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Afternoon Tea overlooking Buckingham Palace

Royal Afternoon Tea

Indulge in the epitome of a quintessential English Afternoon Tea experience at The Rubens at the Palace, where refinement meets tradition. Immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of our Palace Lounge, offering panoramic views of the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, or enjoy your tea within the opulent surroundings of our exquisitely designed English Grill. 


At the helm of our pastry kitchen is the exceptionally talented Sarah Houghting, a pastry chef of distinction who has showcased her skills on Bake Off: The Professionals on Channel 4. Sarah takes pride in crafting the freshest pastries and cakes, ensuring a delightful feast for our discerning guests. 


Renowned as one of London's finest Afternoon Teas, we honour the classic British tradition while infusing innovative twists to captivate your palate. Our commitment extends to catering for diverse dietary preferences, with thoughtfully curated menus that include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal choices. Join us for our splendid Royal Afternoon Tea, where every moment is steeped in elegance and culinary excellence.

Afternoon Tea in the English Grill, The Rubens at the Palace

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: 12pm to 5pm 

Saturdays: 12pm to 6pm 

Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

Our afternoon teas

Special offers

Celebrate the season with a luxurious Afternoon Tea just steps from Buckingham Palace. Enjoy elegant treats, unique extras like artistic keepsakes and takeaway hampers, and special offers that make every visit a little more indulgent.

11th August

A Celebration of Tea & Taste

Join us for an exclusive one-off Afternoon Tea Week event hosted by Dan Silva of PMD Tea and Sarah Houghting, Head Pastry Chef at The Rubens at the Palace. Enjoy our classic Afternoon Tea elevated with exclusive touches, including a savoury course and handcrafted ice cream. Dan will share expert insights into the world of fine tea, while Sarah showcases her inspired patisserie - blending flavour, technique, and storytelling in every bite.

Time: 2pm

Price: £80 per person

Venue: Private event space

The New York Bar Cocktail

13th August

Afternoon Tea Cocktail Masterclass

Celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in style with an immersive Cocktail Masterclass led by our expert mixologist, Silviu Stan. This unique experience combines the elegance of traditional Afternoon Tea with the flair of mixology. Guests will enjoy a Royal Afternoon Tea, a hands-on cocktail masterclass including two crafted cocktails and a champagne sabrage demonstration, with a glass of champagne included. 

Time: 2pm

Price: £110 per person

Venue: Private event space

Leadenhall Market

14th August

PMD London Tea Walk & Afternoon Tea Experience

Step into the story of tea this Afternoon Tea Week with a unique experience in partnership with PMD Tea. Led by tea expert Dan Silva, your journey begins with a guided walking tour, tracing the historic route of Ceylon tea into London. After the tour, a black cab will return you to The Rubens, where a Royal Afternoon Tea awaits – complete with seasonal sandwiches, warm scones, exquisite pastries, and a curated tea pairing.

Time: 11am

Location: Leadenhall Market

Price: From £235 per person (minimum two guests)

15th August

Painting Masterclass & Afternoon Tea

Unleash your creativity with this exclusive Painting Masterclass and Afternoon Tea experience, hosted as part of Afternoon Tea Week. Led by talented artist Shelley Levy, guests will enjoy a relaxed and inspiring art session with a glass of champagne in hand, followed by a move into the elegant Palace Lounge to indulge in our Royal Afternoon Tea - featuring delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and handcrafted pastries. You'll leave with a beautiful keepsake of your own artwork to take home.

Price: £199 per person

Ongoing

Bottomless Afternoon Tea

Enjoy an exceptional Bottomless Champagne Afternoon Tea in our Palace Lounge, overlooking the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace. Please note, our bottomless option allows a maximum seating time of 1.5 hours.  

Price: £115 per person

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Ongoing

Bespoke portraits

We are delighted to introduce Shelley Levy, also known as ShelleyTheArtist, as our Resident Artist. Indulge in an unforgettable Afternoon Tea experience as you pose for a captivating portrait. This unique opportunity offers our guests bespoke personal or family portraits, crafting a truly unique memento. By appointment only.

