There’s no better feeling than sipping a piping hot cup of tea with your friends while nibbling on sweet treats and exquisite savouries. Offering buttery soft scones, bite-sized locally-infused pastries, finger sandwiches, and more on picturesque tiers or extravagant buffet spreads, high tea sessions are highly coveted among Singaporeans looking to unwind and enjoy an intimate heart-to-heart chat during the weekends or public holidays.
However, because this afternoon activity can be a pricey affair, it is often reserved for special occasions. Not to worry, we have compiled a list of top places for affordable high tea in Singapore spots (all under $40++!) where you can sinfully indulge without busting your budget:
Best Places For Affordable High Tea In Singapore
TWG Tea has different afternoon tea set options for varying budgets and tastes.
The less fussy and more budget-friendly 1837 set ($20++) will have you sipping on either a cup of iced or hot tea, alongside a choice of either two muffins, scones served with TWG tea jelly and whipped cream, or a patisserie from its trolley.
If you have a rumbling tummy, there’s the more lavish Parisian set that includes delish treats like toasted milk bun with Boston lobster chunks, smoked salmon mini club sandwich, and brioche with Thai basil chicken, chilli and mango. It’s also inclusive of what’s available on the 1837 set menu.
Price: From $20++ for 1837 set to $72++ for the Parisian set (serves two).
TWG is multiple locations, including #02-21 Ion Orchard, and B2-65/68A The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands. Visit its website for a list of locations and for more information.
Elegantly presented on a gleaming two-tiered stand, Sol & Ora offers an afternoon tea experience with a view. The restaurant is perched on the rooftop of the Outpost Hotel, which overlooks Siloso Beach.
You can look forward to savouries like Mushroom Arancini with Truffle, Ham Quiche with Cream Cheese, and Smoked Salmon Croissant. Sweets run from Mango Panna Cotta
Mini and Granny Smith Tart to Black Sesame & Yuzu Choux Pastry.
Price: $35++ per person (minimum two persons)
Available Thurs to Sun (3pm to 4.30pm). Sol & Ora is at Outpost Hotel Sentosa, 10 Artillery Ave, #07-01, Singapore 099951. Visit its website for reservations or more information.
With its far-flung (aka ulu) location, The Coastal Settlement with its surrounding greenery and vintage-style interiors is perfect for an afternoon to escape it all — and an affordable high tea set to tuck into while you’re there.
Available from 3.30pm to 5.30pm daily, the tiered stand comes with a medley of seasonal morsels inspired by Asian and classic flavours, as well as classic treats including assorted cakes and pastries. Plus, you’ll get a free flow of coffee or tea on weekdays.
Still feeling peckish? There are other items on the high tea menu like a trio of buns stuffed with chilli crab, sambal prawns and truffle cream mushrooms ($18++), wagyu beef toast ($23++) and chicken crackers ($16++).
Price: $19++ per pax for a High Tea set (minimum two persons)
The Coastal Settlement is at 200, Netheravon Road, Singapore 508529. High tea is available daily from 3.30pm to 5.30pm. Visit its website for more information.
The Marmalade Pantry is known for its exquisite cupcakes. But the homegrown bistro also offers a hearty High Tea set if you’re looking to have something more fulfilling. On its upcoming menu from Nov 1 to Jan 7, 2024 is its Yuletide afternoon tea that heralds the holiday season. Think festive treats like Prosciutto with Cantaloupe Shooter,
Chicken Stroganoff Pie, and Chicken Cranberry Sandwich, alongside sweets like Pecan Earl Grey Tart and Mini Apple Pie Cupcake.
Savour it all with two pots of artisanal tea by Monogram.
Price: $78++ for two persons
Marmalade Pantry is at various locations. Available at The Marmalade Pantry Downtown and Anchorpoint outlets, from 3pm to 6pm daily. Visit its website for more information.
Make your way through Japanese fusion treats with Ohayo Mamasan’s afternoon tea set. You’ll be tucking into the likes of zushi sushi, lobster salad pizza, sea salt strawberry mochi, egg sandwiches, and Swiss roll. You’ll also get to sip on a pot of Japanese tea.
