It's Always Tea-time in Macau
Perhaps the quintessential afternoon activity for ladies, the afternoon tea became popular at the end of the nineteenth century in England. Typically reserved for the more affluent members of society back then, it has in the intervening century or so become a staple for those who, even if just for an afternoon, want to live the life of a lady of leisure. Macau has embraced this very British tradition with open arms, and we have dedicated countless afternoons of nibbling and sipping in order to track down the best on offer in Macau.
Photo: Afternoon tea at Cafe Esplanada at the Wynn Macau
Cafe Esplanada at the Wynn Macau launched their afternoon tea earlier this year. Conceptualized by executive pastry chef Yoann Mathy, the tea set includes some of the best macarons we’ve had in Macau as well as an incredibly rich choux puff dipped in Tuscan Amedei chocolate cream - as is the norm with Wynn, no expense is spared.
Menu: Smoked duck with tomato and fig toast, open-faced egg salad sandwich, Norwegian smoked salmon roll, pure chocolate cream and crunchy choux puff, raspberry and vanilla tartlet, passion fruit and banana cake, salty caramel macaroon, and a raisin scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Good for: A relaxed and casual tea on the newly renovated poolside patio.
MOP308+ for two
From 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily
For reservations call (853) 8986 3663
Photo: Afternoon tea in the Grand Hyatt Lobby Lounge
Grand Hyatt Macau offers an indulgent afternoon tea with an Asian twist in the attractive lobby lounge. With live music on weekends, it’s a great choice for a low-key Sunday afternoon. It’s probably the most generous of the four in our list, so it’s a good choice to follow a mid-morning brunch when you might not want a large lunch.
Menu: French pastries (on our visit pastries included a dark chocolate tart, a chocolate dipped green tea macaroon, a custard puff, tiramisu, and mango panna cotta), fresh mixed berries with cream, Portuguese vanilla and pistachio egg tarts, raisin scones with jam and cream, quiche, mini calzones, a selection of sandwiches (egg white; turkey; ham and cheese; and a smoked salmon roll), handmade dim sum (har gou and shu mai on our visit), and two cups of coffee or tea.
Good for: A filling afternoon tea while people watching
MOP428++ for two
From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily
For reservations call (853) 8868 1131
Photo: FANtasy at Vida Rica Bar in the Mandarin Oriental
Mandarin Oriental Macau offers their daily afternoon tea in the lobby lounge, but we ventured up to the second floor where they offer a weekend FANtasty (food is prepared to order and in a more relaxing atmosphere) at Vida Rica Bar every Saturday and Sunday. For views of Macau across Nam Van Lake toward Macau Tower sit next to a window.
A palate cleansing sorbet pop precedes the arrival of the freshly prepared tea set that is served on slices of tree (bark and all). You can watch the chefs in action if you’re keen. If this is a special occasion you can add a glass of Perrier Jouet Champagne for MOP150+ extra.
Menu: Smoked aubergine and roasted pepper with garlic yogurt on beetroot bread, crab meat with green lime in a sesame chili cone, beetroot marinated salmon with cucumber cream cheese on seaweed bread, fire-grilled wagyu beef tataki with cepe mushrooms on Espelette chili and charcoal squid ink bread, vanilla choux puff, pandan and mango cake, pink Champagne jelly with mixed berry caviar, seasonal fruit tart, and an orange marble cake.
Good for: An afternoon with the man in your life (thanks mainly to the option to add on more food such as afternoon tea sandwiches for MOP68).
MOP438+ for two
Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 6pm
For reservations call (853) 8805 8928
Photo: Afternoon tea at Windows in the Four Seasons
It’s impossible to talk about elegance and class without mentioning the Four Seasons. One of our favorite hotel brands, Four Seasons embodies everything we love about luxury, and the afternoon tea at Windows is no exception.
Windows is warm and inviting, but if the weather is appropriate there is an outdoor terrace that overlooks lush lawns. The menu changes seasonally, and the current incarnation has the pastry chef paying homage to autumn by using a few staples of the season - pumpkin and chestnut.
Menu: passion fruit-cured salmon sandwich; a prawn and pesto guacamole mini taco; lamb kofta roulade with garlic mint cream; almond crusted chicken ballotine with cheddar; chestnut soufflé cake with blackcurrant; apple crumble tart; pumpkin roll cake; and a purple sweet potato croquette. The set includes coffee or tea and is served with two very large raisin scones with jam and cream which meant we waddled home.
Good for: The ultimate lux high tea, especially if you splurge for a few glasses of Laurent Perrier Champagne (MOP148+ per glass). A great place to wow visiting guests.
MOP268+ a person
Daily from 2:30pm to 5:30pm
For reservations call (853) 2881-8888
*images may not reflect the tea menu of the season
