Surrey Hills Grocer’s Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea is a refr

Surrey Hills Grocer’s Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea is a refreshing change from the usual hotel-style afternoon tea. Tucked away on Level 5 of ION Orchard, the set arrives in a whimsical garden-inspired presentation filled with wooden trays, little nests and rustic details, making the whole spread feel playful and very photogenic. The current edition also gives afternoon tea a local spin, weaving nostalgic Singapore flavours into both its sweet and savoury bites.

The savouries have plenty of variety, from the Pink Beet Blini with ricotta and beetroot to the Egg Mayo Tortilla Bite with sakura shrimp and truffle seasoning. The Pork Benny Bite and Smoky Char Siu Bao & Prosciutto Mini Croissant take familiar flavours in a more playful direction, while still being substantial enough to balance out the desserts.

The sweets are where the local inspiration becomes even more obvious. There’s a silky Milo Egg Pudding, a Gula Melaka Lamington & Kopi Tim Tam, and a beautifully presented Coconut & Mango Parfait served in a coconut shell. I also liked the idea behind the Pandan Caramel Slice and Calamansi & Pineapple Pavlova, which bring in familiar tropical flavours without making the selection feel too traditional.

At $68++ for two or $102++ for three, with 12 individual bites per person plus a choice of coffee or tea, it is surprisingly reasonable for an afternoon tea in Orchard. It feels less formal than the typical hotel high tea, but that is part of its charm: colourful, fun and easy to enjoy with a friend while still feeling special enough for an occasion. It is currently served weekdays from 2pm to 5pm at the ION Orchard outlet.

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Originally posted on Instagram