The attractive teaware suited what became the strongest part of our experience: the tea selection.
We were still thinking about our polished afternoon tea at Anti:dote when it was already time to choose the next one. This time, I surprised Ian with an Arteastiq high tea at Mandarin Gallery, a Singapore tea lounge where afternoon treats share an address with an art-jamming studio. The combination sounded playful, although our visit ultimately impressed us more for its teas and sweets than for its atmosphere or service.
Is Arteastiq high tea worth booking?
Best for: Tea lovers who enjoy a creative, less formal afternoon tea in central Singapore.
Contents
Arteastiq was created around the idea of combining art and tea, and the neighboring studio allows guests to add an art-jamming session to the visit. The lounge itself felt pleasant enough, but we had encountered more memorable interiors even inside other Singapore shopping malls. The service followed a similar pattern: polite, yet missing the polish that turns an afternoon tea into a guided experience. Our waiter did not introduce the food, leaving us to identify the tiers ourselves. Fortunately, the tea soon gave us something much more interesting to discuss.
Ian chose green tea with goji berries, a combination that brought soft fruitiness to the tart character of Japanese green tea. It was bright, balanced and easy to enjoy. My choice was pu-erh, a fermented tea traditionally associated with Yunnan in China. Its earthy and slightly bitter opening softened into floral, woody notes in the aftertaste. On a rainy Singapore afternoon, it felt exactly right.
The savory tier was uneven, but several ideas worked beautifully. A small vol-au-vent held mushroom and caper pâté, its crisp pastry giving way to a rich filling lifted by balsamic notes. The foie gras terrine on toast was paired with yuzu marmalade and pistachios. That touch of citrus was useful rather than decorative, cutting through the richness of the terrine and adding a clean, fragrant finish.
A smoked salmon bite with cream cheese mousse and fried shallots was more familiar. The flavors were sound, although the generous amount of salmon overwhelmed its small piece of bread. Better balanced was the tortilla with smoked duck breast, arugula and horseradish mayonnaise. The duck remained tender and moist, while the horseradish brought enough sharpness to keep the bite lively.
Dessert was where the set found its confidence. The macarons looked attractive and tasted genuinely enjoyable, reminding us of the macarons we tried in Paris. A double raspberry choux brought a pleasing tartness, although the chocolate truffle with nuts was even better. Soft, rich and unmistakably cocoa-led, it delivered the depth that the more decorative sweets sometimes lacked.
The chocolate cone with banana custard looked charming but made less of an impression once tasted. More importantly, our set had no scones. Arteastiq was clearly following its own style rather than reproducing a traditional British afternoon tea, yet a warm scone with cream and jam would have given the experience the sense of completeness I was looking for. If you are curious about the terminology, our guide explains how afternoon tea and high tea differ.
Arteastiq gave us a likable afternoon rather than a faultless one. Ian was not particularly inspired by the simple painting activity available during our visit, and the service needed more confidence and explanation. The lounge also lacked the sense of occasion we had found at some of Singapore’s more formal afternoon teas.
Still, the core of the experience had genuine strengths. Both teas were excellent, the desserts contained several memorable bites, and the better savory combinations showed imagination. The missing scones prevented the set from feeling complete to me, but travelers who care more about tea, sweets and an informal creative setting may be less troubled by that absence. At the price we paid in 2018, it was a good-value refuge from the rain and an enjoyable contrast to the city’s grand hotel lounges.
| Detail | Information checked in September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Tea lounge | Arteastiq Tea Lounge, Mandarin Gallery |
| Address | 333A Orchard Road, #04-14, Mandarin Gallery, Singapore 238897 |
| Opening hours | Daily, 11:00–22:00 |
| Price during our visit | Approximately USD 40 for two people. This is a historical price, not a current quotation. |
| Current price | Set for two people will set you for about USD 88 |
| Dress code | No formal code currently published; neat casual clothing is suitable |
| Reservations | Recommended for afternoon tea; book the Mandarin Gallery outlet |
| Phone | +65 6235 8370 |
| Website | Official Arteastiq website |
| Location | View on Google Maps |
Yes. Arteastiq’s current Mandarin Gallery listing still promotes afternoon high-tea sets. The menu and price can change, so check the current offer before making a special journey.
The outlet in this review is at Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road, #04-14, Singapore 238897. Arteastiq also has an outlet at Jewel Changi Airport, so select Mandarin Gallery when reserving if you want to visit the location reviewed here.
Our 2018 set for two cost approximately USD 40, but that is a historical price. Arteastiq now offers changing themed sets and promotions, so consult the current booking information for the applicable price, service charge and taxes.
Arteastiq does not currently publish a formal dress code for the Mandarin Gallery tea lounge. Neat casual clothing should suit its relaxed shopping-mall setting. For practical outfit ideas for men and women, see our complete guide to what to wear to afternoon tea.
Our 2018 set did not include scones, which was its most noticeable omission for us. Menus are seasonal, so this review should not be used to confirm what is included in the current set.
Yes. Arteastiq’s art-jamming studio is next to the tea lounge at Mandarin Gallery. The studio and restaurant have separate booking details, so reserve both activities if you want to combine them on the same visit.
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