No longer just for the upper classes, it has spread all over the world and is especially popular in luxury hotels.
The luxury hotel The Peninsula Hong Kong is famous for its afternoon tea, which features classic snacks like cucumber sandwiches and scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Others are bucking tradition, building tiered towers filled with themed dishes or serving teas in collaboration with beauty and fashion brands.
Regent Hong Kong's Lobby Lounge serves Wizard of Oz-inspired afternoon tea. Photo: Regent Hong Kong
Here are some of the best afternoon teas currently on offer in Hong Kong and Macau.
1. Afternoon Tea in the Land of Oz
To celebrate the Hong Kong Ballet's Asia premiere of The Wizard of Oz (30-31 August and 1 September), Regent Hong Kong's Lobby Lounge is offering a Wizard of Oz-inspired Afternoon Tea (HK$888 or US$114 for two, HK$488 for single) until 31 October. Present your show ticket to enjoy a 10 per cent discount.
The tea is accompanied by lemon confit pastries made with locally grown lemons, honey sponge cake, and finger sandwiches with fillings such as blue crab and pomelo, egg and caviar, and smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Finally, enjoy freshly baked scones and madeleines served with clotted cream and homemade oolong peach and apricot jam.
The Lobby Lounge, Regent Hong Kong, 8 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tel: 2313 2313
Bite-sized snacks served as part of Finds' “Hygge Haven” afternoon tea set. Photo: Finds
2. “Hygge Heaven” Afternoon Tea
Inspired by the Danish lifestyle concept of “hygge” (comfortable contentment), Scandinavian favourite Finds' Afternoon Tea includes delicacies such as roasted venison, flame-roasted trout and roasted Hokkaido scallops with golden beetroot.
Desserts include apple crumble, pumpkin carrot cake, and lingonberry and dark chocolate panna cotta. The set will be available until November 30th, priced at HK$388 per person or HK$588 for two people on weekdays, and HK$368 per person or HK$638 for two people on weekends and public holidays.
Finds, 1/F, The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Phone: 2522 9318
3. Madame Fu x Le Nereid “Time to Dream” Afternoon Tea
Madame Foo has partnered with French jewellery brand Les Nereides to offer a butterfly-themed afternoon tea set (HK$338 for one person, HK$550 for two) until 31 August.
Inspired by the Parisian brand's floral collection, the menu includes raspberry white chocolate cream puffs, black sesame lemon tart, grilled brie and ham sandwiches, Granny Smith crab salad and truffled mushroom vol au vent.
Madame Fù, 3/F, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Phone: 2114 2118
4. Fantasia Rose Afternoon Tea
It's a collaboration between beauty brand Anna Sui and the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel. Available until September 30, the sets (HK$338 each) are inspired by the brand's signature fragrances and include Rose Choux, Raspberry Macaron, Pistachio Mille-feuille, and Jasmine Panna Cotta.
Sky Lounge, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 18th Floor, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tel: 2369 1111
Murray has partnered with Finnish design house Marimekko to offer a special afternoon tea set. Photo: Murray
5. Marimekko “Unikko Forever” Afternoon Tea
As part of its collaboration with Finnish design house Marimekko, The Murray Hotel, Central's Garden Lounge is celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Unikko flower print with the “Unikko Forever” Afternoon Tea Set, priced at HK$788 for two (including coffee or tea) or HK$988 for two (including two glasses of Saichong Sparkling Tea or Sparkling Wine), available until 31 August.
Garden Lounge, UG/F, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Tel: 3141 8888
6. Princess Red – Glamorous Afternoon Tea
Skincare brand Glamdy has partnered with Pierside Bar & Restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui to serve afternoon tea from 3pm to 5.30pm daily until October 31. The tea includes handbag-inspired rose cheesecake, smoked salmon mousse with caviar, and lychee mousse with bird's nest. Guests can take home a complimentary Glamdy skincare gift set in a chic handbag.
The tea costs HK$228 per person and includes freshly brewed coffee or tea and a glass of house wine (red or white).
Pierside Bar & Restaurant, Towers Wing Royal Pacific Hotel Upper Lobby, 33 Canton Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Tel: 2738 2398
Afternoon tea at JW Marriott Hotel Macau pays tribute to the culinary traditions of “Cha Gordo.” Photo: JW Marriott Hotel Macau
7. Cha Gordo Traditional Macanese Afternoon Tea
JW Marriott Hotel Macau pays tribute to the culinary tradition of Cha Gordo, Macau’s version of afternoon tea, which literally translates to “fat tea.”
The star of the set is grilled octopus served on a bed of charred pineapple, which is marinated in Portuguese white wine, fresh orange juice and bay leaves and slow-cooked for 10 hours.
Sweets include almond cream cheese, Japanese raspberry and Madagascar vanilla choux. The set (468 patacas or US$58 for two) will be available until October 31.
The Lounge, G/F, JW Marriott Hotel Macau, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Baia da Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macau, (853) 8886 6888
Afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge in Macau includes delicacies such as lobster roll with Alaskan king crab jelly. Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, Macau
8. Summer Luxury – Afternoon Tea Experience
Afternoon Tea at The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge, Macau (538 patacas for two with tea or coffee or 738 patacas for two with Champagne) is available until 30 September.
Savoury dishes include lobster rolls with Alaskan king crab jelly and snap peas, while sweet options include puffs filled with red berry coulis and raspberry cream, and chocolate crispies with mint mousse and caramel apple.
Don't miss the special green tea cranberry scones and rum raisin scones.
The Ritz-Carlton Bar & Lounge, 51/F, The Ritz-Carlton Macau, Galaxy Macau, Estrada da Bahia da Nossa Senhora da Esperança, Cotai, Macau, Tel: (853) 8886 6268
