A Whimsical Afternoon Tea with a View

Set against sweeping views of the Southern Islands, Once Upon a Tea Time with White Rabbit at Lobby Lounge, The Westin Singapore is visually charming from the moment it arrives at the table. Between the playful presentation, nostalgic references, and the ever-changing maritime view outside the windows, the experience leans heavily into delight and discovery — especially for those who enjoy themed afternoon teas.

The views were genuinely enjoyable: spotting Sentosa, Lazarus Island, the Southern Sisters and even a faint outline of Batam in the distance added a calm, unhurried rhythm to the afternoon. Watching ships glide past while tea is poured is a pleasure in itself, and the inclusion of a lucky draw added a lighthearted, festive touch.

Standout Savouries — With a Caveat

The most memorable savoury item for us was the Spiny Lobster, which was tender, delicately flavoured and clearly prepared with care. We were advised to eat this first as it was sous vide, and that advice proved accurate — by the final few bites, the lobster had started to firm up as it cooled. While it stood out in quality, it was also the least connected to the White Rabbit theme, feeling more like a premium standalone dish than part of a cohesive narrative.

Another savoury highlight was the Fried Fritter with Crab Roe Paste. This was one of the more inventive combinations on the menu, successfully balancing sweet and savoury elements. The richness of the crab roe contrasted nicely with the milky pudding, making it one of the more thoughtful and conceptually interesting bites.

On the other hand, the Tempura Nobashi Ebi was disappointing. The accompanying White Rabbit Milk mayonnaise was applied so sparingly that neither the White Rabbit Milk nor the Kewpie Mayo was discernible, and the texture of the prawn suggested it may have been treated in sodium bicarbonate, which I didn’t enjoy. For a dish that relies on fresh flavours and crisp contrast, this fell short.

Another disappointment was the Ocean Jewel Funnel, which was underwhelming, lacking both flavour and a clear connection to the rest of the menu.

Cute, Nostalgic and Sometimes Overpowered

Visually, the tea set is undeniably charming. From rabbit-shaped scones to the jiggly Bunny Pudding, everything is designed to elicit smiles and photos. These playful elements successfully capture the spirit of White Rabbit candy, even if the flavour itself doesn’t always come through clearly.

The Candy Financier was an interesting east-meets-west creation, featuring a red bean filling and a piece of red bean-flavoured White Rabbit candy embedded within. Conceptually, it worked well and felt aligned with the theme.

The Nougat Kataifi was another highlight — crisp, indulgent and satisfying, with White Rabbit candy pieces incorporated in a way that felt intentional rather than decorative.

However, not all sweets landed as expected. The Baked Vanilla Egg Tart topped with bird’s nest felt indulgent in concept, but the pastry had lost its flakiness, suggesting it may have been left out too long before serving.

When Balance Gets Lost

Some items suffered from imbalance rather than poor execution. The Custard Two Ways was intriguing, but confusing in practice. The fried matcha custard was bold and dominant and tasted as if it was wrapped with seaweed, while the plain custard tasted rather bland, leaving us unsure whether they were meant to be eaten together or separately.

Likewise, the White Rabbit Milk in the cream served with the Bunny Scone didn’t distinctly taste of White Rabbit while the matcha in the white rabbit matcha candy cream overpowered the milky sweetness, diluting the nostalgic impact the theme promised.

The set includes one cup of White Rabbit Milk Tea, which tastes almost zesty and was certainly very refreshing. It comes with bits of chin chow and that’s where opinions may differ. My husband felt that it didn’t add anything to the drink – whether it be in terms of flavour or texture, and would’ve preferred it without. I thought that it was a nice local touch while not using the obvious choice of tapioca pearls. My only grouse was that they could’ve given us straws with larger openings so that it wouldn’t be such a chore to suck up the grass jelly.

I do get that the chefs were trying to mimic the various flavours that the White Rabbit Candies come in but whenever we do taste a hint of the White Rabbit candy, it usually isn’t distinct enough and felt like it was used more as a sweetener rather than the highlight of the dish.

Final Thoughts

Once Upon a Tea Time with White Rabbit is an afternoon tea that prioritises charm, creativity and atmosphere. There are genuinely thoughtful moments and a few standout bites, particularly when the menu leans into playful contrasts and indulgent textures. It is always a plus when you get to bring back a souvenir (we got a box of assorted White Rabbit Candy and a tin cup)! If you’re drawn to themed afternoon teas, enjoy cute presentations and appreciate a scenic setting, this is still a pleasant way to spend an afternoon — especially for first-timers or White Rabbit fans.

Venue Details – Lobby Lounge, The Westin Singapore

Address: 12 Marina View, Asia Square Tower 2, Level 32, Singapore 018961
Opening Period: From 12 January 2026
Price: From S$78++ per adult
Seating Times:
Monday to Friday: 12pm–2pm, 2:30pm–5pm
Saturday and Sunday: 1:30pm–3:30pm, 4pm–6pm
Reservations: https://lobbyloungesingapore.com
Website: https://www.westinsingapore.com

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Images: The Westin Singapore