Afternoon Tea At The Rubens At The Palace, Buckingham Palace

Very cosy and calming atmosphere with a wonderful selection of teas, sandwhiches and desserts! Highly recommend the garden fairytale tea 🧚🏻 Many thanks to Gabriel who was a fantastic host and server, really lovely and super attentive 🙌🏻

Absolutely worth it!! Amazing experience, so elegant. My first real tea time and my first time in London .. Will do this again when back!! A must !! Staff was so friendly and warm

Love the expression the hostess tried to make my day the best experience she got me by the road and that’s really what I wanted. We had so much fun.

Very elegant decor cozy room. The food was very good and lots of it bring an appetite! Great explanation of teas and the proper etiquette for high tea. The maitre de was very nice and knowledgeable my wife and I enjoyed it it was our anniversary and they even brought out a celebratory pastry for us !

After a busy day in London it was lovely to retreat and unwind in the surroundings of the Rubens. The amazing afternoon tea was made even better by the service provided by Rebecca. She was attentive without being intrusive, interested without being nosy. All in all a credit to The Rubens Hotel. Thank you everyone for the wonderful experience - we will be back. Tim & Francesca

Went for afternoon tea on Saturday, excellent service and superb food , we went to the Queen Elizabeth dreses exhibition in the Kings gallery, then returned to Rubens for cocktails, lovely atmosphere, and a big thank you to Frank for his care and attention, will definitely return and would thoroughly recommend

We had a very disappointing experience with the afternoon tea service and ended up walking out before ordering. The venue insisted that a mandatory set had to be purchased for our 6-year-old child as well. When we questioned this, they suggested that our 6-year-old child could eat at the bar instead. Enforcing an afternoon tea set for a 6-year-old child—and failing to mention this policy anywhere on their website, menu, or booking details—was a huge disappointment and completely unacceptable customer service.

The staff was wonderful and the food was amazing!! We had a delightful time. We will do again when back in London.

The best afternoon tea experience. The tea choices were amazing. The food was fabulous just too much. LOL! Tour Buckingham Palace then on to tea.

Afternoon tea. The service was pleasant. The tea was good. Sandwich fillings were nice but the bread was a bit dry. The scones were tiny and ok but not the best. The patisseries again were ok but not the best. No savoury pastries. For the price in central London, overlooking the main road at the back of the palace mews, at best distinctly average. I've had much better locally for third of the price. I wouldn't revisit.

Excellent place to experience afternoon tea while in London, greater service and excellent food and dessert!!

Would not recommend. Came for a birthday in a party of 6 (including one toddler). Some vegetarians. Sandwiches were very simple, scones were dry and some of the petit fours were extremely dull. The almond loaf cake was especially awful. Only one sweet treat was worth eating - the Black Forest, although it didn't taste very much like black forest. Service was distinctly average. We had to enquire about getting sandwiches for the toddler (after everyone had been served), and when it was time to bring us a birthday treat, they just brought it out discreetly and popped it on the table (some might prefer that!). The birthday cake was some kind of opera cake, which was a highlight of the sweet treats, but compared to a traditional opera cake was quite dry and lacked any bite, or punch of flavour. We had the table from 12, and were told another party was coming for 2pm... By 1.40pm they were asking us to box what we hadn't eaten and go (we weren't finished! Staff were mostly friendly though. The lowlight was definitely what's going on the kitchen. There are some great options around Soho or South Kensington and even Westminster Abbey nearby has a nice afternoon tea that's preferable.. We went on a Sunday, so perhaps a lot of it was left over from the day before.

What a wonderful experience. Staff were excellent, so kind and helpful. The food was delicious, one a vegetarian which I'm told was exceptional. Well worth a visit. Price comparable to other London hotels. Highly recommended.

This was our third Afternoon Tea at the Rubens and also our most favourite, from making a reservation to eating the final slice of delicious pastries. Let me begin by thanking Kamal for all his patience and help whilst making arrangements, we had dropped our Daughter at Heathrow and timings were a little uncertain, but Kamal was very flexible and gave us options. On this occasion we were also staying overnight at The Rubens, which was a real bonus, as, it gave us the opportunity to freshen up and change ahead of our Tea, I highly recommend staying at The Reubens, its exceptional. Back to the Afternoon Tea, as always the sandwiches, scones, pastries and tea selection were all superb, and, very plentiful.... our experience was made particularly special by the time we spent talking with our 'hosts' namely, Gabriel and Rakhi, both of whom were warm, engaging and a delight to spend time with, thank you both very much. After finishing Tea we had the great benefit of enjoying the Hotels other facilities. Thanks again to all involved, it was truly special.

