Like many out there, I am guilty of spending my afternoons as a kid “drinking tea” with my Barbie dolls. Yet, growing up made me realise how high tea sessions are so out of my reach, simply because they are too atas and expensive. That is, until my best friend recommended Chilli Padi Tok Panjang, which offers an affordable Peranakan high tea buffet. Since then, I’ve sifted out more high tea buffets that can fulfil my inner tai tai and yours. Here are 11 high tea buffets in Singapore that you should try if you’re looking to pamper yourself.
Table of Contents
Peach Garden is that one restaurant you can rely on for family gatherings or reunions on special occasions, such as New Year’s Day and Chinese New Year. Their high tea buffet differs according to the two locations: Dim Sum High Tea Buffet at Thomson Plaza, priced at $28.80++ per person, and High Tea A La Carte Buffet at Chinatown Point for $33.80++ per person. For the latter, you can expect premium, healthy dishes such as the Double-boiled Chicken Soup with Canopy, Fungus and Cordyceps Flower. There are also plenty of seafood options, veggie dishes, and even desserts to indulge in.
Website
Peach Garden is not a halal-certified eatery.
Bring your Muslim friends to J65 at JEN Singapore Tanglin by Shangri-La, where you can feast on both local and Western favourites with their High Tea Buffet. It’s originally priced at $88++, but with the 1-for-1 deal, it works out to just $44++ per person. There’s a catch: a minimum of two diners is required to enjoy this deal. Their Oxtail Stew with Cremolata is a must-try; it’s slow-cooked till the tendons are melt-in-your-mouth tender. There’s also a seafood counter for unlimited servings of Mud Crab and Prawn, and Mussel! When you’re done with the savouries, end your meal on a sweet note with more than nine dessert choices, including Chocolate Brownie, Assorted Swiss Rolls, and Pulut Hitam Scones.
Website
J65 is a halal-certified eatery.
Chilli Padi Tok Panjang—a Peranakan restaurant tucked away in NUS—offers a range of traditional Peranakan dishes that reminded my mama of her younger days back in Melaka. Go for their Classic High Tea, priced at just $11.77 per person! This seven-course meal begins with a starter, with hearty options such as Cajun Chicken Finger Sandwich and Focaccia Sandwich. There are also handcrafted classic nonya kueh, finger food, pastries and miniature cakes, dim sum, a main course, and finally, a beverage of your choice. Besides the Classic High Tea, you can choose from their Deluxe High Tea ($17.22), Nonya High Tea ($18.31) and more.
Read our Chilli Padi Nonya Cafe review.
Website
Chilli Padi Tok Panjang is not a halal-certified eatery.
Located in Chinatown, Yum Cha offers a whole range of Cantonese dim sum for you to feast on. Their Weekday High Tea Buffet ($32.80++ per person) will spoil you with their menu of over 50 dishes, including crowd-favourites such as XLB, siew mai, and liu sha bao. There are also more filling options, with the likes of Century Egg and Lean Meat Congee, Hong Kong Soya Noodle, and Crispy Prawn Paste Chicken. Round off your meal with some sweet treats—some popular choices include Baked Mini Egg Tarts, Fragrant Coconut Mango Pudidng, and Crispy Red Bean with Banana.
Website
Yum Cha is not a halal-certified eatery.
The gu zao (old-school) feels of this place will transport you back to 1980s China. Sip some Chinese tea from a bone china cup while indulging in Lao Beijing’s High Tea Buffet ($21.80++ per person). Bring your grandparents here to talk about the good ol’ times and help yourself to five different kinds of noodles and an array of appetisers in addition to the dim sum ready to fill your stomach. Check out more dim sum buffets to visit!
Website
Lao Bei Jing is not a halal-certified eatery.
Just a stone’s throw away from the Singapore River lies Tiffany Cafe & Restaurant. Their Weekend Hi-Tea Buffet ($30++ per person) may have a spread of English and Asian cuisines, but what draws returning customers is their Durian Pengat—a creamy, fragrant durian bomb that explodes with rich flavours in your mouth. If you don’t eat durian, don’t fret, as they have a range of other desserts available as well.
Website
Tiffany Cafe & Restaurant is not a halal-certified restaurant but uses no pork or lard.
Swatow prides itself on serving good quality dim sum and Teochew dishes. Drop by for their All-You-Can Eat High-Tea Buffet (from $30.80++ per person). Be attentive to the bell that indicates their pushcarts coming out, otherwise, all the goodies will get snatched by other diners! Do note that this high tea buffet is exclusively available at their Toa Payoh outlet, from 3pm to 5pm.
Website
Swatow is not a halal-certified eatery.
A scrumptious affair, Carousel’s Weekend High Tea ($58++ per person) offers an array of fresh seafood, Western fare, and some classic hawker dishes. After indulging in their fresh salmon and tuna sashimi, wrap the meal up with their wide selection of desserts, such as Bread and Butter Pudding with Vanilla Sauce and Shaved Ice Kachang that comes with 18 different condiments.
Website
Carousel is a halal-certified eatery.
For a local experience like no other, enjoy a hearty Singapore High Tea Set at National Kitchen by Violet Oon boasting your usual high tea with a Peranakan twist in the iconic National Gallery. Priced at $66++ per person, the high tea set here serves two diners with a huge range of sweet and savoury treats: Chilli Crab in Crispy Shell on the savoury front and Coconut Pannacotta for a sweet treat are just some examples. End your high tea with their Rum Balls, which is essentially a rice chocolate fudgy truffle-like treat infused with rum.
Website
National Kitchen by Violet Oon is not a halal-certified eatery.
High tea at L’ Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel is an elegant affair. Here, you’ll be pampered with a pool view and a collection of desserts with a chocolate fountain. Release your inner tai tai and goy for this English Mega Afternoon Tea Buffet ($98++ per person) to show yourself some love. Expect premium seafoods: Freshly Shucked Seasonal Oysters, Snow Crab Legs, and White Clams. When you’re done with the cold foods, move on to their wide range of hot delights, including Smoked Bacon and Leek Quiche, Fish Goujon and Truffle Wedges with Tartare Sauce, and Battered Mushroom with Honey Mustard.
Website
L’Espresso at Goodwood Park Hotel is not a halal-certified eatery.
Located at Conrad Singapore Orchard is Tea Lounge, known for their delectable Weekend High Tea buffet priced at $74++ per person—this will get you a variety of English and locally inspired treats, along with your choice of tea or coffee. For a more atas experience, consider topping up $50++ for free-flow Prosecco. FYI, the first seating is from 12pm to 2:15pm while the second seating is from 3pm to 5:15pm.
Website
Tea Lounge is not a halal-certified eatery.
Make your childhood dream of being a tai tai come true for a few hours at these high tea buffets. If buffets aren’t for you, here are some affordable high tea sessions to check out instead. Otherwise, read our guide to the best buffets in Singapore.
Feature image adapted from RegentTeaLounge FB