The complete afternoon tea set at Villa Royale Tea Room in Saigon.
Editor’s Note: Updated September 2026. This review reflects our original visit to Villa Royale. Current online listings conflict about the tearoom’s operating status, so confirm directly before planning a visit.
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?
Best for: Tea lovers who value unusual interiors, antiques, and a leisurely shared experience.
Contents
Villa Royale felt like a cross between a gallery, an antique shop, and a tearoom. The low lighting picked out individual objects, and the room revealed itself piece by piece. 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 worked as part of the service. Beautiful old tableware appeared on our table, and the setting felt lived in and genuinely used. Antiques and afternoon tea make an unusual pair, and here the combination felt natural from the first pour.
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. Surrounded by porcelain and antiques, we ordered tea without a second thought.
Silver Moon produced a pale cup, yet its aroma and flavor were bold. 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 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, which kept the floral sweetness and subtle complexity of the tea in focus.
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.
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 are drawn to places that keep old objects in daily use, and drinking from beautiful tableware among pieces 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.
| 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 |
Current online listings conflict about the venue’s operating status. Confirm directly before traveling to the address.
Our shared set included scones, sandwiches, a smoked salmon quiche, sweets, and tea. The selection may have changed since our visit.
We chose TWG Silver Moon, a green tea with strawberry and vanilla notes, and the floral Jasmine Monkey King.
The afternoon tea set available during our visit was intended for sharing. Solo guests could choose something from the wider menu.
Advance reservations were recommended during our visit, particularly for dietary restrictions, the private tearoom, or the communal table.
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