Taking Bookings
With a proud royal heritage brought to life with warm British hospitality and theatrical dining experiences, The 5-Star Rubens at the Palace has a reputation as one of the best Afternoon Tea venues in London
Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at the Palace Hotel offers a quintessentially English experience.
A short walk from Victoria Station and the Palace Theatre showing Hamilton, the afternoon tea experience at The Rubens is steeped in royal connections and positions guests directly opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. With a rich interior, large windows and 5* service, guests are made to feel like royalty themselves.
Situated within the hotel, the Royal Afternoon Tea can be accompanied by a fully serviced bar offering Champagne or cocktails. The pastry kitchen at The Rubens is led by the talented pastry chef Sarah Houghting (recently featured on Bake Off: The Professionals) producing the freshest pastries and cakes for guests to enjoy. The Rubens pays respect to the tradition of Afternoon Tea whilst incorporating fresh twists along the way. The menu features mouth-watering pastries that are influenced by Royal events and dining trends throughout the centuries.
Kindly note, unfortunately, we cannot cater for dietaries that require both gluten-free and dairy-free options for the same person.
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The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea celebrations
There is no better venue to celebrate The Queen's Platinum Jubilee this Summer than at The Rubens at the Palace, situated opposite the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. With a reputation as one of the best in London, the Platinum Jubilee six-course Afternoon Tea will include a flowering tea, served after the savoury course. With the offering based on Her Majesty's favourite food, this Afternoon Tea will be second to none.
£60 per person (from 1st June to 31st August) £25 (children under 12 years of age)
Afternoon Tea Options
Guests are welcome to experience the Royal Afternoon Tea experience which can be adapted to meet dietary requirements. Vegetarian, vegan, Halal and gluten-free menus are available and the team would be delighted to discuss any additional requirements prior to your booking. *Please note: bookings for Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea must be made with at least 24hrs notice otherwise The Rubens is unable to accommodate reservations.
Our seating time for afternoon tea is one and a half-hour.
Royal Afternoon Tea — £60 (available as Traditional, Vegetarian. Vegan, Gluten-free or Halal)
Champagne Afternoon Tea — £78
Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea — £90
Vegan and Le Green Champagne Afternoon Tea — £84
Halal Wild Idol Sparkling Afternoon Tea — £78
Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea — £25 (children under the age of 12)
Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea
Price: £90 per person
Enjoy an exceptional Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea in our Palace Lounge, overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.
Maximum seating time: 90 mins
Vegan Afternoon Tea/ Vegan Champagne Afternoon Tea
The Rubens are excited to announce the arrival of a new offering for our Vegan guests: Vegan Royal Afternoon Tea £60 per person/ accompanied by a glass of Lanson Le Green Label £84 per person. Lanson Le Green Label Organic Brut Champagne is the first-ever entirely organic Champagne. Predominantly Pinot Noir, aged on lees for three years, it's pure and fresh with fine notes of citrus and berry fruits weaving through its complex mousse. This is perfectly paired with The Rubens Vegan Royal Afternoon Tea.
Halal Afternoon Tea
The pastry kitchen at The Rubens is led by their talented pastry chef Sarah Houghting (a contestant recently on Bake Off The Professionals) who has crafted the Royal Afternoon Tea inspired by Royal events and dining trends throughout the centuries. The team is excited to release a brand new addition to their menu – a Halal Afternoon Tea which has been expertly paired with Wild Idol to offer guests a Sparkling Afternoon Tea experience. This sparkling wine is a refreshing and delicious non-alcoholic drink made from premium quality concentrated grape. £60 per person or £78 per person including the Sparkling option
Afternoon Tea Delivery and Takeaway
Enjoy The Rubens Hotel afternoon tea experience wherever you are in London with a delivery and takeaway option. Perfect for family get-togethers, parties, weekend treats, and birthday or anniversary gifts.
The Rubens Hotel can also prepare afternoon tea for an office location - perfect for team get-togethers. Book online here
Pre-order by 8pm for collection the next day. Collection is free of charge, deliveries will incur a fee (must be a London address).
Picnic in a Royal Park
Enjoy a special picnic feast in St James’s Park, served in traditional wicker baskets and filled with delicious goodies. Allow us to take care of everything, from Afternoon Tea in the park to canapés and wine or our Royal Hamper with wine.
Afternoon Tea: £76 for two people
Canapés and wine: £99 for two people
Royal Hamper and wine: £149 for two people
Now taking bookings from the end of May 2022 for the summer months
Family Friendly
The Rubens also welcomes children and offers a 'Little Prince and Princess Tea' for those under 12.
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The Rubens Golden Tips Experience: The ultimate in luxury Afternoon Tea.
