If there’s one thing that brings Hongkongers together, it’s their love of tea. We enjoy all kinds of this beloved brew, whether it’s a street-side bubble tea or a more refined afternoon tea set. In fact, afternoon tea has been a staple in the city’s hospitality scene, with nearly every hotel—from The Ritz-Carlton to The Peninsula Hong Kong—offering its own take on it.
With so many options to choose from, Tatler editors have scoured the city for the best afternoon tea sets, and we will spill the tea here. Read on.
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The Butterfly Room, Rosewood Hong Kong
The Butterfly Room is one of the best places in Hong Kong for an afternoon tea (Photo: courtesy of Butterfly Room)
The Butterfly Room is one of the best places in Hong Kong for an afternoon tea (Photo: courtesy of Butterfly Room)
Afternoon tea at The Butterfly Room is where indulgence takes on a new level of decadence, courtesy of executive pastry chef Jonathan Soukdeo. The man doesn’t just serve afternoon tea—he crafts moments of pure, unadulterated joy. Start with savoury finger sandwiches served alongside a mini soup, and warm scones, which, when slathered with clotted cream first (as any sensible person would), followed by a generous dollop of homemade jam, are simply delightful. The Japanese honeydew melon with savoury miso ice cream as a pre-dessert is a palate-teasing revelation too. This is followed by a procession of pastries so exquisite they practically need their own “Do Not Disturb” sign. Resistance is, of course, entirely futile. Wash it all down with freshly brewed iced teas, a blessed relief in the sweltering heat, and you’ll feel less like a mere mortal and more like royalty.
- Fontaine Cheng, dining editor
The Butterfly RoomAddress: Rosewood Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Salisterra, The Upper House
The Afternoon Tea Escape at The Upper House's Salisterra restaurant is the cosiest place for an afternoon tea (Photo: Instagram / @upperhouse_hkg)
The Afternoon Tea Escape at The Upper House’s Salisterra restaurant is the cosiest place to spend a relaxed afternoon. Perched high above the city’s skyline, the restaurant has the perfect backdrop for an indulgent afternoon tea. The service is exceptional, thanks to the hospitality queen and the hotel’s GM, Kristina Snaith-Lense. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable ensuring your every need is catered to. The spread itself is delicious— think freshly baked scones and lots of little finger sandwiches all beautifully presented. The tea selection is equally impressive, with a wide variety of premium blends to choose from. I always ask for a hot chocolate on the side—theirs is light and airy, which makes me feel less guilty about ordering one (or three). What truly sets it apart for me is the fact that the team always makes me feel like I'm coming home. I often run into friends there, which instantly puts me in a good mood. The views aren’t too shabby either.
- Tara Sobti, head of VIP content and community
SalisterraAddress: Level 49, The Upper House, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Café 103
Café 103 collaborated with French brand Lanvin on an afternoon tea that will last until November 2024 (Photo: courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Café 103 collaborated with French brand Lanvin on an afternoon tea that will last until November 2024 (Photo: courtesy of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Café 103 by the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is one of my favourite places for afternoon tea. Located on the 103rd floor of the ICC, it offers one of the cosiest and most elegant settings in Hong Kong, with an unbeatable view of the city. Honestly, anything would be delectable with that view—but what makes it even better is that their afternoon tea sets are actually delicious. The chef’s ability to create inventive sets, inspired by the numerous brand collaborations the esteemed institution has—such as Lanvin, Mont Bland and more—never fails to amaze me.
- Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor
Café 103Address: The Ritz-Carlton, International Commerce Centre (ICC), 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Ammo
Guerlain x Ammo afternoon tea is perfect for those who like the fine things in life
The Christmas-themed afternoon tea set at Ammo is sure to get you in a festive mood
I recently tried the Christmas-themed afternoon tea at Ammo, a quiet restaurant and café nestled within Asia Society Center Hong Kong. It’s perfect to get into the Yuletide mood; think minced pie, mistletoe-printed macaron with hazelnut filling, star-shaped cinnamon butter cookie, panna cotta with snowflake-shaped details and mango passionfruit praline tart with a mini Santa Claus on top.
Among the savoury items are comfort food like crab croquettes, potato-wrapped shrimp and beetroot brioche toast with goat cheese, which I paired with a delicious cinnamon latte. What’s more, this afternoon tea set is a collab with Guerlain, so guests can take home some beauty goodie bags from the luxury skincare brand. After all, nothing says Christmas spirit than giving gifts.
Ammo’s afternoon tea set is available for takeaway too—I quite like the idea of this, because who doesn’t enjoy having their own private party at home without having to change out of their PJs?
- Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, content production manager
AmmoAddress: Asia Society Hong Kong Center, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong
The Lobby, The Peninsula
The Lobby is the perfect way to spend an afternoon before a concert or ballet show at the Cultural Centre across the road (Photo: Instagram / @peninsulahongkong)
The Lobby is the perfect way to spend an afternoon before a concert or ballet show at the Cultural Centre across the road (Photo: Instagram / @peninsulahongkong)
I love a good old-fashioned afternoon tea set in a good old-fashioned setting. As one of the most historic hotels in Hong Kong, The Peninsula’s The Lobby has the perfect setting for enjoying scones (clotted cream first, jam on top—I insist), dainty cakes and a fragrant cup of Darjeeling in beautiful China cups at the neo-classical styled lobby. The experience is elevated by live music performances by The Lobby Strings quartet on the mezzanine level—and it’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon before a concert or ballet show at the Cultural Centre across the road.
- Zabrina Lo, features editor
The Lobby, Address: The Peninsula, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
Madame Fù Grand Café Chinois
Madame Fù and Les Néréides French fashion jewelry brand have collaborated to launch a French-inspired afternoon tea experience (Photo: Instagram / @madamefugrandcafe)
Madame Fù offers colourful tea afternoon sets (Photo: Instagram / @madamefugrandcafe)
I’m always on the hunt for places that have both a “wow” kind of ambience and seriously good food. And when it comes to pastries, I’m a bit of a connoisseur, French-obliged. For a sunny Sunday afternoon spent with friends, there’s no place quite like Madame Fù in Tai Kwun. We may not be able to teleport ourselves to Emily’s Parisian life, but Madame Fù brings the chic vibes right to Hong Kong. It’s the perfect setting for an Insta-worthy afternoon tea, with vibrant velvet sofas nestled amongst the historic columns of the Tai Kwun building. The best part? Madame Fù offers a savoury surprise: duck mousse and lemon tarts, proving that afternoon tea isn’t just for sweet lovers.
- Alix Lefebvre, assistant manager, VIP relations
Madame Fù-Grand Café ChinoisAddress: Tai kwun, shop 03-101a, No.10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
BONUS: Lan Fong Yuen
Lan fong yuen serves one of the best milk tea in town (Photo: instagram / @lanfongyuen)
Decadence is good, but sometimes, nothing hits better than going back to basics—and a good milk tea at a cha chaan teng do offer this option.
Lan Fong Yuen in Central is one of the oldest milk tea shops in the city and is one of the few places left in Hong Kong where they use nankeen (Chinese cotton cloth) to separate the leaves from the tea.
- Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor
Lan Fong YuenAddress: 2 Gage Street, Central, Hong Kong
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