Memoirs of Aleisha

When in Singapore, Raffles is supposedly the creme de la creme of venues to partake in afternoon tea. I couldn’t go to Singapore and not visit the Raffles Hotel (also home to where the Singapore Sling cocktail was born) so go to Raffles Hotel I did. I only had two days in Singapore and had made a booking for high tea at Raffles a month prior to my visit (booking are generally required). Yeah, I know I made a booking for a table of one! Just moi. But there was no way in hell I was going to miss out on tea here. High Tea is served in the Tiffin Room:

From Tea at Raffles

In true Singapore style, it was pouring rain when I turned up. I was lead to a table by a waiter, and to my shock it was on a table set for 6!

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Um, do they seat all the single bookings together so we mingle with random strangers? Is this like the loner loser table? I said to the waiter, “Um, do I sit with other strangers? I just have a booking for one.” “Oh”, he said. “I thought you were in a group”. “No, no, just me.” I replied. I was ushered to my correct table, a table for one, by the window (I might add) with a magazine laid out for me, so I need not look like a total loner. How thoughtful. Albeit, a little unnecessary.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

One of the things here that was a little off-putting as a first impression, was that all the tables were all pre-set with the tiered platters. Made me think, how long had they been sitting there. (There are two seating sessions for high tea here – at 1:30 and 3:30pm).

From Tea at Raffles

I sat down and got comfy for a rainy afternoon of tea and food. In addition to the traditional afternoon tea platter is the buffet which is included in the price. There was dim sum and then some – fruits, scones and a large assortment of Christmas-themed dessert buffet. This is the first time I have been to a buffet dessert afternoon tea.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

I went for the glass of champagne option. Was a little unimpressed by the fact that they served the champagne in a wine glass (and not a champagne glass). As for teas, there are about 4 or 5 teas on offer. You can try as many as you like, and they’ll bring out fresh pots of tea for you.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Even though it was a booking for one, I noticed that my afternoon platter had a serving for two. I obviously couldn’t get through all that food. Tried to sample a little bit of everything though. Everything here was very traditional. And nothing too creative, but all very edible (not mind-blowing delicious though).

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

I enjoyed the little bouquet of fresh white roses which adorned the table:

From Tea at Raffles

They even gave me a cute mini chair to put my handbag on:

From Tea at Raffles

The interior was all very British colonial. White walls, high ceilings, wooden fans. Tea here is popular across all demographics. There were families, kids, men, teenagers, couples, and most tables were occupied.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Got me some yum cha. The bbq pork buns were delicious. I have a soft spot for yum cha. Now have many soft spots (mainly arse and thighs) as a result of yum cha and other yummy foods consumed over the holiday break.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Didn’t really try any of the desserts. Was too full from everything else, and I’m not a huge fan of all the traditional Christmas desserts. There were things like Christmas cookies, puddings, stolen, cake logs etc.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Saved just enough room for scones and fruit.

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

I like a little scone with my cream and jam:

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

High tea was very pleasant. I contentedly ate and drank and took lots of photos whilst it continued to pour down rain. Wouldn’t have been able to do much sightseeing anyway, so it was nice to while away a couple of hours here. Live music as well. A giant harp-like instrument was being played by a woman. The Raffles Hotel is a fancy five star hotel, complete with red carpet all rolled out:

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

Unique colonial architecture makes the hotel hard to miss:

From Tea at Raffles

From Tea at Raffles

The hotel by night:

From Tea at Raffles

Tea at the Tiffin Room, Raffles Hotel. A tick on the bucketlist. Afternoon tea in December (blame Christmas peak season) here will cost you 65 Singapore dollars (platter, unlimited tea and buffet. Champagne extra). Normally it’s about 10-15 dollars cheaper at any other time of the year. Bookings generally required. Seating will only be held for 15 minutes, so don’t be late. Smart casual dress code applies.