FRESHLY baked scones with jam and cream, savory sandwiches and mouth-watering cakes are the charms of an afternoon tea. In Shanghai’s ever frustrating spring, spending an afternoon with friends and family, sampling good teas and food can cheer the mood. We rate some of the best places for the complete afternoon tea experience.

PHÉNIX eatery & bar, The PuLi Hotel and Spa

Overlooking Jing’an Park, the one Michelin starred restaurant PHÉNIX eatery & bar at The PuLi Hotel and Spa features French modern cuisine with the freshest ingredients embodying simplicity and authenticity.

The restaurant embraces the rich history of French pastries, with nods to a British classic and a small homage to traditional Chinese tea. There is a selection of sweet and savory pastries and everything from champagne to classic tea and coffee — an afternoon tea selection, crafted by executive chef Michael Wilson.

In addition to classic scones with clotted cream and preserves, the afternoon tea set also features interesting creations such as liver parfait choux with cherry mustard, hazelnut macaroon and truffle quiche.

With more than 15 years of experience, Wilson started his tenure at The PuLi Hotel and Spa in 2012. Quickly gaining recognition for his skill and philosophy of “life is about the ingredients,” he believes the perfect dish is the combination of fresh, seasonal ingredients and innovative ideas.

Time: 2:30-5:30pm daily

Price: 300 yuan (US$44.8) a head, 520 yuan with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut, subject to 10 percent service charge and prevailing VAT.

Tel: 2216-6988

Address: 1 Changde Rd

The Lobby Lounge, Pudong Shangri-La, East Shanghai

The Lobby Lounge at the Pudong Shangri-La, Shanghai is redefining afternoon tea with an extensive selection of traditional delights presented in a classic golden cage, creating a one-of-a-kind ambience.

The delights are served on Narumi plates and in an actual cage complemented with premium blends of tea by Ronnefeldt, one of the world’s leading tea purveyors.

A three-tier spread of delicious finger sandwiches, delicate cakes as well as warm scones baked to perfection wait for the guests at the elegant Lobby Lounge. Highlights also include the crab and avocado sandwich, lobster and caviar sandwich as well as sweet treats like the Valrhona Grand Cru chocolate tart. Served with the guests’ choice of specialty tea or coffee, it makes for an indulgent afternoon tea experience not to be missed.

Located on level one of the River Wing, the Lobby Lounge is renowned for its gracious and impeccable service and comfortable environment to enjoy a leisurely afternoon, complemented by soft music.

Time: 2-6pm daily

Price: 328 yuan per guest, subject to 10 percent service charge and 6 percent VAT.

Tel: 6882-8888

Address: 33 Fucheng Rd

Cachet Lobby Lounge, The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi

The Langham afternoon tea has two new offerings in May and June: a flower afternoon tea and a seafood afternoon tea.

The flower afternoon tea features six savories, with ingredients such as “Iberico” boar ham 40-month reserve, ripe tomato and germinates, foie gras de canard with pistachio on a savory tart with an edible flower, Alaska king crab meat with fresh avocado and crisp tortilla over a savory tart.

The sweet tier comprises six pastries, including a rose-infused panna cotta, traditional homemade strawberry-filled profiterole, raspberry macaroon tart and citrus tart with rose infused meringue.

The seafood afternoon tea features six savories including La Royal fresh oyster, Japanese-style baby abalone, W3 No.1 Baerii caviar and sea urchin, two salmon tartar and lobster salad with mango cream cheese lobster tong.

The sweet side features pastries including summer mocha macarons, passion mango mousse dome and Langham pink éclair with white chocolate bean.

Scones are served with clotted cream, bitter orange and strawberry marmalades for all afternoon tea sets. A selection of coffee or tea is served. The seafood set also includes two glasses of champagne.

Live piano music adds to the experience.

Time: 2-5pm daily from May 1 to June 30

Price: the flower afternoon tea is 588 yuan for two, seafood afternoon tea is 888 yuan for two, subject to 16.6 percent service charge.

Tel: 2330-2420

Address: 99 Madang Rd

The Lounge, Shanghai Marriott Riverside

The Lounge of Shanghai Marriott Riverside serves a 12 Constellations afternoon tea with a symbolic constellation chocolate cake for each set.

The afternoon tea features ham-and-cheese sandwiches and a tomato mozzarella shrimp mango crispy basket, as well as sweet tart cake, swiss rolls and chocolate cheese balls.

To go with the desserts, Irish coffee, hot chocolate, iced fruit juice and 15 kinds of TWG tea are offered.

Time: 2-6 pm daily

Price: 88 yuan set a head, 158 yuan for two, subject to 15 percent service charge.

Tel: 5318-8888

Address: 99 Jiangbin Rd

Lobby Lounge, JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square

Ascending 60 stories over Shanghai in downtown Puxi, the international luxury JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai at Tomorrow Square brings a unique experience for the guests.

A stunning panoramic city view welcomes guests upon their arrival at the Lobby Lounge on the 38th floor, where the building twists at a 45-degree angle to bring a city view with a new dimension. The space is furnished in a comfortable modern style, making it the ideal place to enjoy classic cocktails, exquisite snacks, afternoon tea or simply watching the world go by.

It features six distinctive courses with new culinary offerings, from savory delicacies to delectable desserts as well as chocolate prepared by the chef and a variety of teas from around the world.

The hotel is close to People’s Square, the Shanghai Grand Theatre, the Shanghai Performing Arts Center, the former Shanghai Museum of Fine Arts and many more landmarks.

Time: 2:30-5:30pm daily

Price: 238 yuan a head or 358 yuan for two, subject to 15 percent service charge.

Tel: 5359-4969 ext. 6430

Address: 399 Nanjing Rd W.

Renaissance Shanghai Zhongshan Park Hotel

Zpark Coffee combines business and fun. All day long fresh bakery and desserts from the blackboard are offered according to the time of the day.

Enjoy life and a cozy afternoon with friends alongside the specially prepared themed high tea set.

The set includes a dozen savory and sweet canapes, including mini beef satay sandwich, sautéed river shrimp and baby pea served on butter crouton, pineapple white chocolate mousse and coconut pudding as well as scones served with strawberry jam and fresh cream.

Time: 2-5pm daily

Price: 188 yuan set for two

Tel: 6115-8810

Address: 1018 Changning Rd

The Lounge, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East

Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East joins hands with British royal tea brand Twinings for the first time to launch a one-of-a-kind 12 constellation series afternoon teas blending the constellation trend with traditional afternoon tea.

With 310 years of history, Twinings still retains a modern fascination today. The master blenders at Twinings have consistently introduced new blends, building a tradition loved by the world. Similarly, Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East provides polished and innovative hospitality to the guests-master blenders.

Inspired by of the 12 constellations and the tastes of Twinings, 12 drinks and pastries with exquisite appearance and superb flavor have been created.

Stephen Twining, the master blender and 10th generation of the Twinings family, visited Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East exclusively and brought a unique, limited “Platinum Blend” tea for this crossover, which will be sold exclusively at Shanghai Marriott Hotel Pudong East.

Signature drinks include Pisces, which selects four red fruit teas with milk foam on top, presenting a creamy and sweet taste with a subtle hint of rose and strawberry, and Aquarius, which adds blue curacao and lime juice on Twinings’ large-leaf new creative blend mango and ginger green tea.

Time: 2-6pm, daily

Price: 228 yuan for two, includes a set of pastries and two cups of tea, subject to 15 percent service charge.

Tel: 6036-8858

Address: 15 Xinjinqiao Rd