8 of the best afternoon teas served in Hong Kong and Macau in summer 2024
- Enjoy a Wizard of Oz-themed tea set, a Scandinavian take on afternoon tea, and one that tips its hat to the Macau tradition of ‘fat tea’
Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule more than 27 years ago but one British tradition remains ingrained in the city’s culinary landscape: afternoon tea.
Its origins can be traced to 1840s England, when the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Russell, a close friend of Queen Victoria and a member of London’s upper class, wanted a light refreshment to keep at bay what she called “that sinking feeling” between lunch and dinner.
She was given tea with cake and a sandwich – and the afternoon tea, now typically served from 3.30pm to 5pm, was born.
No longer the preserve of the upper class, it has spread around the world, and is particularly popular at high-end hotels.
Other places have broken with tradition, loading their tiered towers with themed delicacies and serving tea in collaboration with beauty and fashion brands.