My daughter has an egg allergy so finding an afternoon tea that could accommodate her while still serving child friendly foods was difficult. I emailed with staff several times and they were always very professional. When we arrived, everything was perfect!! She loved everything and her desserts looked stunning and tasted incredible! The adults loved their the Royal Afternoon Tea too!! I would recommend 1000%!!

Its non-refundable but due to the Pride Parade traffic was at a standstill, so my husband called after almost an hour an half in a cab and indicated we would not be able to make it. Ruben's was very understanding and refunded our tea. We were grateful for their understanding and upset we were not able to make the tea.

Lovely High Tea ahead of seeing the Hamilton show close by. Fine location opposite one of the Buckingham Palace entrances and delicious small plate food options and choice of teas.

We did the Hamilton High Tea at The Rubens at the Palace before going to see Leslie Odom, Jr. in the latest cast of Hamilton, and it was the perfect way to start the evening. I actually think it's the BEST dining experience pre-theatre - perfect amount of food to be full and it's great it all gets served at the same time so you don't feel rushed with courses. You get two small plates each, followed by four sweet treats, and there was plenty of food. The team were so attentive throughout and made us feel really well looked after. The hotel is also only a couple of minutes' walk from the Victoria Palace Theatre, which made everything so easy. My mum is partially sighted, so not having to navigate a long walk before or after the show made a real difference.

The service was absolutely terrible. I had to flag someone down to bring us more milk. After 1 1/2 hours, NO ONE had come by to check on us. I was so upset that I complained, and that is when they sent our waitress over, whom we had not seen the entire time we were there. I complained to the manager, and he apologized and asked if we would like more food. At this point, our time slot was over, and I was so disgusted that I did not want any more food. What was meant to be a very special occasion, yet it ended up being frustrating and upsetting due to the poor service. For the very high price, the service should be flawless, not ABSENT.

Very classy but don’t need to dress formally…but decently. Food was outstanding and plentiful (Afternoon Tea). Service was excellent. Highly recommend!!

I had a friendly welcome to Afternoon Tea at Reubens while on my solo vacation in London. Upon being seated I said yes to starting with a glass of champagne that was a separate cost of £28 ( which later when paying, thought rather overpriced) After choosing from the tea menu , I liked how when it came it was poured hot, as I like it, the sandwiches arriving shortly after. They were good ( everyone’s taste buds are different, I’m sure) and I especially liked the scones and trio of jams and clotted cream. They were the best part. I was quite full after that and appreciated the offer of a box to go of the remaining tea cakes and dessert. Also, I didn’t feel the service was intrusive when checking on my table throughout the hour and a half set time mentioned at the start. I enjoyed it all very much.

Beautiful property in close proximity to Buckingham Palace, excellent food and service. Wonderful British experience for anyone visiting London.

We enjoyed tea more than we expected. Great selection of teas and they serve so much food with it so go hungry. We were family of 4 and we all tried a different flavor of tea.

Food was wonderful. Lovely hotel.

I was a bit disappointed by our afternoon tea experience at The Rubens. I was really looking forward to it -- I'd only ever had afternoon tea in Tokyo, which was absolutely fantastic, and I figured this would be just as good, if not better. I booked the princess tea experience as my niece was joining my mom, sister, and I. We were greeted warmly and sat promptly. The room is beautiful and exactly what you'd expect. I really enjoyed the atmosphere. I'd ordered the vegan menu ahead of time, and they were very accommodating. The food was gorgeous, but some of it was a bit lackluster -- both the sandwiches and desserts. I was also a bit disappointed that you only had the option to try one tea. While the food is plentiful, for 75 pounds, I would've expected the option to try another tea. I was also surprised that the "princess" tea experience was simply a kid's menu -- I thought there might be something else involved. The service was also lacking a bit. After we were served our food, no one came back to check on us or offer us more water. We'd been finished 20+ minutes (and were there past the 90-minute allotted time) and had to flag someone down to bring our check. I know service in Europe/the UK is much more hands-off than in the U.S., but it almost felt like we were being ignored. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, but I expected more for the money, and compared to my first afternoon tea experience, it was extremely lacking.

