Time for 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!
Editor’s Note: This post was originally written by Megan Hills, published on 17 September 2014, and updated on 16 May 2017.
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, 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Where: The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $368 For one person / 658 For two people, Add a Glass of Deutz Peninsula, Brut Champagne for $220 (plus 10% service charge)
Afternoon Tea with a View at the Harbour View 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. Perfect for a truly indulgent afternoon.
When: Monday-Friday, 3pm-6pm, Weekends and Public Holidays, 2pm-6pm
Where: Harbour View Lounge, Sheraton Hong Kong, 20 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
How much: $258 per person (Monday to Friday) / $298 per person (Weekends and Public Holidays) (+ 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 for one / $598 for two, upgrade to a Blooming Deluxe Afternoon Tea for $528 for one / $888 for two (includes a glass of Perrier-Jouët, N.V., Brut Champagne and a Mango crémeux with chantilly cream, toasted almond and caramel sauce!)
MO Bar, Landmark Mandarin Oriental
There’s no getting rid of some classics (and who’d want to anyway), like the MO Bar’s freshly baked madeleines, but we love the sound of its mini teriyaki wagyu beef burger with pickled kauri cucumber and onion tempura as well! You can even upgrade your set with a selection of its classic club sandwiches or a decadent baked mixed berries cheesecake. With a selection of teas and the option for a glass of bubbly, make the weekend your best one with MO Bar’s high tea.
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: G/F, The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Landmark Atrium, Hong Kong
How much: $260 per person (+ 10% service charge)
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’ll be set!
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
How much: $270 per person (plus 10% service charge)
Hullet House Afternoon Tea at The Parlour, Hullet House
Offering up a classic afternoon tea, complete with finger sandwiches and scones, or its “Old Hong Kong Afternoon Tea,” Hullet House has all bases covered. If scones just aren’t your thing, go for some local tea-time faves and enjoy the likes of sticky rice dumplings, peanut butter French toast and vegetarian spring rolls!
When: Monday-Friday, 3:30pm-5:30pm, Weekends and Public Holidays, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: The Parlour, Hullet House, 1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $438 for two (plus 10% service charge)
Café Gray Deluxe, The Upper House
Dine on the 49th floor overlooking Victoria Harbour at Café Gray Deluxe, located in the utterly swank Upper House in Pacific place. The dainty tea sandwiches (tart of crushed eggs and pickled radishes with micro watercress) are deliciously paired with intricate sweets, such as strawberry short cake elderflower Chantilly.
When: Daily, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Café Gray Deluxe, The Upper House, Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong
How much: $250 per person / $425 for two (+10% service charge)
The Lounge, Four Seasons
With all-time classics, like fresh 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 Hotel Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $275 per person or $525 for two (Monday to Friday) / $295 per person or $570 for two (Weekends and Public Holidays) (+ 10% service charge)
Mad-Hatter Afternoon Tea at Dr Fern’s Gin Parlour
This hidden speakeasy’s new offering of afternoon tea is something to get excited about, girls! You’ll be sure to go mad for the Boston lobster roll and ‘Eat Me’ chocolate and raspberry Tarts, and if you’re partial to a cheeky G&T, why not swap out your cuppa for a little gin instead? At just $50 it’s hard to refuse!
When: Thursday-Sunday, 2pm-5pm
Where: Dr. Fern’s, Shop B31A, First Basement Floor, Landmark Atrium, 15 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: $498 for 2 (+ 10% service charge), plus $50 to upgrade your drink to a G&T!
Paris Afternoon Tea Set at Season’s by Olivier E.
Known for its delectable French fare, Season’s afternoon is just what you need to escape the crowds of Causeway Bay. Enjoy the restaurant’s perfect mille-feuille and madeleines, accompanied by ham croissants, toasted baguettes, and other delights. Season’s also offers up cocktails and mocktails to compliment your tea perfectly!
