Afternoon Tea at Café Royal

Beautiful experience at cafe royal. Was there for a day and breakfast. Service is welcoming and friendly. Room was checked often to check if I need room service when I step out. Didn’t wait longer at the grill after because I got meetings. It’s a luxury setting and beautiful

My friends and I were debating keeping our reservation for afternoon tea at Cafe Royal - it is quite pricey and we weren't sure if it would be too stuffy for our group - well I'm so happy to say that we kept our reservation and had an absolutely amazing experience here. We were 5 of us in total and we were treated like Royalty from our initial welcome by the host to our final goodbye (after almost 3 hours!). We're not big drinkers, so we didn't feel the need to splurge for the tea options that included Champagne. We all did the £79 Afternoon Tea option, and were very happy with everything that's included - unlimited tea sandwiches (beef, truffle egg, chicken curry and cucumber), unlimited warm-fresh baked scones, clotted cream, strawberry and apricot jam, and unlimited petit four desserts. You could absolutely eat until your hearts (or stomachs) content! Our server was so kind and wonderful, never making us feel bad for ordering more of anything. My absolute only complaint would be the pacing of the experience. When you're seated, they are sure to tell you that the afternoon tea is a 2-hour experience, but I think that maybe they were short staffed on the day we went, because there were long stretches of time where we were just waiting to be served, resulting in our experience taking 3 hours, and honestly it would have been longer had we not had to get up and leave to make our next appointment. We did mention to our server that we had a hard stop at a certain time, which we hoped would have informed the pacing of our experience, but unfortunately it didn't and we ended up not getting to enjoy the petit fours due to having to leave. That small blip aside, afternoon tea at Cafe Royal was a truly spectacular and memorable experience, and is absolutely something I think is worth your time when in London! It is a quiet, upscale experience, so I think if you're uncomfortable in high-end venues then there are alternative tea experiences you would probably be more comfortable at. But if you're someone who appreciates history, architectural beauty, gild and glamour, fine bone-china and attentive service in an upscale venue, then this is an experience you don't want to miss!

+6

Afternoon tea at Café Royal Grill was nothing short of exquisite. From the moment I arrived the service was flawless a true 10/10 with staff who combined professionalism with a warm graceful touch. The setting itself is sophisticated yet cozy creating the perfect ambiance for an indulgent afternoon. Every detail was attended to with care making the experience feel both elegant and memorable. A truly refined destination for those who appreciate the art of afternoon tea.

+2

An exquisite dining experience. Refined atmosphere, exceptional cuisine, and flawless service. Café Royal perfectly blends timeless elegance with modern sophistication. A truly memorable evening in the heart of London.

+3

We went here for the Afternoon Tea and had a very lovely experience. The selection of sandwiches was very delicious and a free refill was offered as well. The cones with jam and butter were freshly made and warm and the little pastries were incredibly tasty! Loved also the selection of tea and tried 5 different ones as you can choose a new selection anytime. And obviously the location was stunning and the service outstanding. A very lovely place, not only for special occasions - even though it’s a bit pricey!

Our anniversary dinner at the Grill Room at Hotel Café Royal was nothing short of spectacular. They went above and beyond to accommodate our request for halal beef steak, which is quite rare in luxury hotels. The meal was impeccable, and the staff’s attention to detail made the evening truly memorable. Everything was top-notch, and the warm, personalized service made our anniversary celebration even more special. We left with full hearts and wonderful memories. Five stars without a doubt!

+4

Beautiful restaurant and the staff were absolutely top class! All going out their way and were very attentive too. We had the set menu before out evening trip to the theatre and it was delicious. My wife has the steak which was cooked to perfection and melted in the mouth. I had the most beautiful souffle to start followed by Christmas turkey which was absolutely delicious. Followed up my Christmas pudding and a very rich brandy sauce. All-in all very filling and worth every penny to treat yourselves for that special occasion. Again - staff were 10/10.

