Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

The best part of this afternoon tea is the Royal Mews view. The Rubens at the Palace sits opposite Buckingham Palace, and select tables look toward the palace side entrance and passing cars. You are not touring the palace, but you get a genteel London setting with a royal address and a good excuse to slow down.

I like the polished Palace Lounge, the large tea selection, and the fact that the pastry kitchen prepares the cakes and scones on site. I also like that the food is substantial enough to replace lunch for many people, with vegetarian and vegan choices available when arranged ahead.

The main drawback is price. At about $114.38 per person, this is a special-occasion tea, not a cheap snack. Seating can feel close, and the view depends on your table. Service has also been excellent for some visitors and frustratingly slow for others, so your experience may hinge on how attentive your server is.

Key points at a glance

• Buckingham Palace setting: The hotel faces the Royal Mews, giving you a memorable royal setting without needing a palace admission ticket.
• Traditional spread: Expect finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a choice from an extensive tea menu.
• A full meal: The portions can be enough to replace lunch, although one plate of sandwiches and desserts may feel modest at this price.
• Champagne option: The upgrade is popular, but check your bill carefully if Champagne is included in your booking.
• Dietary planning matters: Vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free menus are available with at least 72 hours’ notice.
• Dress smartly: Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not accepted.

Tea opposite the Royal Mews

The Rubens at the Palace is at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, directly across from the Royal Mews. That location does much of the work here. You arrive in central London, walk into a five-star hotel, and trade the noise of the street for the quieter Palace Lounge.

You make your own way there. Hotel pickup is not included, and this is not a guided sightseeing tour. The experience begins when you arrive for your reserved seating, so plan to be at the hotel about 15 minutes early.

The Royal Mews is the working side of Buckingham Palace, associated with royal vehicles and staff movements. From the hotel, you may have a view toward the palace entrance area and passing cars. It is a more active view than a postcard panorama, which makes it fun for people-watching.

Do not expect a view across the palace gardens or a direct look at the palace facade. One visitor arrived expecting the front of Buckingham Palace and found the view was toward the back and side entrance. The setting is still special, but it helps to know exactly what you are paying for.

The Palace Lounge setting

The hotel interior is formal, plush, and deliberately traditional. The Palace Lounge is designed for afternoon tea, with an atmosphere that fits the occasion: polished service, classic surroundings, and a sense that you should sit back rather than rush through a meal.

I would choose this for a first London visit, a birthday, an anniversary, or a rainy afternoon when you want an indoor plan with some ceremony. It also works well for families. Children from ages five to 12 can order the Little Prince and Princess Tea, which includes smaller sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a choice of tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda.

The seating is not always roomy. Some tables are placed close together to make the most of the windows and palace view. If you care more about space than sightlines, you may prefer a table farther inside the lounge. If the view matters most, accept that the best-positioned seating may feel a little tight.

What arrives at the table

The main offering is The Rubens Royal Afternoon Tea. You receive a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries, and tea. The menu changes, so the exact fillings and sweets are not fixed.

The sandwiches are small, as they should be for afternoon tea, but the full spread can be surprisingly filling. One serving may include several small pieces rather than a conventional sandwich portion. You should expect a delicate meal, not a large pub lunch, but many people find there is enough food to carry them through the afternoon.

The scones are a major reason to choose this experience. They arrive with clotted cream, and the hotel’s pastry team makes the baked goods in its own kitchen. If you like warm, soft scones with cream and preserves, this is likely to be the strongest part of the meal.

The pastry selection may include items such as carrot cupcakes and marshmallows, along with other small cakes and sweet bites. Presentation is part of the pleasure. You receive an assortment that looks made for photographs, but the food is not merely decorative. The desserts have drawn especially strong praise for both appearance and flavor.

You can ask staff to pack unfinished items. That is useful because afternoon tea portions can be larger than they first appear, especially after tea, sandwiches, scones, and dessert all arrive.

The tea menu is more than a prop

Tea is the heart of this experience, and the selection is broader than the single black tea often served at simpler afternoon teas. You choose from a range of freshly brewed options, and staff can help if you do not know what to order.

Jasmine tea has been a favorite for its strong aroma, while rooibos has also been singled out as especially good. Other choices may include black, green, herbal, or fruit-based teas, but the exact menu can change.

If you are not a tea drinker, do not panic. Staff can explain the choices and point you toward something lighter or more fragrant. One of the pleasures here is trying a tea you would not normally order, then pairing it with the sweet and savory food.

The tea service is generally intended to last about 90 minutes, while the full activity is listed at roughly two hours. Bring a little patience. This is a paced meal, not a quick stop between palace photos.

Champagne and drink choices

You can add Champagne when booking. It suits the setting and works particularly well for a birthday, anniversary, or romantic afternoon. The upgrade has been considered worthwhile by some visitors, but it is not a bargain, and Champagne is for adults aged 18 and over.

Alcoholic drinks beyond what is included are available to purchase. Prices at the hotel bar are typical of an establishment at this level, so check the cost before ordering additional drinks.

If Champagne is included with your reservation, confirm it when you sit down and check the final bill before leaving. One visitor was charged separately despite having already paid for the Champagne option. That may have been a service error, but it is an easy problem to prevent with a quick look at the receipt.

Dietary requests need advance notice

The hotel can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free diets. You need to contact the provider after booking and give at least 72 hours’ notice.

