#legendeats: Afternoon tea delights this season

You’re surely never more than a few metres away from a sumptuous afternoon tea or two in Hong Kong. Here we highlight nine different afternoon teas to try this season

Salisterra

The Upper House’s signature Mediterranean restaurant, Salisterra, launches a Hong Kong-inspired afternoon tea, joining forces with soy-based gourmet and lifestyle brand, Ān. Led by chef Vicky Lau of the two-Michelin-starred Tate Dining Room and innovative soy-focused Mora restaurant, the uniquely Hong Kong tea set is available until November 13.

Guests can enjoy a glass of Ān’s nature soy milk or black sesame soy milk alongside delightful bites created by executive chef Cary Docherty. Highlights include belly Bao BLTs, ten-spice curried beef brisket puffs, and milk tea custard bombolinis. Guests will also receive a complimentary jar of Ān’s soy milk tea jam to take home and relish with loved ones.

Where: Level 49 The Upper House, Pacific Place 88, Queensway, Admiralty

Price: HK$340 for one, HK$630 for two

Clipper Lounge

Clipper Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong collaborates with renowned Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo to present an ultra-relaxing afternoon tea retreat. Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Texter created confectionery highlights to celebrate this unique collaboration, including pear entremet mousse cake, ginseng honey and yuzu shortbread, and chestnut madeleine with dulcey chocolate.

In September, diners who enjoy the brand’s iconic Ginseng Collection-inspired afternoon tea will receive a complimentary three-piece Ginseng anti-ageing skincare kit valued at HK$350. In addition, a glass of Moët and Chandon Imperial Rosé Champagne can be enjoyed for an additional HK$198 per person.

Where: M/F, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Central

Price: HK$888 for two

The Optimist

Northern Spanish diner The Optimist launches its first Spanish afternoon tea set starting September 19. Featuring a royal tower of sweet and savoury pinchos, afternoon tea lovers can pair this with refillable beverages, including tea, coffee, and fruit juices. A range of eye-catching, new cocktails is also on offer.

Available from 3 pm to 5 pm daily, savoury highlights with contemporary twists include smoky grilled veggies escalivada, Spanish banderillas skewer, and toasted coca bread with tomato and Iberico ham. Guests can also enjoy crispy pinchos, including traditional truffle croquetas and Iberico ham croquetas, followed by classic sweets such as traditional churros with chocolate sauce and homemade crema Catalana tartlet. An add-on option of six fresh oysters is also available at HK$240.

Where: 239 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai

Price: HK$198 for one

Also see: 13 new menus and venues to try this September

Huso

Champagne and caviar specialist located at The Pottinger Hong Kong, Huso, presents a new lavish afternoon tea set. Available daily from 3:30 pm to 5 pm, the variety of sweet and savoury petit fours allow diners to satisfy their teatime cravings in a sophisticated contemporary French-inspired atmosphere. Freshly-sourced ingredients and a thoughtfully curated selection of champagnes and caviar are also on the menu.

Featuring 11 bite-sized petit fours, this tea set is perfect for those looking for a multi-sensory feast for the eyes and palate. Savoury highlights include salmon rillette, grand-cut steak tartare, and selected cured ham, while sweet options of chocolate slice, tiramisu, and soft serve ice cream champagne jelly never disappoint. The option to include two glasses of champagne in addition to complimentary tea or coffee is available.

Where: Shop 2, 1/F, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central

Price: HK$528 for two

Hue

Modern Australian diner Hue Dining teams up with Aromatherapy Associates to launch a seasonal afternoon tea presented alongside soothing Victoria Harbour views. The tea set features a range of creative sweet and savoury delights made with de-stressing ingredients and incorporates modern Australian cuisine culture. Highlights include housemade classic Ray’s plain scones and macadamia cranberry scones, served with vanilla clotted cream and orange thyme marmalade.

Spice up the tea set with a special cocktail for an additional HK$90 or HK$55 for a mocktail. Each pair of guests will receive one Aromatherapy Associates bath and shower oil gift set worth HK$400.

Where: Hong Kong Museum Of Art, 1/F – inside HKMoA, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Price: HK$680 for one

Palm Court

Palm Court at The Langham Hong Kong celebrates its afternoon tea tradition with floral and jubilant notes of “Girl of Now Lovely”, a new scent launched by famed couturier Elie Saab. From September 23, afternoon tea lovers can enjoy the finest teas by Jing and the delicate dishes, including green gazpacho with bocconcino mozzarella, grab and basil tea sandwich, and parma ham and olive oil brioche.

For added indulgence, guests may opt for the deluxe menu, which offers unlimited saicho sparkling tea at HK$598 per person. As a gift to all the Girls of Now who have enjoyed the afternoon tea set for two, a 1.5ml Ellie Saab Le Parfum and 75ml Girls of Now body lotion will be gifted to each pair.

Where: Lobby Level, The Langham, Hong Kong, 8 Peking Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui

Price: HK$398 for one, HK$698 for two

Also see: Try these exciting tea-infused cocktails

Cafe 103

Cafe 103 at Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong teams up with the world-renowned premium chocolate manufacturer Valrhona for its latest afternoon tea. Named Valrhona Oabika Chocolate Afternoon Tea, guests can dive into a chocolate fantasy until November 30. Oabika, meaning the gold of the pod in the Ghanaian language, provides a unique texture and a rare, aromatic taste.

Starting with savoury delights, including braised pork shoulder with chocolate barbecue sauce and classic beef shepherd’s pie with hints of chocolate, followed by raspberry and pistachio tart with white chocolate and Oabika cream and housemade mini chocolate barks.

Where: Café 103, Level 103, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Price: HK$468 for one, HK$768 for two

Lobby Lounge

Lobby Lounge at Sheraton and master Italian chocolatier, Venchi, invites guests into the wonderful world of chocolate. Available until November 30, The Venchi Chocolate Paradise Afternoon Tea takes fresh seasonal produce and creates Italian-style bites. Venchi’s finest ingredients of chocolate, piedmont hazelnuts and green pistachios add complexity to these delectable treats.

This chocolate experience also fulfils diners’ desire for savoury delicacies. Made with premium nuts from Venchi, highlights include a panzanella salad, burrata with roast mission figs, pistachio, and seared tuna with basil salsa and Piedmont hazelnuts.

Where: 9 Yi Tung Road Tung Chung, Lantau Island

Price: HK$348 for two

Tiffin

Tiffin at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong is back with its delightful Autumn Afternoon Tea Set and the signature takeaway option. Featuring three layers filled with savoury and sweet delicacies with a distinctly French touch, it also includes a selection of sweet treats from the live dessert stations and ice-cream counter. Some unusual flavour pairings include the black sugar with ginger and egg tart crème brûlée, which Grand Hyatt’s social media followers requested.

Echoing Tiffin’s namesake, the takeaway version consists of three compartments meticulously stacked to resemble the famous tiffin box. It is adorned with Tiffin’s signature tableware pattern to recreate an elegant tea-time experience at home.

Where: Mezzanine Floor, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wan Chai

Price: HK$368 for one, takeaway: HK$499 for two