The Hotel Café Royal - The legendary Regent Street address has long been the capital’s hub for fine food, wine and conversation. @hotelcaferoyal 🌟 Embarking on a culinary adventure at Barbounia, nestled within the historic walls of Hotel Café Royal, where every bite tells a story of refinement and indulgence. 🎩✨ 🥗 Kicking off our culinary escapade with the BLACK TRUFFLE PIZZETTA and the vibrant explosion of flavors in the TRADITIONAL GREEK SALAD – setting the stage for an evening of epicurean delights! 🐟 From the depths of the sea to the pastures of the land, the mains GRILLED WHOLE SEABASS and GRILLED BLACK ANGUS RIBEYE stole the spotlight, cooked to absolute perfection, each bite a celebration of culinary craftsmanship! 🐟🥩 🍰 And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, in comes the pièce de résistance – the TRADITIONAL TIRAMISU, a luscious finale that danced on our taste buds, leaving us craving for more! 🇮🇹✨ 👌 With impeccable service, breathtaking views of the Venetian chandelier, and an atmosphere steeped in history and sophistication, Barbounia at Hotel Café Royal is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience to savor and cherish! 🌟✨

+1

We had the afternoon tea at Café Royal Grill, and it was exceptional through and through. From the elegant setting to the impeccable service, everything exceeded our expectations. I would like to especially recognize Mohammed Mohammed, the doorman and greeter, who truly made our visit memorable. He was the first to invite us to take a look at the place, welcomed us warmly, and even helped us make our reservation. His politeness, professionalism, and genuine hospitality set the tone for a wonderful experience. A huge thank-you to the entire Café Royal Grill team — and particularly to Mohammed — for such a delightful afternoon. We’ll definitely be back!

+6

The restaurant was amazing; welcome 10/10, decor 10/10, presentation 10/10, staff 12/10. The entire experience was so top it’s off the cuteness scale. I’d like to give a special thank you to Husma a part of the reservation team; she ensured all went smoothly throughout the process of making a reservation for the afternoon tea experience, after i’d previously dealt with a not so helpful member of staff. When i’d expressed my concerns to her regarding this matter I was met with a grave amount of help, a great role model for the rest of the team. Fantastic customer service & resolution skills. I’d also like to give a special thank you to Ahmed for his part within the restaurant as waiting staff; for looking after us in the manner he did. He went above & beyond to ensure this experience was top quality & as best tailored to suit my mother & I’s preferences as possible (which it was). Anything that was mildly incorrect he’d correct with a great sense of urgency, truly a compliment to this fine establishment! Honestly a breath of fresh air when greeted by 2 wonderful people who really empathises with those they encounter at work.

+4

The afternoon tea we had at Cafe Royale was perfect in every respect - the ambience, the service, the music, food and tea, the attention to detail. We have been going afternoon teas for years now and this is by far one of the best we have had so far. The venue is stunning, the staff are attentive and observed the special occasion we had marked before arriving kindly and thoughtfully. The food and tea were excellent - varied and delicious while still maintaining traditional afternoon tea etiquette. Highly recommend.

+1

Me and my wife had dinner here for our 18th Wedding anniversary. The restaurant itself is within the hotel. We went on a Sunday night, so it was fairly quiet, which suited us just fine. It allowed my wife to take plenty of photos and videos without being disturbed. There was a gentleman playing the piano when we arrived, but he ended his session soon after. The service is exactly what you would expect from an up market establishment such as Cafe Royal. All the staff are extremely helpful, polite and friendly. The food was nice, it’s was light but had flavour. We pre orders halal steak and it was cooked exactly how I liked it. The portion sizes were not very large, so be prepared to spend at least £100 per person. We don’t drink alcohol so we went for Coke Zero which is £6 per bottle. The staff knew that it was our anniversary, so they gave us a free dessert and some chocolates with a plate wishing us Happy Anniversary. That was a beautiful touch. This for us was a one off but I would definitely recommend it. The room itself is beautiful, you feel really special when you’re sitting there knowing that royalty and the rich and famous have dined there.

+3

We had a truly wonderful afternoon tea at Café Royal. The vegetarian selection was exceptional beautifully presented, thoughtfully curated, and full of flavour. Each savoury and pastry felt carefully crafted , which made the experience even more special. After being to many luxury afternoon teas in London I can say Cafe Royal is on our top 3 favourites. The service was impeccable: attentive, warm, and professional throughout. The team ensured everything was perfectly timed and regularly checked in without ever feeling intrusive. The ambience of Café Royal adds so much to the occasion — elegant, refined, and luxurious while still feeling comfortable and relaxed. It’s the perfect setting for a special celebration. Can't wait to come again for lunch or dinner.

+2

This was my first afternoon tea experience and it did not disappoint. I took my mum for her birthday who is an afternoon tea veteran and she felt it was the best! Food was lovely, great ambience and the service was impeccable. Ahmed was lovely. A special shout out goes to Antonio, a true gentleman and a wonderful soul. I highly recommend.

We attended the fishy tales evening. The service was impeccable. From the welcome/coat check to all the waiters, everyone was friendly, super polite and very efficient. The sommelier was very friendly and informative. The interior is obviously stunning and the piano player only adds to the enjoyment. The meal itself was interesting and delicious and the wine pairings, perfect. Super value. Please let’s have more special evenings with set menus like this. Hats off to all concerned.

