Durian High Tea & Cafes: 6 Places For Tempting Durian Desserts
An all-you-can-eat durian dessert buffet? Yes, please!
By Michelle Lee SM -
It's no secret that most Singaporeans have a love affair with durians. And while our island isn't short on fruit stalls offering fresh durians, especially now that durian season is here, there has been a slew of cafes and hotels dedicating desserts and more to the thorny fruit, whipping up tempting creations (and even an afternoon tea experience) that will satisfy any craving.
Where To Dig Into Durian Desserts In Singapore
Mao Shan Wang Durian Afternoon Tea at Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel
Singapore Marriott Tang Plaza Hotel has rolled out an indulgent new afternoon tea spread featuring eight unique durian-centric desserts and pastries. Start with the Durian Pate a Choux, featuring fresh Mao Shan Wang durian pulp folded into a silky cream, then piped into a light and crispy choux pastry shell. Then, move on to the soft Durian Crepe packed with luxurious durian filling.
Sink your teeth into creamy Durian Cheese Tart encased in a crisp tart shell or the irresistible Durian with Mango Pomelo Verrine that boasts layers of durian pudding, mango and refreshing pomelo. Other sweet temptations include the Durian Chocolate Praline and the Durian Madeleine.
To break up all that richness, there are savoury bites, too. Dig into Feta and Artichoke Vol Au Vent, Yuzu Smoked Duck Mantou. There's also the weekend-exclusive Cod Fish Croquette – think crisp golden pillows of flaky cod, paired with a complimentary flute of Henriot champagne or sparkling tea.
When: July 1 to Sep 30, 2024
Price:
$48++ per person, with free-flow TWG tea and coffee (Mon to Thurs, one seating at 3pm to 5.30pm)
$58++ per person, with free-flow TWG teas, coffee, choice of a flute of Henriot champagne or sparkling tea and a serving of Cod Fish Croquette (Fri to Sun, and public holidays; two seatings from 2pm to 3.30pm and 4pm to 5.30pm).
Visit its website, call 6831 4605, email mhrs.sindt.fb.reservations@marriotthotels.com or for reservations or more information.
Think indulgent durian treats and Goodwood Park Hotel’s annual Durian Fiesta comes to mind. Held at the Coffee Lounge, expect a durian buffet of classics and tasty newcomers. Among the highlights are four delectable durian treats prepared a la minute. Think a takoyaki-inspired D24 Durianyaki profiterole laden with creamy puree, a D24 Ice Cream Chendol Croffle, and mini durian cones that get a savoury pop from chicken floss. The most unusual of the lot is the D24 Sourdough Pizza, which juxtaposes sweet creamy durian with savoury, slightly spicy chorizo and mozzarella cheese.
Other additions include the soft fluffy gula melaka kueh dadar with durian and the D24 Chocolate Cremeux. Fans will also be glad to see returning favourites like the D24 Mousse Cake, D24 Puff, and D24 Crepe.
Savour this buffet by itself, or enjoy it at a special top-up price ($50 per adult; $30 per child) with an a la carte main, or the Taiwan Porridge or ‘A Taste of Singapore’ Degustation set menu orders.
The Durian Fiesta buffet is available from 5 April to 21 July 2024 (Fri to Sun only). $65++ per adult, $39++ per child (dessert buffet with exclusive durian desserts only). Fri (6pm to 10.30pm), Sat (12pm to 2.30pm; 6pm to 10.30pm), and Sun (12pm to 2.30pm).
Goodwood Park Hotel is at 22 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228221. Visit its website for reservations.
Whether it's fresh durian or durian desserts you're after, 99 Old Trees at Teo Hong road has them all. Outdoors, there's an alfresco space where you can enjoy the decadent fruit in its original glory. Or head into the air-conditioned industrial-chic space for luscious creations by its dessert arm, Stinky.
A must-try is the Stinky Bomb ($12 for a box of five) which boasts a golden choux au craquelin that adds a crunchy, subtly salty contrast to the luscious and thick mao shan wang durian flesh and cream inside. The Stinky Roll ($27 for a foot-long roll) is also a treat, boasting pillowy soft Japanese sponge cake filled with fresh Mao Shan Wang flesh and French custard cream.
If you love chendol, the cafe serves up a housemade Teochew-style version that you can add on with a dollop of fresh durian. Or go for the Stinky Bowl, a creamy concoction of D24 durian mousse and puree.
Stinky by 99 Old Trees is at 1 Teo Hong Road, Singapore 088321. Visit its website to order or for more information.
Born out of a love for the thorny fruit, The Durian Bakery started in 2020 and has a repertoire of durian desserts that will leave you dithering over what to order. Think durian cakes, mille crepe cakes, Swiss rolls, cheesecakes, craquelin and choux puffs, mochi and even Portuguese egg tarts infused with the fruit.
Its creations are made using durians from Pahang's renowned Tiger Hill plantation, and baked fresh on the daily.
The Durian Bakery is at #01-47 Kensington Square, 2 Jalan Lokam, Singapore 537846. Opens daily from 9am to 6pm. Visit its website to order or for more information
A standalone cafe at Jalan Besar (it was previously at Poiz mall in Potong Pasir), its repertoire of durian desserts run the gamut from Mao Shan Wang durian cake to ice cream, puffs, and even whiskey-infused durian cakes. Or sink your teeth into the MSW Durian Craquelin ($3.50 per piece for dine-in) that has the durian piped into a freshly baked craquelin choux pastry.
Can't get enough? It also has an Afternoon Tea set ($39+) teeming with treats like fried durian, Mao Shan Wang durian craquelins, durian macarons and durian cheese mousse.
Durian aside, the cafe's also got an all-day menu with plates such as Mentaiko Tiger Prawn Scrambled Egg, Smoked Duck Eggs Benny and various pasta dishes.
Ms Durian is at 11 Kelantan Road, Singapore 208604. Visit its website for more information or to order.
Originally a fruit stall, Four Seasons Durian has been doling out durian-centric treats since 2002, starting with a store at Takashimaya Department Store. It now has two outlets,at Nex and Century Square.
Its range of offerings runs from durian puffs, crepes, Swiss rolls, fudge cake and mochi to 3D durian cake crafted in the shape of the fruit (there's even an ultra-cute mini version) that'll win the hearts of durian lovers.
Visit its website to order or for a list of outlet locations.
This article was originally published on March 1, 2022, and updated on July 8, 2024.