Fennel Cafe is a garden-themed cafe at Flower Dome within Gardens By The Bay which offers panoramic views of Marina Bay and Singapore Flyer. It is easily one of the prettiest places to have afternoon tea in Singapore.

The Afternoon Tea Set is priced at S$45++/pax (deposit is required for reservations).

Here’s what you can expect from Fennel Cafe’s Afternoon Tea Menu.

Savoury

• Egg salad sandwich with tomato chutney
• Chicken liver parfait cherry
• Salmon rillettes and cucumber sandwich
• Gruyere cheese gougeres
• Buttered leek and cheddar quiche

Sweet

• Mandarin choux
• Peanut butter and jelly macaron
• Salted caramel and pine nut tart
• Mango cream doughnut
• Whole wheat shortbread with chocolate and marshmallow

Devonshire

• Homemade scones with clotted cream & berry jam

Coffee/Tea Selection

• English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green Tea, Chamomile, Peppermint, Rooibos Vanilla
• Espresso, Macchiato, Long Black, Cappuccino, Latte, Flat White, Mocha

At S$45++/pax, we were perhaps expecting more from the afternoon tea set, but it wasn’t the most impressive spread. The sandwiches, scones and doughnuts were great, but everything else wasn’t that memorable.

It is also worth mentioning that Fennel Cafe offers free-flow coffee/tea for the Afternoon Tea set (one beverage per person to be served at a time).

Having said that, we would still return to Fennel Cafe for the afternoon tea for the ambience and the complimentary access to the Flower Dome. It’s a lovely place to enjoy a leisure afternoon tea and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Do take note of the following if you are planning to go to Fennel Cafe for the afternoon tea.

There is a free buggy service from Gardens by the Bay’s arrival plaza to the Flower Dome and the service runs every five minutes from 11.30 am onwards.

You can also get complimentary access to the Flower Dome without paying the entrance fee which saves you S$12/adult. Make sure to take a stroll in the Flower Dome after having your afternoon tea at Fennel Cafe.

Fennel Cafe
S$45++/pax
3pm – 5pm (last seating at 4pm)

A charming, beautiful dining spot that’s a surefire way to impress a date, POLLEN Terrace astounds with its lush botanical surroundings, stellar service and delicious French-Mediterranean food that presents itself in the most vibrant of colours.

POLLEN Terrace takes up a large space in the Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay and you can get there by hopping onto a personalised buggy ride at the arrival plaza—how fun is that?!

All POLLEN’s guests are also given complimentary access to the flower dome so you really do get so much more out of your meal there!

While the main draw of POLLEN is the restaurant at level one that offers multi-course dining, the terrace bar on level two is equally worth visiting too. Unlike many open bars in Singapore where you will have to bear with the midday heat, the temperatures at POLLEN will always remain at a cool 20 degrees Celsius.

It is always a great time to have a tipple at POLLEN; the curated beverage menu comprises their signature cocktails, wines and beers from both international and local brands.

Have a starter to whet your appetite. POLLEN’s couscous, duck ham, date and pomegranate salad (S$19++) is a visual feast that is refreshing and palatable on the taste buds as well.

One of our favourites on the menu, the Saffron risotto with beef cheek (S$34++) came with a chunk of juicy beef cheek placed on a bed of creamy saffron risotto that reminds us of the Spanish paella. We would, however, recommend this only for the light eaters or for sharing with other mains as the serving size is not substantial.

POLLEN’s 1,000 Guineas Shorthorn Beef (Striploin – S$38++, Ribeye – S$48++) is a treat for the senses.

From the perfectly seared edges to the medium pinkish interior, this one is for all the meat lovers. Accompanied on the side is a serving of fluffy, buttery mashed potato and a grilled portobello mushroom.

Pollen Terrace
18 Marina Gardens Drive
#02-09 Flower Dome, Gardens by the Bay
Singapore 018953
Tel: +65 6604 9988
Daily: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Bayfront

Cherry Blossoms in Singapore is no longer just a fantasy. From now until 27 March 2016 from 9am to 9pm daily, the Flower Dome at Gardens by The Bay will showcase these pretty sakura or Japanese cherry blossoms, with more than 20 varieties on display.