Popped in quite randomly with friends for a drink and a catch-up. The atmosphere was lovely and nice and quiet when we visited. Staff were very attentive and the nibbles we ordered to go with the drinks were really good. We had a really nice evening here – would happily recommend.

My family and I had a genuinely enjoyable experience last winter at this establishment. We were fortunate to have the option to dine in as brunch guests. The waitstaff and waiters were exceptionally friendly, social, and professional. They exuded a charming demeanour that made our dining experience truly memorable. The restaurant offers a delightful ambiance in atmospheric harmony within the heart of London, providing a wonderful urban mixed with classical dining experience.

We had the afternoon tea during lunch time, this was our first ever experience with afternoon tea and had many concerns - would it be too fancy for us? Would we be full? Would we even enjoy the tea because we both don’t regularly drink tea. All our apprehensions were quickly nullified - the experience was absolutely fantastic, I did a lot of research before we went and this place had the most unique interiors. I also found the dietary options available while booking the most detailed I had ever seen. They encouraged us to try different types of teas - we tried 5 different types between two of us and they were delicious. The tisanes were so floral and smelt amazing. The sandwiches - both vegetarian and chicken ones were really good. Fluffy bread and generous filling. You must remember to save space for scones and dessert and not fill yourself up with unlimited sandwich refill. Scones were warm and jams were yummy. I was pleasantly surprised that the desserts had a tangy side to them too. Loved that they celebrated tea in the desserts too by including elderflower and earl grey, but subtly so it was perfectly balanced. The pastry chefs must be highly skilled because it’s the thinnest shell I’ve ever eaten on the chocolate mousse and lemon dessert. Service was lovely, they recommended the order in which we should have the tea so it goes with every part of the course. Only thing I would change is that we’d choose tap water instead of bottle water just because it was 8 pounds. The afternoon tea is definitely expensive, but completely worth it especially for celebrations. Highly recommend.

I have experienced several exquisite afternoon teas in London, and Café Royal's is my favorite. Great service, a fine selection of teas, the best sandwiches, warm scones, and fabulous pastries...while enjoying beautiful live piano. Although I sat by myself today, I never felt alone or ignored. (An experience older, solo women sometimes endure.) Quite the opposite! I enjoyed fine service and the vibes of so many wonderful artists (Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, David Bowie, and many others) still lingering in the atmosphere. Absolutely magical.

I took my partner to Hotel Café Royal for an afternoon tea for his birthday (it was the Christmas one) and we ad an amazing time. First of all, I'd like to mention that the tea room itself is so opulent, it really feels like you stepped back in time. The service was perfect and so very helpful! The afternoon tea was delicious! The sandwiches were so good, but one in particular stood out: the beef Wellington one. Oh my, I believe it's in my top 3 of the best sandwiches I have ever had in my life! The Scones were scrumptious and so were the two type of jam we were given (the Raspberry jelly and the mango & pineapple jam). The cakes were delicious too, the chocolate one was wow. So rich and tasty! As it was my partner's birthday, they even came out at the end with a little cake with a candle on top which was the cherry on top for me. Overall it was an unforgettable experience. Outstanding food and service!

Stunning interior design & Excellent Services! Delicious sandwiches are perfectly paired with my tea White Apricot, and Very berry. Earl Grey jello and warm scones are perfectly paired as well. Rośe champagne is perfect for our 32nd anniversary! We definitely had an amazing experience !

What a wonderful afternoon tea experience. This was recommended to me by a friend and WOW what a great experience. The tiny delights were a gem and the atmosphere is luxurious. But above all was the service. They were attentive and thoughtful. As an example, the table next to me was running late for another appointment and asked the staff to bring the check. They brought the check and in addition called the appointment and rescheduled for 30m later just to give the patrons more time to enjoy their tea. That’s service!!! Bravo!! A huge thanks to Guli and Sadya (I hope I got the spelling right) for providing such excellent service- thank you!! Highly recommend for afternoon tea.

Afternoon Festive tea at the Grill Room at £85. The Grill Room is really beautiful and opulent. We were truly charmed by the ambiance. The gentleman that assisted us, Luigi is very charming and affable and offered us perfect service. Great place for photographs as well. The cream for the scones were so good.

