Where to have afternoon tea in Bangkok, Thailand

October 15, 8:10 PMAsia Travel ExaminerCassandra James

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The chic and in-thing for young (and old!) Bangkokians right now is to have afternoon tea.  A practice borrowed from the British, the Thais have added their own unique twist to afternoon tea in Bangkok - adding interesting sandwich combinations, Thai desserts and pastries and with cafes in fascinating Bangkok locations. If you're looking for a place to have afternoon tea in Bangkok, these places all have wonderful teas and lovely surroundings.

Author's Lounge, Oriental Hotel - Probably the oldest place in Bangkok to have afternoon tea, the Author's Lounge at the world-famous Oriental Hotel has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years. The lounge, named after authors like Joseph Conrad, John Le Carre and Somerset Maugham who lived or stayed at the Oriental Hotel, serves high tea every day between 2pm and 6pm. The location is stunning. A real British-looking tea room with white wicker tables and chairs, and small potted palm trees scattered everywhere, the afternoon tea is fabulous. Scones, little finger sandwiches, and the most delicious cakes (try their raspberry cake), as well as clotted cream, something I've never seen outside England. It's also right by the river, so you can even watch the long-tailed boats and barges going up and down. Tel: 02-659-9000.

Agalico in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Cassandra James

Agalico - Possibly my favorite tea and coffee shop in Bangkok, Agalico is not only a wonderful place for afternoon tea, it's also a perfectly designed cafe, which is not surprising as it's owned by famous Bangkok designer, ML Poomchai Chumbala. The cakes and pastries at Agalico are amazing, the tea (and coffee!) is superb, and don't miss the garden. It's like being in a typical English garden complete with gazebo. Agalico is only open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and is extremely popular so get there early, or you'll be waiting a long time. Cakes and pastries sell out fast, but the Earl Grey tea doesn't - so if you want both you'd better get there early. Tel: 02-662-5857

Afternoon Tea at the Sukhothai Hotel - The Sukhothai Hotel is one of my favorite hotels in Bangkok as it's elegant and luxurious, and with the loveliest atmosphere. Afternoon tea is served between 2:30pm and 6pm and features a fabulous display of sandwiches (both Thai and international flavors), petits fours, cream cakes, decadent chocolate cakes and perfect pastries.  You'll find lots of young professionals here, both Thai and western, as well as Thai matrons and their daughters out enjoying a western traditional tea. On Saturdays and Sundays they also do an amazing chocolate buffet with chocolate fountains, chocolate desserts, chocolate cookies, chocolate mousse - you name it, it's in chocolate. Tel: 02-287-0222.

Afternoon Tea at the Indra Regent Hotel - Another famous Bangkok hotel, the Indra Regent Hotel serves afternoon tea in the Lobby Bar. Traditional cakes, pastries and finger sandwiches are served, as well as the most perfect souffles you've ever seen (how do they do that without the darn thing collapsing?). Don't forget the scones too - crumbly, soft and perfectly delicious - with the jam and cream, oh my!. Tel: 02 208 0022.

I make it a point of going out for afternoon tea in Bangkok two or three times a month as there are so many places to try. These four are some of the better known afternoon tea places, but there are many others too.

For a lovely article on Agalico, check out this Bangkok Post piece.