If you´re a huge fan of fancy Afternoon Teas like me, then you´ve landed in a right place. This is the first one of the 3 best Afternoon Teas in Chiang Mai. In this post I´m inviting you with me to the epic High Tea of a luxury 137 Pillars House in the middle of Chiang Mai.

We´re arriving in the afternoon heat of a sunny January day. 137 Pillars House is located on a quiet alley not far from the majestic Ping river that runs through Chiang Mai. We park our motorbike and feel like we´ve landed in a tranquil oasis. Everything is white, with some red lanterns swinging in the subtle wind (it´s almost Chinese New Years). I spot a white retro bike rikshaw and cannot help the urge to climb in for some memorable photos.

We step into the tropical gardens and it looks like a paradise. Everything is so zen, the birds singing, the bees buzzing, I love it. I especially love places that have a story to tell and 137 Pillars House is definitely one of them:

The magnificent teak wood house was built in late 1800’s as the headquarters of the Borneo Company Ltd.
In Chiang Mai, the importance of a property owner was often measured by the size of their Lanna-style houses, and how many pillars the house had. When searching for a name for the gorgeous house the present owners decided to count the number of pillars – 137. An old map also referred to the house as “Baan 137 Sao” – 137 Pillars House. Thus the house came to be known as 137 Pillars House.

137 Pillars House Chiang Mai

We take a stroll in the lush gardens and admire the inviting pool before going up the stairs to a teak house where we´ll have our Tea. The waiter greets us and gives us a choice to sit inside at the legendary Jack Bain´s bar (named after one of the last inhabitants of the ancient house long before the hotel arrived) or outside on a covered teak tree terrace. It´s super hot, but we´re surrounded by fans, so we choose to sit outside on the oriental sofas and admire the views over the garden!

We try the Signature White tea and also the Pai Mu Tan & Melon tea, which is my favorite.
On the beautiful Tea tray we find:
Tier 1
Logan and Cranberry Scones
Red Velvet Cookies
Passion Fruit Macaroons
Tier 2
Apple Crumble Cake
Chocolate Cookies
Mango and Coconut Panna Cotta
Whipped Cream Eclair Topped with White Chocolate
Tier 3
Smoked Salmon and Wasabi Cream Cheese Rolls
Egg Salad in Brioche Sandwiches
Mini Chicken Curry Cone Puff
Ham Quiche
Mushroom Quiche
Accompanied by
Organic Blueberry Compote
And Whipped Mascarpone Cheese

My favorites were the mango panna cotta and smoked salmon rolls. Plus I always love a freshly baked warm scone with cream and compote! Who wouldn´t?

If you want to experience this memorable Afternoon Tea, then be sure to book in advance. It´s available every day at 13-17 for the price of 700 THB (19 eur) per person or 1200 THB (33 eur) for 2. If you´d like to make it even more fancy, then with a glass of sparkling wine it´s 990/1850 THB (27/50 eur) and for a special occasion you can choose the Tea with a bottle of Champagne for 4999 THB (136 eur) per 2 persons.

Do you like Afternoon Teas? Where has been your most memorable one? Comment below and inspire me!