Huge thanks to the whole staff at Cafe Royal for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon tea. We were a group of 7, looked after by Luigi and Gift, both of whom were very knowledgeable and attentive. Nothing was too much trouble and it was fun learning about the different tea blends, but more importantly, they had that blend of absolute professionalism and unstuffy warmth. All the staff clearly really enjoy looking after people without breaking the ‘theatre’ of afternoon tea in such a setting, which is rare to find and they really did make our day. The room itself was a showstopper, and the sandwiches and cakes were beautiful and delicious, little works of art. Well done all.

Great customer service, beautiful ambiance, tasty scones with Earl Grey jelly. Sandwiches were nice just bit too much sauces, larger portions compare to most afternoon tea places which I liked. They generously replenished my sandwiches and scones. The manager Luigi even came out to talk to me and talked about how he managed the place, when most places use fancy tea filter for tea leaf, they just took them out before giving to the customers so all cups taste the same, I did not know that until he pointed it out and I completely agreed with him, that's a better way of serving tea. I will definitely go back again!

The experience was amazing! The Oscar Wilde hall is so beautiful. We went at 5pm and there was almost nobody. There was a pianist playing very beautiful music. The staff is impressive and very polite. I had a surprise for my bday.The afternoon tea is very delicious. A 5* experience to recommend.

THE ONLY PLACE IN LONDON TO HAVE AFTERNOON TEA Wow, what can we say, my friend and I have had afternoon tea over the years at all the top places in London and this visit to the Hotel Cafe Royal has to be the best ever! Where do I start….. Ambience, light piano music, attentive and knowledgeable staff, quality of food and drinks, total perfection! We had a table booked this week for 2.30pm, we arrived 15 minutes early and were shown to a comfy settee and our bags were taken to the cloakroom. Literally 10 minutes later we were shown to our table. Seats were slightly lower than normal but very comfy and added to the intimacy of the afternoon tea in a lovely way. The waiters came down to your level to discuss the menu which all added to the very personalised occasion for this afternoon tea. A special mention here to Emerson who was our waiter, charming young man. You could add a glass of fizz to the standard selection but as we had to drive home we declined. You could have as many different teas as you wanted to try and there were some very special ones on the menu. I ended up taking home a bag beautifully wrapped and packaged. The sandwiches came separately with a couple of amuse bouche on the top tier to tantalise your taste buds, then the sandwiches, two layers with four each, slightly larger than the normal “finger size” but I’m not complaining as it meant more filling! We changed our tea selection for the anticipated cake course but was asked if we would like any more sandwiches, of course I had to say yes! Again, no pressure on time which added to the delightful afternoon. We changed tea selection again and began the scones, both plain and fruit, plus the beautiful delicate cakes. Then just when you thought it was all over you were presented with a beautiful slice of chocolate cake covered in ganache and nuts (nut alternatives would have been available). Yes, you guessed it, we couldn’t finish everything, it was probably the extra sandwiches so they gave us a beautiful carry out box to take home to enjoy later. I cannot stress how wonderful this experience is and would definitely put this No 1 for afternoon tea in London. Do not hesitate, if you are thinking of enjoying this quint essential British tradition book Hotel Cafe Royal in Regent Street.

My afternoon tea experience was simply exquisite. From the moment upon arrival, we were welcomed by the loveliest of staff who ushered us into one of the most stunning settings. The historic decor combined with the gentleman playing melodic tunes on the piano enhanced the overall beauty and festive atmosphere. The service was splendid, as the waiters took their time to explain Chef Blondelles’ charming creations. I truly loved every moment and I cannot wait to be back!

Afternoon Tea at Café Royal was an absolutely delightful experience. The setting is stunning-elegant and luxurious, yet still inviting. The service was impeccable; attentive without being intrusive, and every detail was taken care of. The tea selection was excellent, and the presentation of the sandwiches, pastries, and scones was beautiful. Everything tasted as good as it looked, with the scones being some of the best I’ve ever had-perfectly warm and fluffy. It felt like such a treat from start to finish and made for a truly memorable afternoon in London. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone

Absolutely wonderful ambience, delicious treats and perfect service. It is the little details that make a difference between great and exquisite service. Coming over to the green bar to let us know that our table was ready and carrying over our drinks for us, the flawless table service and the absolutely delicious afternoon tea treats, the glamourous atmosphere with the piano player, all makes you feel very special. My only disappointment was the chocolate cake which had coconut in it, which made it less enjoyable for me, but that is down to personal taste.

Absolutely, I’ve got you covered. Here’s a nice little review you can use: ⸻ Café Royale in London is nothing short of a legendary experience. The atmosphere is simply stunning, blending historic charm with a touch of modern luxury. The staff is absolutely top-notch, and the food is as delightful as you’d hope from such an iconic spot. Honestly, if Café Royale had the kind of allure to draw in guests like Rihanna or Princess Diana, you know it’s a must-visit. Especially if you’re coming from the US or just traveling from anywhere else in the world, put it on your London itinerary. You won’t be disappointed.

