Afternoon tea arrived in Hong Kong in tandem with British arrival, a leisurely ritual of cucumber sandwiches, scones, and silver service that quickly found its place in hotel lobbies and social calendars of the city’s elite.
Over time, it transformed from a colonial pastime into a ceremonious occasion for both locals and expats alike, popularized by the likes of The Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental. Subsequent years saw a new generation of venues reimagine this beloved afternoon tradition, complete with dim sum–style trolleys and patisserie-led menus presented (almost) in a manner (almost) too pretty to eat.
Today, the best high tea in Hong Kong is about far more than just the delicate finger foods and eclectic teas placed in front of you, served on iconic three-tiered stands and in fine bone china teacups. It’s an atmosphere, a collective effervescence, a sophisticated reprieve from the banalities of everyday life.
Whether you’re a venerated Hong Kong resident looking for a quiet midweek escape or just touching down in the city in search of an iconic experience to remember the city by, here is where to find the best high tea in Hong Kong.
The Butterfly Room at Rosewood Hong Kong – World’s Best Afternoon Tea 2025
Crowned World’s Best Afternoon Tea 2025 by LA LISTE, a global platform that aggregates over 500 guides and reviews to rank the finest global dining experiences, The Butterfly Room at the Rosewood Hong Kong offers one of the Fragrant Harbour’s most coveted high tea experiences.
Booking well in advance is essential due to the room’s limited seating and soaring demand, with weekday afternoons being the most ideal for a quieter, more intimate experience.
Don’t be intimidated by the buzz. Tucked away on the Rosewood’s ground floor, this intimate salon is a personal favourite for catching up with friends, welcoming newcomers, and afternoon business meetings. Plush sofas, soft lighting, and delicate floral décor create a serene, elegant backdrop perfect for unhurried conversations.
Breaking tradition from the classic three-tier platter associated with this pastime, The Butterfly Room’s high tea unfolds as a multi-course journey: amuse-bouche, finger sandwiches, pre-desserts, scones, and plated desserts, all thoughtfully paced to complement the rhythm of your visit.
Pastry chef Jonathan Soukdeo’s contemporary creations shine here, lush but never cloying. Save some room for the Mignardise Chocolate Trolley. This playful, sophisticated parade of bite-sized chocolates and petits fours arrives as a final send-off, adding theatrical staccato to this 1.5-2 hour ritual. A proper cherry on the cake if you ask me.
While at Rosewood, don’t forget to pop over to The Butterfly Patisserie next door. Soukdeo’s Hokkaido custard flan, a luxurious twist on Hong Kong’s iconic egg tart, has become a local sensation. It sells out daily, so pre-order online and pick up in person for a sweet takeaway.
The full high tea experience costs around HKD 568 per person — a refined indulgence for special occasions or a well-deserved luxury.
The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong – Seasonal Sets With Vegan and Gluten-Free Options
Bathed in natural light, The Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong delivers an afternoon tea that strikes a much-welcome balance between tradition and creativity. It’s also behind one of the best hotel breakfasts in Hong Kong.
Presented in the classic three-tier format with sandwiches, fluffy scones, and exquisitely detailed pastries, the experience comes with a surprise: a table-side dessert served fresh by the pastry team, adding an extra touch of decadence to it all. Menus are seasonal, drawing inspiration from nature and its elements: think soft florals in spring and vibrant Japanese produce in the summer. It’s this gentle rotation that keeps regulars, myself included, coming back. There’s also an equally thoughtful vegan and gluten-free set, ensuring no one misses out.
Service is split into two sessions daily, weekdays from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm and weekends and public holidays from 3:00 pm, with each session designed to offer a leisurely pace. It’s a revered spot for a weekday pause or a more celebratory weekend affair, though do note that final food orders wrap at 5:00 PM.
The atmosphere at The Lounge feels spacious but intimate, with a low buzz of conversation and a calm energy that suits both quiet catch-ups and special occasions. It’s polished, but never stuffy. I’ve taken my 5-year-old daughter there on several occasions, and she’s always made to feel as welcome as the grown-ups. And if you’re in the mood, a glass of Champagne or a seasonal cocktail adds just the right lift.
Afternoon tea is priced at HKD 528 for one (HKD 485 for the vegan and gluten-free set), or HKD 880 for two (HKD 798 for the vegan and gluten-free set), making it a generous and well-considered experience without being over the top.
