Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

The best part of this afternoon tea is the setting: The Rubens at the Palace sits opposite Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, giving you a handsome royal backdrop while you eat. You settle into the Palace Lounge for sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a wide choice of tea, with the comings and goings around the Palace adding a bit of theater.

I like the polished British setting and the fact that the food is substantial enough to replace lunch. I also like the thoughtful tea service, including help choosing from the menu and good vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free options with advance notice.

The main catch is price. At about $114.38 per person, you are paying for the room, service, location, and ceremony as much as for the food. Seating near the windows can be tight, and the Buckingham Palace view is toward the Royal Mews and side or rear areas, not the famous front facade.

Key points before you book

• Royal Mews view: Your table may look toward the working entrance and comings and goings around Buckingham Palace.
• About two hours: Plan on roughly 90 minutes to two hours, depending on the serving pace.
• Independent arrival: You make your own way to The Rubens at the Palace, with no hotel pickup or guide-led sightseeing.
• Classic menu: Expect finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and freshly brewed tea served at your table.
• Champagne option: The upgrade can add a festive touch, but confirm the charge carefully when you arrive.
• Smart-casual dress: Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not permitted.

The royal setting at 39 Buckingham Palace Road

The Rubens at the Palace has one of the strongest locations for afternoon tea in London. It is at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. That puts you close to the Palace, Victoria Station, and several central London sights.

You arrive independently and should be at the hotel 15 minutes before your booked time. There is no pickup, transfer, or sightseeing guide attached to the experience. That keeps things simple, but it also means you need to allow time for finding the hotel and arriving properly dressed.

Inside, the mood is formal and traditional. The Palace Lounge is designed for lingering rather than rushing through a meal. You can expect plush surroundings, table service, and a setting that feels more special than a standard café.

The view is worth understanding before you pay. You are not looking straight across at Buckingham Palace’s grand front gate. The tea room looks over the Royal Mews and nearby Palace areas, with views of vehicles, staff, children, and other comings and goings possible from a good table. That everyday activity can be more interesting than a static postcard view.

Still, window seats are limited. One table may offer a fine view, while another may have a less direct outlook. Seating can also feel close together, particularly in the areas arranged to face the Palace side. I would book this for the atmosphere and location, not as a guaranteed front-row sightseeing seat.

What happens during the two-hour tea

Once seated, you choose from the tea selection and settle into the pace of the service. The experience is not a guided tour, so there is no lecture about Buckingham Palace or a formal introduction to London. This is a meal with a royal address.

The menu generally arrives in three familiar parts:

• Finger sandwiches
• Freshly baked scones
• Pastries and other sweet treats

The exact menu can change. Examples include fluffy scones with clotted cream, carrot cupcakes, marshmallows, and other small cakes and pastries made by the hotel’s pastry kitchen. The presentation is part of the appeal, with delicate portions arranged to look the part in the elegant room.

The sandwiches are small, but you receive enough food to make this a proper light meal. Some diners find the full spread more than they can finish, while others see the portions as modest for the price. Both impressions are fair. Afternoon tea is built around small bites, not large plates, so do not expect a traditional lunch-sized main course.

The scones are one of the strongest reasons to choose this experience. They are served with clotted cream and are intended to be eaten fresh. If you have never tried an English afternoon tea, the contrast between the warm scone, cream, and preserve is one of the small pleasures that makes the custom worth trying.

The pastry course gives the meal its prettiest finish. You might find tiny cakes, cupcakes, marshmallows, and other decorated sweets. The menu is not fixed, so avoid booking with one particular dessert in mind.

Tea selection and service

Tea is not a token addition here. You choose from a selection of freshly brewed teas, and staff can help if you are unsure what to order. This matters if you are not a regular tea drinker. One useful detail from the dining experience is that the jasmine tea can be especially aromatic, while rooibos is another strong choice for anyone who prefers a naturally caffeine-free drink.

Tea service is unlimited according to the experience details, though the quality of service can affect how much you actually enjoy that benefit. With attentive staff, you can try different teas and keep the pot going. If service slows down, you may need to ask for more tea or food.

That is the main service risk to keep in mind. Most of the feedback praises friendly, attentive staff, but there have also been cases of a server taking too long to return to the table. One account describes a 25-minute wait before service began, followed by a long period without more tea, food, or even water. That appears to be a service failure rather than the intended format, but it is worth knowing.

If your table needs attention, politely flag down a nearby member of staff rather than waiting too long. The experience is at its best when the tea arrives steadily and you can enjoy the room without watching the clock.

Food quality and portion value

The food receives strong praise for taste and presentation. The sandwiches and pastries are intended to look refined, and the pastry selection is a major part of the occasion. The scones receive particularly warm approval, so save room for them even if the sandwiches arrive first.

The quantity is usually enough to leave you full. A family of five found the spread substantial enough to replace a meal, and several people had food left over. Staff may be able to box up unfinished items, as happened for one table, although you should not treat this as a guaranteed part of the service.

The value question is more complicated. At around $114.38 per person, this is not an inexpensive way to eat sandwiches and cake. A less expensive afternoon tea can offer similar food. Here, you are paying for the address, the formal room, the service, the tea ritual, and the chance to sit opposite Buckingham Palace.

I would compare it with the price of a special meal rather than with the cost of lunch. If you want maximum food for your money, this is probably not your best choice. If you want a polished London occasion during a short visit, the calculation looks better.

