The tradition of afternoon tea in Penang goes beyond its British colonial influence – spread across the island, whether with a piece of nyonya kuih, buttered scones or a french pastry at a fashionable café, you’ll find people of all ages enjoying a mid-afternoon snack; a cool down, if you will, from the hot sun.
First popularised in Penang by the Sarkies Brothers, who also ran the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the concept of afternoon tea was introduced to the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel which served as a luxurious retreat for British administrators, traders and travellers in the late 1800s.
Whether you’re planning a visit to the Pearl of The Orient or simply making a list of places to stop by for future reference, here are Panthéa’s picks for the best afternoon tea spots in Penang:
1. Suffolk House
Nestled in the heart of the island’s buzzing heritage district, this Anglo-Indian garden house offers a tranquil respite from other tourist-clad attractions in the city. The Suffolk House restaurant is easily considered to have one of the best classic English afternoon tea sets for miles – beyond their warm, buttery apricot scones, a specialty chicken & mushroom pie is known to impress even the most seasoned tea-time enthusiasts. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a selection of fragrant teas – a mixture of quintessential Earl Grey, English Breakfast and Mint with more ‘experimental’ flavours such as Morgentau and Jungpana. Should you be fond of any bite in particular, Suffolk House restaurant offers an a-la-carte option alongside the set so you can freely indulge in those extra fluffy tea cakes or finger sandwiches. An afternoon at the marble room starts at £20 for two, everyday from 2:30pm to 5:30pm.
2. The Blue Mansion
Step into the Courtyard at the Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion and be swept into a world reminiscent of a scene in the Crazy Rich Asians movie – mainly because you’ll be in one of the places it was filmed in! Though you won’t find piles of mahjong tiles in the centre of each table, you’ll still be in one of the most iconic heritage buildings in the world, having received the UNESCO Conservation & Heritage award. Enjoy tea for two, starting at £15, with culinary-luxe creations courtesy of the Mansion; smokey mushroom tartlets, 72% chocolate sablés and classic scones with fresh house-made raspberry jam are just a few standouts on the caddy. The open-air Courtyard is where ‘feng’ (wind) and ‘shui’ (water) meet for the strongest natural energy flow – treat yourself to a truly magical, British-Peranakan hybrid experience with ambience like you’ve never experienced before. Served daily between 2pm – 5:30pm, we recommend going slightly later and on the weekdays to beat the lunch crowd and tour groups.
3. E&O Hotel
Welcome to the Pearl of the Pearl of The Orient – E&O Hotel. So aligned with paying homage is E&O that afternoon tea for two at the Palm Court (you could say this hotel is The Langham of Penang) requires a smart casual dress code for all diners. Indulge in one of the finest three-tiered, classic English afternoon tea menus in Malaysia; a selection of both plain and raisin scones, served with cold clotted cream and a variety of fruity jam, corn-fed chicken ragout, truffle-infused eggs and organic spinach quiches. Sixteen types of premium, loose English teas are available, the Irish Whiskey Cream frequently cited to be unmissable. A set for two starts at £30, though portion sizes are incredibly generous. Being in quite a central location compared to the others, it is easy to stop by after a long (and knowingly hot) morning exploring Georgetown; open daily from 3:00pm to 5:00pm.
4. The Prestige Hotel
Located in the heritage banking district of old-town Penang and Church street, this whimsically elegant hotel serves daily afternoon tea for two at The Glasshouse from 3pm – 6pm. The menu is perfectly curated for those who may not always enjoy the traditional English tea-time spread, but still desire decadent and bold flavours. Much like the development itself, which prides itself on its modern-day interpretation of Victorian design, a young and contemporary twist is integrated into the house’s sweet creations, making it unlike any other in Penang: zesty lemon madeleines, Thai milk tea canele, mango shortcake, cake pops and smoked duck mini buns, alongside a selection of fine TWG teas. An afternoon at the garden-conservatory-esque, quasi-colonial hotel starts at £21 per set for two. Although do take note – it’s definitely more suited for those with a sweet tooth!
5. Macalister Mansion
Specially crafted by renowned Chef Benny Yeoh, the chief creator of the unique French-Asian blend at Restaurant Blanc, the afternoon tea menu at Macalister Mansion fuses Victorian era traditions with contemporary cuisine. Instead of being presented with a caddy of delicacies to share, an omakase-style dining experience is brought forward to a mixture of cakes, pastries, tartlets and sorbets, as you get to watch the chefs artfully assemble the treats right in front of you. Tea-time at Macalister Mansion is an appreciation not only for the rich tradition started by the Duchess of Bedford but also for the culinary artisans in the modern cooking sphere; food being their chosen mode of expression. The experience starts from £20 per person, including a selection of premium beverages (such as TWG tea and mocktails), with the option of cocktail blends for an extra charge, courtesy of the mixologists at The Cellar Lounge. A perfect weekend wind-down, served Thursday – Sunday from 2pm – 5pm.
Though you’re most likely to come across the classic English afternoon tea experience in the lavish lounges of heritage hotels, there are plenty of other places to consider – we particularly love the tart lemon custard cream with scones at Ferringhi Coffee Garden and the Devonshire Cream Tea set at David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace.
Rest assured that whichever sparks your fancy, you’re more than likely to satisfy your fix for flaky scones with fruit jam and a cup of aromatic tea to cap off the late-afternoon lull anywhere you go on the island.