Tea Chapter & 5 Chinese Teahouses Serving Specialty Brews & Tea Omakase

Singaporeans love modern tea drinks. That’s why shops like Chagee, Beautea, itea, and all the many bubble tea chains can survive despite the saturated market. However, sometimes what we need is to slow the pace of the day with a hot cup of traditional Chinese tea. 

It’s true that you can probably just get a pot of pu’er in any Chinese restaurant to wash everything down. But if you are looking for a plethora of options and high-quality teas, teahouses are the way to go. We have rounded up six of the best teahouses in Singapore where you can sit down and savour more than a few steeps of brew. Keep reading to find your next weekend haunt.

1. Tea Chapter

Standing since 1989, Tea Chapter is Singapore’s oldest teahouse. It is also the one that you might know of even if you are not a tea fanatic; courtesy of Queen Elizabeth II’s visit back when the establishment had just opened its doors. You can still find the tea set used by the late monarch in a corner of the first floor of the three-story building.

One thing that really sets Tea Chapter apart from the other teahouses is its unique room offerings. There are three types of rooms available to choose from: Oriental-style (featuring marble tables and wooden-backed chairs reminiscent of a traditional Chinese dining area), Korean-style (low tables with bench-like seats embedded in the floor), and Japanese-style (a common area on the third floor with low tables and cushions for seats). The Oriental and Korean styles come with an additional $5 charge but promise more privacy than the Japanese style, making them perfect for more intimate gatherings.

The variety of teas available in Tea Chapter is nothing to scoff at. Whether you’re in the mood for green teas (think top-grade Longjing for $30++), light oolong teas such as the Huangjin Gui at $32++, or earthy black teas (2013 Liu Bao, $20++), there are options from all six main types of tea. That said, we recommend heading down with a friend or two to get your money’s worth out of each pot.

Want something to go with your tea? We recommend the tea eggs ($2.50++). Tea Chapter’s tea eggs are boiled for at least eight hours and feature a rich, deep flavour and an even, brown colouring throughout. For more substantial meals, opt for the Dim Sum Platter ($6.80++), Purple Rice Lo Mai Gai ($9.80++), which utilises healthier purple rice, and the Chilli Crab Bun ($6.80++). 

Tea Chapter has quite a few different tea workshops available. However, those who have not used their SG Culture Pass credits can opt for the Heritage Brews workshop. At $78++ per pax, you can sample a variety of teas and enjoy some cookies and tea eggs on the side. The session also ends with a gift of tea bags.

Note: there is a maximum dining time of two hours and a minimum spend of $9.90 per head (excluding snack options). 

Tea Chapter is located at 9 Neil Road, Singapore 088808. Opens Sun to Thu from 11am to 9pm. Opens Fri to Sat from 11am to 10.30pm. Visit its website or Instagram for more information. 

2. Tang Tea

Not to be confused with Tang Teahouse, Tang Tea is located in the heart of Chinatown. Yet it manages to be an idyllic escape from the hustle and bustle of the tourist hotspot. With carefully curated interiors featuring calligraphy scrolls and an impressive display of teaware, it is a hidden gem in every sense of the word.

Similar to many other teahouses on this menu, Tang Tea serves a large variety of teas: white teas, green teas, flower teas, and quite a few Pu’ers. However, they are more well-known amongst regulars for the selection of Taiwan oolong teas. The Dongfang Meiren ($10++ per cup, $40++ per serving), for example, is a bug-bitten oolong tea. Bug-bitten tea leaves produce a sweeter flavour as a defence mechanism. The owner of Tang Tea’s favourite selection, the Gaoshan Cha ($15++ per cup, $48++ per 10 grams), is grown more than 1,000 metres above sea level and has a comforting smell and a sweet aftertaste.

Other Taiwan oolongs available include the Lishan Cha (grown at even higher altitudes than Gaoshan Cha for a richer flavour) and Dong Ding Oolong, a classic Taiwan oolong tea. The owner of the establishment shared that she makes trips to the mountains directly to test and source the leaves instead of going through a supplier. 

You can order the teas in either a cup or a sharing serving. The cup option comes with light snacks and is great for solo customers. You can ask for multiple refills and savour the change in the tea through multiple steeps.

Snacks and desserts are also available. There are cold desserts such as Ice Mango Pomelo ($6.90++), a more recent release of Oolong White Lotus Pancake ($16++), on top of a decent selection of Dim Sums. 

Tang Tea is located at 22B Smith Street, Singapore 058936. Open on Tue, Wed, and Sun from 11am to 7pm. Open from Thu to Fri from 11am to 10pm. Visit its Instagram page for more information.

3. Limcha Teahouse

Most of the teahouses in this list serve a wide range of teas. Limcha Teahouse, though, is a bit more specialised. Founded by a third-generation Teochew Singaporean, the available selections are narrowed down to Teochew Dancong oolong teas from Phoenix Mountain. For the uninitiated, Dancong tea leaves are all sourced from a singular tree or bush. This ensures a consistent flavour profile for each type of tea while keeping each distinct from the others.  

Those heading down can choose between Ya Shi Xiang (otherwise known as Duck Shit Tea), known for its intense floral notes, Mi Lan Xiang (Honey Orchid) for a sweeter flavour profile, Zhi Lan Xiang (Orchid Vanilla), Rougui Xiang (Cinnamon Fragrance) for a roasted undertone, and Xingren Xiang (Almond Fragrance) for a nutty note.

Hot teas are available from $18.90++, while those seeking cold milk teas can expect prices from $8.90++. You’ve probably seen the latter all over Instagram and TikTok–they come served with mini ‘steaming’ teapots that you can take home as a cute souvenir. Desserts are available from $8.90++ onwards.

