The best Christmas afternoon teas to sip and savour in Singapore 2023

It doesn’t get more classic than afternoon tea at the Raffles Singapore, and from December 1 to January 1, its festive afternoon tea will surely turn heads. Expect ornate desserts crafted by executive pastry chef Tai Chien Lin like the verbena raspberry Christmas ball or the chestnut vanilla tartlet. Iconic Christmas desserts like fruit cake and mince pies also feature alongside finger sandwiches. For an extra special treat, order a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne brut or rosé. 

The Grand Lobby
Address: 1 Beach Road, S(189673), +65 6337 1886

Ring in the festive season at Skai with a festive high tea 70 levels above ground from December 1 to January 1. Here, classic Christmas roasts like honey-glazed ham and duck rillette stand out in the savoury bites, while pastries like the Christmas Tree, a wild strawberry mascarpone sable tart, add an extra festive flair. Make sure to sample the panettone cacao bread, and the gingerbread scones that come with strawberry jam and clotted cream. With a selection of premium teas from TWG and bubblies like Moët & Chandon rosé NV and Henriot Brut Souverain NV, afternoon tea is set to be an elegant affair at Skai. 

If you’re looking for something unusual, head down to the Lobby Lounge at The Westin Singapore from November 27 to January 1 for its festive afternoon tea set. Besides treats like foie gras terrine, turkey rilette and beef cheek tart, you’ll find a selection of Frederiksdal cherry wine, the only winemaker in the world that makes cherry wine the same way as grape wine. You don’t want to miss its collection of Reserve, Sur Lie, vintage and sparkling Rod cherry wines, which will leave you enthralled. 

The Westin Singapore
Address: 12 Marina View, Tower 2 Asia Square Tower, S(018961), +65 6922 6888

Over at Intercontinental Singapore, indulge in sweet and savoury afternoon tea creations by executive pastry chef Jason Goh from November 16 to January 1. Expect delightful festive treats like a yule cake with ivory chocolate custard, raspberry coulis and chocolate genoise, and the brand-new sticky raisin scones, served with honey cranberry jam, clotted cream, and red fruit preservatives.

For the best experience, head down on Christmas Day, where premium canapés such as smoked caviar buckwheat blinis and a foie gras macaron will be served. Replete with flutes of champagne or prosecco, this is one afternoon tea you don’t want to miss.

Intercontinental Singapore
Address: 80 Middle Road, S(188966), +65 6338 7600

Read more: The best afternoon tea spreads in Singapore

Those searching for afternoon tea sets with a local twist, look no further than Alley on 25 at Andaz Singapore, which is offering a festive afternoon tea set from November 1 to December 31. Among the exciting bites hidden within a handcrafted shophouse box are the signature chicken rice arancini, which augments the classic flavours of chicken rice with a satisfying crunch, the vegetable tikka turnover pie, and the Kulbarra barramundi papillote. Those with a sweet tooth will love the freshly-baked egg waffles with Pandan and Horlicks cream, as well as more classic desserts like a whisky-perfumed English fruit cake and a white forest verrine. 

Alley on 25
Address: 5 Fraser Street, 25/F, S(189354), +65 6408 1288

Tablescape’s seasonal afternoon tea set from October 16 to December 27 is one for lovers of the classics. While you can find signatures on its regular menu like the rosemary apple tart and Mont Blanc éclairs decadently filled with a rum-infused chestnut mousse, you’ll also find new creations like the pistachio orange financier, a welcome addition to the tea set with its citrusy yet nutty profile. A tea-smoked Norwegian salmon sandwich with cucumber, cream cheese and furikake powder brings a subtle, tannic depth to the classic finger sandwich. Wash it down with premium TWG teas and coffees.

Long-fêted as one of the best afternoon tea sets you can find in Singapore, The Courtyard in The Fullerton Hotel takes it up a notch this year. Running from December 1 to January 1, expect savouries like a marinated king prawn and caviar blini which steals the spotlight, while a traditional cucumber sandwich with cream cheese is lifted with a dash of brightening citrus. For sweets, a classic rum fruit cake jostles shoulders with a zesty key lime green tea tart and an indulgent Morello cherry chocolate forest cake. With menus catering to dietary restrictions, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, pescatarian and more, there’s something for everyone at The Courtyard.

The Courtyard
Address: 1 Fullerton Square, S(049178), +65 6733 8388

Celebrate Christmas at Portman’s Bar, which is serving up a Yuletide afternoon tea set from October 2 to January 4. Here, the scones come not just with clotted cream and cranberry jam, but also with baked brie and honey for a pungent yet sweet pairing. Seasonal delicacies like winter black truffle appear on the menu too, with a chicken parmentier served with a truffle mousseline. But the desserts steal the spotlight by far, crafted to mimic iconic Christmas decorations. The Santa Hat, for one, is a vanilla mousse with cherry morello, and the Bauble is an apple bavarois with cinnamon apple compote. 

Portman’s Bar
Address: 6 Raffles Boulevard, 4/F Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, S(039594), +65 6845 1119

In the mood for a luxurious afternoon tea experience? Head down to 1864 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre, which is putting on a festive afternoon tea from November 3 to December 31. Here, you can find a chrysanthemum and viola jelly dessert flecked with 24-carat gold, as well as innovative savouries like Hokkaido scallop within a salted lemon cream cone, and pickled sour plum vine tomato with crab salad and caviar. 

1864
Address: 9 Wallich Street, 5/F Sofitel Singapore City Centre, S(078885), +65 6428 5000

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