Malaya Tea Room

Make your reservations TODAY! I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE Malaya Tea Room! I have been countless times and have recommended it to so many different people and everyone has LOVED it and raved about it once they go or once I’ve taken them! The whole experience is amazing, delicious variety of teas to choose from: black teas, green teas, Asian teas, no caffeine herbal teas. There is also a large variety of traditional European sandwiches to choose from as well as delicious Malaysian/asian flavored sandwiches! During December they have a special fixed holiday menu that’s also different than usual. They also change the desserts selections frequently so it’s always a different experience every time you go. The service is always impeccable and kind. Atmosphere and decor is beautiful and comfortable, like a favorite auntie’s warm and inviting home who loves to feed you! Visit this place to treat yourself (I’ve gone solo and they have tea for one!), or book for a special event or your besties birthday. They have 3 seatings a day on their open days which are Thursday - Sunday. The times are 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. They very often get booked out and full, so plan ahead and make your reservations!

Low key location. Menu items on par with Nieman Marcus' tea service. Distinct Malaysian flavors in both beverage and food offerings. Good but not excellent service.

**credentials: Teahead with a good amount of tea experience in the US, BC, and UK; recently relocated to the Bay and on the hunt for the best tea service locally.** Kicking off the series here with Malaya, a tribute to British Malayan culture; an unconventional but intriguing pick. Ambiance: Tea for two on a rainy Saturday afternoon. 1:15 p.m. time slot; full house, too packed for an audible conversation. I’d recommend booking the proper 3 p.m. slot. Our table was directly in front of the open entrance, so expect some wind and chills. Tea: Refillable water, non-refillable tea. The Apple Cider lacked apple flavor. The Genmaicha with Coconut was pleasant but weak; I had to ask for a double bag. Eats: The Southeast Asian–style sardine sandwich was well-seasoned and balanced with cucumbers, absolutely phenomenal! The Chicken Apple came on brown bread with generous apple chunks. The Turkey and Smoked Salmon sandwiches were mediocre. The scone was on the dry side, but the clotted cream was proper. Unsure if the jam was homemade or commercial. Fruits were fresh and sweet. The pandan cake was a nice twist, subtle enough for those unfamiliar with the flavor. Service: The servers were very polite and kind, with some training in tea knowledge. They kept interactions minimal to avoid disruption. Ring the bell for service. Amenities: The room was clean and well kept, with a spacious restroom in the back. Non-formal china. Low coffee table. Chairs and tiered stands can be wobbly. Accessibility: The entrance is ADA-compliant, though the packed seating can pose challenges for wheelchair access. I’d recommend noting your needs during booking to ensure the best seating. Overall: A cozy neighborhood spot for those seeking a casual outing. A lot of thought and emphasis have been put into showcasing the owner’s Southeast Asian heritage, and I’d highly recommend exploring that when ordering.

We've been to quite a few afternoon tea restaurants/ cafe, and was expecting a lot from a malay fusion tea experience, but it was unfortunately not good. Service was great, but the overall vibe and the treats were just ok. The scones were good and the only thing we enjoyed but the rest of the items tasted meh. Also, I expected a lot more sandwiches and quality food for a 125$ check. Glad I tried this place, but wouldn't recommend it.

Very cute Malaysian tea room. Food was ok but not really high tea quality. You'll fill up on white bread and hot water. Unfortunately the tiered platter was too big and prevented my friend and I from being able to see each other very well. We had to peek through the gap in the plates. Apart from that, it was a pleasant experience overall.