Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace, Buckingham Palace

The best seat at The Rubens at the Palace comes with a view over Buckingham Palace’s Royal Mews, where the setting gives afternoon tea a distinctly London address. I like that the occasion combines a grand hotel interior with a classic spread of sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea.

I also like the chance to slow down in the Palace Lounge, especially on a rainy afternoon or during a first London visit. The main drawback is the price: at $114.38 per person, you are paying as much for the setting and ceremony as for the food, and your exact view depends on your table.

Key points before you book

• Royal Mews outlook: The hotel faces the Royal Mews, not Buckingham Palace’s famous front facade. Window tables and views can vary.
• A full tea service: Expect sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a choice of tea. The menu changes, and the portions can be filling.
• A special-occasion setting: The Palace Lounge and attentive service make this a natural pick for a date, a family treat, or a first London visit.
• Champagne is optional: It is included only if you select that option. Champagne is for adults 18 and older.
• Dietary needs need advance notice: Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available. Contact the hotel after booking and give at least 72 hours’ notice.
• Dress smart-casual: Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not permitted.

The Royal Mews view is the main event

The Rubens at the Palace sits at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, opposite the Royal Mews. That location is the experience’s defining feature: you can settle into a polished hotel lounge and look out toward the working side of the palace complex, rather than simply having tea in a pretty room elsewhere in London.

Keep expectations precise, though. The view is over the Mews and the palace area, not a guaranteed postcard view of Buckingham Palace’s main facade. Some tables are positioned by windows, but you cannot count on a particular seat. One couple enjoyed people-watching from a small settee by the window, while other seating was described as close together. If the view matters most to you, ask politely when you arrive, but treat a window seat as a possibility, not a promise.

That outlook gives the tea a sense of place. You are not touring the palace or entering the Mews as part of this booking. Instead, you enjoy the surroundings from across the road, with the chance to watch activity in the area while you eat. It is a gentle way to add a royal-neighborhood stop to a day in central London.

From hotel entrance to first cup

You make your own way to the hotel. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so plan your route independently; the location is near public transportation. Arrive 15 minutes before your booked time to avoid rushing through the hotel entrance and to be ready for your seating.

The hotel’s formal surroundings help mark the shift from sightseeing to sitting still. You are shown to the Palace Lounge, where the service is delivered at your table. This is not a guided walk or a palace tour. The activity is the tea service itself, and the pace is meant to give you time to relax rather than race through a list of sights.

The booking is described as lasting about two hours. Some accounts of the seating put it closer to 90 minutes, so it is sensible to leave a little breathing room in your plans instead of scheduling a tight connection immediately afterward. The tea concludes when you finish, and the time can pass quickly if you are chatting, sampling the food, and taking in the view.

Sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea

The menu follows the familiar afternoon-tea pattern: a selection of finger sandwiches, scones, pastries, and tea. Exact items can change, so think of any sample menu as a guide rather than a guarantee. The kitchen’s sweets have included carrot cupcakes and marshmallows, while freshly baked scones with clotted cream are a central part of the spread.

The food is served at your table, and the presentation is part of the pleasure. Sandwiches give you a savory start; scones and pastries carry the meal into dessert territory. Several people have found the amount generous enough to stand in for lunch, while others felt the portions did not justify the high price. That difference is worth weighing: this is a formal tea, not an inexpensive snack stop.

The tea itself deserves attention. You choose from a range of teas, and staff can help if you are unsure what to order. Jasmine and rooibos have been especially memorable to some diners, but the specific selection may vary. One practical point: feedback about tea refills and the number of tea selections is not uniform, so do not assume the service works like an unlimited tea buffet. Ask your server what is included before settling in.

Service can shape the afternoon as much as the food. Many people have enjoyed friendly, attentive help, including staff who explained the tea and dishes or packed up food that could not be finished. There have also been reports of slow or absent service. If you are waiting a long time for your order or need a top-up, speak up politely rather than letting the clock run down.

