Singapore’s National Day season is always a good excuse to get together over food, and this August, Surrey Hills Grocer is giving afternoon tea a local twist. If sitting down for a leisurely treat while discovering familiar Singapore flavours sounds like a good way to spend an afternoon, their Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea at ION Orchard is worth taking a closer look at.

Available from 9 to 31 August 2026, this limited-time high tea experience brings together Singapore-inspired flavours and modern pastry creations in a setting that takes inspiration from the country’s well-known Garden City identity. Prices start from $68++ for two people, making it an interesting option for friends, couples or family members looking for something a little different during the National Day period.

Rather than simply serving a standard afternoon tea with the usual sandwiches, cakes and scones, Surrey Hills Grocer has taken inspiration from flavours that many Singaporeans already know and enjoy. Think Milo, kopi, pandan, gula melaka, char siu and calamansi, but presented in a more refined and creative way.

The result is a high tea that aims to make familiar flavours feel new again.

A Singapore-inspired afternoon tea with a difference

One of the most interesting things about the Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea is the way it combines local flavours with contemporary pastry techniques.

The experience is created by award-winning Chef Lamley Chua, who has taken inspiration from Singapore’s food culture and transformed everyday favourites into café-style bites and desserts. This gives diners the opportunity to recognise flavours from childhood or everyday life while enjoying them in a completely different presentation.

Milo and kopi, for example, are not just ordinary drinks here. They become part of the dessert experience. Pandan and gula melaka, two ingredients that regularly appear in Singaporean sweets, also receive a more polished afternoon tea treatment.

Then there are savoury flavours such as char siu, bringing another familiar local touch to the menu. Calamansi adds a bright citrus element, helping to balance some of the richer flavours.

This combination makes the high tea particularly appealing for anyone who enjoys trying modern interpretations of familiar food.

From Singapore favourites to garden-inspired creations

The Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets name is not just there for decoration. The presentation is designed around the idea of an edible botanical landscape, reflecting Singapore’s identity as a Garden City.

That makes the experience about more than simply eating a selection of pastries and savoury bites. The presentation is intended to create a visual connection between food, nature and the local surroundings.

For diners who enjoy taking their time over afternoon tea, this is part of the appeal. Instead of rushing through a meal, guests can sit down, look through the different creations and discover the flavours as they go.

It is also the kind of dining experience that can make an ordinary weekday afternoon feel like a small occasion.

Starting at $68++ for two

The high tea is priced at $68++ for two people, while the option for three is available at $102++.

For anyone planning a catch-up with a friend, the two-person set can be a practical choice. It gives two diners an opportunity to share the experience without having to commit to a much larger meal.

The three-person option may work better for a small group of friends or family members who want to enjoy afternoon tea together.

Of course, the final bill will be higher once prevailing service charge and GST are taken into account, so diners should keep the additional charges in mind when planning their budget.

Even so, for a themed afternoon tea experience at a shopping destination such as ION Orchard, the starting price gives diners another option beyond a conventional lunch or café visit.

Why go for this high tea?

There are plenty of cafés and restaurants around Singapore, so what makes this particular promotion worth considering?

The biggest reason is the local flavour concept.

Many afternoon tea menus tend to follow a familiar formula, with Western-inspired pastries and savouries taking centre stage. Surrey Hills Grocer’s National Day-season offering goes in another direction by taking recognisable Singapore flavours and giving them a contemporary makeover.

That makes it particularly suitable for diners who want something that feels connected to Singapore rather than simply another generic high tea.

It could also be a fun choice for visitors who want to experience local flavours in a more relaxed and modern setting. Instead of searching through several places for different Singaporean treats, they can encounter several familiar ingredients within one afternoon tea experience.

For locals, meanwhile, the attraction may be the nostalgia factor. Milo, kopi, pandan, gula melaka, char siu and calamansi are ingredients and flavours that are easy to recognise. Seeing them transformed into sophisticated bites can make the experience feel both familiar and unexpected.

A good excuse for a weekday catch-up

Another detail worth noting is the timing.

The Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea is available on weekdays from 2pm to 5pm. This makes it less suitable for a weekend outing, but potentially very convenient for people who happen to be shopping, working nearby or planning a weekday meet-up.

If there is a day off coming up during the promotion period, this could be a good opportunity to plan an afternoon around ION Orchard. Guests can enjoy high tea first and then continue exploring the shopping centre afterwards.

For friends who have not had a proper catch-up for a while, an afternoon tea can also be more relaxed than arranging a quick coffee between errands. There is time to sit down, talk and enjoy the different dishes without feeling like the meal has to be rushed.

Conveniently located at ION Orchard

The promotion takes place exclusively at Surrey Hills Grocer – ION Orchard, located at 2 Orchard Turn, #05-02, ION Orchard, Singapore 237973.

Its Orchard Road location makes it convenient for those already planning a shopping trip in the area. Instead of travelling to a separate destination just for the high tea, guests can combine the visit with shopping, browsing or meeting friends around Orchard.

The location also makes it an option for a small celebration. A birthday, catch-up, post-shopping treat or simply an excuse to try something new can all be reasons to consider booking a table.

Make the most of the National Day season

National Day season is often associated with Singapore-themed food, limited-time menus and special events, but not every promotion has to involve a large celebration.

Sometimes, enjoying the season can be as simple as sitting down with friends or family and trying something that celebrates local flavours in a different way.

That is where the Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea stands out. It takes ingredients that are part of Singapore’s everyday food culture and presents them as part of an afternoon tea experience.

At $68++ for two, it can also be a reasonable option for anyone looking for a more memorable alternative to an ordinary café visit. The three-person set at $102++ gives small groups another way to enjoy the promotion together.

The limited-time nature of the offer is another reason not to leave it until the last minute. The promotion runs only from 9 to 31 August 2026, with weekday sessions from 2pm to 5pm.

For anyone who enjoys discovering creative food, appreciating attractive presentation or simply wants an excuse to slow down over afternoon tea, this is a promotion worth checking out while it is available.

So, if a relaxed afternoon at Orchard sounds appealing, Surrey Hills Grocer’s Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea could be a tasty way to celebrate the National Day season. With Singapore-inspired flavours, a garden-inspired presentation and prices starting at $68++ for two, it offers something a little more distinctive than the usual afternoon tea outing.

The main thing is to plan ahead, check the available arrangements with the venue and make sure the visit falls within the weekday promotion hours. After all, limited-time food experiences tend to be most enjoyable when there is enough time to sit back, savour every bite and enjoy the company.

Promotional/Event Details

Date: 9-31 August 2026
Time: 2pm to 5pm, weekdays
Venue: Surrey Hills Grocer – ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #05-02 ION Orchard, Singapore 237973

Promotion: Garden Bites & Orchard Sweets High Tea
Price: $68++ for two; $102++ for three
Availability: Exclusively at Surrey Hills Grocer ION Orchard