If you love the elegance of afternoon tea but could do without the sugar rush, Hutong has the answer. Located inside the one and only The Shard, it reinvents the tradition with Tea Time Whispers – a refined dim sum afternoon tea inspired by the timeless rituals of Chinese tea houses.
Think an array of handcrafted dim sum dishes made using the best ingredients, paired with pinch-me views of London. The experience is inspired by Southern China’s local tea houses dating back to the 19th and early 20th centuries, lively social hubs where tea and dim sum were enjoyed. Elderly men would often bring along their cherished birdcages, hanging them from the ceiling or trees while grazing on dim sum and tea.
The experience starts the moment you sit down at your table. A table with a view goes without saying on the 33rd floor of The Shard. We timed our visit perfectly, catching the most striking sunset imaginable, with Winter Wonderland glistening in the background.
Get your iPhones at the ready – the spectacular golden birdcage tea stand is a showstopper, perfectly in keeping with the oriental theme. This experience is as much about storytelling and Chinese history as it is about the food. When the freshly made stand arrives, the top tier reveals an array of beautifully presented dim sum, crafted with quality ingredients in a rich winter colour palette.
Standouts included the Crystal Har Gau shrimp dumpling and the pumpkin-shaped, Perilla roast duck dumpling, perfectly bringing together all those autumnal flavours. The shiitake mushroom and chicken shumai was a true highlight…seconds were had. Next-level crispiness came from the Wagyu beef mille-feuille, with its melt-in-your-mouth texture, alongside the deep-fried taro puff, smoked salmon spring roll, and Yu Xiang crispy pork dumpling.
The bottom layer is dedicated to delicate desserts with personality. The bunny-shaped coconut yoghurt pudding is as charming as it is delicious, while the grapefruit and mango mochi works perfectly as a palate cleanser. The jasmine and coffee striped pudding pairs floral and roasted notes beautifully, while the lava pistachio and chocolate mochi delivers that molten decadence.
You can choose from a classic afternoon tea or go all out with a glass of Veuve. There are also two cocktails created especially to complement the tea: a non-alcoholic, tea-themed Celestial Pearl cocktail, and the boozy Golden Mirage, a smooth, creamy mix of Grey Goose, vanilla, coconut, pineapple, with an Asian twist of yuzu and passionfruit. Served in the most delicate glassware, the attention to detail is all here and more.
The tea offering is just as impressive. Whispers of Sichuan Rose black tea, with pepper, rose petals and star anise, is warming and perfect for winter indulgence. Alternatively, the Imperial Tea Garden offers a curated selection of premium Chinese teas, including Tie Guan Yin, Jasmine Pearl Green, and White Peony.
Even the bill makes a statement, presented as a Chinese memo inside a traditional oriental bird-print jewellery-style box. Best of all, you don’t leave with that sluggish feeling afterwards. Given how quickly Saturdays sell out for bottomless brunch at Hutong, this fresh take on afternoon tea is sure to be just as popular.
Available Sunday – Friday between 11:30am and 4pm
The Shard, level 33, 31 St Thomas St, London SE1 9RY
