Afternoon tea at Raffles Singapore’s Grand Lobby is one of the city’s most iconic dining experiences—and at S$108 per guest before service charge and GST, it also sits firmly at the premium end of the market. This article breaks down exactly what you will pay, what you get for the money, and whether the experience justifies the cost when compared with more affordable alternatives in Singapore.
Last checked: 2026-09-27
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Hotel: Raffles Singapore · Venue: The Grand Lobby · Price per person (range): S$80–S
Afternoon tea at Raffles Singapore’s Grand Lobby is one of the city’s most iconic dining experiences—and at S$108 per guest before service charge and GST, it also sits firmly at the premium end of the market. This article breaks down exactly what you will pay, what you get for the money, and whether the experience justifies the cost when compared with more affordable alternatives in Singapore.
08++ · Price for two persons: SAfternoon tea at Raffles Singapore’s Grand Lobby is one of the city’s most iconic dining experiences—and at S$108 per guest before service charge and GST, it also sits firmly at the premium end of the market. This article breaks down exactly what you will pay, what you get for the money, and whether the experience justifies the cost when compared with more affordable alternatives in Singapore.
68 · Promotion: 20% off Friday to Sunday · Contact: +65 6412 1816How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-09-27.
Sources reviewed: official hotel website (raffles.com), official afternoon tea menu PDF, independent travel blogs, TripAdvisor reviews, comparison dining guides.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification beyond the listed sources. This analysis relies on published, publicly accessible data.
Raffles afternoon tea at a glance
- S$108 before 10% service charge and prevailing 9% GST (Raffles Afternoon Tea menu)
- Approximately S$128.41 per guest after 10% service charge and 9% GST (Raffles Afternoon Tea menu)
- From S$128 for Billecart-Salmon Brut to S$298 for Cristal 2015 (Raffles Afternoon Tea menu)
- Daily 12:30pm–5:30pm; Casual Chic dress code required (Raffles Singapore)
Key pricing insights: Classic afternoon tea S$108++ per guest · total with charges ~S$128.41 · Billecart-Salmon Brut upgrade from S$128 · reported price increase from S$98++ to S$108++ in September 2026 · service daily 12:30pm–5:30pm.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Raffles Singapore |
| Venue | The Grand Lobby |
| Classic price per guest | S$108 before 10% service charge and 9% GST |
| Total per guest (incl. charges) | ~S$128.41 |
| Champagne upgrade starts at | S$128 for Billecart-Salmon Brut |
| Service hours | Daily 12:30pm–5:30pm |
| Dress code | Casual Chic |
| Contact | +65 6412 1816 |
| Booking | raffles.com/singapore/dining/the-grand-lobby |
How much is high tea at Raffles Singapore per person?
The published classic afternoon tea at Raffles Singapore costs S$108 per guest, according to the property’s 2026 menu. That figure excludes a 10% service charge and the prevailing 9% Goods and Services Tax. Once those add-ons are applied, the actual per-person outlay comes to approximately S$128.41.
Price per person (published rates)
The base rate of S$108++ covers a three-tier silver stand of finger sandwiches, home-baked scones, cakes, and seasonal treats, plus a pot of tea. A September 2026 comparison report from MissLobang notes that this price reflects an increase from S$98++, effective 1 September 2026. A 2024 review on You Could Travel still references S$80 per person, confirming the upward trend in recent years.
The bottom line: the current all-in cost per guest is S$128.41, and the base price has risen by S$10++ in recent months alone.
Champagne upgrades and supplements
For those who want bubbles alongside their scones, the 2026 menu lists four champagne tiers: Billecart-Salmon Brut at S$128 per guest, Billecart-Salmon Rosé at S$138, Louis Roederer Collection Brut at S$148, and Cristal 2015 at S$298. Each of these prices is inclusive of the afternoon tea itself, not a standalone pour. A champagne supplement by the glass starts from S$48 according to Honeycombers Singapore.
The trade-off: the Billecart-Salmon Brut upgrade adds roughly S$20 to the base price before charges—a modest bump for a well-regarded grower champagne.
Promotions and discounts
Limited-time promotions appear periodically, though Raffles does not publish a standing discount calendar. A 20% Friday-to-Sunday promotion has been shared via Instagram posts, and the lowest recorded per-person price from a promotional offer is S$48++. These deals are time-sensitive and typically require advance booking.
What to watch: promotional pricing can cut the cost by half, but availability is limited and such offers may not recur frequently.
