The Popular Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong
The popular afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong is a culinary indulgence and a hangover from the British colonial era. The luxurious Peninsula Hotel has served its classic Hong Kong afternoon tea for almost a century.
On my last visit to Hong Kong, I decided to treat myself to afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, even though I was dining alone. The hotel Lobby is beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated, the ambience is relaxed, the service excellent, and the food delicious.
In their classic afternoon tea, the Peninsular presents a thoughtful menu reflecting the essence of Hong Kong. A satisfying blend of English and Chinese flavours and traditions served with grace and style.
But there are often long queues to be seated. Sometimes the wait can be 2 hours and it’s also quite expensive. So, is it worth the hype?
Yes, I think it is! Afternoon Tea at the Peninsular is a delightful fine dining experience and well worth adding to your itinerary for Hong Kong.
**NOTE** I paid for my Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula and I’m under no obligation to write this article. As usual, the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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My experience of Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hotel
It was a Sunday afternoon in early October at the end of the Chinese National Holiday week, a very busy time in Hong Kong and China.
I was across the road from the famous Peninsula Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui after a morning enjoying the artworks and historical exhibits at the Hong Kong Museum of Art.
I’d heard about the high tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong and wanted to try it.
Even though I hadn’t dressed for the occasion, I went inside to see how long the queue was. I was travelling alone in Hong Kong and wasn’t sure if I would feel comfortable but the staff were very gracious and no one seemed to mind my relaxed clothes so I joined the queue in the lobby for the popular Peninsula Hong Kong high tea.
The Queue for High Tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong is served from 2 – 6 pm on a first come first served basis. It’s very popular and I was expecting to have to queue.
But, when I arrived at around 1:55 pm the queue was relatively short with 4 or 5 other groups waiting for afternoon tea to start. The Lobby was busy with a mix of Asian and Western guests but it was not full.
A waitress took my name and after around 20 minutes I was shown to a table at the far end of the Lobby. Because the Peninsula Hong Kong afternoon tea is so popular I was expecting a much longer queue and wait time.
The Atmosphere in the Lobby
The relaxed, stylish atmosphere in The Lobby is one of the main reasons the Peninsula afternoon tea is so popular. The decor is European, refined and sophisticated. Elegant black marble tables set with cloth placemats and serviettes are decorated with a single red gerbera in a silver vase.
The hotel building dates back to 1928 and the lobby is a combination of 19th-century French and Edwardian architecture. Ornate high ceilings give a spacious feel to the huge room. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling and tall vases with large flower arrangements decorate the windows.
From the gallery, live music floats through the air. Local musicians perform a program of feel-good classics with popular tunes and movie themes arranged for violin, flute and electric keyboard.
A Classic British Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel Hong Kong is elegant and sophisticated. I was expecting a typically British affair, but there’s a twist. The Peninsula afternoon tea is a delightful combination of English and Chinese culture.
While the tradition of “afternoon Tea” is typically English and a hangover from Hong Kong’s British colonial days, China has a long tradition of fine tea appreciation. The Chinese tea ceremony has its origins in the Tang dynasty dating back to 618 AD.
The Peninsula Afternoon Tea Menu
The Peninsula afternoon tea menu reflects the exciting mix of East and West found throughout Hong Kong. Typically English dishes such as the cucumber sandwich and scones with jam and cream are served alongside Asian flavours like smoked duck breast, hibiscus jelly and the best Chinese and Indian teas.
The Peninsula afternoon tea menu includes a wide selection of black and green teas including popular Earl Grey, Assam, Oolong and The Peninsular Hotel’s own fine tea blends. Asian green teas, floral teas and spiced teas are included in the selection and served with fine English silverware.
I chose a floral black tea with hibiscus flowers, passionfruit and marigold petals. Soon after the tea was served, the first course arrived, a sweet corn tart with truffle mayonnaise and a delicate crispy shell served as an entree.
