Café Royal Grill — Restaurant in London

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...

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...

My wife, 5-year-old son, and I recently indulged in the Christmas Afternoon Tea at Cafe Royal, and the experience was nothing short of opulent. From the moment we stepped into the venue, it was evident that this was going to be a memorable affair.

Ambiance: The setting, adorned with gold accents, mirrors, and bathed in low lighting, exuded an air of intimacy and luxury. Despite its lavish décor, the atmosphere was welcoming, making it suitable for both sophisticated diners and families with little ones.

Family-Friendly Touch: We were pleasantly surprised at how well the establishment catered to our 5-year-old, acknowledging his less sophisticated tastes. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that our little one felt comfortable, making the experience enjoyable for the whole family.

Culinary Delights: The food was a delightful symphony of flavors, beautifully presented and clearly crafted with skill and precision. However, what truly stood out for me was the extensive tea menu. A selection of fine teas awaited exploration, adding an extra layer of sophistication to the overall experience.

Exceptional Service: The service at Cafe Royal was second to none. The staff were warm, friendly, and attentive, creating an atmosphere that was both refined and approachable. The balance struck between attentiveness and a lack of formality was particularly commendable.

Constructive Criticism: While our overall experience was exceptional, there is a minor point of criticism. The repeated inquiries about allergies and requirements were somewhat excessive. We were asked during the initial phone booking, in a follow-up email, and again on the day of our visit. While the attention to detail is appreciated, a more streamlined approach—asking once or twice—would have sufficed.

Cafe Royal delivered a Christmas Afternoon Tea that transcended expectations. The opulent setting, delectable food, and exceptional service make it a standout choice for those seeking a luxurious dining experience. Despite the minor point of criticism, our visit was a festive treat that left us with cherished memories. We look forward to returning to Cafe Royal for future...