Afternoon Tea at The Ritz — Restaurant in London

Honestly, don't bother coming here. This is most definitely a tourist trap.

Anyone who claims that this is a good afternoon tea clearly hasn't had a proper afternoon tea experience.

Having long anticipated the classic afternoon tea at The Ritz London, I left feeling that "disappointed" is an understatement. While the historic Palm Court and opulent décor certainly set the stage for something special, the food and service fell far short of expectations.

Sandwiches: Convenience Store Quality The finger sandwiches were the first letdown. The bread was rough and lacked refinement, tasting more like something hastily assembled at a convenience store than a luxury hotel. The fillings were minimal and uninspired—far from the delicate, flavourful bites one expects at this price point. Frankly, even a standard sandwich from a Japanese convenience store would have been more enjoyable.

Scones: Underwhelming and Forgettable The scones, a highlight at many afternoon teas, were another disappointment. They were served warm, but the texture was dense and unremarkable, lacking the lightness and freshness found at other London establishments such as Harrods. The clotted cream and jam were fine, but nothing could elevate the scones themselves to a memorable level.

Pastries and Sweets: Lacking Flavour and Imagination The selection of sweets was uninspired and, frankly, bland. Rather than the decadent, creative pastries one might expect, we were served standard cakes—ginger and apple slices, and a pistachio variety—that felt more like buffet fare than a luxury treat. There was nothing chocolate-based or truly indulgent, and the overall impression was of mediocrity rather than excellence.

Service: Snobbish While some staff were polite, one of our assigned waiter was snobbish and condescending, which put a damper on the entire experience.

Final Thoughts While the setting is undeniably beautiful and the tradition storied, the food and service at The Ritz afternoon tea did not live up to its reputation or price. There are many other venues in London offering far superior afternoon tea experiences, both in terms of food quality and...

Racist staff.

I was really looking forward to having afternoon tea at The Ritz, but my experience was far from what I expected. To add I’ve just went through few reviews mentioning the same issue as me therefore I wish this issue could be resolved pretty soon.

When we arrived, the hostess who assigns tables seated us right at the entrance area. This spot was quite chilly and very busy with foot traffic. We asked to change seats and one of our male staff moved to a table in the middle of the dining area. At first, I thought nothing of it, but I noticed the hostess making faces and gestures after confirming our table change, which left me uncomfortable.

As I looked around, I noticed a pattern: most Asian guests were seated along the edges of the dining area or right by the entrance, whereas other guests — including three white women who arrived after us — were given seats in the middle of the room. It did not feel like a coincidence.

Perhaps the hostess assumed that Asian guests wouldn’t complain, or that language might be a barrier — I can’t say for sure — but this kind of assumption has no place in a 5-star establishment. I have lived in the UK for a long time, and unfortunately, I have seen this kind of subtle discrimination before in lower-end restaurants. I did not expect to experience it at The Ritz.

To be fair, the other staff members were very polite and professional. The bald server with glasses and the younger gentleman were especially attentive, frequently refilling our tea. The food itself was excellent — the sandwiches and scones were delicious, and the desserts were beautifully balanced.

The Ritz is known worldwide for its service and elegance, which is why this experience was so disappointing. People pay £81 per person plus a service charge for the high quality service and experience. A place of this caliber should work to ensure that all guests feel equally welcome and valued, regardless of...

I went to London for the first time and my wife was super excited about the Afternoon Tea at The Ritz. While it may not have been my first choice, I was excited to do something unique to London. Walking in, everything was beautiful and we sat right away. We were initially treated with great service and attention. Then, after they brought the tea and sandwiches, the service essentially stopped.

After bringing the tea to the table, the waiter asked if anyone would like their tea now. My wife wanted her tea right away and so the waiter poured it for her with a beautiful presentation and said he would come fill the rest of us (3 total) after we finished our champagne. He never came back, so we never got the experience of having him pour the tea. My friend who was with us asked for another napkin as hers had fallen onto the ground. They never brought her one. It was as if we were forgotten.

We then waited and waited as we were done eating, but nobody came over. My wife had to go over and ask for our bill and they asked if we wanted to speak to a manager. A man came to our table, didn't introduce himself and just basically said what's wrong. We explained our disappointment in the lack of service and that our expectations of the experience were hardly met. We weren't looking for anything to be given to us, just some acknowledgment of the awful experience we were having. He just stood there as my wife and her friend spoke. He then said, "I can get you more champagne or a drink". We said no thank you and got up and left. The bill was 600 pounds and we left dissatisfied and upset that we wasted a great afternoon. When it comes to The Ritz and those who back the generations of historical experience and attention to detail, this far failed and subceded its iconic reputation. Simply stated, if you are looking for an Afternoon Tea experience and quality of food, this time...