Best afternoon tea in Tokyo to treat yourself

The new Tokyo Edition hotel in Toranomon boasts one of the best views of the city skyline with Tokyo Tower looming large at the front. The hotel's swanky Lobby Bar is the hottest place in the city to catch up over cocktails, but the sky-high venue also offers an afternoon tea set for when you're feeling indulgent. With countless plants filling the space, it's easy to feel like you've been transported to a lush tropical resort as you relax on lavish sofas, cocooned away from other diners (and chatter).  

This season, the hotel is offering an exlcusive afternoon tea menu in collaboration with the world's oldest leather goods house, La Maison Delvaux: the Delvaux Afternoon Tea. The menu is inspired by the luxury brand's latest collection which references the surrealist Belgian artist René Magritte. 

When? 12noon-5pm daily
How much? ¥6,958, ¥9,867 with a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blanc

Indulge in a sweet afternoon tea at the stunning sky-high lounge at Four Seasons Otemachi. Celebrating all things spring, this afternoon tea offers a menu of tea-infused sweet and savoury bites such as smoked salmon camembert sandwiches with apple, cucumber and lychee Earl Grey, jasmine tea mousse served with raspberry jelly, and an apricot tart with lavender tea cream.

To top off the whole experience, don’t miss the colourful mocktails, including one made with the colour-changing butterfly pea flower tea which turns from purple to pink when mixed.

When? 11am, 1pm, 3.30pm daily
How much? ¥8,855

Jump into spring at the Andaz Tokyo with a vibrant afternoon tea set inspired by the capital's lush vegetation. Highlighting the best colours and flavours of the season, the afternoon tea includes a range of special sweet and savoury bites. Indulge in a foie gras terrine filled with sweet kuromitsu (black sugar syrup) and dusted with matcha, try an avocado cheesecake, and don’t miss the mojito dessert, featuring layers of rum blancmange, mint jelly and lime mousse.

When? 1pm-3pm, 3.30pm-5.30pm daily
How much? ¥4,950, ¥5,390 weekends and hols

Add a royal touch to your afternoon tea at The French Kitchen at Grand Hyatt Tokyo. The afternoon tea set features a selection of colourful sweet and savoury items including a couple of desserts said to have been Marie Antoinette's favourites. These desserts include a pink apple pound cake and a decadent chocolate cake made with the essence of rare apples and roses from the King's Kitchen Garden at the Palace of Versailles.

To coincide with the afternoon tea, The French Kitchen will also be hosting a special photo spot with items including Marie Antoinette's pocket watch and one of her handwritten letters that will be on display in Japan for the first time ever.

When? 3pm-5pm daily
How much? ¥5,280, weekends and hols ¥6,380 

Inspired by New York City's vast art scene, this tasteful afternoon tea features small bites that are a treat for both your eyes and your sweet tooth. Desserts are inspired by famous artworks including Robert Indiana's 'Love' installation, ‘Target' by Jasper Johns as well as Andy Warhol’s ‘Cow’. 

These artful petit fours are also delicious – you'll find a passionfruit tart, and apricot and vanilla mousse, coffee and chocolate tart and a cassis macaron. Savoury bites include an egg white frittata and farro salad, a tomato gazpacho, and a snow crab sandwich with wasabi aioli.

When? 3pm-5pm daily
How much? ¥6,490

Get into the springtime mood at Hotel Okura Tokyo Bay as the venue's Restaurant Fontana fills its afternoon tea with the splendor of roses. Dine on sweet and savoury bites including the popular Roman traditional pastry known as maritozzo, which is made of Italian sweet bread stuffed with whipped cream. There’s also a rose cheesecake, rose panna cotta and more.

The afternoon tea comes with your choice of a welcome drink, so you can sip on a cassis orange mocktail or even a classic Shirley Temple. Don't miss the cranberry scones served with rose confiture and handmade clotted cream.

When? 2pm-4pm daily
How much? ¥4,400

Go tropical this season with a fruity afternoon tea at the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, which can be enjoyed from the 38th-floor Oriental Lounge or the 37th-floor Mandarin Bar, both boasting views of Nihonbashi. Savour sweets made with colourful tropical fruits including a coconut lime pound cake, mango mousse served with ginger cream meringue, and a vanilla and kiwi tart. Tropical fruits are even used in savoury items like the squid and mango corn polenta.

