The best teahouses in Singapore to relax and unwind at

Tea Chapter, housed in a pre-war shophouse, has been visited by heavyweights and dignitaries alike – the Queen Elizabeth II and our own PM Lee Hsien Loong have stepped through these very doors. Here, the range of handpicked teas hail from China, with Bi Luo Chun green tea from the Dong Ting mountain of Suzhou and Silver Needles white tea from Fujian. 

TRY The tea appreciation workshop. Tea Chapter provides everything from a glass teapot perched over a warmer to a circular brewing tray that allows you to easily discard hot water from the first brew. It’s just shy of two hours, and you’ll get to try six teas in total: green, white, yellow, red, turquoise, and black tea.

This quaint tea bar in Katong specialises in Wuyi rock tea, a loose leaf oolong that hails from the ranges of Wuyi Mountains. But the menu is still varied, ranging from a yellow Meng Ding Yellow Bud tea that’s specially wrapped in straw paper to a Stone Village raw pu erh that exudes honey and rock sugar. They do also have a hands-on tea workshop where you’ll learn how to brew six different types of Chinese tea. 

TRY The Scarlet Robe ($18 per pot, $8 per brew), an in-house whole leaf Da Hong Pao blend. This full-bodied tea is one of the staples of Wuyi rock oolong tea, known for its earthy, roasted profile but also fruity notes.

Antea Social might’ve gained a reputation for flavoured oolong teas, but they’ve since branched out into green, black, pu erh, and even caffeine-free blends. While you can easily order the range of tea online, head down to their teahouse in Jalan Besar to try some of the more unique concoctions. There’s an entire handcrafted range that changes depending on the owners’ whim – one of the drinks is inspired by a recent family trip to Seoul. 

TRY It doesn’t have to be after 5pm for you to enjoy one of the tea-infused cocktails. The Hojicha Cloud 9 ($18) puts together single origin hojicha (roasted green tea) and a blended Scotch, topping it all off with creamy layer of salted foam.

One of the goals of Silk Tea Bar’s young owners? To make drinking tea cool again. At this zen-like oasis hidden on the second floor of a Chinatown shophouse, it’s all about appreciating the flavours of loose leaf Chinese teas. Silk Tea Bar offers a quiet escape where the subtleties of tea can be savoured. Standard blends, enjoyed over the course of three brews, are the best way to explore the flavours. The teahouse recommends setting aside at least one hour to enjoy the process in an unhurried manner. 

TRY The menu changes regularly, so it’s rare to see the same blends again. But if in doubt, order one of the Silk Signatures which is to be savoured through three progressive steeps – a way to try the tea’s complex flavours and ever-changing profile.

While the other teahouses focus on tea appreciation, Hvala is one that appeals to all. The original outlet is in Chijmes, a stylish teahouse which has transformed brewed Japanese tea into a true art. It has since opened additional stores in Somerset, Craig Road, and Beach Road – but one thing’s for sure: it’s a reliable spot where you can order up a frothy cup of freshly whisked matcha. 

TRY Its straight matcha (from $5.50), which is simply matcha that’s been whisked with water – no milk. This way, you can taste the pure notes of each matcha type: some are more robust, while others have a lingering mellow profile. 

At this zen-like teahouse, take a break from the bustle of Chinatown and relish a freshly brewed cup of Chinese tea – it seems fitting that the store’s name is simply Enjoy Tea. A tea appreciation session runs for roughly an hour and a half, but it’ll pass by in a flash with owner Michael Teo sharing his detailed knowhow on tea and tea culture. You’ll learn that even the pot itself can affect the taste, aroma, and smokiness of the tea. 

TRY One of the many premium yan cha (rock oolong) teas, which are heavily roasted for a bold aroma.