There’s nothing quite like partaking in that most quintessential of British traditions that comes with scones, cakes and sandwiches. Bridging the gap between lunch and dinner, afternoon tea is a time to relax, chitchat with friends or family and indulge in delectable sweet and savoury items.
If you enjoy your tea with a side of views and vistas, KL has plenty hotspots that demand your attention. Here we’ve gathered a few that take tea to the next level, quite literally!
Thirty8, Grand Hyatt
As the name suggests, this restaurant is perched on the 38th floor of the luxurious Grand Hyatt and offers stunning views of downtown KL. Tea here comes served on the traditional three-tier stand, with each level holding an array of items including sumptuous scones, cakes and spring rolls.
The floor-to-ceiling windows here ensure that you have plenty of natural light to capture all the moments you want to with your phone and create a wonderful memory in pictures.
If you’d like to kick off 2021 in style, check out the New Year’s Day Afternoon Tea Buffet which will be offered from 1pm-5pm on 1 January.
Grand Hyatt
Where 12 Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
When Afternoon tea from 3pm-5pm
Price RM158 nett (2 persons)
Tel 03 2182 1234
hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/malaysia/grand-hyatt-kuala-lumpur
Intercontinental KL, OneSixFive Lounge
If you prefer staying more grounded but still love a view, OneSixFive Lounge at Intercontinental KL delivers in spades. Here you can take in a Japanese-style garden in a fastidiously landscaped setting, complete with waterfall and pond. This serene space helps to wash away the stresses and strains of the day and instantly put you at ease.
You can opt for an Asian-inspired birdcage or a western-styled chest of drawers for tea, each containing a selection of sweets and savouries that are every bit as enticing as the setting.
Everything is meticulously prepared and presented, and of the highest quality in terms of tastes and textures.
Intercontinental KL
Where 165 Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
When Afternoon tea from 2pm-5pm
Price RM158 nett (2 persons) (add RM88 for a glass of Prosecco; add RM20 for signature mocktail)
Tel 03 2782 6000
kualalumpur.intercontinental.com
Banyan Tree, Altitude
The aptly named Altitude restaurant in Banyan Tree is among the highest in KL and with accompanying vistas that all but take your breath away. Afternoon tea here is a lavish affair, the restaurant oozing luxury with its marble walls, chrome lighting, plush armchairs and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame those vistas.
There’s an extensive tea list to being with, featuring premium varieties by Harvey and Sons. On the food front, guests are showered with a range of traditional and contemporary selections, including seafood delights, foie gras treats, a savoury macaron with cured salmon, and a multi-tiered sweet platter packed with dreamy creations. Teh Tarik choux-choux, strawberry Eton mess and a mango passion-fruit explosion are some of these.
Banyan Tree
Where 2 Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
When Afternoon tea from 3pm-5pm
Price RM148 nett (per person), RM188 nett (inclusive of a glass of champagne and premium tea or coffee selections)
Tel 03 2113 1823
banyantree.com/en/malaysia/kuala-lumpur
Nobu
A departure from the traditional Western afternoon tea, Nobu offers an Asian version that forgoes the scones and finger sandwiches for Far Eastern influenced delights. This globally famous restaurant is well known for its use of Japanese-Peruvian delights, something that extends to its sky high tea spread where you’ll find soft shell crab, smoked samon, wagyu gyoza, tuna sashimi, chicken katsu and lobster senbei to name a few.
Being on the 56th floor of the Menara 3 KLCC, you’re also privy to some stunning views that radiate out from the heart of the city. Offered every Saturday and Sunday, you can also complement your afternoon tea set with a variety of dishes from the a la carte menu – we recommend the black cod miso or Chilean seabass with red jalapeno miso.
Nobu will be moving from its current location in Menara 3 KLCC to the Four Seasons Hotel KL with a slated launch in the first quarter of 2021. Stay tuned for news!
Nobu
Where Menara 3 Petronas, Level 56 KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
When Afternoon tea from 1pm-4pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Price RM93 (Signature Nobu High Tea), RM138 (Premium High Tea)
Tel 03 2164 5084
noburestaurants.com/kuala-lumpur/home
St. Regis, The Drawing Room
A true five-star experience awaits at The Drawing Room, where both setting and service is of the highest order. The five-tier crystal chandelier draws your eyes to the ceiling just as soon as you enter the restaurant, while the striking horse sculpture by Columbian artist Fernando Botero takes centre stage on the floor. The views here are all inside!
The Classic Afternoon Tea set is flush with sweet and savoury treats that will delight taste buds from the first bite. All made using organic ingredients and with no additives or preservatives, you’re ensured quality and taste. The Mixed Berry Trifle and Caramelised Pecan Short Crust are of particular note.
Up the ante with the Festive Afternoon Tea this month, which includes traditional Christmas desserts, and free-flowing savoury canapés among others.
St. Regis
Where No 6 Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
When Afternoon tea from 3pm-6pm (weekdays), 2pm-6.30pm (weekends)
Price RM140 nett (per person) RM220 nett (glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne); RM158+ (per person – Festival Afternoon Tea), RM248+ (with glass of Delamotte Champagne)
Tel 03 2727 1111
marriott.com/hotels/travel/kulxr-the-st-regis-kuala-lumpur