A family friendly afternoon tea in Bangkok featuring Thai-inspired bites, classic sweets and a relaxing setting.
We’re giving away this afternoon tea experience. Just follow the instructions on our social media.
Every time I hear about afternoon tea, I imagine a set of sweet and savoury bites served with a pot of tea. It always looks beautiful for my social media posts, but it doesn’t seem like quite enough to fill my stomach. Of course, it is meant to be a light break between meals, so I never expect it to be a full dining experience. Still, with the price of many sets, it’s hard not to hope for something that feels satisfying and leaves me full.
But after trying The Montien Harmony Afternoon Tea at Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok, at B1,100 per set for two persons, I can say the experience lived up to the price. The portions were generous enough that I didn’t feel the need to look for something else to eat afterwards.
So here is my verdict.
The Montien Harmony Afternoon Tea: Details at a glance
Best for: Families who enjoy slow afternoons, good food, and quality time together
Where: The Garden Lounge, Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok, 5 minutes walk from MRT Samyan, Bangkok. Call: 02-233-7060
How much: Starting at B1,100 per set for two persons
Opening hours: Daily 2–5pm
The experience
Even though Montien Hotel Surawong Bangkok is best known for its Hainanese chicken rice and Chinese dishes at Ruenton Restaurant, the afternoon tea is served at The Garden Lounge. This lobby lounge is decorated in a contemporary Thai style and features a sun roof that lets in the afternoon sunlight.
You can choose to enjoy the tea in the main lobby area, but I decided to sit in the glass house. With glass walls and windows all around, the space feels open and airy.
The set is presented on a three-tiered stand filled with seven sweet and savoury bites. As a hotel that has been part of Bangkok for more than 59 years, the Montien Harmony Afternoon Tea also reflects its deep roots in Thai society. So, the menu is a combination of traditional Thai flavours and classic Western elements.
For drinks, you can choose from a selection of loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions. Options include classics such as English Breakfast and Earl Grey, as well as herbal selections and Thai-inspired teas like classic Thai tea. I chose the English Breakfast, but if you’re looking for something more photogenic, you can go for the lemongrass pandan butterfly pea tea, which comes with a natural blue colour as you pour it from the pot into the glass.
Sweeten up your inbox! Subscribe to HoneyKids Asia Thailand
Sweet and savoury bites
Following the staff’s recommendation, I started with the savoury tier before moving on to the sweets. The selection includes blue swimmer crab tartlets, spicy yellow mango salad caramelised pork mini milk buns and Thai massaman beef curry puffs.
The portions are surprisingly generous for an afternoon tea set and the flavours lean towards authentic Thai tastes. Despite some dishes sounding spicy, the flavours are approachable.
Moving on to the sweets, the variety includes the classic afternoon tea staple which is scones. What makes them stand out is the selection of spreads served alongside them, including whipped cream, pandan lime curd, mango ginger jam and orange chilli marmalade.
My recommendation is the orange chilli marmalade. The flavour combination might sound unusual at first, but it adds a subtle kick that pairs surprisingly well with the warm scones.
Beyond the classics, the dessert tier features mini mango sticky rice cake, dark chocolate Thai tea entremets and Thai cannoli with coconut cream cheese. The desserts are thoughtfully balanced and not overly sweet. My personal favourite was the cannoli with coconut cream cheese, as the cream is rich but not overly heavy.
One playful element of the set is the surprise box, with its contents changing each month. When I visited, it held small elephant-shaped brownies sitting on a Koko Krunch base.
The kids
Afternoon tea may not sound like something children would enjoy, but here the experience goes beyond the food. What caught their attention was the setting. The lounge is filled with antique pieces and it overlooks the iconic mural by National Artist Paiboon Suwannakudt. The setting almost feels like a small Thai museum.
The difference is that the atmosphere is much more relaxed, so children can explore the surroundings without the strict rules you would normally find in a museum. Just remind them not to touch the collectibles.
Is the Montien Harmony Afternoon Tea worth the visit?
I ended up spending almost three hours there. With prices starting from B1,100 for two people, I would say it’s definitely worth it.
The selection of food feels thoughtful and the presentation makes the experience even more special. The dishes and glassware almost look like a royal tea set, which adds a touch of elegance to the whole experience.
If you’re waiting to pick up your kids from school or simply want a relaxing afternoon together, this place delivers. The Thai elements throughout the menu and the setting also add to its charm.