There is also a 30-minute Dancong Tea Omakase experience, where customers can taste selected Dancong teas in a structured manner. They also offer tea appreciation workshops in collaboration with the SG Culture Pass. For 120 minutes, the Tea Appreciation Workshop (from $85++) teaches brewing techniques and tea etiquette whilst allowing participants to try different teas.

Limcha Teahouse is located at 93 East Coast Road, Singapore 428792. Open from Wed to Fri from 1pm to 6pm (hot teas, desserts, and tea experiences available). Open from Sat to Sun from 12pm to 9pm (full menu available). Visit its website or Instagram for more information.

4. Inner.teahouse

If you are not a fan of the more traditional set-up of teahouses but still want to enjoy traditional flavours, Inner.teahouse might be what you are after. With a carefully curated minimalist interior, this teahouse invites customers to slow down and enjoy Fujian tea leaves sourced from the mountains. The beauty of this teahouse lies in the details. With gorgeous, hand-picked tea ware, every pour and sip of tea feels a little special.

While Inner.teahouse has seasonal menus, the staple lineup includes sweet white teas (Mudan), the fruity black tea Lapsang Souchong, nutty and fruity oolong teas like Dahongpao and Shuixian, and other, more niche options. The teas have a wide range of prices. The most affordable starts at $32++ (Lapsang Souchong, Shuixian, and more), while the most expensive from the niche menu is at $78++. The teahouse also carries seasonal teas starting from $48++ and ranging to $88++. 

Apart from the teas offered, Inner.teahouse also hosts semi-regular events. From special tea-brewing events where you can try the difference between new and aged teas, to teaware exhibitions and chats with artists, this teahouse aims to build a community of tea lovers within its four walls.

Inner.teahouse is located at 87B Keong Saik Road, Singapore 089170. Opens Mon, Wed, and Thu from 1pm to 6pm. Opens Fri to Sat from 12pm to 7pm. Visit its website or Instagram for more information. 

5. Silk Tea Bar

Similar to Inner.teahouse, Silk Tea Bar is dedicated to contemporary tea experiences that blend modern and traditional. Walking into SIlk Tea Bar is akin to entering a welcoming space of someone’s well-designed home. With natural light streaming in from the large windows, it’s the perfect place to crack open a book and relax. It hosts quite a few events throughout the year, including talks by potters, art exhibitions, tea sessions, and, most recently, a tea-reading affair where readers gathered to sip tea and browse food magazines and zines. 

There are a few categories to this teahouse’s menu. The first is the Sip section, suitable for those who prefer a single serving. While the menu changes every few months, the menu of our most recent trip down featured Lincang White ($12++/glass), with straw, mandarin zest, and green bean notes for its cold brew option, and Long Jing ($12/mug++) for the hot selection. Previously in this portion of the menu, there was Long Jing for the cold brew selection and White Peony as the hot brew.  

The Savour section of the menu similarly changes every few months. The teas under this category allow for three to five steeps, with leaves of varying intensities. The current menu features Yamanami Red (Japanese red tea with five spice, poached apple, and toasted wood notes) at $26++ for three steeps, Darjeeling Imperial Silver Tips ($32++ for three steeps) for those inclined to floral tastes, and 35-year-old Liubao at $60++ for five steeps. Lastly, for one to four pax, the Rougui 2024 is a rich tea that allows for four to seven steeps at $80++. Past menus included Pine-Smoked Lapsang (sweet yet woody) and Pingyang Yellow (mellow flavour) that allowed for three steeps each.

If you’re only after a casual drinking experience, the Silk Classic Brew selections include Pu’er Ripe, Pu’er Raw, and Chrysanthemum at $8++ a mug. Those chasing a reprieve from the hot weather can try the Silk Cold Brew Tea ($8++) and the Honey Spritz #6 ($9++).

Lastly, guided experiences are available on a reservation basis. Those new to enjoying tea can opt for the one-hour Mindful Tea Experience and Introduction to Tea. If you wish to explore a particular type of tea, the Tea Flights experience lasts 70 to 90 minutes.

Note: There is a maximum dining time of one hour.

Silk Tea Bar is located at 26A Sago Street, Singapore 059021. Opens Tues and Sun from 1pm to 6.30pm. Opens Wed to Sat from 12pm to 6.30pm. Visit its website or Instagram for more information.

6. Camellia Tea Bar

Established in 2017, this teahouse started with the founder’s appreciation for Wuyi Rock Oolong. Now, almost a decade later, it has evolved into a spot for contemplation and high-quality tea breaks. For those getting acquainted with tea, Camellia Tea Bar focuses on light teas that are perfect for both beginners and seasoned drinkers.

The tea variety is quite impressive, with offerings from all six major categories of teas (white, black, yellow, green, dark, and oolong). The signature collection ($12++ per glass, $23++ for a pot) includes options such as Ruixiang (Daphne Odora), Qilan (House Orchid), and Queshe tea (Sparrow Tongue). 

Most of the teas outside of the signature collection range from $12++ to $25++ per pot, making this teahouse a more affordable option for those who are just embarking on their tea journey. Of course, there are also guided tea experiences. At $28++ for 30 minutes, you can choose to enjoy one out of four teas: Scarlet Robe (roasted notes), House Orchid (Sweet and floral), Ripen Pu’er (earthy flavour profile), and Javanese Ruby (a premium black tea). 

Camellia Tea Bar is located at 86 East Coast Rd, #01-08, Singapore 428788. Opens daily from 11am to 7pm. Visit its website or Instagram for more information.