Do not treat this as a guarantee of an entirely allergen-free meal. The hotel states that, because of the nature of its kitchen and food service, it cannot promise that every dish will be free from allergens or intolerance risks.

That distinction matters. For a preference or ordinary dietary request, the advance notice should help the pastry and kitchen teams prepare an alternative. For a serious allergy, speak with the provider before committing and explain exactly what you need.

The menu is subject to change, so do not book this expecting a particular cupcake, sandwich filling, or pastry. The format is reliable, but the details are seasonal or operational.

Service can shape the whole afternoon

The staff are often a highlight. Many visitors describe the service as friendly, attentive, and personal. One server named Bianca was praised for explaining the food, looking after the table, and boxing up leftovers. That kind of care makes the experience feel properly special.

Other accounts point to a real weakness: delayed service and difficulty finding a server. One table waited 25 minutes before the food arrived, then ran out of tea and had to flag down another member of staff. The food and dining room were still enjoyable, but the service problem took the shine off the occasion.

I would not let that stop you from booking, but I would set sensible expectations. You are paying for a hotel afternoon tea, and attentive service is part of the value. If your tea runs dry or an included item is missing, ask promptly rather than waiting for the server to return.

This is also why the experience suits a relaxed schedule. Do not place it between two timed attractions with no margin. Give yourself the full afternoon, especially if you plan to visit Buckingham Palace, the Royal Mews, or nearby sights before or after tea.

Is $114.38 per person good value?

The price is high for sandwiches, cakes, and tea. You can find cheaper afternoon teas in London, and some will give you a similar amount of food. If your only goal is to eat scones and drink tea, this is not the best-value choice.

You are paying for more than the plate. The price includes the central Buckingham Palace location, the five-star hotel setting, the formal service, the view toward the Royal Mews, and the sense of occasion. For a first visit to London or a milestone celebration, those details may justify the cost.

The value improves if you treat the tea as a meal. The spread can replace lunch, and the setting gives you a two-hour break from sightseeing. The value drops if you eat a large meal beforehand, care little about the palace location, or dislike formal hotel service.

There is also a difference between the advertised experience and the best possible table. A window position can make the afternoon feel memorable, but it is not something you should assume is guaranteed. You may still enjoy the hotel and food from an interior table, but the royal view is a major part of the price.

A romantic stop or a family occasion

For couples, this is an easy romantic choice. Add Champagne, dress smartly, and allow time to enjoy the room rather than rushing to the next attraction. The palace setting gives the occasion a sense of ceremony without requiring a full evening commitment.

For families, the children’s tea is useful. The Little Prince and Princess Tea is aimed at ages five to 12 and includes familiar drink choices such as hot chocolate, milkshake, or soda. Older children may prefer the regular tea, while a 15-year-old might find the children’s menu too young.

The experience also suits a small group of friends. The long tea service gives you time to talk, and the setting is comfortable for a leisurely catch-up. Just remember that some seating may be close, and the mood is more polished than casual.

Timing, clothing, and practical details

Arrive 15 minutes before your selected time. The hotel is near public transportation, and you travel independently to the meeting point at 39 Buckingham Palace Road.

Dress smart casual. Avoid sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts. The hotel can refuse entry to people who do not meet the dress code, so this is not the place for the clothes you wore on a long walking tour.

A mobile ticket is provided, which keeps the arrival simple. Confirmation is issued at booking. The activity ends back at the hotel because there is no transport to another location.

The booking is private in the sense that only your own group participates, but this does not mean you receive a personal guide. You are booking a hosted tea service at the hotel, not a palace tour or walking tour.

The stated cancellation information needs careful attention. The supplied policy says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason, even though other booking information refers to a possible refund or date change up to 24 hours before travel. I would confirm the current terms directly before paying, especially if your London plans may change.

Who should book this afternoon tea?

Book it if you want a classic London ritual in a grand hotel, care about the Buckingham Palace setting, and are happy to pay for atmosphere as well as food. It is particularly well suited to first-time visitors, couples, families marking a special occasion, and anyone who wants a comfortable rainy-day plan.

Think twice if you are focused on the lowest price, need guaranteed spacious seating, or have a severe allergy that requires a fully controlled kitchen. You should also consider booking directly with the hotel and comparing prices if you are trying to cut out booking fees.

My practical choice would be the standard tea first, with Champagne added only if the occasion calls for it. Arrive dressed properly, request dietary arrangements well in advance, confirm the Champagne inclusion, and leave enough time for a slow meal. If those details fit your plans, The Rubens offers one of London’s more memorable afternoon tea settings, even if the price asks you to pay for the room and royal address as much as for the food.

FAQ

Where does the afternoon tea take place?

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

How long does the experience last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours, with the tea service commonly described as about 90 minutes.

Is transportation included?

No. You travel independently to The Rubens at the Palace, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What food is included?

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

Is Champagne included?

Champagne is included only if you select the Champagne option when booking. Additional alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, and Champagne is for adults aged 18 and over.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free options are available with at least 72 hours’ notice. The hotel cannot guarantee completely allergen-free recipes or dishes.

What should I wear?

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

When should I arrive?

You should arrive at the hotel 15 minutes before your booked time.

Can I cancel or change the booking?

The supplied cancellation policy says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Other booking information mentions a possible refund or date change up to 24 hours before travel, so confirm the current terms before booking.