Singapore Tea Party

Australian Airlines magazine - Issue 8

When British imperialism retreated from Singapore, one of its legacies was the delightful tradition of afternoon tea. Such is the island state’s diminutive size that it is possible to go hiking in Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, wander around the zoo or be entertained at the Jurong Bird Park and still be back in time for this civilised custom at any one of a number of hotels in the city. Some call it afternoon tea, others call it high tea, the latter originally referring to the way it was taken, sitting atop stools in a tea shop or standing at a counter or buffet table.

The distinctions are somewhat blurred now, although the legendary Raffles Hotel continues to promote both options. Its high tea is served daily in the historic Tiffin Room from 3.30pm to 5pm. So extensive is the buffet of hot and cold food that you are unlikely to require a meal afterwards. It’s a grand affair, with a strict dress code and immaculately uniformed waiters offering impeccable service. The experience can be combined with a Singapore Sling, the famous cocktail that was created at the hotel around a century ago. Afternoon tea is served in the hotel’s Bar & Billiard Room from 3.30pm to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and 4pm to 6pm on Sundays. Here, a selection of pastries, scones and sandwiches is presented on a three-tier silver tray with tea or coffee.

Evoking similar memories of the colonial era is the gracious old Goodwood Park Hotel, where high tea is served on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 3pm to 5.30pm. Sichuan specialities, dim sum and barbecued dishes are part of the buffet in the hotel’s opulent Min Jiang restaurant. Dim sum is also on the menu at the Tea Rhapsody on Sunday afternoons at The Fullerton, a beautiful hotel in the former general post office. While it offers savoury dishes such as Spicy Roasted Duck in Filo Pastry, along with delectable desserts, traditional afternoon tea is served from Monday to Saturday, 2.30pm to 6pm, in the Courtyard, the hotel’s atrium lobby.

Another place that is hard to beat for ambience is the Berjaya Hotel, formerly the Duxton, where afternoon tea is served in the lounge. Located in eight of Chinatown’s quaint old shophouses, the clever conversion has given the hotel an intimate and charming character. Shopping on Orchard Road, Singapore’s famous shopping strip, calls for a respite in the Tea Lounge of The Regent, where tea can be taken with sandwiches and pastries on French Limoges china, daily from 1pm to 6 pm. Afternoon tea is served in the elegant Scotts Lounge at the Grand Hyatt, or in the bar at the Four Seasons, where the atmosphere is clubby with deep sofas and leather armchairs.

The Shangri-La serves afternoon tea in the Rose Veranda with more than 100 varieties of tea and a lavish spread of English and Asian delights served on Wedgwood china. It is available between noon and 6pm Monday to Friday or in two settings on weekends from noon and 3.15pm. As at most good hotels, especially in Asia where children are warmly welcomed in all manner of social situations, families can share the experience.

One that is particularly suited to families, however, is the Furama RiverFront, formerly the Novotel Apollo, where an inexpensive afternoon tea buffet is served in the lounge, against a lush tropical backdrop complete with waterfall. Another fun option for families is high tea with an orang-utan at the Singapore Zoo. Among its many endangered species is the world’s largest colony of orang-utans. By booking for the 4pm afternoon tea, you can be photographed with one of the animals. For a special treat, take the elevator to Equinox on the 70th floor of the Swissotel The Stamford, where the buffet of sweet and savoury treats is nearly as staggering as the stupendous view.

© Christine Salins

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