If you are visiting Singapore, enjoying afternoon tea at the world-renowned luxury tea brand TWG Tea is an absolute must. During my trip, I visited the TWG Tea on the Bay salon located inside The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
From savory dishes to their iconic tea-infused macarons, here is my honest review of the experience, the menu, and tips on how to get a table!
1. Atmosphere & Waiting Time (Solo Traveler Perk!)
I arrived at around 3:00 PM on a Saturday—peak afternoon tea time. As expected, the salon was almost completely full, and the majority of the guests seemed to be tourists from Japan and China.
Because only tables for two were available at the time, larger groups had to wait in line. However, since I was dining solo, I was lucky enough to be seated immediately without any wait! The rattan armchair was spacious and very comfortable, making it the perfect spot to relax and take a break from shopping.
2. Savory Dish & Mocktail Review
Before diving into the sweets, I ordered a savory dish and a cold mocktail:
- Smoked Salmon & Matcha Blinis (34 SGD)
- Dulcet Rose Tea Mocktail (16 SGD)
▼ Smoked Salmon & Matcha Blinis
The portion of the smoked salmon was much more generous than I expected! It was incredibly fresh with zero fishiness, and it paired wonderfully with the creamy dill sauce and capers.
The side of matcha blinis came wrapped in a napkin to keep them warm. When I took a bite, they were so soft, fluffy, and delicious—showing off a lovely vibrant green matcha interior.
▼ Dulcet Rose Mocktail
To be completely honest, the Dulcet Rose mocktail wasn’t my favorite—it was a bit too sweet for my taste.
However, I was really impressed by the presentation. It came with a reusable glass straw engraved with the “TWG TEA” logo, which added a lovely touch of luxury to the drink.
3. Tea Time Set – 1837 (25 SGD)
Of course, I couldn’t leave without trying their famous sweets and hot tea. I ordered the Tea Time Set – 1837 (25 SGD).
This set includes a pot of tea (valued at 12 SGD from their extensive tea list) along with your choice of one item from the following:
- Two freshly baked scones or muffins
- A set of 6 TWG Tea macarons
- One patisserie from the trolley
Choosing from the Endless Tea List
TWG’s tea menu reads like an encyclopedia, with hundreds of blends to choose from. Since it was overwhelming to pick just one, I asked my server for a recommendation.
He kindly asked whether I preferred black tea or white tea. When I answered “white tea,” he pulled out a small notebook from his pocket filled with handwritten tea notes and recommended a special white tea blend!
The tea he suggested was priced at 30 SGD. Since the set covers up to 12 SGD for the tea, I paid the 18 SGD difference. The staff explained the additional charge very clearly and politely before placing the order, so there were no surprises on the bill.
Served in TWG’s signature gold-insulated teapot, the white tea had a delicate, exquisite aroma and stayed warm until the very last cup. Interestingly, I noticed that while my teapot was white and gold, some other guests were served teapots that were black and gold! Since I ordered white tea and there are also plenty of black teas on the menu, I wondered if they actually match the color of the teapot to the type of tea you order—such a fun little detail to look out for.
Better Than Ladurée & Pierre Hermé? My 6 Macaron Flavors
For my dessert choice, I went with the 6 macarons. Here are the flavors I selected:
- 1837 Black Tea & Blackcurrant
- Earl Grey Fortune & Chocolate
- Vanilla Bourbon Tea & Blackcurrant
- Napoleon Tea & Caramel
- Number 12 Tea & Tiramisu
- Bain de Roses Tea
In my personal opinion, TWG’s macarons are even better than those from Pierre Hermé or Ladurée! The shells have the perfect crispness, and the tea-infused fillings are rich and aromatic without being overly sweet. My absolute favorite out of the six was the Napoleon Tea & Caramel—a must-try if you visit!
4. Exploring the TWG Boutique
After finishing my tea, I browsed the attached retail boutique.
The walls are lined with iconic yellow tea tins, vibrant packaged teas, luxurious teapots, and tumblers that make great souvenirs.
They also have a gorgeous patisserie counter where you can buy cookies and the exact same tea macarons I just ate to take home (or back to your hotel room!).
Final Thoughts: Summary of My Bill
Here is a quick breakdown of what I ordered:
- Smoked Salmon & Matcha Blinis: 34 SGD
- Dulcet Rose Mocktail: 16 SGD
- Tea Time Set – 1837: 25 SGD (+ 18 SGD tea upgrade) (Note: Prices in Singapore are subject to a 10% service charge and GST.)
Even on a busy Saturday afternoon, dining solo at TWG Tea on the Bay was a breeze. Between the attentive service, the unexpectedly generous salmon dish, and the best macarons I’ve ever had, it was a truly memorable luxury experience in Singapore!
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