Afternoon tea in royal style feels different. At The Rubens at the Palace, the Palace Lounge turns a simple break into a proper afternoon ritual, and I like the way the menu balances savoury bites with sweet finishing touches. I also love the fresh scones with clotted cream, with homemade preserves and options like lemon curd. One drawback to factor in: it can feel a bit pricey for what you get, especially if you end up adding extra drinks.

This is a slow, seated experience, built around traditional British tea service. You’ll get delicate finger sandwiches, a spread of sweet pastries, and multiple scone flavors (plain, fruit, and cheese), plus tea/coffee. If you choose the inclusive option, you can add Champagne, which makes the whole thing feel extra special without changing the format.

The session runs about 1.5 hours, and you’ll show your voucher when you enter. A friendly English host manages the flow, so you’re not juggling anything—just eating, sipping, and taking in the surroundings for your slice of London class.

Key points to know before you go

• Royal setting at The Rubens: opulent interiors and a “special occasion” mood that matches the food
• Scones done properly: clotted cream, plus homemade seasonal preserve and lemon curd
• A full menu, not a snack plate: savoury sandwiches, multiple sweets, and tea/coffee included
• Tea choice matters: black, green, white, and herbal options from P.M. David Silva & Sons
• Champagne depends on your option: it’s included only if you select the inclusive package
• Dress code can stop you: no flip-flops, sandals, shorts, sportswear, or ripped clothing

Entering The Rubens at the Palace Lounge

The Rubens at the Palace is the kind of London address that makes you sit up a little straighter the moment you arrive. The whole experience is built for comfort and presentation, so you don’t feel like you’re squeezing tea in between sightseeing. Reviews highlight that the interiors feel genuinely grand, and the service tends to be careful and attentive, which matters when the main event is food you’re supposed to savor slowly.

You’ll meet the experience by showing your voucher when you enter. From there, you’ll be seated in the Palace Lounge and guided through the service. The staff are English-speaking, and the setup is designed to keep things orderly, so your 90 minutes stay focused on the meal rather than logistics.

If you’re planning this on a busy day, pick an afternoon slot when you can actually relax afterward. This isn’t a quick stop. It’s a sit-down moment that works best when you’re not rushing to your next museum timed entry.

One small practical note: you’ll need to bring an ID (passport or ID card). That’s easy enough, but it’s one more item to remember.

The food course by course: sandwiches, scones, and sweets

Afternoon tea at The Rubens follows a classic structure. You’ll start with savoury finger sandwiches, move through scones, and finish with a tray of sweet pastries. The format is key: it keeps you from getting bored halfway through and lets each section do its job.

Savoury finger sandwiches

You can expect multiple sandwich-style bites, including combinations such as:

• Scottish smoked salmon, caviar, and chive cream cheese on cape seed loaf
• Roast beef sirloin with wild rocket and horseradish cream on beetroot bread
• Chicken with grain mustard mayonnaise and toasted almonds on white bread
• Barber’s cheddar cheese and plum tomato on onion bread
• Cucumber and mint crème fraîche on Norfolk crunch

What I like about this mix is that it’s not just ham-and-cheddar level. The menu leans into interesting flavors—smoked fish, horseradish, mustard, and even beetroot bread—which makes the savoury portion feel like a legit mini meal.

The scones and the toppings you’ll use

Then comes the scone moment. You can choose between plain, fruit, and cheese scones. After that, they’re served with:

• homemade seasonal preserve
• lemon curd
• clotted cream

This is the heart of afternoon tea, and the toppings matter. Clotted cream and preserves aren’t just tradition—they’re the reason the texture and sweetness hit the right balance. If you’re only going to pay attention to one part, pay attention here.

Sweet pastries and cakes

Finally, the tray of sweets shows up. The menu includes items like:

• The Crown Hukambi chocolate, hazelnut praline, and chocolate sablé
• Blackberry éclair
• Blackberry chiboust with blackberry fruit glaze
• Rhubarb and vanilla
• Vanilla sponge with rhubarb jelly and opalys crémeux
• Citrus meringue tart
• Almond cream with candied lemon, lime zest

The sweet section covers chocolate, fruit, custard-style flavors, and tart elements. That variety keeps it from tasting repetitive by the end of your 90 minutes.

Menus are sample-based and can vary, but the overall feel stays consistent: savoury first, scones in the middle, desserts last.

Tea service: black, green, white, and herbal choices

Tea is not an afterthought here. You’ll choose from a selection of black, green, white, and herbal teas, including options from P.M. David Silva & Sons. Tea/coffee is included, and this matters for value because you’re not forced into buying a drink to complete the experience.

What you’ll get is a proper tea pairing culture: the food is built to match. Fresh scones and curds naturally call for something classic, while the fruit-based sweets make lighter tea choices feel logical. If you like experimenting, the herbal options are the easiest way to keep the meal from feeling too heavy near the end.

If you’re the type who wants control, take your time choosing your tea when offered. Even small differences—like black versus green—change how the next bite tastes.