Champagne, children’s tea, and dietary requests

You can add Champagne when choosing your booking option. If selected, a glass is included; otherwise, alcoholic drinks are available to buy separately. Champagne is only served to adults 18 and older. Because add-on charges have caused confusion in the past, check your confirmation and bill carefully before leaving if you prepaid for Champagne.

For children aged five to 12, the Little Prince and Princess Tea offers bite-size sandwiches, freshly baked scones, pastries, and a choice of tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda. It gives younger diners a version of the ritual suited to them. The children’s option is specifically described for ages five through 12, so ask the hotel about arrangements for children outside that range.

Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available. You need to contact the hotel after booking and provide at least 72 hours’ notice for dietary requests. The hotel cannot guarantee that every dish or recipe will be completely free from allergens or ingredients that trigger an intolerance. If you have a serious allergy, explain it clearly and confirm what the kitchen can safely provide before you go.

Is $114.38 good value?

At $114.38 per person, this is a premium afternoon tea. The price buys more than a plate of cakes: you are paying for the hotel setting, the Palace Lounge, the location opposite the Royal Mews, table service, and the traditional format. For a special occasion or a first visit to London, that package can feel worthwhile.

The value depends on what you want from the afternoon. If your priority is a generous meal in an elegant room with a notable view, the combination may suit you. If you mainly want sandwiches and tea at the lowest possible price, you can find less expensive options around London. Some diners have felt the cost was hard to justify for the quantities served, while others considered the food, service, and atmosphere worth the splurge.

Champagne changes the calculation. It can make the occasion feel more celebratory, and many people recommend the upgrade, but it also adds to an already high bill. Choose it because you want Champagne, not because you assume it is part of the base tea. Check which option you booked and confirm any extra charge before paying.

The right fit for your London plans

This tea works particularly well for first-time visitors who want a classic British ritual without spending half a day on a formal tour. It is also a good fit for couples celebrating a special occasion, families with children who will enjoy the dedicated menu, and anyone who wants a relaxed indoor plan for wet weather.

It is less suited to a tightly packed sightseeing schedule. The meal takes time, and the value comes from sitting and enjoying it, not eating quickly and rushing to the next stop. Nor is it the best choice if your main goal is seeing Buckingham Palace’s front facade. You get the Royal Mews setting and a palace-area view, but this is tea service, not a palace visit.

This is described as a private activity, with only your group participating in the booked activity. You still dine in a hotel restaurant setting, so do not read private as a private room. There is no guide included in the described plan; you travel independently and meet at the hotel.

Before booking, double-check the cancellation terms. The information provided gives two different policies: one says you can receive a full refund or change the date up to 24 hours before, while another says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Confirm the terms that apply to your specific reservation before you pay.

Should you book this afternoon tea?

Book it if you want the setting to be part of the meal. The Royal Mews location, Palace Lounge, traditional menu, and time to linger make this a memorable London pause, especially for a celebration or a first visit. I would go in expecting an elegant hotel tea with a good spread, not a bargain lunch or a guaranteed front-row palace view.

If value matters more than atmosphere, compare other afternoon teas before committing. If this one suits your budget, arrive early, dress smart-casual, flag dietary needs well ahead, and check your Champagne and cancellation details. Then settle in and give the tea the time it deserves.

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 duration is approximately two hours. The seating time can vary, so allow some flexibility in your schedule.

What is included in the booking?

Afternoon tea and beverages are included. A glass of Champagne is included only if you select that option.

Are dietary options available?

Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free options are available. Contact the hotel after booking and give at least 72 hours’ notice. The hotel cannot guarantee food will be entirely free of allergens or ingredients that cause intolerances.

What is the dress code?

Smart-casual clothing is required. Sportswear, flip-flops, and non-tailored shorts are not permitted.

Is there a children’s menu?

Yes. The Little Prince and Princess Tea is available for children aged five to 12 and includes bite-size sandwiches, scones, pastries, and a choice of tea, milkshake, hot chocolate, or soda.

What is the cancellation policy?

The booking information gives conflicting terms. One section says a full refund or date change is available up to 24 hours before the visit, while another says the experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed. Confirm the policy that applies to your booking before paying.