For an indulgent tête-à-tête while nibbling on the finest festive treats — with exclusive gifts to boot — these afternoon teas are a must-try this holiday season.
Holiday festivities may be more muted than usual in Hong Kong this year as more people endeavour to stay home for their festive meals, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice good food and great times with your loved ones during this merry season. In fact, afternoon teas are perhaps one the best dining options equipped to deal with our new normal, as its charm has always been its cleanly portioned, bitesized decadence and fantastic service for you and your plus one.
The holiday period typically harkens delightfully decadent menus and creative fusions of cuisine, and this year is no different as we find some highly unique but very enjoyable collaborations between well-established afternoon tea offerings and great-for-gifting brands. Scroll below for an afternoon tea roundup that makes the most of this extraordinary holiday season, perfect for smaller parties:
Mandarin Oriental x K.S. Sze & Sons: ‘Journey to Venus’ afternoon tea
Decadence reigns supreme in this galaxy-inspired afternoon tea that partners Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong with long-standing collaborators, the luxurious jeweller K.S. Sze & Sons. Aptly named ‘Journey to Venus,’ this interactive tea set served at the Clipper Lounge unleashes a bevy of beautiful smoke from a glass orb before unveiling the delicious interstellar treats that are housed within. They’re inspired by jeweller Dr. Nien Dak Sze’s deep passion for all things planetary: Keep your eyes out for the exclusive Galaxy Opera Cake, a brilliant blackberry version of Mandarin Oriental’s most famous dessert. Guests will also receive a generous HK$2,000 voucher to redeem on the ever-exquisite jewels at K.S. Sze & Sons.
HK$888 for two; Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2825 4000
WooBar x M.A.C. Cosmetics: ‘Glittery Flare’ afternoon tea set
There’s no other season better for glitter and shine, and this brilliant collaboration between W Hotel’s WooBar and M.A.C. Cosmetics celebrates just that. The Glittery Flare Afternoon Tea Set dives headfirst into the holiday spirit with a flashy frosted tea stand that is simply perfect for pictures, and can be followed up afterwards with a complimentary 30-minute makeover at the M.A.C. Elements store. Inspired by M.A.C’s Frosted Firework Holiday Collection, WooBar’s executive chefs’ fusion of fruity, effervescent flavours in light sweets and savoury snacks is an exuberant experience that reminds you that giving may be great, but this is truly the season of treating yourself.
HK$498–698 for two; WooBar, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 3717 2889
Four Seasons Hong Kong: Festive afternoon tea
If you want a taste of Christmas spirit, you’ve got it at the Four Seasons’ festive afternoon tea, available only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and also on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Devour all the best yuletide delicacies in this cheery extravaganza. Showcasing executive pastry chef Ringo Chan’s signature scones and desserts, guests get to taste all the traditional treats: expect a mini gingerbread man, petit chocolate and mandarin yule log cake, a snowman macaron with mulled berries, as well as fine savoury items such as foie gras and mulled wine jelly napoleon or a truffle brie cheese and walnut puff. The three-tiered extravaganza is available for dine-in at The Lounge or takeaway.
HK$488 per person; The Lounge, Four Seasons Hong Kong, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong, +852 3196 8708
Junon x Novel Fineries: ‘A Little Life’ afternoon tea set
If you’re looking for a fluttering feeling in your stomach this holiday season, then Junon’s afternoon tea partnership with artisanal accessories brand, Novel Fineries, is the one for you. The vintage-inspired restaurant elegantly adds silk butterflies to both its menu and antique decor, weaving in elements from the accessories brand’s signature Pocket Art handkerchiefs. A stunning Matcha Sponge Cake with Chocolate Biscuit Sticks and Handmade Wafer Wild Daisies caps off the tea, creating edible art that encapsulates the enchanting, fairy-tale-like atmosphere of the space. This charming tea appeals to all your senses, and each guest leaves with a dainty butterfly badge handcrafted by brand owner, June Lau, herself.
Junon, 2/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, +852 2808 0882
Kerry Hotel Hong Kong x Atelier Cologne: ‘Love in a Winter Garden’ afternoon tea set
The energetic scents created by master perfume house Atelier Cologne always invoke a sense of freshness and joy, making them the perfect partners for Kerry Hotel‘s newest afternoon tea titled ‘Love in a Winter Garden.’ Based off the ingredient-focused perfumes of Atelier Cologne’s citrus scent collection – Joie de Vivre – Kerry’s exceptional chefs have created a culinary journey that merges the separate worlds of food and fragrance into one cohesively mouth-watering experience. Perfumes such as the ‘Oolong Infini’ lend perfectly to the adjacent dishes such as the full-flavoured Oolong Mushroom whipped ganache and dark chocolate crumble. Each guest leaves with an adorable exclusive festive fragrance ceramic and cologne sample.
