Nachmittagstee in The Rubens im Palace Hotel in London

The afternoon tea was an elevated experience. The food and tea was excellent. Too much to eat at one sitting. I would highly recommend! I can’t wait to return to London and book again.

From the moment we arrived, the service was exceptional. We were warmly welcomed and seated on a cosy sofa by the window facing the Royal Mews — a peaceful and indulgent spot. The rich royal reds of the décor made the setting feel elegant and grand. Everything about the afternoon tea was clearly explained, including the unlimited sandwiches and desserts (though the portions were generous enough that extras weren’t necessary unless you, like me, loved the chicken and salmon sandwiches and ordered more!). A small hiccup with sandwiches was quickly resolved, and the staff were very accommodating with dietary requirements, preparing custom sandwiches without fuss. A special mention to Adora, whose warm, attentive service and friendly chats made the experience truly memorable. She even took photos of us by the piano — a lovely personal touch. For my birthday, they surprised me with a slice of cake saying “Happy Birthday,” which was such a thoughtful gesture. The food was fresh and delicious, with fluffy scones and beautifully presented desserts. The highlight was the mousse delicately shaped like a royal crown — both stunning and tasty. We took the leftovers home. The only downside was the strong sun by 4:30 pm, which made our window seat a bit warm, so we ended our tea early and headed to the bar (review coming soon!). Overall, Reubens offered a relaxing, elegant afternoon with fantastic service. Highly recommended — we’ll definitely be back.

Thoroughly enjoyed the day and pleased by the expectation setting, so when faced by queues etc it was fine and probably went more smoothly than expected. Thanks Godfrey