There is something about a slow afternoon over a pot of tea that makes a weekend feel properly spent. High tea in KL has grown well beyond the stiff, hushed hotel lobby of a decade ago. These days you can pick a tiered stand seventy-five floors above Merdeka 118, a sprawling weekend buffet in Petaling Jaya where the satay grill never stops, or a cottage tea house in Taman Melawati where the scones come out of the oven while you wait.
We pulled the numbers before we pulled up a chair. Every venue below holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher, is still trading, and genuinely serves an afternoon tea or high tea, not just a nice cup of tea. We then ordered the list by how many diners have actually reviewed each place, so the spots with the deepest track record sit at the top. From grand hotel lounges to neighbourhood tea salons, here are the ten best high tea spots across KL and Selangor for your next lazy afternoon.
What Is the Difference Between High Tea and Afternoon Tea?
Strictly speaking, afternoon tea is the dainty one: finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and small pastries on a tiered stand, served mid-afternoon. High tea was originally the heartier working-class meal eaten later at a high dining table, closer to an early dinner. In Malaysia the two names have blurred completely, and locally “high tea” usually means the generous weekend buffet spread you find at hotels like Sheraton PJ and One World. Both styles are on this list, so read the description before you book and match it to your appetite.
How Much Does High Tea in KL Cost, and Should You Book?
Expect a fairly wide spread. Neighbourhood tea houses in Melawati will run you a modest bill for a pot and a plate of scones. Weekend hotel buffets tend to sit in the middle, charging per head for unlimited access to the spread. The luxury lounges at the top end of the market charge considerably more for a set designed around one table. Almost all of them favour bookings, and the popular sittings genuinely do sell out, especially on Sundays and public holidays. A quick call a few days ahead saves you the disappointment of turning up to a full room.
Table of Contents
- 1. THIRTY8 Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
- 2. Feast, Sheraton Petaling Jaya
- 3. Cinnamon Coffee House, One World Hotel
- 4. Miss Ellie Tea House
- 5. Tim’s Teapot Terrace
- 6. TWG Tea, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
- 7. Park Lounge, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
- 8. The Living Room, The Westin Kuala Lumpur
- 9. The Lounge at Four Seasons
- 10. The Drawing Room, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
1. THIRTY8 Restaurant, Bar & Lounge
Perched on the 38th floor of the Grand Hyatt, THIRTY8 is the name most KL folk reach for first when afternoon tea comes up, and the review count backs that up. The draw is the pairing of a classic three-tiered set with a floor-to-ceiling panorama of the Twin Towers and the city sprawl. Savouries lean local, the pastries change with the season, and tea and coffee keep flowing. It suits a birthday, an anniversary, or visiting relatives you want to impress without much effort. Book ahead, because the afternoon sittings fill fast and walk-ins rarely get a window seat.
Operating Hours: 6:30 am – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: Level 38, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, 12, Jalan Pinang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2203 9188
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Feast, Sheraton Petaling Jaya
Feast is where the Malaysian version of high tea makes complete sense. The weekend hi-tea buffet at Sheraton PJ runs across Western, Chinese, Japanese, Malay and Indian sections, and the local favourites are the reason regulars keep coming back. Think char kway teow off the wok, chicken satay off the grill, nasi lemak, chee cheong fun and a dessert counter that rewards a second lap. It is loud, generous and built for families and big groups rather than quiet conversation. Bring an appetite, pace yourself through the live stations, and leave room for the Portuguese egg tarts.
Operating Hours: 6:00 am – 11:00 pm (Daily); hi-tea buffet on Saturday & Sunday afternoons
Address: Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel, Lorong Utara C, PJS 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-7622 8888
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. Cinnamon Coffee House, One World Hotel
The other heavyweight of the Klang Valley buffet scene, Cinnamon sits on the concourse level of One World Hotel and runs its high tea buffet on weekends and public holidays. The room seats hundreds, so it rarely feels cramped even at peak, and the live kitchens keep the turnover fast and the food hot. The spread mixes Malaysian classics with Asian and Western staples, which makes it an easy call when the table cannot agree on a cuisine. Pair it with a shopping run at 1 Utama next door and you have a full afternoon sorted. Smart casual dress applies.
Operating Hours: 6:00 am – 1:00 am (Daily); high tea buffet on weekends & public holidays
Address: Concourse Level, One World Hotel, Lebuh Bandar Utama, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel: 03-7681 1113
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Miss Ellie Tea House
Tucked into a quiet corner of Taman Melawati, Miss Ellie feels like someone lifted an old English cottage and set it down in the suburbs, vintage crockery and all. Scones are the headline act here, baked fresh daily and served with homemade strawberry thyme jam and whipped cream, with more than a dozen teas to pair them against. Beyond the tea tray there are proper hot mains, salads and cakes, plus a durian creme brulee that surprises first-timers. It is small, warm and unhurried, which makes it lovely for a catch-up with your mum or a quiet date. Note it closes Mondays and Tuesdays.
