The Best Alternative High Teas in Singapore for Something Other Than Scones and Biscuits
PUBLISHED May 23rd, 2017 06:00 am | UPDATED February 7th, 2020 07:04 pm
As much as we love delicate, three-tiered English afternoon teas where we drink fragrant tea with our pinkies sticking out, sometimes we crave for something else in the afternoon – and you probably do too. So here are six alternatives – from dim sum and Peranakan to Japanese delights – in Singapore to the usual run that we think deserve a try.
For Singapore-inspired: The Clifford Pier
The Fullerton Bay Hotel afternoon tea is a delightful celebration of Singaporean heritage. Curated by acclaimed Singaporean cookbook author Shermay Lee (also know as our Prime Minister’s cousin), the 8 savoury and 8 sweet items allude heavily to iconic local dishes. The Kurobuta pork kong ba bao (braised pork in steamed buns), chili crab bun, and bak kwa sandwiches were very well executed, but it was really the scones with pineapple-vanilla jam – think a slightly creamier version of the filling of pineapple tarts – and roselle jam, as well as the sugee cake that had us at hello. The drinks here also run local; expect grass jelly, soy bean milk, kopi c, and even Milo dinosaur.
Price: $38++ per adult, $19++ per child
Served: 3.30pm – 5.30pm daily
The Clifford Pier is located at Fullerton Bay Hotel, 80 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049326. For more information, check out their website here.
For Japanese: Lobby Bar
The folks at Sheraton Towers take our love affair with Japanese food one step further with their Japanese afternoon tea. The savoury items in the set include assorted sushi, salmon sashimi, and cold soba noodle with quail egg and fish roe. Those who love Japanese sweets can look forward to a variety of traditional desserts like mizu yokan (azuki red bean jelly), ice mochi roll, green tea daifuku, as well as wasabi praline. If you’re really in the mood, you can top up extra for Choya or sake.
Price: $39++ per adult, $58++ with Minori Peach, Yuzu & Choya, $64++ with Junmai & Junmai Daigyjo.
Served: 2pm – 5pm daily, except public holidays
Lobby Bar is located at Sheraton Towers, 39 Scotts Road, Singapore 228230. For reservations, call 6839 5625. For more information, check out their website here.
For Dim Sum: Tian Fu Tea Room at Si Chuan Dou Hua
Comprising two premium Chinese teas and a craft cocktail paired with seven handcrafted dim sum courses and two desserts, Tian Fu Tea Room’s Imperial High Tea is an education since tea connoisseurs would be present to enlighten diners on the benefits of various teas. Must try dim sums include quality bird’s nest, like that of the Steamed Bird’s Nest Prawn Dumpling. Keep an eye out for their dessert special, Bird’s Nest with Winter Melon, you won’t regret it!
Price: $43++ per person for Imperial High Tea
Served: 2.30pm – 6pm daily
Si Chuan Dou Hua is located at UOB Plaza, 80 Raffles Place, #60-01, Singapore 048624, PARKROYAL on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road, Singapore 199591, and at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road, 81 Kitchener Road, Singapore 208533. For more information, check out their website here.
An Affordable Peranakan Alternative: Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe
While modern twists on traditional recipes are great, sometimes we all just crave a little taste of Grandma’s cooking. From the design of the restaurant to the look and taste of the food, everything about Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe screams Peranakan. Here you will find your favourite Nonya dishes like their signature Ayam Bua Kuluak, Sayur Lodeh, a do-it-yourself Laksa booth, and a colourful array of Kuehs.
Price: $12.80++ per adult, $9.80++ per child (12 years and below)
Served: 3pm – 5:15pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays.
Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe is located at 29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace, #06-21 (Ground Level), Singapore 119620. Call 6872 2982 for reservations. For more information, check out their website here.
For Meat Lovers: Kam’s Roast
Kam’s Roast brings to Singapore a spanking new high tea set that consists of your roasted favourites, all in bite size. Comprising of a portion of toro char siu; bbq char siu, crispy roast pork, marinated cucumber with vinegar and garlic, red bean soup with ’12 years old’ Aged Orange Peel as well as a cup of Chinese tea, this set is splendid for moments when you’re feeling just a little peckish but not hungry enough for a full meal. For bigger eaters, not to worry, you could always upgrade your set and get an extra portion of roast duck with braised noodles.
Served: 2:30pm-5:30pm, daily (except for public holidays).
Kam’s Roast is located at Pacific Plaza, 9 Scotts Road #01-04/05/06/07, Singapore 228210. Call 6836 7788 for reservations. For information, check out their event page here.
Top image courtesy of Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant.
Read more of our lists at Best Dim Sum in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide and 5 Traditional Coffeeshops in Singapore to Visit Before They Disappear