This rare tea is produced in the highlands of Sri Lanka and is fully handcrafted and skillfully handpicked by expert tea pluckers at sunset in Sri Lanka. The velvety, silvery tips are then carefully turned into gold and sundried on a velvet cloth. With white-glove service, this delicate tea is weighed with precision at The Rubens using golden scales with each tip placed into a silver teapot individually using golden tweezers. The tea which is showcased in a locked mahogany box lined with velvet is specially infused to produce an extraordinary liquor and a smooth, light and mellow texture with fruity notes.
This truly unique experience includes a Royal Afternoon Tea Stand for two people and a bottle of Lanson Champagne (750ml) which will be sabred at your table.
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A Special Occasion? Enjoy Afternoon Tea at The Rubens
The Rubens has a number of private rooms and areas suitable for baby showers, anniversaries, hen parties, birthdays, investitures and Christmas celebrations. The experienced Events Team at The Rubens would be happy to discuss your requirements for a group booking and/or a private room hire. Please make an enquiry online and a member of the team will be in touch.
Sat, 1st Jan 2022 - Sat, 31st Dec 2022
More info
Mon, 3rd Jan 2022 - Wed, 30th Nov 2022
More info
Tue, 4th Jan 2022 - Wed, 30th Nov 2022
More info
Tue, 4th Jan 2022 - Wed, 30th Nov 2022
More info
Wed, 1st Jun 2022 - Wed, 31st Aug 2022
More info| Day | Open | Close | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
| Tuesday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
| Wednesday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
| Thursday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
| Friday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
| Saturday | 12:00 | 19:30 | Last dining time is 6pm |
| Sunday | 12:00 | 19:00 | Last dining time is 5pm |
Address
Royal Afternoon Tea at The Rubens at The Palace Hotel, 39 Buckingham Palace Road, SW1W 0PS
Area
Westminster
Nearest Station
Victoria (Tube)
| Name | Type | Capacity Seated |
Capacity Standing |
Cost | Min spend Midweek* |
Min spend Weekend* |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buckingham Room | Private Room | 15 | 0 | - | - | - | |
|
The Buckingham Room is situated on the ground floor of the hotel with simulated lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style. This room features an automatic drop-down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. Maximum numbers for a meeting is 15 delegates in a theatre-style seating plan. Event facilities include: |
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| Da Vinci | Private Room | 20 | 20 | - | - | - | |
|
The Da Vinci room is situated on the ground floor with simulated lighting as well as natural lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style and this room features an automatic drop-down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. Maximum numbers for a meeting is 20 delegates in a reception or theatre style layout. Event facilities include: |
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| Jubilee Room | Private Room | 30 | 60 | - | - | - | |
|
This elegant room is situated on the ground floor of bbar, benefiting from abundant natural daylight. It is fully air-conditioned with adjustable lighting. Décor is of a traditional style. This room features an automatic drop-down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. Maximum of 80 guests with reception style seating. Event facilities include: |
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| Rembrandt Suite | Private Room | 60 | 80 | - | - | - | |
|
The Rembrandt Suite offers abundant natural daylight and a fireplace. It is fully air-conditioned and has adjustable lighting together with a remote controlled drop down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue telephone lines. The suite is situated on the ground floor of the hotel and is ideal for meetings, seminars and dinners for up to 80 guests. Event facilities include:
Prices available on request. |
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| The Rubens Room | Private Room | 20 | 20 | - | - | - | |
|
The Rubens Room is situated on the ground floor of the hotel with simulated lighting as well as natural lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style. This room features an automatic drop-down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. Maximum of 20 guests in a reception or theatre style layout. Event facilities include: |
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| The Rubens Suite | Private Room | 40 | 60 | - | - | - | |
|
The Rubens Suite is situated on the ground floor with simulated lighting and is fully air-conditioned. It has an extra exit door through to the English Grill. Décor is of a traditional style. Maximum of 60 guests based on reception style layout. Event facilities include:
Prices available on request. |
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| Van Dyke Room | Private Room | 40 | 60 | - | - | - | |
|
The Van Dyke Room is situated on the ground floor of the hotel with simulated lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style. This room features an automatic drop-down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. Maximum numbers for a meeting is 60 based on reception style seating. Event facilities include: |
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| The Van Dyke Suite | Private Room | 90 | 130 | - | - | - | |
|
The Van Dyke Suite is situated on the ground floor of the hotel with simulated lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style and this room features an automatic drop down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. The Van Dyke Suite can accommodate up to 130 guests in a reception style layout. The Suite is a combination of the Van Dyke Room, the Buckingham Room and the Van Gogh Room so it can be adjusted into smaller meeting rooms if required. Event facilities include: |
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| The Van Gogh Room | Private Room | 40 | 60 | - | - | - | |
|
The Van Gogh Room is situated on the ground floor of the hotel with simulated lighting and is fully air-conditioned. Décor is of a traditional style and the room features an automatic drop down screen, ISDN 2 and analogue phone lines. The Van Gogh Room can accommodate a maximum of 60 guests in a reception style layout. Event facilities include:
Prices are available on request. |
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* The minimum spends are a guideline only and vary according to the day and time of the year.
