London: Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace

The best part of this experience is the setting. The Rubens at the Palace puts you in a polished hotel lounge facing the Royal Mews area, where afternoon tea feels like a proper London ritual rather than a quick snack between sights. The room, service, and traditional menu create the sense of a small royal occasion.

I like the mix of fresh scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves, and I like the wide tea choice from P.M. David Silva & Sons. The main drawback is price: at $111 per person, this is a special-occasion treat, and the value drops if you are mainly looking for a filling meal.

Key points

• Royal setting: Afternoon tea is served in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens at the Palace.
• Classic menu: Expect five types of finger sandwiches, plain, fruit, and cheese scones, plus delicate pastries.
• Good tea range: Choose from black, green, white, and herbal teas.
• Champagne option: Add Champagne if you select the inclusive package.
• Smart dress matters: Shorts, sportswear, flip-flops, sandals, and ripped clothing are not permitted.
• Useful planning detail: The experience lasts 1.5 hours, and dietary requests should be sent at least 48 hours ahead.

Entering The Rubens at the Palace

This is a hotel-based afternoon tea, not a sightseeing tour with a guide moving you from place to place. You make your way to The Rubens at the Palace, show your voucher when you enter, and settle into the Palace Lounge for a 90-minute sitting.

That simplicity is part of the appeal. You do not spend your afternoon waiting for transport or following a schedule through several attractions. You arrive, take your seat, and let the room and service set the pace.

The hotel’s name gives you a clue about the mood. This is a formal, polished experience built around British ceremony. It is a good fit if you want a quiet break near central London sights and prefer a well-run hotel setting to a casual café.

You should dress accordingly. The property does not permit sportswear, flip-flops, sandals, non-tailored shorts, or ripped clothing in its restaurants and bars. Bring a passport or ID card, as this is listed among the items you should have with you.

What the 90-minute tea includes

The afternoon tea follows a familiar order: savoury sandwiches, scones, then sweets, with tea served alongside the meal. You can expect a selection designed to look as good as it tastes, with small portions and several different flavours rather than one large dish.

The sandwiches are:

• Scottish smoked salmon, caviar, and chive cream cheese on cape seed loaf
• Roast beef sirloin with wild rocket and horseradish cream on beetroot bread
• Chicken with grain mustard mayonnaise and toasted almonds on white bread
• Barber’s cheddar with plum tomato on onion bread
• Cucumber with mint crème fraîche on Norfolk crunch

This is a nicely traditional spread, but it also has enough variety to keep the plate interesting. The smoked salmon and caviar bring a more luxurious touch. The roast beef and horseradish have a stronger, sharper taste. Chicken, cheddar, and cucumber provide gentler choices.

The sample menu may change, so you should treat these items as a guide rather than a promise. Still, it gives you a clear idea of the meal: classic British tea sandwiches with a few more polished ingredients.

Scones, clotted cream, and homemade preserves

The scones are one of the main reasons to choose afternoon tea here. The sample menu includes plain, fruit, and cheese versions, served with homemade seasonal preserve, lemon curd, and clotted cream.

You get several ways to build each bite. Fruit preserve and clotted cream give you the classic sweet combination, while lemon curd adds a bright, tart note. The cheese scone provides a savoury break from the pastries and sweet sandwiches.

I would save room for this course. Afternoon tea portions can look dainty, but the bread, scones, cream, and pastries add up quickly. You may be tempted to eat every sandwich at once, but pacing yourself makes the final course much more enjoyable.

The phrase homemade seasonal preserve also means the exact flavour may change. That is a good thing if you like seasonal touches, though it means you cannot plan around one particular jam.

The pastry course brings the royal touch

The sweet course is more elaborate than a basic plate of cake. The sample selection includes:

• The Crown Hukambi chocolate with hazelnut praline and chocolate sablé
• Blackberry éclair
• Blackberry chiboust with blackberry fruit glaze
• Rhubarb and vanilla with vanilla sponge, rhubarb jelly, and Opalys crémeux
• Citrus meringue tart with almond cream, candied lemon, and lime zest

These are small pastries with several textures and flavours in each piece. Chocolate and hazelnut offer a rich, familiar finish. Blackberry brings fruit and acidity. Rhubarb and vanilla balance sweetness with a sharper note, while the citrus tart should provide the lightest finish.

The pastry menu is also where the experience feels more like a hotel tea than an everyday homemade spread. If you enjoy carefully made desserts, this is likely to be one of the strongest parts of the meal. If you prefer a simple slice of cake, the presentation may feel more elaborate than necessary.

The menu can vary, so do not book solely for a specific pastry. Book for the overall format: sandwiches, scones, preserves, cream, tea, and refined desserts in a formal room.

Choosing your tea from P.M. David Silva & Sons

Tea is not an afterthought here. You can choose from black, green, white, and herbal varieties from P.M. David Silva & Sons, giving you room to match the drink to the food or your own taste.

A black tea is the most traditional choice with milk-friendly sandwiches and scones. Green or white tea offers a lighter option, while herbal tea can work well if you want something without the stronger character of black tea.

Tea is included, along with coffee. Champagne is included only if you book the package that specifically includes it. Check the option carefully before paying, since extra drinks are not part of the basic package.

One practical point comes from the dining experience itself: you may be offered additional drinks such as water or wine. You are free to decline them, and you should keep track of extras if you are watching your budget. At this price level, unexpected additions can make the bill feel less comfortable.

The room and service set the tone

The Palace Lounge is the main reason to book this instead of a standard afternoon tea in a café. The setting is formal and ornate, with the kind of polished atmosphere that makes a birthday, anniversary, or first London visit feel more memorable.