The Lobby Lounge at Regent Hong Kong – Cinematic Harbour Views
Image courtesy of the Regent Hong Kong’s website.
If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea views in Hong Kong, this is it. The Lobby Lounge at Regent Hong Kong places you right at the harbourside level, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame a cinematic view of Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of Stars and Victoria Harbour. Football-shaped, century-old boats drift past as you sip your tea and the skyline unfolds in front of you. The Lobby Lounge is one spot in Hong Kong where it’s mandatory to pause between bites and soak it all in.
The setting is contemporary, with a spacious layout and understated elegance that never exceeds its ethos of high-quality origin coffees, Western and Chinese teas, and silky bites. It’s one of my go-to spots for entertaining out-of-town guests, one where I typically follow tea with a stroll along the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, then hop on the Star Ferry back to Central. Time it right, and you’ll catch golden hour from the boat, the skyline bathed in warm, amber light.
Afternoon tea here is served Monday to Friday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm, while weekends and public holidays are from 12:00 noon to 6:00 pm. The set is priced at HKD 888 for two, with offerings regularly being swapped for limited-time themed menus to keep things fresh (and unforgettable). Past collaborations include La Maison du Chocolat, a Frida Kahlo-inspired menu with Hong Kong Ballet, and a plant-based tea designed by Asia’s Best Pastry Chef 2024, Mineko Kato.
The Lobby at Peninsula Hong Kong – A Blast From the Past
No catalogue of the best places for high tea in Hong Kong would be complete without including The Peninsula. With its graceful colonnades, soaring double-height ceilings, and the gentle hum of live jazz, The Lobby plates up a timeless experience that’s as much about the atmosphere as it is about the food. Here, generations of locals and visitors have gathered for a taste of old-world glamour.
Served daily from 2:00 pm to 5:30 pm (last order at 5:00 pm), the classic afternoon tea set includes cucumber and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, warm raisin scones with strawberry jam (a Peninsula signature), and a selection of delicate pastries — all presented on an indelible silver-tiered stand. À la carte selections are available from the afternoon tea menu (minimum charge of HKD 350 per guest). It’s a quiet, poised, and deliberate affair, best paired with one of the hotel’s exclusive Peninsula tea blends.
However, there’s a catch: no reservations are accepted. So, expect to wait, especially on weekends. The earlier the better. Or, opt for a weekday for fewer crowds.
For a unique take on this beloved ritual, I recommend swapping the confines of the colonnades for the Star Ferry. The hotel has partnered with the iconic (nearly 140-year-old) boat to offer a 95-minute afternoon tea cruise on select Saturdays. Scones, live music, and Peninsula elegance with a harbour breeze. It’s bookable in advance and ideal for hosting visitors and (re)discovering two local legends at once. At HKD 820 per person, it’s a splurge — but a memorable one.
Tiffin at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong – Cake Trolley, Anyone?
There’s something quietly comforting about stepping into the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, just like settling into the comforting rhythm of afternoon tea. This early ’90s landmark hasn’t changed much since opening and that’s part of its charm.
The three-storey-high lobby, flanked by sweeping curvilinear staircases, feels like the grand arrival hall of an ocean liner, complete with harbour views from the Wan Chai waterfront. Up on the mezzanine, Tiffin channels the same Art Deco, cruise-ship glamour, making it a fitting backdrop for the long-standing liturgy of high tea.
Served daily from 3:15 pm to 5:00 pm (with last order at 4 pm) and priced at HKD 448 per person, the offering here blends tradition with generosity. The bite-sized savouries are classics, the scones freshly baked, but the true highlight is the cake trolley. A rolling feast of individual confections and whole cakes (yes, you get a slice) is the reason you’ll want to pace yourself. Trust me: it’s worth saving room.
The tea selection is extensive; however, a personal favorite is the Grand Hyatt Timeless Blend — a bespoke rooibos created for the hotel’s 35th anniversary. It’s smooth and soothing with vanilla undertones, lifted by notes of tangerine and bright orange peel. A lovely counterbalance to the (profuse) sweetness of the trolley.
The whole experience feels indulgent in a low-key, quietly luxurious way. It’s less showy than some, but every bit as satisfying.
