Found within five-star hotel The Rubens at the Palace, The Palace Lounge makes the perfect venue for indulging in an afternoon tea from. In fact, places don’t get much more quintessentially British than this given its location. The bright and airy room comes complete with panoramic views of The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace, the Queen's own stables.
Here you can enjoy tea or coffee and freshly baked pastries come breakfast time or indulge in all the pomp and ceremony of a delightfully British afternoon tea come midday. For the latter there are a range of options that include a traditional tea, a bottomless afternoon tea and even a takeaway afternoon tea that is served in a wicker basket to be enjoyed at nearby St James’s Park.
The ultimate in indulgence, and perfect for special occasions, is The Palace Lounge’s Golden Tips Tea which is put on in partnership with specialist tea merchants PMD Tea. This world-renowned tea type will be weighed at your table on tiny golden scales by waiting staff in white gloves using tweezers. Once the perfect quantity has been reached it’s then brewed with still mineral water for the perfect serve. Additionally, a bottle of Champagne is included and is opened with a sabre at your table for a final theatrical flourish.
For each tea a selection of sandwiches are served, which might include smoked salmon and horseradish cream cheese or a classic coronation chicken. Scones are of course part of the deal too, with a traditional bake and a special honey and white chocolate option offering two different takes on this classic. The talented kitchen team’s pastries are undoubtedly the best bit though, and regularly include macarons, eclairs, and mini desserts like a chocolate mousse.
Children are also catered for with a Prince and Princess afternoon tea that gives them a taste of the high life for just £19 each and includes Nutella sandwiches, scones and fun treats like a Rubens iced doughnut.