Crossing a busy road in Ho Chi Minh City can feel like a test of nerve when you first arrive. After weaving through the flow of motorbikes, the idea of sitting down with a pot of tea becomes especially appealing. Our Villa Royale high tea review takes us away from Saigon’s street energy and into a dimly lit room filled with antiques, ornate tableware, and the quiet ceremony of afternoon tea. We had already experienced the polished Park Hyatt Saigon afternoon tea; Villa Royale promised something far more eccentric and personal.
Is Villa Royale high tea worth booking?
What We Loved
- An atmospheric tearoom surrounded by distinctive antiques
- Beautiful vintage tableware used during the experience
- A broad TWG tea selection with memorable floral blends
- Kind, attentive service throughout our visit
What Could Be Better
- The scones were heavy and lacked a delicate crumb
- Quality varied across the sweet selection
- The afternoon tea set was designed for sharing
Best for: Tea lovers who value unusual interiors, antiques, and a leisurely shared experience.
Contents
An Antique-Filled Tearoom in Saigon
Villa Royale felt like a cross between a gallery, an antique shop, and a tearoom. The low lighting drew attention to individual objects rather than revealing the room all at once. Paintings, furniture, ceramics, and decorative pieces from different parts of the world filled the space, giving us plenty to notice before the first cup was poured.
The most charming detail was that the antiques were not simply background decoration. Beautiful old tableware became part of the service, making the setting feel lived in rather than staged. It was an unusual match for afternoon tea, but here the pairing made perfect sense.
Drinks Beyond the Tea List
Tea was naturally at the center of the experience, with a selection from TWG. Guests who preferred something else could also choose Vietnamese coffee, seasonal fruit juices, soft drinks, or water during our visit. Still, surrounded by porcelain and antiques, ordering tea felt like the only proper decision.
The TWG Teas We Chose
Silver Moon
Silver Moon produced a pale cup, but its aroma and flavor were anything but timid. Vanilla and strawberry were immediately noticeable, while a gentle bitterness kept the blend from becoming too sweet or perfumed. It was graceful, fragrant, and more balanced than its delicate color suggested.
Jasmine Monkey King
Jasmine Monkey King was the more overtly floral choice. The jasmine fragrance was direct yet relaxing, supported by fine young tea leaves and buds. There was little bitterness, allowing the floral sweetness and subtle complexity of the tea to remain in focus.
Villa Royale High Tea Savories and Sweets
The tiered stand offered a familiar mix of scones, sandwiches, savory pastries, and desserts. The scones were the weak point of our Villa Royale afternoon tea. They felt heavy, with a dense texture that missed the light, tender crumb we hoped for from this classic.
The savory tier recovered the momentum. The mango and curried chicken sandwich was particularly enjoyable, but the smoked salmon quiche became our savory highlight. Its crisp crust contrasted with a moist filling, giving us the texture and flavor the scones had lacked.
The sweets were also uneven, though the best examples were memorable. We especially liked the chocolate macadamia pie, where melting chocolate met the crunch of the nuts. The millionaire’s chocolate caramel tart followed closely and took care of any remaining sugar cravings.
Final Thoughts on Villa Royale High Tea
Villa Royale gave us an afternoon tea experience with genuine personality. The attentive staff, excellent tea choices, and antique-filled setting mattered more than the weaker scones and uneven sweets. We have always liked places that allow the past to remain useful rather than sealing it behind glass, and drinking from beautiful tableware among objects with long histories made this visit memorable.
At the time of our visit, advance reservations were important, especially for dietary requests, the private tearoom, or the communal table. The set was intended for sharing, so solo guests needed to choose from the wider menu. Because current listings disagree about whether Villa Royale is operating, verify its status directly before traveling across the city.
Villa Royale High Tea Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9.2/109.2/10
- SERVICE – 9.2/109.2/10
- TEA SELECTION – 9.2/109.2/10
- PRESENTATION – 9.1/109.1/10
- BITES – 8/108/10
- VALUE – 9.3/109.3/10
Price, Location, and Practical Details
| Detail | Information checked in September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Restaurant | Villa Royale Antiques & Tea Room |
| Address | 3 Tran Ngoc Dien, Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
| Operating status | Current listings conflict; verify directly before visiting |
| Afternoon tea hours | Not currently verified |
| Current price | Not currently verified; our set cost approximately US$22 |
| Dress code | Smart casual recommended |
| Reservations | Advance booking was recommended during our visit |
| Phone | +84 28 3744 4897 (verify before relying on this number) |
| Website | No active official website verified |
| Location | View on Google Maps |
Villa Royale High Tea FAQ
Is Villa Royale Antiques & Tea Room still open?
Current online listings conflict about the venue’s operating status. Confirm directly before traveling to the address.
What was included in the Villa Royale high tea?
Our shared set included scones, sandwiches, a smoked salmon quiche, sweets, and tea. The selection may have changed since our visit.
Which teas did you try at Villa Royale?
We chose TWG Silver Moon, a green tea with strawberry and vanilla notes, and the floral Jasmine Monkey King.
Was the Villa Royale afternoon tea suitable for one person?
The afternoon tea set available during our visit was intended for sharing. Solo guests could choose something from the wider menu.
Did Villa Royale require reservations?
Advance reservations were recommended during our visit, particularly for dietary restrictions, the private tearoom, or the communal table.
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