Tea Time: 5 Best Afternoon Teas To Try In March

It's officially cherry blossom season and, as part of the celebrations welcoming the arrival of warmer weather, many hotels in the city have unveiled their spring-themed afternoon tea sets. From sakura-inspired desserts to floral and fruity flavours, these are the sweetest tea time treats to try this month.

1. A Feast of Sakura at InterContinental

Above InterContinental brings a pretty-in-pink sakura themed selection of savoury and sweet delicacies this spring. (Photo: Courtesy of InterContinental, Hong Kong)

Inspired by cherry blossoms and hanami (the Japanese pastime that is flower viewing), InterContinental's Lobby Lounge afternoon tea set celebrates the sakura season with an Instagrammable array of savoury items (miso cauliflower with caviar) and sweet pastries (sakura cake and green tea cake). Feel as if you're watching the flowers bloom in Japan while dining against the backdrop of the hotel's panoramic harbour views.

Add a floral themed mocktail or cocktail for a refreshing afternoon delight.

A Feast of Sakura (HK$668 for 2 persons) is available on weekdays from 2:30 - 6:00 pm and on weekends and public holidays from 1:30 to 6:00 pm, until April 30, 2018.

Lobby Lounge, InterContinental Hong Kong, The Lobby Lounge, 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2721 1211; intercontinental.com

2. The Perfect “Pair” at The Ritz-Carlton

Above A selection of pear-based pastries act as the perfect welcome to the beginning of spring. (Photo: Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong)

Fruit lovers, this one's for you. The perfect combination of Australian pear and premium Tahitian vanilla, The Ritz-Carlton’s new pastries are ideal for welcoming the warmer weather.

With edible delights including pear and vanilla verrine, vanilla, pear and muscovado tart and savoury items to complement the sweet pastries, the mix of flavours is sure to whet your appetite.

The "Perfect “Pair” (HK$638 for two Monday to Friday, HK$658 for two Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays) is available every day from 3:30 to 5:30 pm until April 30, 2018.

Café 103, The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Level 103, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, Hong Kong; +852 2263 2270; ritzcarlton.com

3. Spring Blossom at The Pottinger

Above A decadent selection of savoury items and pastries paired with a classic cup of tea. (Photo: Courtesy of The Pottinger, Hong Kong)

Spring Blossom tea set from The Pottinger hotel is almost too pretty to eat. In alignment with the hotel's East meets West motto, the set comes with a spread of Western and Asian delicacies served in a glass jewellery box.

With a selection of savoury items including smoked salmon mousse on squid ink bread and a Hong Kong favourite of barbecued pork puff, the assortment is balanced out with sweet classics such as osmanthus jelly and edible flower desserts such as a crispy charcoal sponge cake with lavender mousse.

Spring Blossom (HK$188 per person) is available every day from 3:00 to 6:00 pm and is available until April 30, 2018.

Gradini, The Pottinger, Hong Kong, 74 Queen’s Road Central, Central, Hong Kong; +852 2308 3088; thepottinger.com

4. Sweet Blossom at The Langham

Above The hotel's classic three layered afternoon tea set comes with an exclusive gift set from Cochine. (Photo: Courtesy of The Langham, Hong Kong)

Partnering with luxury fragrance brand Cochine, The Langham's Sweet Blossom afternoon tea brings a touch of Vietnam to Palm Court. Taking notes from Cochine's products that are made with an infusion of Vietnam and France natural ingredients, excite your senses with the set's bite-sized pastries.

With treats such as mini "bánh mì" brioche and choux pastry filled with wild fig, diners can experience the taste of both old Saigon and France with this assemblage and bring home a little piece of both worlds in an exclusive Cochine gift set.

Sweet Blossom afternoon tea (HK$348 per person) is available on weekdays from 3:00 to 5:30 pm and on weekends and public holidays in two sittings, from 2:15 to 4:15 pm, and 4:30 to 6:30 pm, until May 31, 2018.

Palm Court, The Langham, Hong Kong, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; +852 2132 7898; langhamhotels.com

5. New afternoon tea set at The Murray

Above A two layered afternoon tea set served with classic scones and jam alongside a signature Niccolo coffee and tea. (Photo: Courtesy of Murray Hotel, Hong Kong)

Hong Kong's newly opened The Murray has introduced their first afternoon tea set at the Garden Lounge, featuring creative dim sum and contemporary French pastries. Guests coming to the architectural gem-turned-luxury hotel have a choice of seating indoors or outdoors, with tables overlooking the island side's concrete jungle. Book yourself in and you'll have the bragging rights to having tested one of the city's newest tea sets from the iconic hotel.

Afternoon tea ($295 per person) is available every day from 2:30 to 5:30 pm.

Garden Lounge, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong; +852 3141 8888; marcopolohotels.com

Topics

Afternoon Tea March The Langham The Pottinger The Murray InterContinental The Ritz-Carlton

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