The Champagne upgrade can make sense for a birthday, anniversary, or romantic afternoon. Several people specifically liked it, but Champagne is expensive at this type of hotel. Check that the upgrade is recorded correctly when you arrive and review the bill before leaving. A payment problem has been reported in which Champagne was charged again despite being included in the booking.

Dietary requests and the children’s menu

The hotel can accommodate several dietary needs if you provide at least 72 hours’ notice. Vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free choices are available. Contact the provider after booking so the request is clearly attached to your reservation.

The hotel cannot promise that every recipe or dish will be completely free of allergens or intolerances because of the nature of its kitchen. If you have a serious allergy, explain it in detail before the visit and confirm what can safely be served.

Vegetarian food has worked well for this menu, including alternative mini sandwiches, breads, and desserts. Vegan choices have also been praised, but you should still arrange them in advance rather than assuming they will be ready without notice.

Children aged five to 12 can order the Little Prince and Princess Tea. It includes bite-size sandwiches, scones, selected pastries, and a choice of tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda. This can be a better fit than the adult menu for younger children.

For older children, the choice is less clear. A 15-year-old preferred the idea of the children’s offering, but the listed children’s menu is for ages five to 12. If you are bringing teenagers, ask about the available menu before booking.

Dress code and the feel of the occasion

Smart casual is required. Avoid sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts. The hotel can refuse entry to diners who do not follow the dress policy, so do not treat this as a casual stop after a day at the park.

You do not need formal evening clothes. A neat shirt, blouse, dress, trousers, or smart shoes should fit the spirit of the room. Dressing with a little care also helps the occasion feel right. Afternoon tea is partly about slowing down and taking part in a British social custom, not just eating cake.

The experience works particularly well on a rainy afternoon. London rain is less annoying when you have somewhere warm, quiet, and elegant to sit for a couple of hours. It also makes a useful break between major sightseeing stops near Victoria and Westminster.

For a romantic occasion, the setting does much of the work. For a first London visit, it offers an easy introduction to afternoon tea without requiring a full-day excursion. For families, the children’s menu and Palace setting can make the final afternoon in London feel memorable.

Champagne, cocktails, and extra spending

The basic experience includes afternoon tea and beverages. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase, and the Champagne option must be selected if you want it included in advance.

Some diners have enjoyed drinks in the hotel bar before tea, but prices are typical of a luxury hotel. That can be pleasant if you want to turn the visit into a longer occasion, though it will increase the bill quickly.

The Champagne upgrade is best viewed as a celebration extra, not a bargain. If you are watching your budget, stick with the included tea. The tea selection itself is a central part of the experience and does not need alcohol to feel special.

Remember that Champagne is available only to adults aged 18 and over. If you are booking for a mixed-age group, the younger members should use the listed tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda choices.

How this compares with doing it yourself

This experience is not a guided tour. You travel to the hotel on your own, sit for tea, and leave from the same location. That can be a benefit if you dislike group sightseeing or want to fit tea into your own London schedule.

It also means you should compare the package price with booking directly with the hotel. At least one person found that buying through a third-party booking channel cost more than arranging the same tea directly. I would check The Rubens’ current direct rate, menu, and cancellation terms before paying.

The packaged booking may still appeal if you want one reservation covering the experience and a mobile ticket. Just do not assume the package adds a guide or special tour commentary. It does not.

There is also conflicting cancellation information in the supplied terms. One set of details says a full refund or date change is available up to 24 hours before the visit, while another says the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Check the exact conditions attached to your confirmation before booking, especially if your London plans depend on flights or other fixed arrangements.

Who should book The Rubens afternoon tea

I would choose this experience if you want:

• A traditional afternoon tea in a luxury hotel
• A royal location opposite Buckingham Palace
• A romantic or celebratory meal
• A polished first taste of English tea culture
• A substantial snack or light meal during a busy London day
• Dietary choices arranged ahead of time
• A private booking for your own group rather than a shared tour

I would look elsewhere if your main aim is a low-cost meal, a guaranteed view of Buckingham Palace’s front facade, or a fast stop between appointments. I would also avoid booking it at the last minute if you need special dietary arrangements or have strict cancellation needs.

Should you book it?

Book it if the setting matters as much as the food. The Rubens gives you a classic London room, good tea, well-presented sandwiches and pastries, fresh scones, and a Royal Mews view that adds a sense of place. The Champagne option works nicely for a special occasion, but it is not necessary.

Skip it if $114.38 feels too high for afternoon tea or if you want a guaranteed Palace-front view. Before paying, compare the direct hotel price, confirm the cancellation rule, request dietary changes 72 hours ahead, and check the Champagne line on your bill.

For a first visit to London, a rainy afternoon, or a final family treat before flying home, this is a pleasant choice. Just book it for the full experience, not for the sandwiches alone.

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 listed duration is about two hours. Some details describe the tea seating as 90 minutes, so allow roughly 90 minutes to two hours.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You travel independently to The Rubens at the Palace, and the experience ends back at the meeting point.

What food and drinks are included?

The Royal Afternoon Tea includes a selection of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and teas. A Champagne glass is included only if you select that option.

Can dietary requirements be accommodated?

Vegetarian, vegan, Halal, and gluten-free options are available with notice. Send special requests at least 72 hours ahead. The hotel cannot guarantee completely allergen-free or intolerance-free dishes.

What should I wear?

Wear smart-casual clothing. Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not permitted.