounge, Sheraton, Hong Kong
Enjoy your tea in true style while taking in sweeping views of the harbour! The afternoon tea at the Harbour View Lounge in Sheraton Hong Kong serves up gourmet savouries alongside freshly-baked sweets and pastries. The theme of the set changes throughout the year so get in touch to find out what they have to offer! Perfect for a truly indulgent afternoon.
When: Daily, 3pm-6pm
Where: Sky Lounge, 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
How much: Changes depending on the set; call 2369 1111 for details!
Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental Flagship Hotel
An institution in its own right, this luxurious lounge offers afternoon tea in a timeless and elegant setting. The spread includes British classics like finger sandwiches, sweets, scones and their signature homemade rose-petal jam. For tea, they offer seasonal themed flavours, giving you the complete afternoon tea experience!
When: Monday-Friday, 2:30pm-6pm; Saturday and Public Holidays, 2pm-4pm & 4:15-6pm; Sunday, 3:30-6pm
Where: Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Monday-Friday $298 per person, add a glass of Brut or Rose Champagne for $478. Saturday, Sunday & Public Holiday, $328 per person, add a glass of Brut or Rose Champagne for $508 (plus 10% service charge)
Café on the 1st, The Excelsior
Offering spectacular views of the Victorian Harbour, Café on the 1st has an afternoon tea set with a range of sandwiches, savouries, scones and tea to choose from.
When: Afternoon Tea Set: Daily, 3pm-6pm. Afternoon Tea Buffet: Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, 3pm-5pm
Where: Café on the 1st, The Excelsior, 281 Gloucester Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $288 per person / $428 for two
The Lounge and Bar, Ritz Carlton
There are times where all you want is something timeless and simple, and The Lounge & Bar’s English afternoon tea set is sure to hit the spot. Located below O-Zone Bar in the ICC with a view to put most helicopter rides to shame, go ahead and munch away on a scone with jam and clotted cream or a raspberry confit tart – sometimes all you really need is a classic.
When: Monday to Thursday, 3pm-6pm; Friday, 2:15pm-4:15pm & 4:30pm-6:30pm. Weekends & Public Holidays, 12pm-2pm, 2:15pm-4:15pm & 4:30pm-6:30pm.
Where: 102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, No.1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $418 for one / $688 for two (plus 10% service charge)
High Tea at SEVVA
If you weren’t sold on SEVVA’s gorgeous harbour view location and its stunning high ceiling laced with florals, we’re sure its afternoon tea sets will win you over. Its signature tea set seems an absolute dream with staples like smoked salmon on toasted crumpets and more unexpected choices such as a foie gras mousse with onion marmalade. The vegetarian option sounds just as decadent as the signature tea set, featuring wild mushroom ragout and SEVVA’s specialty vegetable spring rolls. Go on, treat yourself.
When: Monday to Friday, 2:30pm-5pm; Saturdays, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: Sevva, Princes Building, 25/F, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $720 for two
Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour
This hidden speakeasy offers exclusive afternoon tea sets throughout the year. A few they have done in the past include the Mad-Hatter Afternoon Tea Set and the Christmas Acoustic Afternoon Tea Set. Be sure to be on the lookout for the next set on their Facebook page here!
When: Daily, 2pm-5pm
Where: Dr. Fern’s, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: Reach Dr Fern’s on social media for more info!
Modern afternoon teas:
Sam Dim Sam at Grand Café, Grand Hyatt
Setting itself apart from the more traditional tea offerings, Grand Café’s Sam Dim Sam merges our HK faves to make a tea time delight. Featuring the restaurant’s signature Hainanese chicken rice, as well as homemade BBQ pork puffs, minced pork dumplings with quail egg and sesame shrimp toast. Top it all off with an HK egg tarts and milk tea and you’re good to go! This set also comes complete with madeleines and macaroons.
When: Weekdays, 3pm-6pm. Weekends and Public Holidays, 2pm-6pm.
Where: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $270 per person (plus 10% service charge)
Madame Fu Grand Café Chinois
Madame Fu is offering an elegant afternoon tea set, available to enjoy on its veranda or in its iconic pink room! Beautiful as always, this is a perfect opportunity for an Instagram. Spots are limited, so confirm a place and make a reservation. Sets are $250 for one or $450 for two.
