Afternoon tea takes on an entirely new dimension at The RuMa Hotel and Residences – one that feels as much about coming home as it is about indulgence.
Here, tradition isn’t simply remembered but celebrated, and craftsmanship is treated with reverence.
From the moment you step into the lobby, a sense of calm settles over you.
The air is laced with the subtle fragrance of Black Mink candles, their warm scent curling softly through the air, earthy, elegant, and comforting. It’s an aroma that lingers like memory, wrapping guests in an instant sense of belonging.
True to its name – rumah, meaning “house” in Malay – The RuMa embodies the intimacy of home with the polish of modern luxury. Every detail, from the lighting to the soft timber tones, whispers the same message: this is a place where luxury and sincerity meet.
And at the heart of it all is The Librari, a space that embodies The RuMa’s philosophy of understated elegance and mindful hospitality.
A sanctuary of stillness
Nestled quietly within the hotel, The Librari serves as both an intimate café and a contemplative lounge, inviting guests to slow down and reconnect. True to its name, it is lined with shelves of thoughtfully curated titles, from travelogues and design tomes to literary classics, each waiting to be discovered.
The space exudes calm sophistication: soft, amber-hued lighting, plush seating, and natural materials that reflect the warmth of Malaysian heritage.
Here, one can settle into a book by the window, exchange hushed words over tea, or simply enjoy the rare pleasure of stillness.
During the day, The Librari is a haven for quiet reflection and focus. Come evening, it transforms: the light softens, the air deepens, and the atmosphere shifts into one of intimacy and quiet conversation.
Whether for a coffee date or a lingering meeting over fine tea and delicate pastries, it remains a place of unhurried charm, where time bends gently around you.
Every corner feels intentional, every moment curated. Think of it as your sanctuary in the heart of the city, where stories, conversations, and flavours intertwine effortlessly.
The start of a journey home
Our afternoon tea experience began with subtle theatre, an overture that set the tone for what was to come.
A chilled Homemade Refreshing Soda Water with Asam Boi, served in a slender mocktail glass, greeted us at the table. Its effervescence danced lightly on the tongue, bright yet nostalgic, evoking the playful sourness of preserved plums from childhood. It was a taste both familiar and refined, the kind of duality that defines The RuMa’s approach to heritage.
Before the first course arrived, we were invited to partake in a traditional handwashing ritual, a graceful homage to Malay custom. With fluid precision, our waitress knelt by the table, gently pouring cool water from a handcrafted vessel over our hands. The ritual was slow and deliberate, a moment of mindfulness that bridged ceremony and comfort.
In that act of stillness, it became clear that this was not just about food. It was about intention: about remembering that hospitality begins with respect. In an age of hurried experiences, The RuMa has chosen to slow things down.
When the first course finally arrived, it did so like a story unfolding, each delicacy presented upon a bespoke congkak board, handcrafted by local artisans. Its floral carvings caught the light, its hollows filled with miniature masterpieces – both sweet and savoury – each symbolising a “chapter” in what The RuMa calls its “Chapters of Heritage” tea experience.
Stories etched in flavour and craft
The congkak – an iconic Malay board game – becomes the vessel for storytelling here, and is proof of The Ruma’s dedication to shining the spotlight on local culture. Each handcrafted piece tells of community, heritage, and artistry. The board’s floral engravings signify welcome and grace, gestures of connection that define Malaysian hospitality.
The menu itself unfolds in five “chapters”, each a tribute to the nation’s cultural and culinary legacy. From flavours of coconut, pandan, and palm sugar that evoke the spirit of the kampung; their warmth and sweetness recalling the simplicity of village life to warm scones served with The RuMa’s signature house-made kaya, every element tells a story of tradition refined.
Besides kaya, the scones come with clotted cream, and orange marmalade sustainably crafted from orange peel. Freshly baked to order for authenticity, these scones are among the best in town, offering a perfect balance between buttery richness and soft, delicate crumb.
Among the highlights are the Tenom coffee madeleines, a nod to Sabah’s vibrant coffee culture, and playful reinterpretations of cendol and laksa – beloved Malaysian icons reborn through the artistry of haute pâtisserie. These delicate creations flirt with familiarity yet surprise with refinement, bridging nostalgia and innovation in every bite.
The tea service is equally thoughtful. Guests can choose from a curated selection that spans robust black teas, fragrant green teas, herbal infusions, and refined Chinese blends, each chosen to harmonise with the meal’s rhythm, guiding the palate from brightness to depth, from awakening to serenity.
A culinary crescendo
For those seeking an even more elevated experience, The RuMa presents The Grand Volume, an opulent edition of the afternoon tea available only on weekends. Designed as an experience for two, it comes paired with handcrafted mocktails and a choice of beef or salmon wellington, both available à la carte.
The beef wellington is a triumph of texture and flavour: spiced Angus beef fillet wrapped in a golden, flaky crust, layered with wild mushrooms and finished with a silken anise jus. The result is rich, aromatic, and deeply satisfying.
Its counterpart, the salmon wellington, offers an elegant contrast: Norwegian salmon paired with spinach and pea purée, encased in buttery pastry, and crowned with caviar and kaffir lime beurre blanc. It’s delicate, balanced, and refreshingly light – a symphony of Malaysian subtlety meeting European technique.
Available on Saturdays and Sundays from 2.30pm to 10.30pm, this grand finale transforms afternoon tea into a full-fledged dining affair that transcends indulgence to become a conversation between tradition and innovation.
Celebrating home and heritage
At its heart, afternoon tea at The RuMa is an invitation to savour and remember. Every element, from the congkak board to the fragrance in the air, reflects a reverence for Malaysia’s cultural roots and artisanal spirit.
It’s a story told through taste and texture, through the hands of local craftspeople and the quiet rituals of Malay hospitality.
Here, you can remind yourself that heritage is not static. It evolves, adapts, and finds new expression in spaces like The Librari, where the old and the contemporary blend seamlessly.
The handwashing ritual, the use of locally inspired ingredients, even the act of sharing tea – all of it becomes a conversation between past and present. It’s a nod to the traditions that shaped Malaysian identity, reimagined for a generation seeking connection as much as comfort.
And perhaps that is The RuMa’s quiet triumph: it honours its roots not by replicating the past, but by living it. Through every sip and story, guests are reminded that culture is not something to be preserved behind glass, but something to be savoured, shared, and celebrated.
It’s a love letter to home: to the textures, rituals, and memories that define who we are, and to the beauty of remembering where we came from.