Pros and cons of Raffles afternoon tea
Pros
- Historic Grand Lobby setting with unmatched colonial-era ambience
- Classic three-tier presentation with finger sandwiches and scones
- Multiple champagne upgrade options from reputable producers
- Casual Chic dress code is accessible—no jacket required
Cons
- S$128.41 all-in cost per guest is among the highest in Singapore
- Some independent reviews describe food as mediocre relative to price (Monkey Miles, 2023)
- Service charge and GST add roughly S$20 to the advertised base price
- Limited portion size may not satisfy diners seeking a full meal
What is the dress code for Raffles Hotel High Tea?
Raffles Singapore’s official Grand Lobby page specifies a Casual Chic dress code for afternoon tea. This means smart, presentable attire without the formality of a jacket or tie.
What not to wear
The hotel’s policy prohibits shorts, flip-flops, singlet tops, and sportswear. The dress code is posted on the booking page and is enforced at the door. Visitors who arrive in prohibited attire may be asked to change or may be denied entry.
Recommended attire
A collared shirt or blouse paired with trousers, a skirt, or tailored shorts qualifies as Casual Chic. Dresses, loafers, and closed-toe shoes are common among afternoon tea guests. No jacket or tie is required, though some guests choose to dress up for the occasion.
“It’s not a cheap experience but well worth it.”
— Tripadvisor reviewer, Afternoon Tea at The Raffles Hotel
Where Raffles sits in Singapore’s afternoon tea market
Most luxury hotel afternoon teas in Singapore fall between S$68 and S$98 per person. At S$108++ before charges, Raffles occupies the premium tier. The all-in cost of ~S$128 places it above the majority of competitors, including properties like The Fullerton and Capella which typically price in the S$75–S$95 range. For comparison, Raffles London charges £85 per person (roughly S$140 at current exchange rates, before UK service charges) and Raffles The Palm Dubai lists afternoon tea from AED395 per couple.
Is high tea at Raffles worth it?
Whether the experience justifies the price depends heavily on what a diner values most: historic setting, food quality, or cost efficiency. The Ranting Panda’s 2019 review scored the overall experience at 4/5, with ambience at 4.5/5 and taste at 4/5, while its “hole in the pocket” score—a measure of price discomfort—came in at 4.5/5 (The Ranting Panda). That split suggests the setting outshines the food for some guests.
“The Grand Lobby looks incredible, the food is excellent and for the affordable price you get a decadent experience in an iconic location.”
— You Could Travel reviewer, April 2024
A 2023 review from Monkey Miles took a more critical stance, describing the food and presentation as mediocre relative to the steep price, though the reviewer still considered the experience worth doing once. On TripAdvisor, the property’s Afternoon Tea listing holds a 4.6/5 rating from 27 reviews, with guests calling it expensive but worthwhile for a special occasion (Tripadvisor).
What to expect on the table
The afternoon tea is presented on a classic three-tier silver stand. The menu includes finger sandwiches (commonly egg, cucumber, smoked salmon, and chicken), home-baked scones served with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of cakes and seasonal treats. Tea selections are served by the pot. The experience runs from 12:30pm to 5:30pm daily.
What the experience costs across Raffles properties
Raffles Singapore’s per-guest pricing (S$108++) is lower than Raffles London’s £85 per person (about S$140) but higher than Raffles The Palm Dubai’s AED395 per couple (about S$143 per couple, roughly S$72 per person on a two-guest basis) when comparing standard offerings. These comparisons are not apples-to-apples—each property’s menu, venue, and market differ—but they show that Raffles Singapore sits in the mid-to-upper range of the brand’s global afternoon tea pricing.
The pattern: Raffles Singapore’s afternoon tea commands a premium within the local market but is priced comparably to or below other Raffles properties in London and Dubai when adjusted for format differences.
Best for different reader types
- First-time visitor: Worth booking once for the iconic setting and historic cachet.
- Budget-conscious traveler: Seek promotional pricing (20% off weekends) or skip—alternatives under S$50 exist.
- High tea enthusiast: The classic three-tier presentation and scones are well-executed, but culinary innovation is limited.
- Celebratory diner: Champagne upgrades and the Grand Lobby ambience make this a strong choice for a milestone occasion.
Where can I find high tea under S$20 in Singapore?
Singapore offers several budget-friendly high tea options that fall well below S$20 per person. While Raffles sits at the luxury end of the spectrum, diners on a tighter budget can still enjoy a tiered afternoon tea experience at cafes and hotel lounges across the city.