When: Monday-Friday, 3pm-5:30pm & Weekends and Public Holidays, 3:30pm-6pm
Where: Season’s by Olivier E., Shop 308, 3/F, Phase 2, Lee Garden, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
How much: $248 for one / $468 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 French 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: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: 102/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, No.1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $388 per person or $638 for two (Monday to Thursday) / $409 per person or $678 for two (Friday to Sunday and Public Holidays)
Afternoon Tea at Lobby Lounge, The Intercontinental
The decadent afternoon tea set at The Intercontinental’s Lobby Lounge embraces classic French patisseries with an Asian twist. We love the Matcha Green Tea Opera cake, served alongside old standbys such as Smoked Salmon sandwiches and the obligatory scones! Stick to tea or coffee, or finish your tea off with a glass of bubbly.
When: Daily, 3pm-6pm
Where: Lobby Lounge, The Intercontinental, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $398 per set with 2 coffees or tea / $598 per set with 2 glasses of Moët & Chandon Brut Impérial, NV and 2 coffees or tea
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 afternoon tea changes constantly at Café 103 and, this month, we’re lucky enough to be graced with an earl grey chocolate theme (ends 30th of June!), featuring TWG Earl Grey Fortune ice cream.
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: $378 per person or $618 for two (Monday to Friday) / $398 per person or $638 for two (Weekends and Public Holidays)
The Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental
Afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental’s Clipper Lounge comes with a decadent high tea set that only seems to get better as the years go on. The menu’s certainly something to rave about; just the thought of the coronation chicken, curry and sultanas sandwich or the scone with rose petal jam have us desperate to take a half day at the office in time for a sneaky gourmet snack.
When: Monday to Friday, 2:30pm-6pm, Weekends and Public Holidays, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 4:15pm-6pm, Sundays, 3:15pm – 6pm
Where: The Clipper Lounge, Mandarin Oriental, 5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong
How much: $298 per person (Monday to Friday) / $448 per person including one glass of Ruinart ‘R’ Brut / $508 per person including one glass of Billecart Salmon Brut Rose; $318 per person (Weekends and Public Holidays) / $468 per person with a glass of Ruinart ‘R’ Brut / $528 with a glass of Billecart Salmon Brut Rose
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, girls!
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
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: $239 for two (Monday-Friday) / $289 for two (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays, Central branch only), add $50 per person to enjoy 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 they’re T-Set is hard to pass up; it offers 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-5:00pm
Where: Nobu, The Intercontinental Hong Kong,18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: $328 for one / $528 for two – ‘Simply’ T-Set (includes choice of green tea, matcha drinks or coffee) / $508 for one / $868 for two – ‘Fizzy’ T-Set (includes glass of Perrier Joüet Grand Brut)
Afternoon Tea at The Verandah, The Repulse Bay
Enjoy a classic afternoon tea set at this seaside haven. Pop along to the beach and catch some rays before indulging in the menu of finger sandwiches, scones, macarons and pastries!
When: Wednesday-Saturday, 3pm-5:30pm & Sunday, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: The Verandah, The Repulse Bay, 109 Repulse Bay Road, Hong Kong,
How much: $288 per person (weekdays) / $308 per person (weekends)
Hotel Indigo
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck in an afternoon tea, head to Hotel Indigo in Wan Chai for a cheap and cheerful afternoon. Enjoy a classic selection of tea time delights for just $280 for two!
When: Daily, 2-6pm
Where: 2/F, Hotel Indigo Hong Kong Island, 248 Queen’s Road East,
How much: $280 for two
Picnic In The Floral Garden Afternoon Tea Set at Alibi, Cordis Hong Kong
Want to combine two British traditions? Well, with Alibi’s offering, you can merge tea time with a classic picnic, all served up in a cute wicker hamper, for a true Brit experience. Enjoy a selection delicious items infused with floral ingredients, including chamomile smoked salmon with mini baguette, king crab on nori puff pastry, violet jelly with chamomile milk custard, and chocolate flower pots with elderflowers!
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm (Limited to 10 sets per day!)
