Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

The most memorable part of this afternoon tea is the setting: The Rubens at the Palace sits opposite Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, giving some tables a view of palace comings and goings. You are not dining opposite the palace’s grand front entrance, but the Royal Mews side has its own interest, especially for people-watching.

I like the classic Palace Lounge atmosphere and the chance to try several teas with a proper spread of sandwiches, scones, and pastries. I also like that vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free versions can be arranged with notice. The main drawback is price: at about $114.38 per person, this is a special-occasion treat, not a cheap way to get lunch.

Key points to know before booking

• Royal Mews views: Ask for a window-side table, but understand that views depend on seating and face the Royal Mews rather than the palace’s front facade.
• Classic British setting: The Palace Lounge supplies the polished hotel surroundings many people hope for from a London afternoon tea.
• Generous food service: Sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea can amount to a full meal, though portions and menu items may change.
• Champagne option: The upgrade suits a birthday, anniversary, or romantic afternoon, but check your voucher carefully before paying for any extra drinks.
• Dietary planning matters: Request vegetarian, vegan, Halal, or gluten-free food at least 72 hours ahead.
• Dress code applies: Smart casual clothing is expected. Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not accepted.

The Rubens location opposite Buckingham Palace

The Rubens at the Palace occupies one of the most useful locations for a short London visit. It is at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, directly opposite the Royal Mews, and close to Buckingham Palace itself. You make your own way there, so you can pair tea with a palace visit, a walk through St James’s Park, or a look at the surrounding royal district.

The location matters because this is not afternoon tea in an anonymous hotel dining room. The palace connection begins before you sit down. You are near the working entrance used by royal staff and vehicles, and some tables look across toward the Royal Mews.

Keep your expectations precise. The view is not a sweeping look at Buckingham Palace’s main facade. Several tables face the back or side area around the Mews, and the best seats are not guaranteed. Still, the sight of cars, staff, and visitors moving through this part of the palace complex can add a pleasant bit of London theater to the meal.

The hotel is easy to reach by public transport, and most people can take part without difficulty. Arrive 15 minutes before your reserved time, since the hotel is a formal setting and you will want a moment to enter, find the lounge, and settle in.

Entering the Palace Lounge

The Palace Lounge is designed for occasion rather than speed. Expect a traditional hotel interior, polished service, and a quiet place to sit for a long cup of tea. The atmosphere suits a first afternoon tea in London, a romantic outing, or a family celebration where you want children to feel that the day is different from an ordinary meal.

The seating can be somewhat tight, especially at tables positioned for the best view. That is a fair trade for a window seat, but it may matter if you prefer lots of elbow room. You are buying the setting and service as much as the food, so this experience works best when you are happy to slow down.

Service quality can vary. Many parts of the experience depend on attentive staff explaining the tea choices, checking dietary needs, and keeping the table supplied. Bianca, one server singled out in the supplied feedback, was praised for personalized service and for boxing up unfinished food. That kind of help is useful because the meal can be too large to finish in one sitting.

There have also been reports of slow service, delayed food, and difficulty getting more tea or water. This is not a reason to dismiss the experience, but it is worth knowing. If your table needs attention, speak up early rather than letting half the sitting disappear.

What arrives on the afternoon tea stand

The standard menu is built around the familiar three parts of English afternoon tea:

• Finger sandwiches
• Freshly baked scones
• Pastries and cakes

The exact flavors change, so you should not book for one particular cupcake or sandwich. Sample sweets have included carrot cupcakes and marshmallows, while the broader menu may include a selection of small pastries. Presentation is part of the appeal, with neat portions that look more special than an ordinary plate of snacks.

The sandwiches are small, but the full service is more filling than the word snack suggests. Depending on the menu and replenishment, you might receive several pieces, scones with clotted cream, and a plate of desserts. Some diners find the meal more than enough to replace lunch, while others feel the quantity is modest for the price.

The scones are a major reason to choose this experience. They are served as part of the tea, with clotted cream, and have received especially strong praise. If you are new to afternoon tea, the correct pace is slow: start with sandwiches, move to scones, and finish with pastries rather than rushing through the stand.

You can usually ask for unfinished food to be boxed, though this should not be treated as a guaranteed part of the package. The option is useful for children or anyone who wants to save the sweets after a substantial meal.

Choosing from the tea menu

Tea is not a minor extra here. It is central to the experience, and the selection includes a range of freshly brewed choices. Staff can help if you do not normally drink tea, and suggestions can make the menu less intimidating.

The jasmine tea has been particularly memorable for its strong aroma, while a rooibos option has also been praised. You might prefer a traditional black tea, a floral blend, or a caffeine-free option, but the available choices can change.

The supplied information describes beverages as included, with tea served at the table. Some feedback describes plentiful tea, while one account describes running out of tea when service slowed. If you want another pot, ask before your first one is finished.

This is one of the stronger parts of the experience for someone who cares about tea quality. The setting is pleasant, but the meal would feel ordinary if the tea were an afterthought. Here, the tea menu gives you a reason to take your time and try something beyond your usual order.

The Champagne upgrade and extra drinks

You can add a glass of Champagne to the Royal Afternoon Tea. It makes sense for an anniversary, birthday, or final afternoon in London, but it pushes the value further toward celebration than everyday sightseeing.

The upgrade is for adults aged 18 and over. Other alcoholic drinks can be bought at the hotel, but they are not included in the standard experience. Drinks in a five-star hotel bar cost what you would expect from this type of establishment, so check prices before ordering extras.

Keep your voucher handy if you have paid for Champagne. One booking account describes an extra charge appearing despite the upgrade already being included. That may be a billing mistake, but checking the bill before leaving is a sensible habit.

