Afternoon Tea overlooking Buckingham Palace

Royal Afternoon Tea

Indulge in the epitome of a quintessential English Afternoon Tea experience at The Rubens at the Palace, where refinement meets tradition. Immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of our Palace Lounge, offering panoramic views of the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, or enjoy your tea within the opulent surroundings of our exquisitely designed English Grill. 


At the helm of our pastry kitchen is the exceptionally talented Sarah Houghting, a pastry chef of distinction who has showcased her skills on Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4. Sarah takes pride in crafting the freshest pastries and cakes, ensuring a delightful feast for our discerning guests. 


Renowned as one of London's finest Afternoon Teas, we honour the classic British tradition while infusing innovative twists to captivate your palate. Our commitment extends to catering for diverse dietary preferences, with thoughtfully curated menus that include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal choices. Join us for our splendid Royal Afternoon Tea, where every moment is steeped in elegance and culinary excellence.

Royal Afternoon Tea

Savour our classic Royal Afternoon Tea: a delectable assortment of freshly baked scones, delicate finger sandwiches and delicate pastries. Our pastries include our signature crown, made with Alpaco dark chocolate mousse, grapefruit confit and chocolate brownie.

Price: £70 per person

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 12pm to 5pm 

Saturdays: 12pm to 6pm 

Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

Golden Tips Tea

Enjoy our Royal Afternoon Tea for two alongside Ceylon Golden Tips, in partnership with specialist tea merchants PMD Tea. This rare tea is produced in the highlands of Sri Lanka and is skillfully handpicked at sunset. With white-glove service, this delicate tea is weighed with precision at The Rubens using golden scales; each tip is placed into the silver teapot individually with golden tweezers. The tea, which is showcased in a mahogany box lined with velvet, is infused with still mineral water to produce an extraordinary liquor and a smooth, light and mellow texture, with hints of fruity notes.

Price: £500 for two people, including a bottle of Lanson Champagne sabred at your table

Picnic hampers

Enjoy a summer outing with our meticulously curated picnic baskets, brimming with exquisite culinary delights. From tantalising canapés to artisanal sandwiches crafted with the finest ingredients, it's the perfect way to spend a relaxed summer afternoon in London.

Price: Royal hamper: £170 for two people, Royal Canapés: £145 for two people and Royal Afternoon Tea: £135 for two people 

Advance booking is required, as is full pre-payment to secure the booking.

Seasonal Chai Gift Tin

Enjoy our exclusive winter chai tea blend infused with harmonious notes of spice and sweet cinnamon; the perfect warming beverage for a cold winter's day. You can purchase the winter chai tea blend when dining with us in The Palace Lounge. Limited stock is available.

Price: £15 per tin

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