Where: Cordis Hong Kong, 555 Shanghai Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong
How much: $418 for two (plus 10% service charge), with an additional $388 to add a bottle of Perrier-Jouët Champagne – Each guest will also receive a complimentary Belif Herbal Moisturizing Deluxe Set (valued at $300 each)
Feast (Food by EAST)
How do you feel about all-you-can-eat afternoon tea? We feel very, very strongly about the idea and that’s why Feast’s semi-buffet afternoon tea set is kind of a godsend. Indulge in a mixture of Western and Chinese tea noms (from danishes to dim sum), and get in line at itsits egg waffle station for a sweet treat.
When: Weekends and Public Holidays, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: EAST, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Taikoo Shing, Hong Kong
How much: $245 per person (+ 10% service charge)
Above and Beyond, Hotel Icon
Putting a spin on traditional afternoon tea with its Asian high tea sets, you can expect salty and sweet dim sum parcels and naturally a wide range of Asian teas. The innovation doesn’t stop there, with bold gourmet creations such as sweet potato and truffles dumpling or beverages like the sweet memories tea. Located in the magnificent Hotel Icon with a stunning view of Victoria Harbour, dine in its effortlessly elegant restaurant and indulge in our local fare.
When: Weekends and Public Holidays, 3:15pm-5:30pm
Where: Above and Beyond, 28/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $438 for two (+ 10% service charge)
Coco Café Patisserie, The Mira
Coco Café Patisserie’s French Fashion puts a spin on the afternoon tea menu. Whether you’re tucking into its beetroot and raisin scones (with a generous helping of its rose and wild strawberry jam) or sipping on blueberry and pomegranate tea, its selection is just ambitious enough for the casual afternoon tea lover wanting a cultural deviation from the classic French staple. The Coco Café Patisserie is serving this menu until the 30th of June, so stay tuned for further updates!
When: Monday-Friday and Sundays, 3pm-6pm
Where: G/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $428 for two (+ 10% service)
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 ice cellar salmon with dill sauce – while incorporating crowd favourites like mini pancakes with raspberry. 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 and Public Holidays, 3:30pm-5:30pm
Where: Finds, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $356 per set for two guests
Woobar, W Hotel
The chic and fashionable Woobar is constantly on the lookout for new things in fashion and music, keeping us on our toes! This month, they’re doing a tea collaboration with Moschino, incorporating the Moschino iPhone 7 case chocolate biscuit alongside the luxurious mini miso lobster rolls. Book your tables now before the 31st of May, and grab the miniature “Pink Fresh” perfume gift that comes with the set!
When: Monday to Friday (afternoon tea set), 2:30pm-6pm, Weekends and Public Holidays (afternoon tea buffet), 2:30pm-5:30pm
Where: 6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: Afternoon tea set: $418 for two (+ 10% service charge) / Afternoon tea buffet: $330 per person (+ 10% service charge)
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.A day at Le Soleil will leave you wondering why we bother with tradition, anyway.
When: Daily, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: 3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
How much: $368 per set for two guests
Lobby Lounge, Island Shangri-La
Relax and enjoy an afternoon tea surrounded by tropical gardens with live entertainment with the classic menu of the Lobby Lounge, with the fresh lemon tart and smoked salmon roulade with crab. Just be sure to wear smart casual/business attire – there’s a dress code!
When: Daily, 3pm-5pm
Where: 6/F, Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $308 per person / $528 for two
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, 2:3pm-5pm and Saturdays, 3pm-5:30pm
Where: Sevva, Princes Building, 25/F, 10 Chater Rd, Central, Hong Kong
How much: $720 for two
AMMO
If you’re looking for a break from the traditional English high tea, we highly recommend AMMO’s copper space. The cinematic interior is mirrored by the unique and up-to-date tea menu; just the thought of the wagyu beef burger with cheese on bamboo charcoal bun and green tea cheesecake makes our stomach grumble!
When: Daily, 3pm-5pm
Where: AMMO, Asia Society HK Centre, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong
How much: $368 for two (+ 10% service charge)
Featured image courtesy of Unsplash, image #1 courtesy of The Peninsula, image #2 courtesy of Upperhouse, image #3 courtesy of Dr. Ferns, image #4 courtesy of Urban Park, image #5 courtesy of EAST Hong Kong, image #6 courtesy of Woo Bar, image #7 courtesy of Sevva