If you can’t make time for tea, the Mandarin Oriental Gourmet Shop located on the hotel’s first floor is also offering a lineup of tropical-inspired treats which can be ordered for takeaway including a mango shortcake, mango pudding and a delectable mango danish.

When? 12noon-8pm daily
How much? ¥6,050, weekends and hols ¥7,150

Travel through your taste buds with this elegant afternoon tea at the Rihga Royal Hotel which will transport you to the city of Vienna. The afternoon tea set is themed on the capital of Austria with classic bites such as apple strudel, sable Linzer torte and decadent sachertorte chocolate cake. 

You also won’t want to miss the Viennese schnitzel sandwiches and stewed beef with paprika. To make the experience all the more authentic, swap your tea for a classic Vienna coffee made with espresso and whipped cream.

When? 2pm-6pm daily
How much? ¥4,840

The main beverage at most afternoon teas is, well, tea, but The Okura Tokyo is putting a spin on things with this set featuring premium coffee. Have your pick from either Panama Geisha or the popular Jamican Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee to pair with your sweets. 

Panama Geisha from Ethiopia is regarded as the most premium coffee in the world, with floral notes and a tropical fruity sweetness. On the other hand, the Jamaican Blue Mountain offers an elegant aroma with the perfect balance between acidity, bitterness and richness. 

Sweets to go along with your coffee are inspired by the four seasons of Japan with a spring-themed rose crème brûlée, summer seasonal fruit, an autumn Uji matcha opera cake and a winter-inspired white chocolate mousse.

When? 2pm-5.30pm daily
How much? ¥6,100 with Jamaican Blue Mountain No. 1 coffee, ¥7,100 with Panama Geisha coffee

Head on over to The Lobby Cafe at the Grand NIkko Tokyo Daiba for an afternoon tea overlooking the iconic Rainbow Bridge. Inspired by greenery and roses, this afternoon tea features a range of refreshing sweets including yogurt mousse formed into the shape of a rose, a passionfruit, mango and apricot jelly, melon macarons, and a pistachio gateau shaped as a lollipop. Savoury bites revolve around seasonal ingredients including marinated asparagus and shrimp, olive scones, and a cold beef sandwich.

When? 1pm-5pm daily
How much? ¥5,000

Treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon tea at the ANA InterContinental Tokyo Atrium Lounge, where you can try an array of sweet and savoury strawberry delights. The tea set serves up 12 kinds of petit gateaux including crumb cake, cheesecake, macarons, cookies and tarts, all featuring the fruit of the season. There are savoury options, too: strawberry gazpacho with shrimp, ham and cheese beignet, and foie gras served with a tart strawberry terrine.

When? 11.30am-5pm daily
How much? ￥6,588

Hilton Tokyo is hosting an Alice in Wonderland themed buffet featuring 23 tonnes of strawberries this winter. Visit the Marble Lounge in the afternoon to dive into an all-you-can-eat lunch including 15 savoury dishes and 20-plus strawberry desserts. Each one is made to look as colourful and elaborate as the foods featured in the story, so expect to see a full spread of Instagrammable sweets. Keep an eye out for the made-to-order strawberry parfait and the almond tart topped with a gigantic strawberry. 

When? 11.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm daily
How much? ¥5,100, ¥3,000 children, ¥5,600 weekends and hols, ¥3,200 children

Visit The Strings by Intercontinental Tokyo for a luxurious seasonal buffet featuring an array of dishes, both sweet and savoury, using strawberries. You’ll get your choice of main dish with unlimited appetisers and desserts for just ¥6,380 (¥3,190 for children). There are nine appetisers including a strawberry gazpacho, shrimp and broccoli with strawberry mayo sauce and roasted duck topped with strawberry sauce, as well as ten kinds of dessert, like strawberry panna cotta, strawberry macaroons and, of course, freshly cut strawberries.

When? 11.30am-3pm daily
How much? ¥6,380, ¥3,190 children

This bright and cheerful afternoon tea at the Conrad Tokyo features vibrantly coloured fruits including pineapple, mango and lemon. To accommodate those with dietary restrictions, the tea set also includes a number of vegan-friendly items such as almond milk panna cotta, pitaya and jasmine jelly, and a yellow gazpacho served with soy milk cream. 

If you’d rather enjoy the luxury at home, you can order an original takeout box filled with four kinds of sweets, two savoury options and scones for ¥4,400.

When? 2.30pm-5.30pm daily
How much? ¥4,400, ¥6,270 with a glass of champagne