Is there anything more civilized than settling in for an afternoon chat over a relaxing cup of tea and a scrummy selection of cakes and pastries? For frills and fanciness, it’s hard to beat the likes of the Mandarin Oriental, InterContinental, Sevva, The Peninsula, Grand Hyatt and Four Seasons, but read on to find out Quintessentially’s guide to some of the more unusual and unique afternoon teas in Hong Kong.
Cantopop, The L Place G/F, 139 Queen’s Road, Central
2857 2608
For an organic, sustainable and wholesome take on local afternoon tea, Cantopop is a great choice. The pop art-styled interiors are fun and frivolous and the menu reads like that of a traditional cha chaan teng, but with a feel-good factor – all ingredients have been locally-sourced and everything is homemade and MSG-free. The afternoon tea set includes a choice of 13 dishes including hawker condensed milk with butter pancake, artery-clogging butter and condensed milk on thick toast, and local favorites including homemade ham and egg noodles, all accompanied by tea or coffee.
Antique Patisserie G/F, Shop C, 2 Mee Lun Street, Central
2542 3960
Serving divine pastries, cakes and savories, Antique Patisserie’s afternoon tea is girly perfection. The elegant tearoom wouldn’t be out of place in Marie Antoinette and tea sets are made fresh to order so reservations a day or two ahead are a must. This is also a cute venue for events – girly birthday parties and baby showers – where you can tuck into creative cakes and treats, such as oolong tea macaroons, mango macaroons and mango earl grey cake.
Crabtree & Evelyn The Tearoom Shop 126, Sun Hung Kei Centre, 30 Harbour Road Wan Chai
2511 0868
In Sun Hung Kai Centre is the Crabtree & Evelyn tearoom, a quiet place to enjoy some light bites in a charming, quaint English environment. Book the table on the terrace in the gazebo on cooler days and enjoy fresh tea served from dreamy floral China in luscious pink and green colors. The tea set comes with scones, cream, jam, sandwiches, pastries, fruit tarts and a little tube of Crabtree & Evelyn hand cream. Cookies and Crabtree & Evelyn products are also on sale.
kindergarten G/F, 35 Sun Chun Street, Tai Hang
2657 7562
This little gem in Tai Hang has a modern-cum-rustic charm. Look out for the exposed brick and wooden-fronted exterior which leads through to a small but unfussy coffee shop. We love the excellent tea and coffee selection, displayed on embossed wooden menus, and the afternoon tea, which includes fruit tarts, scones and assortment of savory canapés.
The Chocolate Library 103/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West Tsim Sha Tsui
2263 2270
The talk of the town, The Ritz-Carlton is the hottest place to wine, dine and…have tea? Yes, The Chocolate Library on the 103rd floor serves a fantastic chocolate-inspired spread: imagine fruit and chocolate tarts, cheesecake and a few savory nibbles displayed in a special mini bookcase with the harbor as your backdrop. This is a cuppa with a view. If you’re not a chocoholic, then try The Lounge & Bar’s afternoon tea, and there’s always Pastry Gems if you want to grab and go.
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