Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review: High Tea at Le Club Bar

Walking through Hanoi can be exhausting, not only because of the heat but because pavements have a habit of becoming parking spaces, kitchens and shortcuts all at once. Reaching the calmer streets of the French Quarter felt like a small victory. Ian and I were heading to the historic Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi for afternoon tea at Le Club Bar, curious to see whether one of the city’s best-known luxury hotels could make the ritual feel as memorable as its setting. This Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea review reflects the experience we had in 2019, from its impressive tea display and polished French pastries to the unconventional scones and fruit-heavy middle tier.

Afternoon Tea at Le Club Bar

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi carries its French colonial history with confidence. Le Club Bar, where afternoon tea was served, had the ease of a conservatory and the polish of a classic hotel lounge. Glass walls drew the garden into the room, bamboo fans turned slowly overhead, and the noise of central Hanoi seemed to stop at the door. We chose a table beside the window, close enough to the greenery to enjoy it without surrendering the comfort of air conditioning.

Our corner held only a few well-spaced tables, with open pathways on either side. We still felt part of the room, but never on display. That balance suited afternoon tea beautifully. Le Club changes character later in the day, when its darker 1920s details and live jazz become more noticeable, yet in the afternoon it was the garden that set the mood. The silver three-tier stand looked perfectly at home on the marble table.

The Metropole Hanoi Tea Selection

I am always happier when a list of tea names is replaced by the actual leaves. At the Metropole, 21 blends were displayed in small glass bottles, allowing us to see and smell each one before choosing. I could easily have worked my way through every bottle, but Ian had already settled on No. 10, Mélange Oriental, while I kept returning to No. 5, Jasmin Chung Hao. It contained delicate white jasmine blossoms and promised the lighter, floral cup I wanted.

Jasmine tea had already become part of our experience of Vietnam, where it often arrived beside a glass of strong Vietnamese coffee. Here I wanted it to be the main event. Jasmin Chung Hao was delicate and fragrant, with the green tea still present beneath the blossoms. Ian’s Mélange Oriental was similarly refreshing. Its colorful cornflowers made the dry leaves especially attractive, while extra hot water kept the second pour from becoming too strong.

Metropole Tea to Take Home

During our visit, the house tea selection was also available at L’Epicerie du Metropole, the hotel’s boutique for pastries, chocolates and imported French treats. Being able to buy a favorite blend was a thoughtful continuation of the experience, and I was grateful for the chance to browse the shelves after tea.

Finger Sandwiches

The bottom tier held three different finger sandwiches for each of us. My favorite combined creamy avocado with a slice of cherry tomato, whose acidity kept the soft filling lively. Ian preferred the tuna sandwich seasoned with caramelized onion. The third was a classic combination of salami and cheese, finished with fresh zucchini and a black olive. All three were freshly prepared, and each filling had enough character to remain distinct against the soft white bread.

Scones, Jam and Cream

I passed the middle tier of seasonal fruit and reached straight for the scones. At first glance I mistook them for financiers, and after tasting them I was still not entirely convinced they belonged to the traditional scone family. They were larger, raisin-filled and covered with a sugar glaze. Pleasant as a sweet pastry, yes, but far from the plain, crumbly scone I associate with afternoon tea.

The accompaniments rescued the course. Raspberry and mango jams were both bright and flavorful, while the rich vanilla cream was the real star. Still, I missed the contrast of a warm classic scone beneath all that cream and jam. The hotel’s current description now mentions freshly baked scones, so today’s version may differ from the glazed raisin pastries served to us.

French Pastries and House-Made Chocolates

The sweets were the strongest part of our Metropole Hanoi afternoon tea. Eight pieces arrived in pairs, ranging from fruit-based cakes to small chocolate creations. A dark chocolate praline hid crisp hazelnut pieces in its filling, while its white chocolate and pistachio companion was smooth and gently nutty. They made the hotel’s separate chocolate offering in the adjoining room dangerously tempting.

The profiterole was filled generously with chocolate ganache, and the French classics were handled with equal care. A buttery madeleine wore a thin white chocolate coating, while the macaron had the delicate shell and soft, clean center it needed. Coconut mousse cake followed, then strawberry and chocolate cubes built on fine pastry bases. These were composed little desserts rather than decorative afterthoughts, and I finished the plate without leaving much evidence behind.

The Seasonal Fruit Tier

The seasonal fruit was fresh and carefully prepared, with succulent mango, crisp watermelon, sweet pineapple and dragon fruit finished with a citrus note. In another setting I would have enjoyed it without complaint. At a luxury afternoon tea, however, a full fruit tier felt like an opportunity missed. I would have preferred another savory bite, a warm pastry or one more example of the pâtisserie team’s skill.

Is Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Worth It?

The Metropole has been part of Hanoi’s social life for more than a century, and Le Club Bar gives afternoon tea a setting worthy of that history. The garden view, polished silver stand and impressive loose-leaf tea presentation created a genuine sense of occasion. Our sandwiches were fresh and the French pastries excellent, particularly the chocolates, profiterole and macaron.

It was not flawless. The unconventional glazed scones, fruit-heavy tier and limited explanation from our server kept the experience from feeling completely polished. Even so, I left satisfied and still thinking about the pastry counter. For travelers who enjoy historic hotels and dessert-led afternoon teas, it was easy to recommend. Those who care most about traditional scones and a generous savory course may want to check the current menu before booking.

The temptation did not end with the final cup. I had seen the hotel’s chocolate selection nearby, and after tasting the house-made pralines, walking away empty-handed no longer seemed realistic. Fortunately, L’Epicerie provided a civilized solution in the form of something sweet to take home.

Other Afternoon Teas in Hanoi

For a broader comparison, see our guide to the best high tea in Hanoi. For a more theatrical interior, read our Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea review. Travelers drawn to contemporary design and skyline views may prefer our Landmark 72 high tea review. If the Metropole itself is the main attraction, our full Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel review explores the property beyond Le Club Bar.

Metropole Hanoi Afternoon Tea Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9/10
  SERVICE – 9.0/10
• 9.2/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9.2/10
• 8.9/10
  PRESENTATION – 8.9/10
• 9/10
  FOOD OFFER – 9/10
• 8.4/10
  VALUE – 8.4/10

Metropole Hanoi High Tea: Price, Hours and Booking

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