The strongest feedback about this experience centres on the room, attentive service, tea, and food. Those are the areas where the experience earns its appeal. You can expect a setting that feels aristocratic rather than casual, with staff focused on looking after you during the sitting.

That formal mood has two sides. It creates a sense of occasion, but it also means you need to follow the dress code. You are not simply dropping in after a day in trainers and sightseeing clothes. Plan your outfit before you leave your hotel.

The 1.5-hour duration is long enough for a relaxed meal without taking over your whole day. You can pair it with nearby London sightseeing before or after, but avoid booking it too tightly against another timed activity. Afternoon tea is best when you do not have to rush the sandwiches or scones.

Is $111 per person good value?

At $111 per person, this is expensive for tea and small sandwiches. You are not paying only for calories. You are paying for the hotel setting, the service, the presentation, the tea selection, and the sense of ceremony.

That can be good value if you want a polished British experience and would otherwise pay for a special meal during your London stay. The food is varied, and the meal includes enough courses to feel substantial despite the delicate portions. The royal atmosphere also gives the experience a clear purpose beyond eating.

The value is weaker if you want a cheap afternoon break or a large lunch. Additional drinks are not included, apart from Champagne in the appropriate package, and one direct assessment of the experience found the price and quality not perfectly balanced. That is fair advice. The experience is best treated as a planned indulgence, not an everyday dining stop.

I would compare the cost with what matters most to you. If a grand hotel room, formal service, and traditional British ritual are high on your list, the price may make sense. If you care mainly about the amount of food, you can likely find less costly options elsewhere.

Dietary requests and practical planning

Dietary needs should be sent to the activity provider at least 48 hours before your booking. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free afternoon teas can be requested, but you should not wait until you arrive to ask.

The published menu is a sample and may change. This matters for both dietary planning and personal expectations. The provider can prepare for a request in advance, but the exact sandwich fillings and pastries may not match the standard menu.

The experience is wheelchair accessible. The host or greeter speaks English, and the activity itself is conducted in English.

There is no transportation included, so you arrange your own way to The Rubens at the Palace. You only need to show your voucher upon entering. The booking has free cancellation up to two days in advance for a full refund, which gives you some flexibility when planning a London itinerary.

Who will enjoy this afternoon tea most?

I would choose this for a couple marking a special occasion, a parent and adult child, or anyone who wants a formal taste of British culture without committing to a full evening event. It also suits a first visit to London when you want one carefully planned hotel experience.

The atmosphere should appeal to anyone who likes elegant rooms and traditional service. The menu works well for people who enjoy trying several small savoury and sweet items rather than choosing one main course.

Families with younger children may need to think about the 90-minute formal sitting and the dress code. The experience is not designed as a casual, messy meal. You will get more from it if everyone in your group is happy to sit quietly, follow the dress rules, and take time over the food.

It is also a good option for someone who does not want a guide-led tour. There is no need to absorb a long lecture or keep up with a group. The English-speaking host or greeter handles the welcome, and the rest of the time is yours.

A few ways to make the experience better

Arrive dressed for a smart hotel, not a day at the park. Avoid flip-flops, sportswear, ripped clothing, and casual shorts so you are not turned away at the door.

Tell the provider about dietary needs at least 48 hours ahead. This is especially important for vegan, halal, gluten-free, or vegetarian tea.

Check whether your booking includes Champagne before you arrive. Tea and coffee are included, but Champagne is tied to the inclusive option, and additional drinks cost extra.

Take your time with the tea selection. The choice of black, green, white, and herbal teas is one of the more useful details of the meal, not just decoration.

Pace yourself. Start with the sandwiches, then move to the scones, and keep enough appetite for the pastries. The servings may be small, but the full combination is filling.

Finally, remember that the menu can change. Choose this for the complete hotel tea experience, rather than expecting one exact sandwich or dessert.

Should you book The Rubens afternoon tea?

Book it if you want a formal London occasion with a royal feel, attentive service, traditional sandwiches, fresh scones, clotted cream, pastries, and a broad tea choice. The strongest reasons to go are the Palace Lounge setting, the polished food, and the chance to enjoy British afternoon tea at an established hotel.

Think twice if $111 feels high for a light meal, or if you prefer casual clothes and flexible dining. The food and atmosphere are well suited to a celebration, but the price is harder to justify as a simple snack.

For the right occasion, I think this is a worthwhile splurge. Choose the Champagne option only if it matters to you, send dietary requests early, dress smartly, and allow the full 90 minutes. That approach gives you the best chance of enjoying what this experience does well: a refined, distinctly British pause in the middle of London.

FAQ

How long does the afternoon tea last?

The experience lasts 1.5 hours.

Where does the afternoon tea take place?

It takes place in the Palace Lounge at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel in London.

What food is included?

The tea includes finger sandwiches, freshly baked plain, fruit, and cheese scones, homemade seasonal preserve, lemon curd, clotted cream, and an assortment of pastries.

Is Champagne included?

Champagne is included only when you select the inclusive option. Tea and coffee are included with the standard afternoon tea.

What kinds of tea can I choose?

You can choose from black, green, white, and herbal teas from P.M. David Silva & Sons.

Can I request a vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free afternoon tea?

Yes. You should inform the activity provider of dietary requirements at least 48 hours before your booking.

What should I wear?

You should wear smart clothing. Sportswear, flip-flops, sandals, non-tailored shorts, and ripped clothing are not permitted in the restaurants and bars.