Price: Two people £350, three people £450, four people £550, or two people with traditional Afternoon Tea £520

Afternoon Tea with Shelley is available throughout the week by appointment only and is subject to availability.

Ongoing

Baby Shower Afternoon Tea

Celebrate your baby shower at The Rubens with a unique and memorable Baby Shower Afternoon Tea. Share this joyous occasion with your loved ones and enjoy baby shower-themed biscuits alongside our classic Royal Afternoon Tea offering.

Ongoing

Bridal Afternoon Tea

Celebrate your upcoming wedding with an enchanting Bridal Afternoon Tea. Delight in the elegant atmosphere as you savour bridal-themed delicacies, creating unforgettable memories as you toast to the bride-to-be amidst the refined ambiance of our distinguished venue.

Wicked Afternoon Tea The Rubens

Ongoing

Theatre dining discount

Ticket holders for Wicked, Six the Musical, and Hamilton are warmly invited to enjoy a 15% saving on our pre-theatre Afternoon Tea. Simply quote Hamilton, Wicked, or Six the Musical when booking and present a valid ticket for that day’s performance to take advantage of this exclusive offer.

Ongoing

Tea Takeaway

The Rubens is delighted to offer guests the chance to enjoy our Royal Afternoon Tea wherever they choose with our exclusive takeaway service. Whether you're meeting friends in a nearby park, surprising a loved one, or indulging at the office, our Afternoon Tea caddy allows you to savour our exquisite selection of sandwiches, pastries, and freshly baked scones wherever you are.

Price: £70 per person

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The High Tea In The Palace Lounge

Ongoing

Golden Tips Tea

Enjoy our Royal Afternoon Tea for two alongside Ceylon Golden Tips, in partnership with specialist tea merchants PMD Tea. This rare tea is produced in the highlands of Sri Lanka and is skillfully handpicked at sunset. With white-glove service, this delicate tea is weighed with precision at The Rubens using golden scales; each tip is placed into the silver teapot individually with golden tweezers. The tea, which is showcased in a mahogany box lined with velvet, is infused with still mineral water to produce an extraordinary liquor and a smooth, light and mellow texture, with hints of fruity notes.

Price: £500 for two people, including a bottle of Lanson Champagne sabred at your table

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Purchase a gift voucher

Ongoing

Afternoon Tea parties

We are delighted to welcome guests celebrating a special occasion. Parties can be held in the Palace Lounge for up to eight guests, one of our private rooms, or the English Grill, which can accommodate up to 100 guests. Our dedicated events team will be on hand to help organise every detail.

We’re excited to offer a £10 discount per guest when you book an Afternoon Tea party for 10 or more. Please use the calendar widget at the top of the page to receive this discount.

Chef Sarah Houghting

Ongoing

Gourmet chef experience

Enjoy an interactive pastry experience curated by Chef Sarah Houghting at The Rubens. Alongside one of our chefs, you’ll learn to create pastry delicacies while picking up invaluable tips and tricks. Choose a morning session, followed by a Royal Afternoon Tea in The Palace Lounge, or an afternoon session, culminating in an evening meal in The English Grill.

Time: Start at either 10am or 2pm; each session lasts approximately four hours

Price: £1,200 for two people 

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View itinerary

Ongoing

A Portrait to Arrive to

For those who don’t have the time to sit for a portrait session during their visit, or those who simply cannot wait to see themselves artfully presented alongside their beloved pooch, Julie Patmore will paint you and your pet in advance of your stay with us. A most charming surprise to receive when you arrive through our doors, especially when staying with your pet.

Price: £525 for pets, £1000 for people and pets

FAQs

Afternoon Tea At The Rubens At The Palace

Gift vouchers

Treat your loved ones to a truly indulgent experience by gifting them one of our Afternoon Tea gift vouchers, valid for up to one year. Perched across from the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace, sip on champagne or tea whilst enjoying a menu specially curated with royal inspiration.

View our vouchers