The Rubens at the Palace, Red Carnation Hotels

Fatima HY a month ago

I had the most delightful Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens Hotel. From start to finish, the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Kamal and Grace provided outstanding service, making the afternoon even more special with their warm hospitality. The sandwiches were absolutely divine—freshly made to order with the finest ingredients. I also appreciated the variety of tea options, halal-friendly selections, and the elegant touch of non-alcoholic bubbles. Every detail was thoughtfully curated, creating a truly luxurious and memorable experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge in a refined afternoon tea!

Catherine Betancourt 2 months ago

We went to the winter wonderland afternoon tea yesterday and it was amazing! My husband and I took my parents who were visiting London. The service was wonderful from the moment we walked into the hotel where we were greeted warmly and directed to the tea room where someone took our coats. We were then seated at our table where someone explained the menu and welcomed us, and shortly after we were served a delicious mulled wine. We were then asked to pick our tea from their expansive tea menu, as the food is from a preset menu. Our food and drinks arrived shortly after we finished our mulled wine. The food and drinks were amazing, and the portions generous! We each had four or five sandwiches, three small scones, and four desserts. We could also ask for more food or different teas. I’ve been to afternoon teas at many places and this was one of the best, from the excellent service, to the quality and quantity of the food, it was truly a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend it! Rarely do these afternoon teas live up to the price tag, but if you are looking for a traditional experience and wish to treat visiting family or are visiting London yourself, this is a great deal! Thank you so much to the hotel staff for this wonderful experience!

Sarah Freia 6 months ago

I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon tea dining experience at The Rubens at the Palace. The charming-yet-whimsical dining space overlooks Buckingham Palace. I found it fun to people watch as I drank my tea. I also appreciated the live piano music. One thing thing I want to point out is the seating! While there were traditional look-into-each-others-eyes style tables, there were also couch-style seats (pictured) which were a rather pleasant way to share food. As a gluten free individual, it can be tricky to get access to good quality scones, and thoughtfully prepared patisseries. Fortunately for me, both were in order on the menu. While the scones were slightly less fluffy than what I usually favour, they were still delicious. They also paired beautifully with the raspberry jam (a standout), clotted cream, and delightful lemon curd. Honestly, that stuff was stupendous. As an added bonus, there was even a savoury cheese scone. The patisseries were fun, rich, and inventive. If you prefer more traditional desserts, rather than fruity and fresh concoctions, they may not be to your liking. However, I really enjoyed them. Especially that mango cake thing... Wow. I had 6. I need to explicitly highlight the superb service. Angelina went above and beyond to ensure our meal was nothing short of excellent. She didn't even comment or bat an eye when I ordered multiple scone refills (and I had a total of 12... seriously). If you're lucky enough to have her during your dining experience, consider yourself lucky. In short, The Rubens is an excellent place to choose for your afternoon tea. There is attention to detail all around, and I highly recommend it!