Tired of lounging by the pool all afternoon? Instead of watching your pinkies turn into prunes, go pinky-up and watch your leaves unfurl at some of Singapore’s very delish tea venues where you can sip and nibble your afternoon away among pretty little cakes and tarts, chlorine-free. Chai-ching! You’re welcome.
TWG Tea
This is definitely our cup of tea. As the premiere purveyor of tea, TWG offers over 800 types of teas and is considered to be le meilleur of Singapore tea-dom. Go for the tea, stay for the cakes and set menu comprising a main course, dessert, and choice of hot or iced tea. With loads of island-wide locations, we love the MBS Shoppes outlet to get in a spot of luxe-shopping afterward!
TWG Tea Salon & Boutique on the Bridge, B2-89/89A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018972, p.6535.1837. Open 10am-1030pm daily and until midnight Fri, Sat, and eve of Public Holidays.
Marmalade Pantry
Marmalade Pantry’s ION haunt boasts a wide selection of Gryphon teas to pair with the yummiest treats like the Sea Salt Caramel Cheesecake, Elvis (chocolate banana cupcake with peanut butter frosting), and Limonata (tart lemon-glazed cupcake). Stay-to-be-seen with an afternoon tea set, featuring finger sandwiches, scones, cupcakes, and tea.
Marmalade Pantry, #03-22 ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801, p. 6734 2700. Open 10am-10pm daily. Afternoon Tea Set available between 3-6pm.
Arteastiq
Get your creative juices flowing at tea-retreat-meets-art-jam at Mandarin Gallery’s Arteastiq. Sip away on their ridiculously gorgeous beverage offerings while you cover your canvas with an unlimited amount of paints, sponges, and brushes. Make it more fun with their Wednesday night “For Party Animals” sessions and upgrade to alcoholic tea (we know!). Or keep your hands clean at Arteastiq’s designer dining room with flirty menu items such as Vegan Geisha, Tender Mafia and Drunken Pirate.
Arteastiq Boutique Tea House, #04-14/15 Mandarin Gallery, 333 Orchard Road, Singapore 238867, p. 6235 8370. Open 11am-10pm daily. Art Jam sessions from 11am-2pm, 2:30-5:30pm and 6-9pm.
The Tea Lounge
The Regent Hotel Tea Lounge is where you come to witness clouds parting and angels weeping over items such as caviar, laksa flan with baby shrimp, and all the cute little pastries you’ve been dreaming of. Find the finer finger-sandwiches of life during their weekday Afternoon Tea and gorge on the best scones and clotted cream this side of Devon.
Tea Lounge @ Regent Singapore, 1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715, p. 6725 3245. Afternoon Tea on weekdays from 12-5pm; High Tea Buffet on weekends at 12-230pm and 3-530pm.
Anotinette
Who’d have thought you could find the Gardens of Versailles in the basement of Palais Renaissance, complete with a gazebo? Not only a pretty face, Le Jardin D’Antoinette’s amazing selection of cakes and pastries are paired with artisan storms in a teacup. Choose from amusing teas like the Hermitage Gourmand (Chinese blend of black, blue, and green teas) and Geisha Earl (traditional bergamot with sencha and citrus). Get a group of ten together to book the private Le Salon l’Elysee, complete with its own special menu.
Le Jardin D’Antoinette, B1-08/09/10C Palais Renaissance, 390 Orchard Road, Singapore 238871, p. 6735 6392. Open 11am-10pm daily.
HOUSE at Dempsey
A wonderland suitable for the most curious Alice, House at Dempsey’s Vintage High Tea buffet is the best place to end up this end of the rabbit hole. Affordably priced at $22 per adult, come to savor unique sweet and savory delights such as lemon pistachio cake, squid ink skinny pizza, individual pumpkin and pecan pies, and chai chocolate cake. Check out their FRIES-TASTIC corner for gluttonous takes on traditional root veggies. When you’re sufficiently paralyzed in a food coma, sit back and enjoy the tranquil environs of Dempsey Hill.
House at Dempsey, 8D Dempsey Road, Singapore 249672, p. 6745 7787. Vintage High Tea Buffet on Thurs and Fri from 3-530pm.
Restore Cafe
You’ll be lured inside by the smell of freshly baked bread and desserts wafting along Tanjong Pagar’s historic district at Restore Living. Doubling as a café and vintage furniture shop (our favourite kind!), you can have your cake and eat it too here at Restore Living. Take home the chair you’re sitting on after enjoying a selection of homemade desserts topped with freshly whipped cream and healthy sandwiches made from homemade breads that pair off nicely with Gryphon teas and hearty coffees.
Restore Café, 124 Tanjong Pagar Road, Singapore 088533, p. 6222.3510. Open Tue – Fri from 11am-7pm, Weekends 11am-6pm. Closed Mondays.
Image: House at Dempsey, TWG Tea
