Afternoon Tea overlooking Buckingham Palace

Monday to Friday: 12pm to 5pm 

Saturdays: 12pm to 6pm 

Sunday: 12pm to 5pm

This Wimbledon season, Paula Stakelum - Red Carnation’s Global Director of Chocolate and Pâtisserie, known as Paula Pastry, is hosting a special pop-up at The Leopard Room in collaboration with Champagne Lanson. Enjoy her exclusive tennis-themed pastry, perfectly paired with a glass of champagne, all set against elegant Lanson décor with live screenings of the tournament adding to the atmosphere. For those that wish to enjoy this treat on the go, a beautifully boxed takeaway version will also be available.

Time: 12pm to 6pm

Price: £36

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Our meticulously curated picnic baskets are brimming with an exquisite array of culinary delights, from tantalising canapés to artisanal sandwiches crafted with the finest ingredients.

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

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

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.

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 

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