Operating Hours: Wed–Sun 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Closed Mon & Tue
Address: 7, Jalan H 3, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 011-5991 0113
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Tim’s Teapot Terrace
A few streets from Miss Ellie, Tim’s Teapot Terrace works the same English cottage charm and has built its own loyal following in Melawati. The afternoon tea menu is the reason to come, with named sets and a rotating cast of scones, cakes and savoury plates that arrive on tiered stands. Pots of tea are poured properly, the pastas and hot mains hold up if someone in your group wants a real meal, and the interior is unashamedly photogenic. It is a relaxed, family-friendly room rather than a formal one. Closed Mondays, and the kitchen winds down early evening.
Operating Hours: Tue–Sun 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; Closed Mon
Address: 9128, Lorong Perak, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-6732 5943
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. TWG Tea, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
If your idea of high tea starts with the tea itself rather than the food, the TWG salon in Pavilion is the obvious stop. The wall of numbered canisters runs to hundreds of blends, and the staff will happily steer you towards something floral, smoky or fruity depending on your mood. Afternoon tea sets come with scones, macarons and finger sandwiches, and almost everything on the plate is perfumed with tea in some form. It is a bright, busy mall salon rather than a hushed lounge, which makes it an easy break mid-shopping on Bukit Bintang. The boutique out front sells the leaves to take home.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Lot 2.16 & 2.17, Level 2, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2142 9922
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
7. Park Lounge, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
The newest name on this list and arguably the most striking, Park Lounge sits on Level 75 of Merdeka 118 and looks out over the whole of KL. Its afternoon tea skips the standard three-tier tray in favour of a multi-course sitting, moving from an amuse bouche through a savoury course and a palate cleanser before the scones and a dessert trolley wheeled to your table. It is a slower, more theatrical way to spend an afternoon, and priced accordingly. Reservations are essential at weekends because walk-ins are not accommodated. Go for a milestone rather than a casual Tuesday.
Operating Hours: 6:30 am – 10:30 pm (Daily); afternoon tea from 12:00 pm
Address: Level 75, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka 118, Presint Merdeka 118, 50118 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2303 2721
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
8. The Living Room, The Westin Kuala Lumpur
Sat on the upper ground floor of The Westin on Jalan Bukit Bintang, The Living Room is the most convenient afternoon tea on this list if you are already in the Golden Triangle. The Westin afternoon tea is served daily rather than only at weekends, which is genuinely useful when your day off lands midweek, and it is designed as a set for two to share. The room is open and calm, with the buffet operation running alongside for anyone who wants more than a tea tray. A sensible, central pick for a shopping break or an easy catch-up.
Operating Hours: 6:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Level UG, The Westin Kuala Lumpur, 199, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2773 8015
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. The Lounge at Four Seasons
The lobby lounge at the Four Seasons on Jalan Ampang is the quiet luxury option, sitting a stone’s throw from KLCC Park and the Twin Towers. Afternoon tea here is unhurried and precise, the sort of service where your pot gets topped up before you think to ask and the pastry work is worth a second look. The room is elegant without being intimidating, so it works as well for a business chat as it does for a treat with your other half. If you want the polish of a five-star tea without a queue of tourists, this is a smart choice.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 145, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2382 8650
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. The Drawing Room, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
Rounding off the list, The Drawing Room at The St. Regis carries the house ritual of afternoon tea that the brand is known for worldwide, done in a room full of art and natural light at KL Sentral. Expect a properly composed tiered set, a serious tea list and service that leans formal in the best way. Its location makes it the easiest entry on this list to reach by rail, which is handy if you would rather not fight for parking on a Saturday. Come dressed a little sharper than usual and give yourself a couple of unhurried hours.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, No. 6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2727 6696
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
High tea in KL and Selangor is really three different afternoons wearing the same name, so pick the one that matches your mood. When the whole family is coming and everyone wants something different, the weekend buffets at Feast and Cinnamon give you the most for your ringgit. When you want a view and an occasion, THIRTY8 and Park Lounge deliver the drama. And when you just want scones, a good pot and a quiet corner, the Melawati tea houses and the TWG salon do the classic thing beautifully.
Menus, sittings and prices shift more often than you would expect, and the best rooms book out days ahead, so ring first and reserve before you drive over. Then switch your phone face down and let the afternoon go slowly. That is rather the point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which high tea spots in KL and Selangor are halal?
Several venues here sit inside international hotels whose kitchens hold halal certification, and a few of the independent tea houses market themselves as halal too. Certification status does change, though, and it is not something worth guessing on, so confirm the latest certification directly with the venue before you book.
Do I need to book high tea in advance?
Yes, for almost all of them. THIRTY8 is regularly fully booked through its afternoon sittings, and Park Lounge does not take walk-ins at weekends at all. The hotel buffets at Feast and Cinnamon also fill up on Sundays and public holidays. A call two or three days ahead is usually enough.
What time does high tea usually start in Malaysia?
Most afternoon tea sittings run from around noon to 4pm or 5pm, with the weekend hotel buffets typically opening around 12:30pm and closing the spread by 4pm. Set-based lounges like The Living Room serve theirs across a longer daily window. Always check the specific sitting time, as it differs from the venue’s general operating hours.
Which high tea in KL is best for a view?
Park Lounge on Level 75 of Merdeka 118 has the highest and widest outlook in the city, while THIRTY8 on the 38th floor of the Grand Hyatt frames the Twin Towers particularly well. Both need a booking, and both are worth requesting a window table when you call.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
