Creative collaborations abound in Hong Kong’s afternoon tea offerings this month. From French-inspired floral flavours to first-time Hong Kong collaborations with Japanese dairy connoisseurs, there’s plenty to be excited about if you’re looking for a laidback afternoon of culinary excellence. These unique co-branded afternoon teas are available for a limited time, so don’t miss out.
Green x Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory
When: Through 29 February
Price: HK$598 for two persons; HK$328 for one person
A dairy lover’s dream, this decadent and creamy afternoon tea is a delight for both its savoury and sweet treats. This is the legendary Tokyo Milk Cheese Factory’s first culinary collaboration in Hong Kong, and the tea set places the revered Hokkaido milk and cream at the centre of each item. Cheesecake, milk rolls, and milk cheese cookies (in both vanilla and a Hong Kong-exclusive Yuen Yueng flavour) are shipped directly from Japan, while the milk rice pudding with white chocolate and mango and cow cow puff pastry are made in house: the latter steals the show with the crunchy sweet texture of a pineapple bun on the outside, with a creamy Tokyo Milk interior.
Hotel Icon’s Pastry Chef Danny Ho continues the Japanese inspiration in the savoury dishes, so the curry hash brown is closer to a katsu potato croquet than it’s American namesake, and the roasted eel with creamy scrambled egg on toast is a delicious homage to one of Japan’s quintessential dishes. The fluffy and warm scones will ensure you don’t go home hungry, along with free-flow Hokkaido Jersey Milk soft serve in plain and Hotel ICON-exclusive Yuen Yeung flavours.
Green, G/F, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, +852 3400 1300
Intercontinental x Diptyque
When: Through 29 February
Price: HK$698 for two persons; HK$498 for one person
A Parisian-chic affair with splendid harbour views, the Intercontinental’s latest afternoon tea comes in partnership with French perfume connoisseurs Diptyque. Marking the launch of its ‘Eau Capitale and Paris en Fleur’ fragrance, the tea set takes inspiration from the central notes of rose, bergamot, patchouli and pink peppercorns.
The decadent set includes a mini egg and ham tartlet starring rich and salty truffle garnish, a lobster cocktail salad with pink peppercorn pearls, and foie gras roll, to name a few. Sweets are all French-inspired, with choux pastry and soft, creamy flavours: the bitter and sweet mandarin tart was a favourite, closely followed by the bergamot tea-flavoured, Eiffel Tower-embellished macaron. Scones with Earl Grey jelly, strawberry jam and clotted cream are generous in size, and guests are gifted 2ml samples of Diptyque’s eau de toilette and parfum to take away.
Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Hong Kong, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2721 1211
Kerry Hotel x Cha Ling
When: Through 31 March
Price: HK$638 for two persons
An East-meets-West afternoon tea extravaganza awaits foodies at the Kerry Hotel. Partnering with Parisian skincare brand Cha Ling, whose premium skincare products utilise the healing power of China’s famous Pu’er tea, the afternoon tea set centres around the brand’s new ‘Four Seasons’ face mask with sweet bites drawing flavours from each season.
Iberian Pork cheek with red dates, Pu’er tea and osmanthus blossom showcase the Eastern inspirations for this set, while the pear-infused caramel tartin and almond madeleine bring French patisserie flare, all served in a custom-made standing treasure chest. Tiny dim sum baskets — made for a single poached chicken and truffle lo mai gai — and quintessential Hong Kong flavours like abalone and quail egg ground this tea firmly in its location overlooking Victoria Harbour. Diners will receive a Cha Ling gift bag, which includes a Cha Ling fragrance, scented camellia brooch, Cha Ling young Pu’er tea, and a complimentary Cha Ling facial experience voucher.
Lobby Lounge, Level 1, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2252 5237
Gradini x Darphin ‘Glamour in Bloom’
When: Through 29 February
Price: HK$238 per person
Partnering with French beauty brand Darphin, Gradini’s floral-inspired tea set incorporates peony, chamomile and hawthorn into its sweet treats. The three flowers are the core of Darphin’s Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum: warm and fluffy fruit scones served with hawthorn apple jam, chamomile honey panna cotta, and assorted macarons are a few of the flower-infused highlights.
Make sure to break up the sweet with savoury delights like the smoked duck breast with mixed berry mayo, wild mushroom vol-au-vent (a creamy French puff pastry), and rich pork rillettes served with a beetroot bun — the latter a moreish addition to this picture-perfect, unabashedly pink afternoon tea. The co-branded afternoon tea offers guests a gift set containing samples of Darphin’s Intral Redness Relief Soothing Serum, Chamomile Aromatic Care, and Aromatic Cleansing Balm.
Lobby Level, The Pottinger Hong Kong, 74 Queens Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, +852 2308 3088
The Murray Garden Lounge x 112 mountainyam ‘Hide and Seek’
When: Through 31 March
Price: HK$688 for two persons
For something a little different, this fashion-forward spring tea set is a ‘modern safari’ of African flavours and colour, created in collaboration with local designer 112 mountainyam. The brand’s founder, Mountain Yam, brought his own experience of Africa alive in his 2019 ‘Hide and Seek’ fashion collection, and Executive Chef Terrence Crandall’s playful interpretation of the collection is showcased through zebra-striped finger sandwiches and bold colour palettes.
Ingredients are key here: the Ghanian Nyangbo 68% dark chocolate with high-grown Ethiopian coffee for a rich chocolate cake, the pistachio-covered South African Malva cake, and the dessert glass of creamy couscous infused with saffron, a twist on a traditional rice pudding, seamlessly blend African flavours with the staple of afternoon tea. It’s a stylish celebration of the wonder of nature, served up in The Murray’s classic gold-accented arched tea stand.
Garden Lounge, UG/F, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong, +852 3141 8888
Woobar Superfoods Afternoon Tea
When: Through 31 March
Price: HK$488 for two persons
Just because your New Year’s Resolution was a detox or diet, doesn’t mean afternoon tea is off the table, thanks to Woo Bar at W Hong Kong. This superfood-packed set serves up light-bites, with vegan and gluten-free options, for health-conscious diners to fuel mind and body with a fresh take on the traditional afternoon tea.
Director of Culinary, Chef Robert Nilsson, has taken inspiration from his home country of Sweden to create savoury Nordic bites using nutrient-dense seafood: a tuna roll with kale, salmon gravlax and mini sliders and crushed avocado with shrimp. The guilt-free sweet treats from chef Baptiste Villefranque include quintessential wellness ingredients and creative takes on classics like anti-oxidant loaded goji berries in an avocado brownie, and coconut and raspberry chia seed pudding.
Woobar, 6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3717 2889
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