HK$688 for two; Kerry Hotel Lobby Lounge, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, +852 2252 5237
Sheraton Hong Kong Sky Lounge x Sulwhasoo: ‘The Ginseng Fantasy’ Champagne afternoon tea
Holiday festivities may be fun, but their taxing nature means we need to often rejuvenate ourselves in any way possible during this busy season. ‘The Ginseng Fantasy’ Champagne afternoon tea at Sheraton’s Sky Lounge makes sure of just that, maximising the use of revitalising ginseng — a key ingredient in Korean skincare brand Sulwhasoo‘s beloved products. This enchanting afternoon tea celebrates Sulwhasoo’s fairy-tale-like ‘Wear Your Fantasy!’ holiday collection, illustrated by Gucci collaborator Phannapast Taychamaythakool,. You’ll find delectable bites paired with lush Bottega-brand bubbly as you enjoy the Sky Lounge’s incredible views over the harbour. Follow up this nourishing tea with a complimentary Ginseng Renewing Skincare Trial from Sulwhasoo, along with a HK$100 cash voucher to use at the brand’s boutiques to further nourish your skin for the holidays.
HK$388 per person; Sky Lounge, 18/F, Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, 20 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, +852 2369 1111
Gradini at The Pottinger x Goutal Paris: ‘Enchanted Holiday’ afternoon tea
The charm of Christmas lends pleasantly to this ‘Enchanted Holiday’ afternoon tea, hosted by Central Italian restaurant Gradini in collaboration with famed French perfume brand, Goutal Paris. The aromatic menu is inspired by the fragrance house’s most beloved scents, with the citrus tones of Le Temps des Rêves embodied in the delightful savoury dishes, and the gentle scent of of Rose PomPon informing the heavenly sweets treats such as the Rose and White Chocolate Mousse. Guests will also receive a deluxe Goutal gift set and shopping voucher, and an exclusive invitation to an exclusive Goutal fragrance-and-wine pairing experience.
HK$528 for two; Gradini, The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong, +852 2308 3188
Shiseido x Madame Fù: ‘The Ultimate Moment’ afternoon tea
One of Hong Kong’s most popular pink dining rooms rounds out a photogenic afternoon with its new collaborative tea set by Shiseido. Melding the worlds of Chinoiserie and innovative Japanese aesthetics, this afternoon tea set features desserts and savoury bites that make the most of Japanese ingredients: Think yuzu and white chocolate mousse cake, a raspberry verrine with shiso gelée, a matcha and red bean tartlet and more. Each guest will also receive a Shiseido trial kit worth HK$530 — featuring must-have skincare items such as the Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, the Essential Energy Moisturising Cream, the Revitalising Treatment Softener and a travel-sized ModernMatte Powder Lipstick. Make it a happy hour by tacking on HK$75–110 for a glass of Shiseido’s specialty cocktail (or spirit-free mocktail).
HK$550 for two; Madame Fù Grand Café Chinois, 3/F, Barrack Block, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong x Steiff: Teddy Bear festive afternoon tea
Available from 1 December through 3 January, The Ritz-Carlton’s adorable afternoon tea set will have you indulging in the season’s most joyous treats, and for bookings between 24–26 December, guests can also take home a heartwarming gift by time-honoured German toy manufacturer Steiff. Encased in a teddy-bear-shaped tea set, the afternoon tea menu is an ode to German flavours: Think Pfefferneusse, or traditional honey and spice cookies; a ‘Black Forest’ verrine with Kirsch cherry compote, sponge cake and Valrhona chocolate mousse; as well as a Valrhona Christmas Tree, a luscious treat for all chocoholics featuring 72 percent dark chocolate. Add HK$95 for a glass of festive cocktail for an apt toast to the holidays. The menu is available at The Lounge & Bar and Café 103.
HK$788 for two (except for 24–26 December — HK$988 for two, includes a complimentary Steiff teddy bear keyring); The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Hong Kong, +852 2263 2263
Hotel Icon x Godiva tea set
Sweet tooths, take note: Available through to the end of the year whether dine-in or as a takeaway set, Hotel Icon’s delightful afternoon tea makes the most of Belgian chocolatier Godiva’s best loved creations. The Christmas Chocolate Icon Teddy Bear is the star of the show; paired with equally luscious and sweet treats such as a candied orange and hazelnut waffle with dark chocolate cream; the cherry Black Forest cake, and more. Each set comes with two vouchers for Godiva’s signature soft serve ice cream and a limited edition Hotel Icon x Godiva assorted chocolate box to extend the indulgence at home. For takeaway, be sure to pre-order at least three days in advance.
HK$658 for two; Green, Hotel Icon, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Hong Kong, +852 3400 1300
Wendy Wong
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