Price: $48++ for two persons (Mon to Fri), and $58++ for two persons (Sat, Sun and PH). There is a current promotion price of 50 per cent off its high tea set.
Ohayo Mamasan is at 313@Somerset, #01-29, 313 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238895. Visit its website for more information.
You’d likely associate Jumbo Seafood with a hearty seafood feast, but it’s also introduced an afternoon set that won’t have you feeling too much of a pinch.
Priced from $39.90++ per person, it doles out handmade dim sum such as Baked Jumbo Chilli Crab Puffs, Yam ‘Ping Pong’ Fried Mochi, and Baked Salted Egg Lava Mochi Pastry, alongside appetisers such as Donut with Seafood Paste and Chilled Shredded Roasted Duck Salad.
Wash it down with a cup of tea that’s part of the set; you can select either the Wellness Eight Treasures Tea or the Flower Tea.
Price: $39.90++ per pax (non-member) or $34.90 (member), minimum two persons
Only available at Jumbo Seafood Ion Orchard, #04-09, ION Orchard, Singapore 238801. The Afternoon Tea set is available from 2pm to 5.30pm daily. Visit its website for more information.
The dainty and exquisite eclairs from L’eclair Patisserie need no introduction. But if you’re looking for a more all-rounded French experience, try its tea set, L’experience, which comprises classic French pastries such as mini madeleines, chouquettes, and financiers. You also get to pick three regular eclair flavours and one beverage each of your choice.
For more savoury bites, go for the High Tea Degustation, with bites like Parmesan Onion Crostini, Mushroom Vol Au Vent, and Mini Chicken Bacon Pies. There’s also an assortment of six mini eclairs, and a beverage of your choice. Enchanté.
Price: $45+ for two for the L’experience set (top up $20 for an extra person). $68+ for two for the High Tea Degustation set (top up $30 for an extra person)
L’eclair Patisserie is at #01-28, Singapore Shopping Centre, 190 Clemenceau Avenue, Singapore 239924, tel: 6635 7909. High tea set is available daily.
True to its name, high tea at Arteastiq is certainly an artistic affair. Housed in a photogenic two-tiered gold cage, its Dream Treasury Afternoon Tea set — which will cost you $68++ for two or $38++ for one — comes with an assortment of intriguing sweet and savoury treats, like Smoked Snow Fish Jelly, Baby Squid with squid ink foam, and Squid Ink Macaroon with blue cheese and lychee jelly.
Or if you prefer local delights, there’s the similarly priced Journey Through Singapore Afternoon Tea set that’ll whet your appetite with Nasi Lemak with crispy puff rice, Spicy Otah Sando, and Rojak Charcoal Youtiao.
If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, the Luscious Seafood Afternoon Tea Set (which is more expensive) has all the works with lobster tail, crab cake, and oysters alongside treats from the other two menus.
Price: $68++ for two, $38++ per pax for the Dream Treasury Afternoon Tea set and National Treasure Afternoon Tea set. From $128++ for two for the Luscious Seafood Afternoon Tea Set.
Arteastiq is at #04-14/15, Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, Singapore 238867, and #03-70/72, Plaza Singapura, 68 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238839. Dream Treasury and National Treasure tea sets available from 1pm to 5pm daily. Visit its website for more information.
Fosters may be a steakhouse known for beef patties and all things meat-related, but did you know that they offer a range of yummy baked goods as well? Priced at $13.50++, its Devonshire Cream Tea Set comes with freshly baked scones served with butter, strawberry preserve, and fresh cream, tea cakes, and finger sandwiches. Wash that down with either a freshly brewed cup of coffee or a pot of tea. What a great deal!
Price: $13.50++ per person
Fosters is at #01-23 Yew Tee Point, 21 Choa Chu Kang North 6, Singapore 689578. High tea set is available from 3pm to 5pm daily. Visit its website for more information.
This article was last published on Sep 29, 2021, and updated on Oct 27, 2023.