Champagne and the small-budget reality check

If you choose the inclusive option, Champagne is part of your afternoon tea. That’s a simple upgrade, and it fits the setting. But if you’re watching your spending, remember that additional drinks aren’t included by default.

One review noted that there can be attempts to sell extra drinks like water or wine. That’s common in high-end tea rooms, and it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with the service. Still, it’s worth going in with a plan:

• Decide ahead of time if Champagne is enough for you
• If you want other drinks, ask yourself whether it’s worth the total cost before you say yes

The experience works either way. Champagne just turns the afternoon up a notch.

Dress code, timing, and what to bring for smooth entry

Afternoon tea at The Rubens is set up like a fine-dining experience, and that includes rules about how you show up. You should expect a dress code, and guests not following it may not be permitted entry.

Avoid:

• sandals or flip-flops
• shorts
• sportswear
• ripped clothing

This is mostly about respect for the room. London weather can be unpredictable, so choose shoes that look intentional, not gym-ready. If you’re visiting in a hurry between activities, plan a quick clothing swap rather than hoping sneakers and shorts will pass.

You’ll also need:

• passport or ID card

Timing-wise, plan for about 1.5 hours. That’s long enough to enjoy the full menu, but short enough that it won’t derail your day. It’s ideal as a midday or early afternoon anchor when you want something relaxing and centrally located in spirit.

If you have dietary needs, inform the provider 48 hours in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, halal, and gluten-free afternoon teas can be requested.

Price and value: is $111 a fair trade?

At $111 per person, you’re paying for more than food. You’re paying for:

• the venue’s atmosphere and presentation
• a full spread of savoury bites, scones with multiple toppings, and sweets
• tea/coffee included
• attentive service designed around a seated “event” format
• optional Champagne if you selected the inclusive option

Is it inexpensive? No. But it’s not just a tea cup and a biscuit. The menu includes multiple sandwich varieties, three scone types, and a selection of desserts that feels like a designed tasting plate.

Where value can wobble is when you add extra drinks. If you stay with what’s included (tea/coffee, and Champagne only if that’s in your package), the cost aligns with a high-end afternoon experience. If you add upgrades beyond that, the total can drift into “special occasion only” territory.

So my advice: treat this as a planned treat. Don’t tack it on casually if your goal is to do London on a tight budget.

How to get the most from your 90 minutes

To make this experience feel worth it, focus on pacing and choices.

First, commit to the menu rhythm. Try one savoury bite early, then switch gears to scones before you’re too full. People often wait until the end to appreciate scones, but that’s exactly when flavors start blurring under dessert sugar.

Second, order your tea thoughtfully. Since you get black/green/white/herbal options from P.M. David Silva & Sons, you can choose based on your preference for intensity. If you love stronger tea, go black. If you want something lighter with the fruit-forward sweets, green or herbal may feel easier.

Third, go in with dietary needs handled in advance. The provider asks for requests 48 hours before. That’s the difference between “they’ll do their best” and getting a meal you can actually enjoy.

Finally, if you want Champagne, confirm it’s in your selected option. Champagne being included only for the inclusive selection is the kind of detail that can change the whole cost picture.

Who this afternoon tea suits best

This is a strong fit if you want:

• a classic British tradition in a polished setting
• a seated, low-stress experience (about 1.5 hours)
• a true food progression: savoury to scones to sweets
• a “special day” vibe, whether you’re celebrating or just craving something more elegant than a café

It’s also a good pick when the weather isn’t cooperating. You’re indoors, seated, and focused on one main event.

If you hate dress codes or you prefer casual, no-rule dining, you might find the rules slightly annoying. But if you’re happy to dress up a bit and slow down, the whole point clicks fast.

Should you book this afternoon tea at The Rubens?

Book it if you’re the type who likes proper afternoon tea, wants excellent presentation, and cares about the scone-and-curd moment. The combination of a full menu, attentive service, and a grand setting is exactly why people pay for this kind of experience.

Skip it if your goal is maximum budget value or you’re likely to add lots of extras beyond tea/coffee and your chosen package. At this price level, you’ll get the best experience by treating it as a single planned treat, not a food-and-drink free-for-all.

If you do book, aim for a calm afternoon and plan your outfit around the rules. Then sit back and let the meal run its course.

FAQ

How long is the afternoon tea at The Rubens at the Palace?

It lasts about 1.5 hours.

What’s included in the afternoon tea?

You get afternoon tea, which includes freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, pastries, plus tea/coffee.

Is Champagne included?

Champagne is included only if you select the inclusive option.

Where do I meet for the experience?

Show your voucher when entering The Rubens at the Palace.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Are there dress code rules?

Yes. Sandals or flip-flops, shorts, sportswear, and ripped clothing are not allowed. If you don’t follow the policy, entry may be refused.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes, but you need to inform the provider at least 48 hours before your booking, including requests for vegetarian, vegan, halal, or gluten-free afternoon teas.