As of Monday 14 March 2016, most of these cherry blossoms are already in full bloom and if you are planning a visit down, it is a great time now.

This has been dubbed as an ‘experimental floral display’ and the main aim is to showcase flowers that are not usually seen or found in Singapore. The display is aptly named ‘Blossom Beats’ and is styled as a traditional Japanese garden with different coloured cherry blossoms – from pure white to different shades of pink.

We made our way down to Gardens By The Bay to experience the magic of these ethereal Japanese sakuras and enjoy them in full bloom.

The main central area of the Flower Dome is designed like a Japanese garden with kimonos and other Japanese decor and elements all around. You would have to queue to get into the main area to look at the cherry blossoms up close.

The place was generally pretty packed even on a weekday afternoon, so be prepared for even longer queues on weekends and peak hours.

While not all of the cherry blossoms are in full bloom right now, most already are and they are mainly the Prunus Yedoenis Yoshino which stands out with its stark striking white flowers. The paler pink flowers are of the Prunus Accolade variety.

We were most enchanted by the deeper pink and red flowers and they were so stunning up close.

The great thing about the Flower Dome is that it is air-conditioned, so you can enjoy hanami in comfort.

The display ends on 27 March 2016.

Time: 9am to 9pm daily
Admission Fees
- S$12 per entry for adults to Flower Dome only for Singapore Citizens only
(Children 3 to 12 years old, and Senior Citizens above 60 years old – S$8 per entry)

- S$28 (adult) for all conservatories for tourists, visitors and everybody else
(Children and Senior Citizens – S$15 per entry)

Flower Dome at Gardens By The Bay
18 Marina Gardens Dr
Singapore 018953
Nearest Station: Bayfront

Read: Cherry Blossoms in Japan 2016 Forecast and Where To See Them.

Singapore has always been known as a ‘Garden City’, and with the opening of Gardens by The Bay, it further strengthens and positions Singapore as a city in a garden. Some people have compared it to London’s Hyde Park and New York’s Central Park, and while the comparison is flattering, Gardens by The Bay is very much different and has its own character and X-factor.

Spanning 101 hectares, Gardens by The Bay is made up of three waterfront gardens – Bay South Garden, Bay East Garden and Bay Central Garden – and it houses over 250,000 rare plants. Alongside other main attractions like the Singapore Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and the skyscrapers at the Marina Bay area, Gardens by The Bay has become an iconic part of the beautiful Singapore’s skyline. In years to come, I am sure it will become one of Singapore’s prominent national icons.

Gardens by The Bay also has a conservatory complex which comprises two cooled conservatories: the Flower Dome – the worlds largest columnless glasshouse – and the Cloud Forest. Entry admission to the two domes for local residents is S$20 per person, while the standard rate for all other visitors is S$28 per person. Besides the two domes, you can also take a walk on the OCBC Skywalk (S$5 admission fee), a 128-metre long walkway at the Supertree Grove with a height of 22-metres.

Another reason to visit Gardens by the Bay is to dine at the restaurants and eateries in the park. From fine dining restaurant such as Pollen by Jason Atherton – owner of Pollen Street Social in London – to popular local chains Canele Patisserie and Bakerzin, to casual eateries at Supertree Dining like Casa Verde, Peach Garden Noodle House, as well as the new open-air food court Satay by the Bay – it is a good excuse to visit Gardens by the Bay to have a meal, and take a long stroll after dinner.

Gardens by The Bay Singapore
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Nearest Station: Bayfront

Visiting Keukenhof – the famous tulip garden in Amsterdam – was one of those experiences that I will never forget. The best thing is now you can also witness the beautiful tulips in Singapore without flying to the Netherlands.

To celebrate 80 years in Singapore, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has partnered Gardens by The Bay to organise Tulipmania, the largest tulip-themed floral show ever to be held in Singapore. Drop by the Flower Dome from 29 April – 20 May 2013 to get a feel of the Netherlands.

Gardens by the Bay
18 Marina Gardens Drive
Tel: +65 6420 6848