One of the most well known local brands, TWG tea is a luxury tea brand that was established in Singapore in 2008 and has branches of it’s retail outlet and tea rooms all over the world. With currently eleven TWG boutiques in Singapore, the TWG in ION shopping centre on Orchard Road combines both it’s boutique offering over 800 single-estate, fine harvest teas and exclusive blends together with it’s tea salon where you can stop by for a meal or afternoon tea.
I’ve been to the TWG Tea Salon in ION a couple of times, mostly when people have come to visit and want to sample some of the local offerings and although I’ve never had a meal there I’ve tried several of their teas and sweet treats. The tea menu called the “Tea Book” which is a befitting name since it’s actually more of a book than a menu, has TWG’s full range of teas on offer ranging from $11 for a pot up to more than a hundred dollars! They have a breakfast, brunch and all-day dining menu and during tea time which is from 2pm to 5pm daily, they have a few different tea sets that you can go for. If you don’t want a full blown afternoon tea then they have a $19 set where you can choose any hot or iced tea that is $11 plus either 2 muffins, two scones served with TWG tea jelly and whipped cream or a cake from their trolley.
If you thought choosing a tea from the Tea Book was difficult, choosing a cake from the Patisserie Trolley is also a bit cumbersome since none of the cakes are labelled and not all are included in the set either but if you ask one of the waiters or waitresses there they’ll gladly explain it to you.
On my last visit to the TWG Tea Salon in ION, liking the sound of the London-Singapore tea I chose to get that and a Mille-feuille. The Mille-feuille wasn’t great, the layers of puff pastry were a little bit soggy and bland instead of light, crisp and buttery like it should be and the pastry cream in between was too thick and sweet. As you would expect, the tea was nice though. The London-Singapore tea is a black tea with a hint of spices and berries and you get a large pot which gives you several cups.
Service is polite and attentive and the cafe itself is elegantly decorated like a Parisian tea room but tables are so cramped together that it’s not exactly the best place to relax in as it’s always packed full of people.
Although the cakes in TWG don’t seem to be very impressive, their tea-infused macarons are really good and at only $2 per macaron it’s a lot cheaper than elsewhere. They have them on their menu in the cafe or you can purchase them in the shop along with other goodies including cookies, chocolate and jam.
TWG Tea Salon and Boutique (ION branch)
Address: ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #02-21, Singapore 238801 (Nearest MRT: Orchard)
Tel: 6735 1837
Opening Hours: Daily 10am – 10pm
Hope you’ve enjoyed my TWG Tea Salon and Boutique review, please feel free to leave a comment below with your own review of the cafe or if you have any questions!