Myself and my daughter had the most wonderful time having a very special afternoon tea for her 7th Birthday. Not only did they make her feel so special and like a total princess but were so attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. The selection of sandwiches and cakes were amazing and my warm scones with the most delicious lemon curd were just so delightful. From start to finish everyone was so welcoming and warm. We had come for another area of London on a trip with our bags and nothing was too much. Helped us by keeping our bags aside while we took a walk to see Buckingham palace after our tea and guided up how to get to the train station for our journey home. Thank you all so much, we can’t wait to come back!

Absolutely wonderful experience . Beautiful setting for a traditional afternoon tea . The service was amazing and the food was delicious . My daughter loved her experience as well , definitely worth a visit .

A superb afternoon. Great teas, excellent and friendly staff. Went with 8 friends and we were all really impressed. The variety of teas (the stuff helped us match teas to the food!!!!) were amazing and great quality - including some really good ones no one had tried before (Planters Mistress Tea is a hidden gem). If you would to have a special afternoon out, I really cannot recommend high tea at the Rubens enough. Thank you!

My mum and I had the most amazing time from the moment we arrived. Every member of staff was so welcoming and lovely. We had the champagne royal afternoon tea and were definitely treated like royalty! I am dairy free and my mum is dairy free and gluten free, they were so accommodating to our dietary needs. The food was absolutely delicious!! There was a large selection of delicious teas, the staff helped us choose as we couldn’t decide. I cannot wait to return, I had the best time!

We had the festive afternoon tea which was lovely. The pastries were the best I’ve had at any afternoon tea in London. Only criticism I would have is that when we asked for more tea they just put more hot water in the pot so the tea then tasted bitter, I would have expected a fresh pot. Service was exceptional. A great location, it looks out onto the side of Buckingham Palace so only a few minutes walk from St. James’ Park and Green Park. The hotel does offer picnic afternoon teas to take away which I imagine would be lovely in the parks in Summer.

My husband and I have made a tradition of enjoying afternoon tea at different venues across London every year, and this year we celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary at the Rubens Hotel. Based on our experiences so far, the ambience at the Rubens is among the best in London—cosy and intimate, with beautifully dimmed lighting and elegant Christmas decorations that created a warm and festive atmosphere. The afternoon tea itself was a mixed experience. The egg and truffle sandwich paste was outstanding—so delicious that I fully intend to start making it at home. The apricot jam with a hint of lemon zest was equally exceptional and memorable. However, the cheese and tomato sandwich was disappointing, with a tasteless and rather tired tomato. The remainder of the food was pleasant but largely average and did not particularly stand out when compared with other five-star afternoon tea experiences across London (already visited the Ritz, Savoy, Fortnum and Mason, etc). With a little more attention given to refining and perfecting the sandwich pastes, the overall experience has real potential to become truly memorable and deserving of a full five-star rating. Overall, while the ambience alone makes the Rubens a lovely choice for a special occasion, the food, with a few notable exceptions, did not quite live up to the setting.

I had a wonderful afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace with my friend. The atmosphere was elegant and welcoming, and the whole experience felt truly special. A heartfelt thank-you to Kamal and Zoe, who were both absolutely lovely, so friendly, warm and attentive. Their thoughtful service made the afternoon even more enjoyable and memorable. From the delicious treats to the exceptional hospitality, everything was perfect. I highly recommend The Rubens at the Palace for a beautiful afternoon tea experience.

Great experience, you get a single tea selection with is different from other that we've done and the seating is a bit tight but I do understand its for the view of Buckingham palace. The sandwiches and sweets were very good and the champagne enhancement is totally worth it.

This was our first experience with afternoon tea, and I could not have asked for a better time. Kamal and his staff were so attentive, patient, and kind to my whole family. There was no question too silly, no request too much, which really made the experience shine for our little group. Kamal gave us excellent recommendations on how to balance and compliment the different teas we would experience with all the food we were about to enjoy. There was something for everybody, and the sandwiches and pastries were just incredible. We wished we had more stomach space! They will bring you refills of anything you liked, and I wish I had more room for the turkey sandwiches. We did the winter afternoon tea experience, which came with mulled wine to start. My parents don't normally drink, but they really enjoyed trying wine like this with the perfect amount of warm spices and cinnamon. The desserts were not too sweet and beautiful to look at. At the end they brought an extra treat out to celebrate my mom and her twin's birthday. To take home, there's different flavored meringue and chocolate covered honeycomb you could take with you as well. We stayed quite awhile, but never felt rushed. I cannot thank Kamal and the wonderful staff at the Ruben for making my family feel so special and welcome. I looked up several afternoon tea experiences prior to booking this one, and I would definitely return to this one over and over again, especially if you're nearby Buckingham Palace already. If you only have time for one afternoon tea, book this one and let the experience speak for itself.