181 at Fortnum & Mason – Quintessentially British
With its royal warrant, more than 300 years of heritage, and a reputation as London’s ultimate tea authority, Fortnum & Mason brings serious pedigree to Hong Kong’s high tea scene. Located at K11 MUSEA, 181 blends British tradition with harbourside views: a refined retreat above the buzz of Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade.
The interiors are a nod to the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Piccadilly, famously opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 2012, all soft pastels, crisp linens, and subtle elegance. Naturally, the tea menu is a standout. You’ll be spoiled for choice with Fortnum’s own blends; if you’re feeling regal, go for the Royal Blend, first created for King Edward VII in 1902.
Tea sets are available daily and cater to a range of tastes. Those with a savoury leaning will appreciate the Savoury Afternoon Tea Set (HKD 558) featuring finger sandwiches, rosemary and tomato or salmon and chive scones, and ‘savoury patisseries’ like a quail and pea Scotch Egg. If you’re after the full high tea experience, the Classic Afternoon Tea includes sandwiches, scones, and cakes, all for HKD 528 per person or HKD 888 for two. Vegetarian and dairy-free sets are also available.
To truly elevate the experience, add a glass of Fortnum’s Champagne or a bespoke 15g tin of Oscietra caviar, served table-side for a bit of theatre.
Finally, don’t skip the Fortnum’s boutique downstairs on your way out. The teas are tempting, but I can never leave without a tin (or two) of their buttery biscuits.
The Drawing Room at The St. Regis Hong Kong – Your Tea, Your Rules
Image courtesy of The Drawing Room at The St. Regis Hong Kong’s website.
As a Gilded Age fan (as seen on HBO), I have a particular soft spot for The Drawing Room at The St. Regis Hong Kong. There’s something undeniably grand about stepping into this refined corner of Wan Chai, just off the Pierside Precinct of Wan Chai Ferry Pier. Expect Art Deco flourishes, gleaming finishes, and hushed elegance — all with that contemporary André Fu’s touch.
Unsurprisingly, the atmosphere echoes the hotel’s New York roots. After all, the original St. Regis was founded by John Jacob Astor IV of the famed Astor family, an Anglo-American dynasty instrumental in shaping New York high society’s past and present.
Here, afternoon tea unfolds like a contemporary nod to old-world glamour but with a clever twist. Served daily from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm (last order 4:30 pm), the set invites you to curate your own selection: pick eight items from a roving display of savoury and sweet delicacies presented dim sum–style on trolleys — a chic homage to Hong Kong tradition. Whether you lean sweet or savoury, let your cravings guide the balance. Freshly baked scones are also part of the experience.
Priced at HKD 478 for one or HKD 888 for two, the tea set pairs beautifully with brews from Plantation Tea, a local artisan brand known for sourcing directly from single-origin farms across Asia. And in true Gilded Age fashion, you can elevate the experience with a glass of Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut NV or opt for the free-flow version if you’re feeling particularly celebratory (or if you simply like your bubblies as much as we do).
The Clipper Lounge at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong – Iconic Address, Iconic Jam
There’s something timeless about afternoon tea at Clipper Lounge, and rightly so. This long-time gathering spot inside the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong has been a go-to for socialites, business tycoons and hotel regulars since the 1960s. The hotel itself is a legend, steeped in heritage and known for its impeccable service.
Set at its heart, The Clipper Lounge hums gently with activity. I always ask for a seat by the railing, the ideal lookout to sip and people-watch as guests glide through the lobby below. Stacked silver tiers bring finger sandwiches, dainty sweets, and freshly baked scones. But what makes it truly special is the signature rose-petal jam. Delicate, fragrant, and slightly addictive — it’s quite literally my jam.
The sweet selection includes a serving of the hotel’s famed 1963 Mandarin cheesecake with yuzu and vanilla Chantilly — a soft, buttery pleasure — alongside other seasonal creations. Pair it with a pot of the house Taste of Legend tea, a beautifully blended infusion of oolong, jasmine, orange peel and lavender, exclusive to the hotel. Or toast the occasion with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne or Saicho non-alcoholic sparkling tea, a Hong Kong–based label worth discovering.
Afternoon tea is priced at HKD 428 for one or HKD 828 for two and is served daily, with slight variations in timings depending on the day. Reservations are always recommended — this one’s a perennial favourite for a reason.