Celebrate the Holidays with Afternoon Tea in Honolulu
These Honolulu spots are perfect for a holiday celebration.
A languid afternoon, a tray of desserts, maybe a glass of Champagne.
That’s how I want to spend the holidays. And afternoon tea service, especially the ones on Oʻahu, offer all of that—and sometimes an ocean view.
Here are six places in Honolulu where you can indulge in mini sandwiches, beautiful desserts and a cuppa.
Dean & DeLuca Waikīkī
This summer Dean & DeLuca relaunched its “Urban Picnic” afternoon tea, with a new five-course menu that showcases artisanal breads and pastries crafted in-house. The tea selection is extensive, featuring several varieties from Hawaiʻi. (Or be like me and order a flight of tipsy teas, which cost more.) The service starts with traditional vanilla scones, followed by cups of saffron seafood chowder topped with a flaky puff pastry. The next two courses—savory and sweet—come in big baskets, with servings for each person. Enjoy upscale picnic nosh like Kauaʻi garlic shrimp on focaccia bread, chicken pâté with a red wine gelée on a croissant crostini, edamame-stuffed mushrooms, mango pudding and pineapple tarts.
$60 with discounts for kamaʻāina, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only; The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikīkī Beach, 383 Kalaimoku St., 1F, Waikīkī, (808) 729-9720, deandeluca-hawaii.com
Mugen Waikīkī
If you’re looking for something truly decadent and elegant, book a seat—there are only 12—for the new afternoon tea service at Mugen Waikīkī. This luxe service includes a glass of rosé and your choice of teas—some rare—from around the world, all brewed and served in unique Japanese teapots. Past menus have featured an array of upscale bites, including mini spiny lobster rolls with smoked trout caviar and black truffle pearls, local chicken liver pâté with mango chutney on toast points, mini rum cakes with compressed pineapple, and black currant scones with clotted cream and house preserves.
$120, reservation required, 1 p.m. Saturdays only; Espacio, The Jewel of Waikīkī, 2452 Kalākaua Ave., mugenwaikiki.com
The Veranda at the Moana Surfrider
This is teatime with a view. The weekend-only Victorian-inspired afternoon tea service at The Veranda is set on the oceanfront lānai of the grand hotel, known as the First Lady of Waikīkī, with ocean breezes and views of the beach. The Moana Classic is perfect for a light nosh, with finger sandwiches, pastries and tropical sorbet. Or go all out—hey, it’s the holidays!—with the Royal Tea, which boasts everything in the classic tea plus soup or salad, berries and yogurt and a tea-infused mimosa flight. The Veranda also offers a keiki menu with kid-friendly fare, gluten-free and vegan tea service, and The Duke, which is served with a massive cheeseburger and local craft beer flight. Now you’re talking!
$73-$137, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, Waikīkī Beach, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., Waikīkī, (808) 931-8646, verandawaikiki.com
The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
The afternoon tea service at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort.
Photo: Courtesy of The Kāhala Hotel & Resort
The afternoon tea at The Kāhala Hotel & Resort is a classic. Served on the open-air Veranda—and under the hotel’s iconic beach-glass chandelier— the service features exclusive handcrafted fine teas and sweet and savory bites like smoked fish baguettes, deviled egg sandwiches, scones and green tea mille crêpe. Relax in the comfortable lounge seating—and if you stay until 5 p.m., enjoy The Veranda’s popular happy hour and live entertainment.
$80, 2 to 3:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; The Kāhala Hotel & Resort, 5000 Kāhala Ave., Honolulu, (866) 318-4579, kahalaresort.com
Orchids at the Halekūlani
If you’re looking for a classic, elevated afternoon tea experience, head to Orchids, the oceanfront restaurant at the Halekūlani. Relax on the veranda in the hotel’s garden courtyard and sip curated global teas—or Champagne—and nosh on tea sandwiches like house-made salmon gravlax on pumpernickel bread and sliced Bresaola beef on poppyseed bread, along with an assortment of currant scones, tea pastries and cakes. There’s a dress code, too: no beachwear, exercise attire or flip-flops.
$72-$92, 2 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; Halekūlani, 2199 Kālia Road, Waikīkī, (808) 923-2311, halekulani.com
Tea at 1024
Since 1999, this spot in the historic arts district of Downtown Honolulu has been the go-to for afternoon tea. It’s the only thing it serves! Its traditional service includes a house salad, scones and house-made clotted cream and strawberry jam, six assorted sandwiches and three petite sweets—all of which are seasonal. The tea selection is superb; you can even order wellness teas, hot cocoa and lemonade. There are vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free and keto-friendly menus, too.
$31.95-$50.95, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; Tea at 1024, 1024 Nuʻuanu Ave., Honolulu, (808) 521-9596, teaat1024.com
