A Taste of Asia at the Gateway to Asia Afternoon Tea at Shangri-La Toronto
WRitten by Anna AU-Yeung, Edited by Fête CHinoise Editorial Team
Images Courtesy of Anna Au-Yeung, Shangri-La Toronto
Shangri-La Toronto has unveiled a new afternoon tea experience in collaboration with Cathay Pacific, celebrating the Year of the Horse and the airline’s 80th anniversary connecting Toronto to Hong Kong and beyond. The Gateway to Asia Afternoon Tea is available from February 12 to March 29, 2026, Thursdays to Sundays, with a special Lunar New Year program on Tuesday, February 17, featuring a traditional lion dance and blessings.
On our visit, the afternoon tea felt both festive and intimate. From the presentation to the carefully chosen flavours, each details told a story of Asia and of travel, a nod to both Shangri-La’s culinary heritage and Cathay Pacific’s long-standing legacy.
The savoury items arrive in two-layered dim sum steamers. Our favourites were the mushroom dumpling, filled with king oyster mushrooms, shiitake, chestnuts, and peas, and the Shanghai-style BBQ pork bun, with its crisp sugar-coated finish elevating the rich Iberico pork. Vegetable spring rolls and king prawn har gow, inspired by Bangkok and Hong Kong respectively, completed the savoury selection.
Shangri-La’s signature scones are given a Lunar New Year twist. The classic scone comes with Devonshire cream, five-spice, and pineapple confit, while the pork floss and salted egg scone adds a savoury note that fits the season.
The sweet treats are presented on the traditional afternoon tea tower, and each bite reflects a different part of Asia. The Mandarin Orange is a bright, citrusy highlight, while the Black Sesame cake layers yuzu curd and black sesame praline. Other favourites include the Lychee Raspberry Bar, the Mango Tart, and the Asian Pair pastry marked with “fook,” a playful nod to Lunar New Year symbolism.
Alongside a wide range of teas, including the Shangri-La blend and Osmanthus tea, guests can enjoy a glass of prosecco or the Cathay Delight mocktail, a refreshing kiwi and mint concoction also served in business class around the world. It’s a little taste of travel right at the table.
Adding to the excitement, every afternoon tea purchase lets guests enter a contest to win an ultimate Asian escape: two round-trip Cathay Pacific business class tickets to Hong Kong, a two-night stay at Island Shangri-La, and three days of all-inclusive passes for two in Hong Kong.
As we savoured each bite, it was easy to imagine all the destinations and stories Cathay Pacific has connected over 80 years, all while enjoying a moment of indulgence in Toronto.
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