When: Daily, 3pm-5pm
Where: Madame Fu, 3/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central
How much: $250 per person / $450 for two
Italian Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge, The Intercontinental
The decadent afternoon tea set at The Intercontinental’s Lobby Lounge embraces classic Italian patisseries. We love the Mascarpone Vanilla Cream Eclair, served alongside savouries such as the Smoked Salmon, Parmesan Cream Cheese and Green Olive tartlet and the tapenade! Stick to tea or coffee, or finish your tea off with a glass of bubbly.
When: Daily, 3pm-6pm
Where: Lobby Lounge, The Intercontinental, 70 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $298 per person / $488 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Café 103, Ritz Carlton
Aptly located on the 103rd floor of the Ritz Carlton, there’s no doubt that this afternoon tea exudes luxury. The signature afternoon tea set changes constantly at Café 103 – be sure to check its website for a look at what the current theme is!
When: Daily, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Café 103, 103/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, No.1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $428 per person / $688 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Butterfly Blossom Afternoon Tea at Urban Park
Surely one of the prettiest afternoon tea sets out there. Enjoy prawn cocktail and tomato salsa shooters, followed by mini red velvet cupcakes, marshmallow pops, and more. Add a glass of sparkling wine onto your set for $50, and you’ve got yourselves a great afternoon!
When: Weekdays, 3pm-5:30pm (Central & TST branch); Weekends and Public Holidays, 3pm-5:30pm (Central branch only)
Where: Urban Park TST, 4/F, 20-22, Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong & Urban Park Central, 2/F, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: $299 for two, add $50 per person for a glass of sparkling wine.
T-Set at Nobu, The Intercontinental Hong Kong
Renowned for its innovative new-style Japanese cuisine, Nobu may not scream “traditional” afternoon tea, but its T-Set is hard to pass up; offering lobster crispy rice, soba noodles salad and espresso waffles! Add a glass of fizz or go for simply tea and enjoy a whole new take on tea-time!
When: Saturday and Sunday, 2:30pm-5pm
Where: Nobu, The Intercontinental Hong Kong,18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: ‘Simply’ T-Set: $328 for one / $528 for two (choice of green tea, coffee, matcha drinks). ‘Fizzy’ T-Set: $508 for one / $868 for two (includes glass of Perrier Joüet Grand Brut)
Finds, The Luxe Manor
Hong Kong’s first Scandinavian restaurant has remained true to its goal of developing the traditional European high tea with a creative kick – trading out sandwiches for other savoury bites like Beetroot-marinated cold-smoked salmon with mustard & dill sauce – while incorporating crowd favourites like pancakes with vanilla sauce and raspberry crumble. Its range of organic teas sound absolutely incredible, but if you’re feeling like something a little more alcoholic, you can choose one of its peach mimosas instead.
When: Monday to Friday, 3pm-5:30pm; Weekends, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Finds, 1/F, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $356 for two
Le Soleil, The Royal Garden Hotel
French-Vietnamese restaurant Le Soleil and its Vietnamese high tea set is one that we’re dying to sink our teeth into. Trade in the scones and clotted cream for soft shell crab and crispy Saigon spring rolls, and relax with a cup of sweet Vietnamese coffee.
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: 3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $408 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Pink Sensation Afternoon Tea at Green
From 10 September – 30 November 2018, Hotel ICON’s dining room GREEN will be hosting a special pink-themed afternoon tea set in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October. The set includes savouries and sweets like Taramasalata with Caviar, Chocolate-dipped Strawberries and more. Hotel ICON will be donating all proceeds to the Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry.
When: 10 September – 30 November 2018, 3pm-5pm and 5pm-7pm
Where: Green, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Tsa Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $288 per person / $546 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in September 2014 by Megan Hills, and updated in May 2017 and October 2018.
Featured Image courtesy of Madame Fu via Instagram, Image #1 courtesy of The Verandah, Image #2 courtesy of The Four Seasons, Image #3 courtesy of The Langham, Image #4 courtesy of Mandarin Oriental, Image #5 courtesy of Sevva, Image #6 courtesy of Seasons, Image #7 courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton via Instagram, Image #8 courtesy of Finds
