High Tea: Hong Kong’s Hottest Sky-high Afternoon Tea With Rooftop Views

A colonial pastime that has cemented itself into the Hong Kong cultural zeitgeist, afternoon tea is one of the city’s favourite meals taken purely for leisure. Combined with the best part of the cityscape’s most iconic of structures, enjoy some decadent snacks and desserts amongst the tops of skyscrapers at one of these handpicked spots.

Popinjay’s

Perched atop The Murray hotel that sits in a prime location amidst the Central district skyscrapers, Popinjay’s is a sleek restaurant-bar offering stunning views of the cityscape. The dining area resembles a glass house, reminiscent of the nearby Zoological and Botanical gardens, and extends into the wraparound al-fresco bar area that affords an expansive panorama.

Collaborating with Parisian legend Christian Louboutin, their spread draws inspiration from curbside patisseries reinterpreted for the lush Hong Kong summer. Sample from the cake and sweets selection drawing from the gorgeous palette of the brand; with brightly coloured Red Velvet Cake, rich brown in the form of Black Forest Chocolate Tart, and the blush-toned Rose and Lemon Madeleine. Savoury highlights include refined classics like Pate En Croute or herring caviar topped Smoked Salmon Croissant with Whipped Lemon Ricotta. Presented alongside a complimentary gift set of Christian Louboutin Beauty products, this is an occasion amongst the clouds not to miss. Bookings can be made by clicking here.

Location: Popinjay’s, 26/F, The Murray, 22 Cotton Tree Drive, Central, Hong Kong

Sevva

Nestled in the rooftop penthouse on Prince’s Building smack in the centre of Central district, Sevva shows full-range 360-degree vantages to savour, all wrapped in a lustrous yet cushy ambience. Plating up an eclectic fusion of Asian flavours and Western dishes, their famed fare reflects the restaurant’s metropolitan influences.

Best known for their selection of sweets and desserts created by founder Bonnae Gokson, their Signature Tea Set is unmissable, and features exclusively Sevva goodies like decadent Chiffon Slice cakes, and the whimsical Banana Split Mousse Cup. Their savoury selections also hold up wonderfully, featuring decadent bites like Wagyu Beef Short Rib Burger, Smoked Salmon & Caviar Blini, and Lobster Salad—it comes as no surprise the space has been graced by celebrities like JLo, Pharrell Williams, and Robert DeNiro.

Location: Sevva, 25/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong

Ozone

As the highest bar in the world, on the 118th floor of the glittering Ritz-Carlton hotel, Ozone is an atmospheric space that wows with scenery like no other. Gaze at the out-of-this-world scenes across the city from the West ends of Kowloon, sweeping all the way across to the Hong Kong Island skyline. The gorgeous location is made extra special with delectable titbits and tipples.

Elevating afternoon tea with a savoury twist, the Five Elements tea menu is inspired by the major forces in nature, and features selections that each align with either fire, wood, earth, water, and metal. Indulge in the piquant Avocado Mousse with Soft Egg and Wasabi, the signature Mini Wagyu Beef Burger with Mushroom, and the Dill and Cheese Scone with Smoked Salmon, paired with a bespoke, also element-inspired, cocktail or Lyre’s-based mocktail shaken up by the award-winning Ozone team.

Location: Ozone, 118/F, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, International Commerce Centre, 1 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon

Uptop Bistro & Bar

Boasting a 270-degree sky deck that affords its guests extended glances that reach all over urban Kowloon, Uptop Bistro & Bar is a marvellous sky-high dining space located above Popway Hotel. To match the location, their Dazzling Ferris Wheel tea set is one that evokes high altitude fun with a gilded mini ferris wheel surrounded by cutesy bites like Mini Donuts, Mini Charcoal Wagyu Burgers, and Chocolate Lava Cake.

Just as dainty to look at and equally as delicious is their Dancing Butterfly afternoon tea, which decorates it’s various sweet and savoury treats with dainty winged decals and shapes. Like the Breaded Butterfly Shrimp with Mango Salsa and the Chicken Wings Dumplings arranged into take-off position, as well as the French Palmiers and Butterfly Pea Jelly that’s been shaped to resemble it’s inspiration.

Location: Uptop Bistro & Bar, 19/F, Popway Hotel, 117 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui

Harlan’s

Replete with an al fresco balcony for dining en plein air, 7,000-square-foot Harlan’s is a mainstay for refined classics, stationed at The ONE mall. Fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows that give the room it’s elegant bright glint, the spacious terrace is a grand spot for glimpsing into the hustle and bustle below, and out into the Victoria Harbour.

Available from Fridays to Sundays, their Weekend Indulgence set shows tiers of deliciousness that hits all the essential beats, with invigorating additions. The open-face sandwich assortment includes sumptuous toppings like Caviar with Balik Salmon, Proscuitto di Parma with Melon, and Crab Meat Avocado Salad. Reach into the aptly titled “Pastry Paradise” tier for delightful staples like the Croustillant Cream Puff or exciting fusion treats like the Green Tea Opera and Mini Pineapple Farm cake.

Location: Harlan’s, Level 19, The ONE, 100 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon