Many of the best hotels and restaurants use afternoon tea to peacock their latest flavours, chefs and art installations from around the world. The ceremony originated with a young woman named Anne, 7th Duchess of Bedford, who found the ritual of eating only two meals per day, as was customary during her time, simply wasn’t enough. She thus introduced this snack-time, in the long stretch before dinner (we feel a deep affinity with dear Anne) and would host it clandestinely in her bedroom until it became to popular to fit in all her munching mates.

We Hong Kongers are a bit mad for a nice pot of tea and accompanying goodies, and so have listed the best when it comes to view, value and flavour.

1. Guerlain and the Intercontinental

Guerlain’s Afternoon Tea Set Extravaganza

In celebration of its 190th Anniversary, Guerlain is making an afternoon tea to reflect pure opulence. Inspired by Guerlain’s rich heritage and savoir- faire, InterContinental’s Executive chefs have crafted an afternoon encompassing classic French recipes and meticulous Parisian pastries. Paying homage to Guerlain’s defining ingredients, these confectionary creations reflect range of flavours including Rose, Iris, vanilla and jasmine.

The tea set seeks to impress, offering a range of savoury and sweet delights including Ham/cheese/Truffle Sandwich “Croque Monsieur” style, Foie Gras and Duck Rillette Sandwich Roll, Ispahan Macarons with Rose petal and raspberry fragrance .

Not forgetting the all important Scones, this tea set includes an array of plain and Raisin scones served with clotted cream, Earl Grey Tea Jelly and Fresh fruit jam.

Guests will also receive an exclusive Guerlain 190 years of creation gift set valued at HK$549

Check here for the latest Intercontinental promotions

Price: $668 for two persons + 10% service charge, inclusive of two Guerlain gift sets.

Guerlain customers can enjoy an exclusive 20% off discount on this #190yearsofcreation afternoon tea by presenting any Guerlain invoices dated within August 15-September 30, 2018.

The Place: 18 Salisbury Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2313-2335

The Pull: Stunning views of the calibre you must take out-of-towners to show off. An elegant and indulgent afternoon tea affair.

2. Häagen-Dazs x Hotel Icon Summer Chocolate Paradise Afternoon Tea

Häagen-Dazs + Hotel Icon Paradise

The sweltering summer of Hong Kong may not be the most convincing conditions for an afternoon tea, but Häagen-Dazs are here to offer a sweet solution with their new summer Chocolate Paradise afternoon tea, inspired by their Chocolat de luxe collection.

Häagen-Dazs have two new ice creams flavours – white peach & Raspberry and Yellow Peach Frozen Yoghurt. Tea timers will also have the privilege of having an unlimited supply of Haagen- Daz ice cream, with six different available offers every day (and only until 8 Sept 2018).

Just when you thought you couldn’t get enough ice cream, Chef Danny has constructed ice-cream Planet, an array of ice cream flavours encased in dark chocolate domes. Flavours include Matcha, vanilla and Blueberry.

Hotel Icon regularly changes their theme. They have had a dim sum afternoon tea (so cute) and are planning a ‘Pink Sensations’ afternoon tea for October – Check here for the latest Hotel Icon promotions

Price: $288 per person/$546 for two. Extra $48 for each ice cream planet ($78 a la carte)

Place: Lobby, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon

The Pull: A sweet afternoon tea perfect to cool down from the summer heat. With so many flavours it’s an ice cream lover’s haven.

3. Classic Afternoon Tea at The Lobby at The Peninsula

Who is the most famous of them all?

When all you fancy is a proper British high tea, in the centuries old custom type way, the Peninsula really cannot be surpassed. Rather than the permutations of the oriental or modern day varieties, the Peninsula sits as classic as it was 80 years ago. It involves warm raisin scones and clotted cream, freshly baked pastries and your choice of teas from The Peninsula Tea Collection. No reservations can be made here though, so forming an orderly queue will be the ticket, daily from 2pm – 6pm.

The Price: $368 for one, $658 for two

The Place: Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

The Pull: Very English, very sophisticated, very grand. They’ve been doing it for so long, you know you’re guaranteed of a fine outing.

4. Grand Hyatt’s Tiffin Ice-cream Flavours Tea Set

Tiffin Ice-cream Flavours Tea Set

Grand Hyatt has made the most imaginative ice-cream flavours with catchy names come true in their summery afternoon tea set, and now available on Tiffin’s ice cream dessert counter.

Ice cream flavours like Pigs Can Fly (salted egg yolk and pork floss flavoured), Frozen Lederhosen (malt beer, toffee crunch and pretzels flavoured) and So Thai (coconut milk and mango cubes flavoured, with the texture of sticky mango rice) brings diners to embark on an extraordinary ice-cream journey.