5 of us went for afternoon tea to celebrate a 40th birthday. On arrival, we were made very welcome. The staff were friendly, attentive and very helpful throughout. There was a pianoist playing in the background and the whole atmosphere was lovely. The tea was good value for money with a wide selection of teas, sandwiches and cakes. We even had a special little cake for the birthday girl. A wonderful afternoon and experience which I would highly recommend.

Delectable delicacies with impeccable service in an exquisite classic setting! Highlight was the best scones ever tasted!

We had a lovely time at Rubens. The atmosphere was charming and the afternoon tea was splendid... especially the actual tea itself

This afternoon tea was such a special treat for my daughter’s 16th birthday, and it truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warmth and made to feel so welcome. The space was beautiful & luxurious, yet comfortable. Perfect for celebrating such a special day. The staff were wonderful, attentive, and thoughtful. Our dietary requirements were handled with care, and everything was presented so beautifully. There was plenty to enjoy, and we were genuinely impressed by the range of teas, sandwiches and the delicious cakes. It was such a lovely, memorable experience that we’ll remember for a long time.

A great way to spend a rainy afternoon, Lovely setting, excellent selection, professional staff. Definitely worthwhile.

According to The Ruben hotel I was the only person that had signed up for High Tea. No guide showed up. I had high tea alone - which was very good. But I could have signed up directly with the Hotel rather than pay a premium to Viator. This is the 2nd tour in London that this occurred.

Attentive staff, great atmosphere, and an overall worthwhile experience! Recommend the champagne upgrade!

The perfect tea! After visiting Buckingham Palace, We (grandmother, two moms and three tween age daughters) were looking for a tea fit for royalty! All in our group were thrilled with the beautiful Rubens tea room. The setting was beautiful with striking red decor and grand place settings. Our server was incredibly gracious and professional. The girls were thrilled that the options not only included tea but also milk shakes! Sandwiches, scones and pastries were delicious, beautifully presented and plentiful. We even received some to take home! Truly a royal tea! Highly recommend it! Thank you to Rubens and our gracious server.

It was lovely to sit and relaxe with a very nice cup off tea and nice food, the staff were friendly.

A wonderful spot for experiencing your first Afternoon Tea! The setting is absolutely charming, located just opposite the Royal Mews. The staff were incredibly helpful and attentive throughout our visit. Every dish was delicious, and the overall atmosphere made it feel truly special. Our little one adored her Princess Afternoon Tea — she felt like royalty!

Ruebens was amazing, the atmosphere was British Elegance, the food top class and the staff charming. We had drinks in the bar beforehand, the prices were typical of this kind if establishment. I recommend it gighly

The afternoon tea was an elevated experience. The food and tea was excellent. Too much to eat at one sitting. I would highly recommend! I can’t wait to return to London and book again.

From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were warmly welcomed and seated on a cosy sofa by the window facing the Royal Mews — a peaceful and indulgent spot. The rich royal reds of the décor made the setting feel elegant and grand. Everything about the afternoon tea was clearly explained, including the unlimited sandwiches and desserts (though the portions were generous enough that extras weren’t necessary unless you, like me, loved the chicken and salmon sandwiches and ordered more!). A small hiccup with sandwiches was quickly resolved, and the staff were very accommodating with dietary requirements, preparing custom sandwiches without fuss. A special mention to Adora, whose warm, attentive service and friendly chats made the experience truly memorable. She even took photos of us by the piano — a lovely personal touch. For my birthday, they surprised me with a slice of cake saying “Happy Birthday,” which was such a thoughtful gesture. The food was fresh and delicious, with fluffy scones and beautifully presented desserts. The highlight was the mousse delicately shaped like a royal crown — both stunning and tasty. We took the leftovers home. The only downside was the strong sun by 4:30 pm, which made our window seat a bit warm, so we ended our tea early and headed to the bar (review coming soon!). Overall, Reubens offered a relaxing, elegant afternoon with fantastic service. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day and pleased by the expectation setting, so when faced by queues etc it was fine and probably went more smoothly than expected. Thanks Godfrey

We had a lovely afternoon tea experience, although we were across from the back of Buckingham Palace- for some reason e we thought it would be across from the front, which in retrospect would be quite impossible. The food and the service were wonderful. I just loved the little cakes and finger sandwiches. Bianca gave attentive, personalized service and was happy to box up our pieces that we could not finish. We felt quite special.