Whether you like it classic or contemporary, these afternoon tea experiences serve up a range of creative bites sure to make your day.
Text by: Eris Choo
Pacific Emporium, Pan Pacific Singapore
Pacific Emporium’s refreshed local-inspired afternoon tea pays homage to Singapore’s culinary heritage. The menu is crafted by new Executive Pastry Chef Edina Si and her team. Prior to this, Edina has worked alongside notable French pastry chefs in Paris, as well as a range of top hotels in Singapore.
Start with the Nyonya Bloom welcome drink, which blends sweet and tangy notes of peach, passionfruit, pandan, and gula melaka. Then tuck into moreish savouries such as Otah-otah with ‘Five Spice’ Meringue, Spicy-sweet Prawn and Mango Toast, Tamarind-infused Beef Pastrami on Rye, and Scallop and XO Butter Tea Sandwich. There’s a delightful, sweet selection too, with familiar flavours interpreted in intriguing ways, like the Citrus Osmanthus Mousse, Black Sesame Mochi Tart, Teh Halia Cheesecake, and Chilli Chocolate Éclair.
On weekends, the afternoon tea turns into an indulgent buffet with unlimited servings of beef cheek rendang, Penang prawn noodle soup, mee siam, lobster pie tee, and classic waffles with ice cream. The experience is priced at $58 per person on weekdays and $68 per person on weekends, inclusive of a pot of TWG tea or a cup of Lavazza coffee. The afternoon tea is served daily, with two seatings available from 1pm until 3pm and 4pm until 6pm. For reservations, call +65 6826 8240.
Lobby Lounge, Conrad Singapore Marina Bay
Enjoy a vanilla-themed afternoon tea experience at Conrad’s Lobby Lounge from now until 31 July, where you’ll get to indulge in both sweet and savoury treats, made using Madagascar and Tahitian beans grown in Singapore by local cultivator Mireia. The savoury offerings include a Parisian ham and comte sandwich with whipped vanilla butter, warm truffle egg salad on toasted vanilla brioche, and caramelised, seared scallop with mango-jalapeno salsa and a vanilla espuma. Meanwhile, the sweet line-up features a glossy black vanilla pod filled with Tahiti vanilla cream, caramel, and almond praline crunch, as well as a peach tart topped with chantilly, and a vanilla-matcha layer cake with raspberry gel. The afternoon tea is $55 per person, with a TWG tea or Bacha coffee pairing. For reservations, call +6564327483 / 7357.
Madison’s, Pullman Singapore Hill Street
In celebration of SG60, Madison’s at Pullman Singapore Hill Street presents Afternoon Lingering Treats: Madison’s X Mdm Ling Bakery, a collaboration between the hotel’s all day dining venue and the beloved local bakery. Available until 31 July, the collaboration marks the first time Mdm Ling’s popular treats will be served as part of a sit-down tea experience. Their unique savouries span the likes of mee sua kueh, molten salted egg yolk buns, chilli prawn pie tee with 8 Gems caviar, and satay chicken sandos, alongside playful sweets such as cempedak cake, chendol panna cotta, black sesame cheese tart, and purple potato mousse. Of course, no tea would be complete without Mdm Ling’s signature cookies and scones, served with house-made azuki bean jam. Priced at $88 for two, the set includes premium teas from Dilmah’s Silver Jubilee Collection and Nespresso coffees.
AMI Patisserie, 27 Scotts Road
While the afternoon away at AMI Patisserie, where Chef Makoto Arami works his magic on European-style pastries paired with fresh and seasonal Japanese ingredients. The Patisserie Cafe menu includes sweet treats like the Vanilla Mille-feuille, layered with crisp puff pastry, creamy vanilla custard, vanilla ice cream, and a drizzle of house-made caramel. For something savoury, the Smoked Salmon & Ricotta Focaccia hits the spot with its green olive focaccia, Scottish smoked salmon and punchy pesto. Other must tries are the Kansai Sausage Croissant Bun, a smoky, juicy Japanese-style sausage baked into a flaky croissant, topped with bonito flakes and Takoyaki sauce; and a Croque Madame made extra special with a house-baked English muffin made with Hokkaido flour and milk, Japanese organic egg, and bechamel sauce.
Alternatively, book the Chef’s Table Discovery Experience ($118), which features refreshed items for the summer with fruits like Shizuoka muskmelon and Miyazaki mango, which are now in season.