Affordable high tea spots
Establishments such as TWG Tea (outlets across Singapore), The Coffee Academics, and various hotel lobbies may offer set teas starting from S$12 to S$18 per person. These options typically serve a simplified version of the three-tier format—often one or two tiers—but include a pot of tea and a selection of finger foods. Several mall-based tea salons in Orchard Road also run weekday promotions below S$20.
Tips for budget high tea
To keep costs low, book on weekdays (promotions are more common Monday through Thursday), look for 1-for-1 deals on dining platforms, and consider sharing a single set between two people—many establishments permit this or offer a top-up charge for an extra pot of tea.
The catch: budget high teas under S$20 trade the historic ambience and service standards of Raffles for affordability. If the setting matters as much as the food, the premium at Raffles may still represent better overall value for a special outing.
Alternatives to Raffles Singapore
Within Singapore, luxury afternoon teas competitive with Raffles include The Lobby at The Fullerton Hotel (~S$78–S$88 per person) and the Capella Singapore’s Knolls (~S$75–S$85 per person). A 2026 dining guide from Honeycombers Singapore lists Raffles at S$108 per person, confirming its position above most comparable hotel offerings. Globally, the same brand experience at Raffles London costs £85 per person, and at Raffles The Palm Dubai the afternoon tea starts from AED395 per couple.
Our pick: who should book Raffles afternoon tea
For first-time visitors to Singapore who value heritage ambience and are prepared to pay a premium for the Grand Lobby setting, Raffles afternoon tea is a justifiable splurge. The all-in cost of S$128 per guest is high, but the experience delivers a degree of iconic atmosphere that budget alternatives cannot replicate. For high tea enthusiasts focused on culinary innovation or value, competitive options in the S$70–S$90 range at other luxury hotels offer better food-to-price ratios. Budget-conscious diners should pursue promotional windows—20% weekend discounts or limited 1-for-1 offers—before committing to full-price booking.
| Specification | Raffles Singapore Afternoon Tea |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Raffles Singapore |
| Venue | The Grand Lobby |
| Classic price per guest | S$108 ++ (excl. 10% service charge & 9% GST) |
| All-in cost per guest | ~S$128.41 |
| Champagne upgrade from | S$128 (Billecart-Salmon Brut) |
| Service hours | Daily 12:30pm–5:30pm |
| Dress code | Casual Chic |
| Menu includes | Finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, tea |
| Contact | +65 6412 1816 |
| Booking | raffles.com/singapore/dining/the-grand-lobby |
Related reading: Raffles Hotel moon cake 2026 — verified prices & flavours · Conrad Hotel high tea guide — menu, prices & dress code
raffles.com, trvlogue.com, expatliving.sg, youcouldtravel.com, hotelhunt.co.uk
Frequently asked questions
Can two people share one afternoon tea?
Raffles Singapore’s afternoon tea is priced per guest, and the set is designed for individual consumption. Some establishments in Singapore allow sharing with an extra charge for a second pot of tea, but Raffles does not publicly advertise a sharing option. Each guest receives their own three-tier stand.
Can you ask for more sandwiches at afternoon tea?
The standard three-tier service includes a fixed selection of finger sandwiches. Refills are not offered as part of the set price. Individual hotels may accommodate dietary requests (vegetarian, gluten-free) if requested at booking, but sandwich refills are not standard practice at Raffles Singapore.
What is the difference between a high tea and an afternoon tea?
Afternoon tea is a light, late-afternoon meal of finger sandwiches, scones, cakes, and tea—served on low tables with comfortable seating. High tea, historically, is a heartier evening meal served at a high (dining) table to working-class families. Raffles serves afternoon tea, though the term “high tea” is often used interchangeably in Singapore’s dining culture.
Is there a 1-for-1 high tea buffet in Singapore?
Yes, several hotel restaurants and cafes in Singapore run 1-for-1 promotions on high tea or afternoon tea sets, typically on weekdays or during off-peak hours. These deals are commonly found on dining platforms. Raffles Singapore does not currently offer a standing 1-for-1 promotion, but weekend discounts of 20% off have appeared periodically.
How much food per person for high tea?
A standard afternoon tea set includes 4–6 finger sandwiches (halved or quartered), 2 scones with clotted cream and jam, 2–3 small cakes or pastries, and one pot of tea per person. Portion sizes at Raffles Singapore follow this three-tier format and are intended as a light meal rather than a full dinner replacement.