Is EDSA Shangri-La’s Afternoon Tea Worth It? My Honest Luxury Review

Are you looking for a detailed review on EDSA Shangri-La’s afternoon tea set?

You’re in the right place!

Golden scones, delicate pastries and freshly brewed tea. At EDSA Shangri-La, afternoon tea is more than a meal. It is a quiet pause in the middle of the city, wrapped in five-star comfort.

For my belated birthday, I treated my family to their Mooncake Afternoon Tea, a seasonal take on the classic three-tier spread. I wanted something intimate yet special, and this felt like the perfect way to celebrate.

In this personal review, I will share my honest experience of our visit.

From the ambience and service to the flavors of each tier, I will walk you through whether this indulgence is truly worth adding to your Manila must-do list.

In this Personal Review

The Lobby Lounge at EDSA Shangri-La

The moment we stepped into EDSA Shangri-La’s lobby lounge, I felt the shift from the chaos of EDSA traffic outside to an atmosphere of calm sophistication.

It made me think, “Oh yes, this is exactly the warm and inviting vibe I want~”

The high ceilings, elegant interiors and soft music made it easy to relax and settle into the experience.

I had requested a window seat when I booked over the phone.

Although the staff mentioned they would text me a confirmation and never did, I appreciated that they still honored our reservation when we arrived. The window table gave us a warm glow of natural light, making the afternoon feel even more inviting.

What I loved most was how the space balanced formality with comfort. It felt luxurious but never intimidating, making it the kind of place where you can dress up for a celebration or simply enjoy an unhurried afternoon with family.

💜 Speaking of luxury stays, our Hilton Clark review shows another side of refined hospitality. This is perfect if you’re exploring weekend getaways in Pampanga.

I even noted that it would be great to spend an afternoon at EDSA Shangri-La’s Lobby Lounge and just work and chill 🙂

EDSA Shangri-La Afternoon Tea – Mooncake Afternoon Tea Menu

MOONLIT BITES AND SIPS Mooncake Afternoon Tea served with a pot of tea or two cups of coffee

Php2,100 net good for two persons

Available until August 31, 2025 from 2pm to 6pm

SAVOURY

Cheese Crater Bites

Moon-shaped flavoured savoury cheese bites

Crescent Toast

Mini panini toast milk bread with butter and white lotus paste

Moon Bao

Chinese pork belly sandwich in half-moon cuapao brushed with charcoal-hoisin sauce

Egg and Truffle

Marbled deviled tea and charcoal eggs, with truffle and egg salad filling

Penumbra Slider

Mini black sesame slider filled with char siu glazed tofu and alfalfa

SWEET

• Red Bean Mooncake

• Mandarin and delicate dark chocolate crunch

• Mango Mousse with Lemongrass and Orange Jelly

• Salted Egg Yolk Custard Cream Puff

• White Chocolate and Black Sesame Macaron

• Oolong Praline

• Freshly baked plain and pomelo confit scones served with rose petal and raspberry jam and clotted cream.

Dining Experience at EDSA Shangri-La’s Afternoon Tea Set

The Mooncake Afternoon Tea set felt like a seasonal journey, with each tier revealing something playful and indulgent.

It traditionally begins with savories, but my family and I could not resist starting with the scones. They came out warm, buttery, and soft, with a comforting aroma that filled the table.

Paired with clotted cream, rose petal and raspberry jam, and even honey that I drizzled generously, they were marvelous.

I think this was the moment that set the tone for the entire afternoon: indulgent yet homey, refined but familiar. Nom nom nom indeed.

For our teas, we chose chamomile and peppermint. Both felt like the right choice: calming, aromatic, and soothing on the stomach, especially with such a varied spread, and my loved ones wanted something calming 🙂

Among the savories, the Cheese Crater Bites were creamy and rich, shaped like little moons that melted with a delicate saltiness. The Crescent Toast surprised me most, with soft, buttery milk bread and a touch of white lotus paste that added a sweet twist.

The Moon Bao turned out to be a family favorite, with its tender pork belly and smoky charcoal-hoisin glaze tucked in a pillowy cuapao.

My loved ones raved about it, and I have to admit, it was hard not to reach for seconds.

The Egg and Truffle was my personal standout. The marbled deviled tea eggs with truffle-infused salad were so elegant and delicious. Bitin lang. I wish they served more of it since I absolutely love truffle.

The Penumbra Slider, with its black sesame bun, char siu glazed tofu, and alfalfa, added an earthy, lighter contrast that balanced out the richness of the other bites.

The sweets were a delightful mix of tradition and creativity.

The Red Bean Mooncake anchored the tier, and it was so good that my mom immediately told me to bring her authentic mooncakes from Hong Kong as pasalubong.

The Mandarin and Delicate Dark Chocolate Crunch brought a citrusy zing to smooth chocolate, though I secretly wished there were more pieces because it was that good.

The Mango Mousse with lemongrass and orange jelly was bright and tropical, like a burst of sunshine on the plate. And wow, the White Chocolate and Black Sesame Macaron won my heart. I love black sesame, and this macaron captured its nutty, aromatic depth perfectly!

How was the Service at The Lobby Lounge?

The service at EDSA Shangri-La made the entire experience feel seamless.

From the moment they said they reserved a window seat for us, I was impressed.

I appreciated how quick they were in refilling our teapots, ensuring that our cups were never empty and that we could linger over conversation without interruption.

A thoughtful touch that stood out was the fizzy strawberry welcome drink, served chilled and refreshing before the tea service officially began.

It felt like a small celebration in itself, a bright and playful contrast to the classic teas that followed. And since the afternoon tea comes with two full pots of tea, this welcome drink felt like a generous addition rather than a formality.

Was EDSA Shangri-La’s Afternoon Tea Set Worth It?

For my belated birthday celebration, I wanted something that felt special but also shared with the people I love most.

EDSA Shangri-La Mooncake Afternoon Tea gave us exactly that.

The food itself was well-executed, with the scones and mooncakes leaving the strongest impression, but it was the details that elevated the experience: the welcome drink that surprised us, the steady refills of hot tea and the sense that our afternoon unfolded without rush.

At ₱2,100 for the afternoon tea set, it is actually one of the more affordable luxury tea experiences in Manila. Many comparable hotels now price their afternoon teas at ₱3,000 and above.

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In that light, EDSA Shangri-La offers genuine value without compromising on quality. As a thoughtful indulgence and a way to create lasting memories with family, it felt exactly right.

EDSA Shangri-La’s Afternoon Tea Details

EDSA Shangri-La’s Afternoon Tea is served daily at the Lobby Lounge from 2 PM to 6 PM. The Mooncake Afternoon Tea Set is priced at ₱2,100 nett for two persons, inclusive of taxes and service charge.

Reservations are highly recommended, especially if you’d like a window seat. In our case, they honored our phone booking even without a text confirmation, which I deeply appreciated.

If you are looking for a refined yet accessible afternoon tea experience in Manila, EDSA Shangri-La remains a wise choice. It offers a blend of tradition, attentive service, and a touch of seasonal flair, making it perfect for birthdays, milestones, or simply a well-deserved afternoon treat.

💜 Planning a trip soon? You might also enjoy my guide to the best hotels in Osaka for family trips. It’s a must-read if Japan is on your travel list.

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