Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea gave us a welcome pause from the noise and movement of the city. We had already stayed at the nearby Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, whose heritage character had made a lasting impression, and curiosity led us to this very different MGallery hotel. Instead of another formal tearoom, we found a modern atrium, running water and a playful spinning stand at La Fée Verte.
The strongest parts of the experience were the calm setting, attentive service and desserts, particularly an excellent Opera cake and bright passion fruit panna cotta. The savory selection was much narrower, while the scones and macarons needed more precision. It was an enjoyable Hanoi afternoon tea with genuine character, though not the most complete spread we tried in the city.
Is Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea worth trying?
What We Loved
- A quiet atrium that offered real relief from Hanoi’s busy streets
- Professional, helpful service and easy communication in English
- A memorable Opera cake with deep coffee and chocolate flavors
- Very good value at the price charged during our original visit
What Could Be Better
- Only two sandwich varieties were included in our set
- The scones were slightly overbaked and the cream portion was small
- The macaron shells were firmer than they should have been
Best for: Travelers who value a calm, design-led setting and strong pastries more than an extensive savory selection.
Contents
The Atmosphere at La Fée Verte
La Fée Verte had two contrasting sides when we visited. The main bar leaned into a modern interpretation of early 20th-century Paris, while the adjoining atrium was brighter, more spacious and far removed from the traffic outside. We chose the atrium for afternoon tea, and the running water in its center became the simplest and most effective part of the design.
There was plenty of room around our table, and the pavilion seating gave the tea a sense of privacy without making the space formal. After Hanoi’s horns, heat and hurried crossings, the sound of water was not decorative background. It gave us a chance to slow down and actually pay attention to what arrived on the stand.
Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review
The Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea arrived on a rotating stand with sandwiches, scones, cream, jam and sweets arranged around several small plates. It was a clever presentation and made the set easy to share, though the quality varied between the savory and sweet courses.
Scones
Two unusually tall, soufflé-shaped scones came in plain and raisin versions. Their appearance surprised us, and both had been left in the oven a little too long. The raisin scone was the better of the pair because the soaked fruit added moisture, while the plain one sat closer to a biscuit in texture.
Strawberry jam helped the plain scone, though the cream portion was too small for two people. It disappeared after a couple of bites, leaving the remaining scones with jam alone. A more generous serving would have been an easy improvement.
Afternoon Tea Sandwiches
The savory course was limited to two sandwich varieties. One paired egg with mayonnaise and was seasoned well; the other combined ham and Emmental cheese, finished with a grape tomato for extra moisture. Both fillings were generous and satisfying.
A third option would have brought more balance to the set. Cucumber or smoked salmon would have introduced a fresher note and made the savory half seem less repetitive, especially for two people sharing.
Afternoon Tea Sweets
Desserts were the clear strength of this afternoon tea. The Opera cake carried concentrated coffee and chocolate flavors through soft, creamy layers, and it remains one of the best versions we have tried. Given the hotel’s name, perhaps it had a reputation to defend.
Passion fruit panna cotta followed with a sharper sweet-sour contrast and a smooth base offset by a crisp topping. A red velvet cupcake was light without becoming insubstantial, and its buttercream added richness. The pink macarons looked polished and held a soft vanilla filling, though their shells were too stiff and did not dissolve as cleanly as expected.
The final pastry was a strawberry tart with crumbly dough, a creamy filling and fresh fruit on top. It was straightforward and well made, closing the sweet course on a better note than the macarons.
Service and Value
Service was professional, helpful and easygoing throughout our tea. English communication presented no difficulty, and the staff allowed us to enjoy the atrium without unnecessary interruptions. The set cost US$15 for two during our original visit, or US$25 with two glasses of sparkling wine, which explains the exceptionally strong value score in our original rating.
Those historical prices should not be used for planning a visit today. The hotel’s current website lists La Fée Verte as open daily, though it does not publish an afternoon tea menu or current price. Contacting the bar before making a special trip is essential.
Conclusion: A Calm Setting with Strong Pastries
Our Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea was best suited to travelers who wanted an unhurried break near the Opera House without the ceremony of a grand heritage tearoom. The atrium, kind service and pastry work carried the experience, especially the Opera cake and panna cotta. More sandwich variety, softer macaron shells and a better cream portion would have made the food selection more complete.
For a more traditional Hanoi experience, our Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea review covers a very different setting. Travelers drawn to contemporary city views can also compare it with our Landmark72 afternoon tea experience.
Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9.2/109.2/10
- SERVICE – 9.3/109.3/10
- TEA SELECTION – 8.8/108.8/10
- PRESENTATION – 9.1/109.1/10
- BITES – 8.5/108.5/10
- VALUE – 9.6/109.6/10
Practical Details
| Detail | Information checked in September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | La Fée Verte at Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery Collection |
| Address | 29 Trang Tien Street, Hoan Kiem District, 10000 Hanoi, Vietnam |
| Category | Hotel bar and afternoon tea review |
| Price guide (USD) | Current afternoon tea price not published. Our historical set cost US$15, or US$25 with two glasses of sparkling wine. |
| Opening hours | La Fée Verte is listed as open daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Current afternoon tea service times are not published. |
| Dress code | Not stated by the hotel; smart casual is a sensible choice |
| Phone | +84 24 6282 5555 |
| Website | Official Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi website |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi still serve afternoon tea?
The hotel’s official website still lists La Fée Verte, though it does not currently publish an afternoon tea menu, service schedule or price. Contact the hotel directly before making a special trip.
Where was afternoon tea served at Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi?
Our afternoon tea was served in the spacious indoor atrium connected to La Fée Verte bar. The hotel renovated the atrium in 2025, so its present appearance may differ from our photographs.
How much did Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea cost?
During our original visit, the set cost US$15 for two people. A US$25 option included two glasses of sparkling wine. These are historical prices, and the hotel does not currently publish an afternoon tea price online.
What were the best items in the afternoon tea set?
The Opera cake was our favorite, with pronounced coffee and chocolate flavors. The passion fruit panna cotta was another highlight, balancing sweetness with a sharper fruit note and contrasting textures.
Is this the best afternoon tea in Hanoi?
It was a strong-value experience with a calm setting and good pastries, though the savory selection was limited. For a more traditional and formal comparison, see our review of afternoon tea at Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
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