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Review: Raffles Singapore Afternoon Tea

a stuffed animal sitting on a post in front of a large white building with Raffles Hotel in the background

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Review: Raffles Singapore Afternoon Tea

Raffles Singapore is a LEGENDARY spot to check out. The hotel opened its doors in 1887 and has set a standard for luxury ever since. If you don’t go there for any other reason than to gawk at all the luxury and history it’s worth it. As a family..we’re big Afternoon Tea people, so we made sure to hit up great spots in celebration of my mom’s 75th. We couldn’t come all the way to Singapore and NOT have an afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room at the Raffles Singapore. We came another day to have Singapore Slings in the Billiard Room ( the Long Bar was closed for renovation ). I’d recommend doing both, and separating them out. Yes, you can have Slings with the tea, but half the fun of having them in the Billiard Room or Long Bar is that you can throw your peanuts on the floor ( the only place in ALL of the Singapore that littering is ok). Here’s Raffles Singapore Afternoon Tea.

You must queue up. There aren’t any specific reservation times…doors open at 3pm. They close at 5:30pm
a group of people in a hallway

The Deets:

  • When: April 2017
  • Where: Raffles Singapore Tiffin Room
  • Hours: 3pm to 5:30
  • Cost…a screenshot of a message

The style of the Tea.

I’ve been to a lot of Afternoon Teas. I’m trying to think of when the vast majority of the meal presentation was buffet style and I can’t recall it. So I’ll say it’s unique until one of you tells me otherwise. The Tiffin Room feels like Afternoon Tea should be served in it, albeit a little tired. The Tiffin Room will be closing mid August until Mid 2018, and I’d love to go back when it’s fully restored. The hotel is truly a gem, and deserves the investment into it’s restoration.

a room with tables and chairs and a gate

The table setting.

a stuffed animal sitting at a table

The buffet

a buffet table with food on it

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The tower:

Overall:

Would I come here again? Maybe, because they’re redoing the Tiffin Room. Otherwise…I think you’re paying a large premium for the quality merely because you’re dining at the Raffles Singapore. Compare this to one of the best Afternoon Teas I’ve ever had at Rocco Forte’s The Balmoral in Edinburgh Scotland – The Balmoral is steeped in heritage and grandeur and their afternoon tea offering reflects those qualities. I thought the food, presentation of The Raffles Singapore Afternoon Tea was mediocre with a steep price. Is it worth doing once? Absolutely. Twice…There are too many other fabulous Afternoon Teas in Singapore to circle back without some big change…like the new restoration.

Don’t forget to grab a Sling tho…

Singapore Sling
Singapore Sling

You don’t have to stop here. Check out how we paid $5k and took a $125k Surprise trip Around The World to celebrate my Mom’s 75th

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Flights:

Hotels:

Lounges

Afternoon Tea

TIPS:

Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.

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8 Comments

  • Patrizia von nieda April 11, 2023

    Overrated, the tea was from a tea bag!!! We were rushed, no table linen, waiter did not smile once , but manage to “ push “ the champagne, quite ordinary for 33$ a 1/4 of the glass. You don’t feel welcome, ok l did it so that it is out of my wishes now

  • […] Raffles, Singapore […]

  • Donald July 5, 2017

    The thing to do at Raffles is their Indian Buffet. It’s also in the Tiffin Room, but you can make a reservation and you’re not treated like cattle as during the Afternoon Tea. The Indian Buffet is only S$8 more than the Tea, but there is usually a discount through Singapore Airlines that gives you 25% off if you show a business or first class ticket stub. They run that promo just about all year every year. The service, china, silver and glassware are all top notch, and the food is amazing. Chicken, lamb, shrimp, fish, vegetables of every variety, a dozen different chutney, salads, desserts….and fresh naan whenever you ask. And unlike the tea, your table is yours for the evening as long as you like.

    The Tea always gets terrible reviews and is nothing but a tourist trap unfortunately. Dinner at Raffles is what you expect it to be and is well worth it! It’s a stop I include during every trip to Singapore I’m lucky enough to enjoy.

  • Evan July 5, 2017

    Raffles is completely overrated and a rip off in my book. I only narrowly avoided making the mistake of staying there – phew. However it’s one of those tourist boxes to tick. If you are only in Singapore once you’re going to do it. I can’t imagine ever going back. Love Singapore though.

  • Frank July 5, 2017

    Buffet style is the traditional Singaporean way of having afternoon tea! The Raffles version looks great, but don’t forget to check out the Grand Hyatt or the Regent for an even more lavish experience next time you’re in town.

  • Harlan V. July 4, 2017

    Loves it! Looks so fun!

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