We thoroughly enjoyed the meal (the food was delicious), and the team were welcoming and attentive - many thanks to them also. This was our second visit, after previously enjoying a delicious afternoon tea in the summer. Excellent piano playing also! It was very much appreciated!

Great quality afternoon tea in a beautiful ornate room, with attentive service. Live pianist really made the atmosphere too. Claridges is still my favourite in London but this is now a close second - really excellent and will definitely be booking again in future.

Worth a trip! We went for afternoon tea in December and got to try their Christmas menu. The place itself is beautiful, very opulent and elegant! The pictures really don’t do it any justice. The service was also very good, waiters were very friendly and observant. The live pianist was a wonderful add on! The finger sandwiches in the Christmas menu were really good and surprisingly filling. By the time we had gotten to the desserts we were already full. Unfortunately, the desserts were a let down. Although they are very intricate and pretty in appearance they did not taste great. I’ve had better desserts at standard restaurants. The teas were nice too. Unlimited teas were great, but the downside was that the waiters would come and top up your cup with the initial tea you had ordered (without asking). Making it difficult to order a different tea if you were tired of drinking one type! Overall the ambience and setup was lovely! Worth a trip as a one off.

+3

The sandwiches were delicious, but scones were average and pastries were a bit lower than my expectations. The atmosphere was great but the service was slow side.

+4

The space is amazing despite having no windows. The ceiling panels have gold trim and paintings, feels really fancy. Food and service are also great. The set dinner at £35/£40 is a steal. Taking off one star because they don't readily provide tap water, but still ask for gratuity

+5

Overall an enjoyable experience for the nutcracker afternoon tea to celebrate our engagement anniversary. Decor and ambience is very nice. Food was very nice with a very good selection of teas. Staff were very attentive and explained each dish very well. The savoury dishes came out first followed by the scones and sweets which is always good. There were a few issues as to why I have given 4 and not 5 stars. One of the teacups had a very noticeable stain in it but staff were very apologetic and replaced straight away. We asked for warm milk but it came cold but subsequent milks were warm. We had to chase for our water after ordering when we sat down. There was a mix up between the teas which we only noticed after I finished mine and tried by wife’s. We were sat by the door at the rear of the room and there was a noticeable cold draft that came through whenever someone used it, as it lead to the toilets was in use relatively frequently. Generally, when compared to other afternoon teas, and given the price, I would say this is a a very good experience but not amazing.

+3

We had the afternoon tea as a treat for my wife, who was celebrating her birthday. The service was great. The setting is absolutely stunning. The sandwiches catered for the two allergies (Soya and Gluten) with no issues at all. These were good. Slightly disappointing cakes, with the venue providing vegan options to cover off the allergies, this can be an issue as not all vegan offering are gluten-free. These cakes were way to soft, with one almost liquid. The normal cakes were very good. The background music provided by a pianist, who is really good and a joy to have as a background to the tea.

The ambience and tea room were spectacular!! Sadly we had three or more different servers. I’d prefer one table server for a more personalized experience. The sandwiches seemed factory prepared as did the scones. For the price, over $200USD, I had higher expectations of the pastries and savories that would be offered. On a higher note, we loved the live piano being played in the background. We did enjoy our experience though and thought the setting was beautiful.

We went for afternoon tea, and the food, tea and service was all excellent. My only qualm was with dietary requirements. Despite requesting for a vegetarian course specifically without fish gelatin, we were asked again at least four times throughout the meal, and had to return the first set of desserts despite having mentioned this multiple times already. This was handled very quickly and politely by the staff, but was none the less strange given they provide the option to choose when making a reservation.

I was looking forward to this special Afternoon Tea experience since it's a once in a lifetime. Overall, the cooking was pretty nice and tasty. We could enjoy a variety of different flavours. The teas were interesting too, and something you will rarely have by yourself or somewhere else. Now, on the side I didn't really like. We were close to the main door, everytime somebody was going to the toilets or entering, the strong wind from outside brought a freezing stream inside. Then, it wasn't unlimited in terms of quantity. At least, we were never told that or offered to have more. Regarding the price, we had to pay 8£ for one bottle of still water (we made the mistake of not ordering tap water), and the service charge of 15% hurt a lot... Over 200£ for 2 was too much. Finally, the atmosphere was loud and we couldn't really enjoy the piano or anything. At the end, the experience was above average, but the price made it a slightly bad memory. Thanks for the waiters though.