For children aged five to 12, the Little Prince and Princess Tea includes small sandwiches, scones, selected pastries, and a choice of tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda. This gives families a better fit than simply ordering the adult menu for every child. A 15-year-old, however, may prefer the adult service or may find the children’s menu too young.

Dietary requests and menu changes

The hotel can provide vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free options, but you need to give at least 72 hours’ notice. Contact the provider after booking with your requirements rather than assuming the hotel will have a suitable alternative ready on arrival.

The hotel cannot guarantee recipes that are completely free from every allergen or intolerance. That distinction matters if your dietary need is medical. You should explain the issue clearly and confirm what can safely be provided before committing to the booking.

Vegetarian options have included mini sandwiches, breads, and desserts, and vegan choices have been available. The food can still feel like a complete tea rather than a plate of substitutions, but the menu may differ from the standard version.

The menu itself is subject to change. Think of the listed sandwiches, scones, and pastries as a guide to the style of meal, not a promise of exact ingredients.

How much time to allow

The advertised duration is about two hours. Some descriptions of the table sitting put the meal closer to 90 minutes, so I would allow two hours in your day and avoid scheduling a palace tour or train departure immediately afterward.

This is not a guided walking tour. You travel independently to the hotel, sit for tea, and finish back at the same location. No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, and no sightseeing commentary is built into the meal.

That simplicity can be a strength. After a morning at a museum or walking through central London, you can sit down without joining a group coach or following a guide. It also means you should not expect a tour leader to manage the visit or explain Buckingham Palace.

The booking is a private activity for your own group, though the hotel setting may include other diners. The private arrangement works well for couples and families who want their own table and their own pace.

Is $114.38 per person good value?

At $114.38 per person, this is expensive for sandwiches, scones, cake, and tea. You can find cheaper afternoon teas in London, and the food alone does not justify the price for every budget.

You are paying for several things at once:

• A five-star hotel setting
• A location opposite Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews
• Table service and a formal presentation
• A broad tea selection
• A palace-related occasion in central London
• The option to add Champagne or a children’s tea

I think the price makes the most sense when you treat this as a planned experience, not lunch. If you simply want to eat scones and drink tea, choose a less costly cafe or hotel. If you want a polished setting near Buckingham Palace for a birthday, anniversary, romantic afternoon, or first London visit, the location adds real value.

The amount of food can also soften the cost. Several people find the sandwiches, scones, and sweets substantial enough to replace a meal. Still, the value depends heavily on service. A smooth sitting with helpful explanations and timely refills feels much better than a delayed one where you have to flag down staff.

The experience is also likely to sell out ahead of time. It is booked, on average, about 35 days in advance, so reserve early if your London dates are fixed.

What to wear and what to bring

The dress code is smart casual. Wear something neat and presentable, but you do not need formal evening clothes. Avoid sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts, since the hotel can refuse entry to people who do not meet the policy.

Bring your booking confirmation or mobile ticket. Arrive early enough to check in without rushing, and keep the confirmation available if you have selected Champagne.

If the Royal Mews view matters to you, politely ask about a window table. The request cannot guarantee a particular seat, but it is worth making because the view is one of the experience’s main reasons to book.

Who will enjoy this afternoon tea most?

I would recommend The Rubens for:

• First-time London visitors who want a traditional tea in a royal setting
• Couples planning a romantic or celebratory afternoon
• Families who want a special meal near Buckingham Palace
• Tea drinkers who enjoy trying different blends
• Visitors who prefer a hotel lounge to a busy cafe
• People with dietary needs who can provide advance notice

I would be more cautious if you are watching every pound, dislike formal hotel settings, or mainly want a quick meal. The seating may feel close, and inconsistent service can affect the value. People with strict allergies should also confirm the kitchen’s limits before booking.

Booking and cancellation details to check

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the experience uses a mobile ticket. The stated cancellation information is inconsistent: one set of terms says a full refund or date change is available up to 24 hours before travel, while another says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Confirm the exact policy attached to your booking before paying, especially if flights or other plans may change.

This matters because the experience is usually booked well ahead. A flight cancellation or missed London day may not be treated as a reason for a refund.

Should you book The Rubens afternoon tea?

Book it if you want the full occasion: a handsome hotel, a royal neighborhood, a long tea service, good scones, and the chance to look toward the Royal Mews while you eat. It is especially suited to a first visit, a celebration, or a rainy London afternoon when sitting somewhere elegant feels like part of the sightseeing.

Skip it if your main goal is low-cost food or a guaranteed view of Buckingham Palace’s front facade. The price is high, seating can be snug, and service needs to be attentive for the meal to feel worth it.

For the best chance of a good visit, reserve ahead, arrive 15 minutes early, request a window seat, give dietary details 72 hours ahead, dress smart casual, and check any Champagne charge before leaving. With those points handled, The Rubens offers a polished and distinctly London way to spend an afternoon.

FAQ

Where is The Rubens afternoon tea held?

It is held at The Rubens at the Palace, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 0PS, opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.

How long does the afternoon tea last?

The experience is listed as approximately two hours. Some table sittings may run closer to 90 minutes, so allow about two hours in your schedule.

Is Buckingham Palace directly in front of the dining room?

The hotel is opposite the Royal Mews, not the main front entrance of Buckingham Palace. Some tables have views toward the Mews and palace activity, but a particular table cannot be guaranteed.

What food is included?

The Royal Afternoon Tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and teas. Menus can change.

Can I request vegetarian, vegan, Halal, or gluten-free food?

Yes. These options are available with at least 72 hours’ notice. The hotel cannot guarantee dishes that are completely free of every allergen or intolerance.

Is Champagne included?

Champagne is included only if you select the Champagne option when booking. It is for adults aged 18 and over. Other alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately.

What should I wear?

The dress code is smart casual. Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not accepted.