Then the main afternoon tea arrived on a 3-tiered silver tray. At the top level were the sweets. Each was a work of art, visually stunning and finished to perfection with rich and filling flavours. An Asian hibiscus jelly was paired with a European strawberry mousse and a chestnut cream with pear compote.
On the second tier was a selection of delicious crustless sandwiches with delicate flavours. My favourite was the classic British cucumber sandwich with a cool creamy dressing and fresh crunchy filling. The mauve-coloured wild prawn and lavender sandwich was a more sophisticated addition and I enjoyed the Chinese-influence with the smoked duck breast sandwich and the tuna nicoise milk bun.
On the bottom level were freshly baked raisin scones served with homemade strawberry jam and beautifully presented clotted cream in true English style.
The service was gracious and attentive, there when needed and unobtrusive at other times.
The Cost
At the time of writing, the Hong Kong Peninsula afternoon Tea for one person was HK$528 + 10% service charge. (US$75)
For two, afternoon tea at the Peninsula was HK$918 +10% (US$130)
Add a glass of champagne for HK$200 +10% (US$28)
If you don’t want the full Peninsula Hong Kong high tea you can order from the menu but there’s a minimum charge of HK$350 (US$45) per person.
Is The Peninsual Afternoon Tea Worth It?
Yes, I think the Peninsula Afternoon is worth it but the price is on the high side. I’ve had many afternoon teas to celebrate family occasions in Sydney, Australia, and I’ve also enjoyed high tea at the Hydro Majestic and The Carrington Hotel in the Blue Mountains, and a colonial high tea at the Raffles Hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
High Tea at the Peninsula is the most expensive I’ve tried so far but I enjoyed the elegant surroundings and the excellent service. I didn’t feel rushed or hurried at all, and the staff gave me plenty of space to enjoy the lovely relaxed atmosphere of the Lobby.
I thoroughly enjoyed my high tea at The Peninsula Hong Kong. It was a delightful and delicious culinary experience. Next time I’ll dress for the occasion, but I still felt very relaxed in such sophisticated surroundings.
Is The Peninsula Afternoon Tea the Best in Hong Kong?
My afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel was exceptional but is it the best in Hong Kong? Well, it’s the only Hong Kong afternoon tea I’ve tried so I couldn’t say. But I did enjoy the experience and would do it again given the opportunity.
While I was waiting to be seated, I met a lovely local couple who were there to celebrate a birthday. The young woman was from Hong Kong and her boyfriend was from Macau. They spoke well of The Rosewood Hotel for afternoon tea and I’ve also heard good things about the Mandarin Oriental‘s art-inspired afternoon tea.
Maybe I’ll try them next time….
Tips for Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Hotel
- Go on a weekday because weekends are usually busy
- Get there early and be prepared to wait. The Peninsula afternoon tea is served on a first come first served basis from 2 pm – 6 pm.
- Reservations are not accepted
- The dress code is “smart casual”
- Expect a 10% service charge to be added to your bill
- The Peninsula Hong Kong is in Salisbury Road Tsim Sha Tsui.
- The Peninsula Hotel also offers a Star Ferry afternoon Tea on Victoria Harbour
Final Thoughts on Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula Hong Kong
I have no hesitation in recommending the Hong Kong Peninsula afternoon tea. It’s an iconic experience that encapsulates Hong Kong through food. Like the Star Ferry, Victoria Peak and The Big Buddha, high tea at the Peninsula has historical significance and is a wonderful addition to an itinerary in Hong Kong.
The afternoon tea in the Peninsula Lobby was exquisite, the ambience and the décor were lovely, and the service was excellent. What more could you ask for?
Although it was the most expensive high tea I’ve had, afternoon tea at the Peninsula Hotel is a memorable occasion and a delightful fine dining experience. Why not try it the next time you’re in Hong Kong?
**NOTE** I paid for my Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula and I’m under no obligation to write this article. As usual, the thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
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