Bangkok Afternoon Tea

Feeling peckish between meals and up to an elegant experience to delight your sweet tooth? Many posh hotels offer proper English afternoon tea complete with traditional English scones, clotted cream, sandwiches, pastries and other goodies. Riverside hotels are probably the best place to have afternoon tea, as you can sip your tea and take in a slice of Thai life by the Chao Praya River at the same time.

For a very English afternoon tea, try the Author's Lounge at the Oriental Hotel on the riverside, which has real clotted cream and a great choice of teas. If there's an afternoon breeze blowing, sit outside on the terrace where you can watch the boats (and a slice of Bangkok life to go with your scones) pass by. Served from 14:00 until 18:00. The Author's Lounge is located on the ground floor of the historical Author's Wing, and exudes an old-world charm reminiscent of the colonial era. It's decorated with turn-of-the-century style wicker furniture with hand-painted fabrics. The word 'delightful' would be an understatement.

The Shangri-La Hotel, also at the riverside, serves tea between 15:00 and 18:00 in the lobby. On Sundays they have a wonderful 'High Tea Buffet' with a dazzling variety of delicious items to sample. This includes several hot dishes. There's also a brass band and a dance floor to tango and two-step the afternoon away in this ever-so-stylish and elegant hotel... The unmatched river views provide a dramatic background to enjoy the superb atmosphere.

East meets West at the Sukhothai Hotel on South Sathorn Road, where afternoon tea is served in the elegant Thai-style lobby. Sandwiches, excellent pastries and an impressive choice of teas are served daily from 14:30 to 18:00. Perfect for an afternoon break in the city, to conduct a business meeting, or for an experience of something entirely different.

Chocoholics take note... The Balcony Lounge at the InterContinental Hotel offers a chocolate 'high tea' every day from 15:00 until 17:00 with three chocolate fountains and a wide range of other sweet delights. Entertainment is provided in the form of a harpist and triple band - the ideal place to relax and unwind. Great drinks are served too.

Live classical entertainment with a large selection of teas and delicious munchies make up the 'high tea' experience at Banyan Tree Bangkok's Lobby Bar every day between 13:00 and 17:00 (cost: 350 baht ++). What makes this unique is that the tempting delights are all healthy, and includes treats like muesli cookies, cornflake 'melting moments' and winterberry tartlets.

Also have a look at the interview with Chef Philippe Agnese, Executive Pastry Chef at the Four Seasons Hotel, and the orientation to Thai sweets.