The tea set also features some of the seasonal savouries and sweets such as salted caramel chocolate cake, raspberry cheese tart, pistachio profiterole apricot jelly and Greek yogurt mousse with honey lemon

The Price: $596 (weekdays), $656 (weekends) for two persons

Check here for the latest Grand Hyatt Tiffin’s promotions

The Place: Mezzanine floor, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, 1 Harbour Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, 2588 1234

The Pull: An innovative afternoon tea to catch the tail end of summer. As guests enjoy the afternoon tea in the sophisticated dining hall, they would embark on a sensational and exciting gourmet journey.

5. Le Soleil’s Vietnamese-inspired afternoon tea set

Vietnamese fusion afternoon tea at Le Soleil

A reasonably priced tier of goodies from Le Soleil’s Vietnamese-inspired afternoon tea set makes a Hong Kong feel momentarily like Saigon, with its miniature delicacies. Morsels like Saigon-style spring rolls, rice-paper rolls with soft-shell crab and Vietnamese sausage sandwiches are awaiting on the beautifully presented tier. What’s an afternoon tea without the all important beverage? Sip on some Or Tea? With flavours such as iced lychee white peony tea with mint syrup and Iced Tropioco tea with spicy mango syrup.

The Price: $408 for two persons

The Place: 3/F, The Royal Garden, 69 Mody Road, TST East, 2733 2033, lesoleil@rghk.com.hk

The Pull: A unique high tea that is wonderfully scrumptious and doesn’t bore the eater with the same mini-sandwich, floor that provides outrageous views along with the Chinese cuisine spin on a tarts and scones template.

6. Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood, The Langham

Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood

Palm Court offers guests an exclusive Afternoon Tea experience with their global partner; Wedgwood, presenting Langham Afternoon Tea with Wedgwood.

Known as the birthplace for traditional afternoon tea experience, a selection of delicacies like Le Verrine (Griotte cherry confit & mousse, pistachio cremeux, crumble), Le Canelé D’or (Traditional canelé, dark rum, vanilla and gold leaves), Sustainable Salmon and Crab Meat with Caviar and Pesto Bread with Parma Ham. Nevertheless, a wide selection of Wedgwood Tea Collection and the Langham original blend complete the afternoon tea set.

Check here for the latest promotions at The Langham’s

Price: $598 for two persons

The Place: Palm Court, 8 Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2132 7898

The Pull: Captivating Western Harbour views in a modern setting. Enjoy your relaxing afternoon in the heart of Tsim Sha Tsui.

7. Season’s “L’ÉCHAPPÉE GOURMANDE” Afternoon Tea

Season’s “L’ÉCHAPPÉE GOURMANDE” Afternoon Tea Set

The Parisian themed afternoon tea offers truly a collection of delish sweets and snacks, we know that this busy city needs a break and what would be better to have a French afternoon tea (You’re welcome!). Croque-Monsieur (Prawns & spiced Béchamel sauce), Tasmanian Salmon (Tartare with black Avruga pearls), Fondant au Chocolat (Soft-centered chocolate sponge cake) and Canneles (Caramelized & rum flavoured classic French pastry) are also included.

Check here for the latest promotions at Seasons

Price: $540 (weekdays), $568 (weekends) for two persons

The Place: Shop 308, 3/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2505 6228

The Pull: With the finest ingredients from France and all around the world, L’ÉCHAPPÉE GOURMANDE would take diners on a French cuisine express with a modern Asian sensibility.

Bonus Pink Specials for October

Getting on the pink train for a good cause – these afternoon teas will cure the blues

Hotel Icon

Hotel Icon #PinkSensationAfternoonTea

This afternoon tea by the ever socially conscious Hotel Icon is so cute that we wrote an article about it.

Dates: 10 September–30 November 2018

Time: daily, 3–5pm and 5–7pm (2 seatings)

Location: GREEN, G/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, TST East

地點：尖沙咀東部科學館道17號，3400 1318

Price: $288 for 1/$546 for 2 + 10% service charge

價格：$288一位/ $546兩位（另設10%服務費）

To book: phone 3400 1300 or email book.restaurant@hotel-icon.com

Café 103 at the Ritz Carlton

Pretty in Pink Afternoon Tea at the Ritz Carlton, Café 103

Details of what is served are sparse, but Café 103 is well known for it’s signature afternoon teas, and you can not beat this view. In case you didn’t know, this café is on floor 103. So better plan this afternoon for when your acrophobic friends are otherwise engaged.

Date: October 1 to November 30, 2018

Time: 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m

Location: 103/F, The Ritz Carlton, ICC, 1 Austin Rd West, Kowloon, 2263 2270, restaurantreservation.hk@ritzcarlton.com

Price: HK$428 for one/ HK$688 for two

Additional HK$245 for one glass of Veuve Clicquot Brut, Yellow Label NV, Champagne

click here to book online