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Ratings and reviews

#261 of 4,336 British in London
#690 of 16,987 Restaurants in London
Travellers' Choice
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
About
The Rubens at the Palace is located on London's Buckingham Palace Road and plays home to the Rubens restaurants.
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, After-hours
CUISINES
British
FEATURES
Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Buffet
Reviews (625)
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625 results
Traveller rating
381
144
57
27
16
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Time of year
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Traveller rating
381
144
57
27
16
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All reviews scones roast beef cheesecake salad buckingham palace afternoon tea gin tasting experience london hotel pre theatre mews doorman
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Reviewed 26 October 2020

We went for the half term afternoon tea. We have been to many of the branded London venues but the service at Rubens was simply outstanding and unmatched in our experience. The most child friendly staff in a glorious location which oozes class in terms...of decor. Three kids were quite fussy but Abbras Fernandes was first class with our service and requirements. The pic n mix at the end was another pleasant surprise.More

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 30 October 2020

Dear Sundeep, Thank you very much for your superb review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your Afternoon Tea with us, and cannot wait to have the chance to welcome you back again in the future! I know that Abbras is thrilled to have been...More

Reviewed 17 October 2020

I booked for me and my mum to go for afternoon tea after being in Australia. After searching on Google I found Rubens. It was absolutely brilliant. In terms of covid, all staff wore gloves and masks. Sanitiser was readily available and track and trace...was used. It was an experience which certainly felt safe. The range of teas was great with about 10 different types. The sandwiches were amazing, and we were even offered more after we finished our first plate. And the scones were the best I've ever had! The service was superb. We did not have to wait long for anything to be brought to the table, but were never rushed. They even brought a small cake for my mum who had her birthday in lockdown. With the current circumstances its been tough for hospitality, but I cant recommend rubens enough for a family or couples day out. 10/10.More

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 26 October 2020

Dear Alex C, Thank you so much for your fantastic review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us at Afternoon Tea. We are pleased to have hosted you and I will share your positive feedback and comments with all of the team....More

Reviewed 12 October 2020 via mobile

My friends and I went to Reubens the day they reopened the restaurant (03/10/20), we had never been to Reubens before so were excited to have an Afternoon Tea located near Buckingham Palace. Upon arrival the doormen wasn't at all helpful, he assumed we didn't...have a reservation and told us quickly that the hotel was closed. Once we explained to him that we had a reservation he quickly walmed up but it unfortunately made my friends uncomfortable. Thankfully we were greeted by Alice who was so charming and welcoming that we forgot about the incident with the doorman. She was an amazing host, taking time to explain the new safety measures taken for COVID-19 (using the NHS app to checkin which is compulsory) having a santising station in the dining room, as well as members of staff wearing masks and gloves. The dining area was so beautiful with portraits of famous British monarchs situated around the room, (I was eating right next to Mary II 😅) the food was absolutely delicious; I particularly enjoyed the white chocolate scones. Anything we needed Abbras was there to assist, he was fantastic as well as recommending teas for us. Overall I really enjoyed the Afternoon Tea and will be back, my only negative would be the doorman but he didn't take away from the experience, Buckingham Palace isn't even a 5 minute walk away so I would definitely recommend it.More

Date of visit: October 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 13 October 2020

Dear Karen L, Thank you very much for you feedback. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us, and found your Afternoon Tea to be superb. We appreciate your note on the Doorman. We are trying our best to be vigilant in protecting...More

Reviewed 1 August 2020
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Date of visit: November 2019
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 1 August 2020

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Reviewed 26 July 2020

Before our trip I informed the hotel that I was going to propose to my girlfriend, and they ensured that we had a break to remember! Complimentary upgrade to a junior suite and congratulations all round from the staff upon arrival, right through to our...checkout! An unforgettable experience and would recommend to anyone, Maisy was the best hostess and assisted us with everything, we couldn’t thank her enough!More

Date of visit: July 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 1 August 2020

Dear 767aarono, Thank you fo much for your positive feedback! We are delighted that you thoroughly enjoyed your stay, and cannot wait to hopefully welcome you back again soon! Warm regards, Malcolm Hendry General Manager

Reviewed 13 July 2020 via mobile

Whilst staying next door at Hotel 41 to celebrate my husband’s birthday we enjoyed a wonderful ‘Royal’ afternoon tea experience in The Palace Lounge. As ever staff were welcoming, professional and attentive. As you would expect strict protocols have been introduced around the safe serving...of food/drinks and everything was spotlessly clean. Highly recommended if you are looking for a post lockdown treat.More

Date of visit: July 2020
Helpful?1  
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 14 July 2020

Dear Gail!2100, Thank you very much for your positive review. We are delighted that you enjoyed your time with us in The Palace Lounge. It was our pleasure to have hosted you! We will be looking forward to welcoming you back to stay again with...More

Reviewed 13 May 2020

Came here for a 2 course pre-theatre meal before watching Hamilton. Perfectly located just around the corner from the theatre. Absolutely lovely food and even better staff, extremely attentive and polite. Set menu is great value, drinks are extortionate but probably to be expected for...a London hotel.More

Date of visit: January 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 9 June 2020

Dear Becky F, Thank you so much for your review. We are very grateful, and cannot wait to have the chance to welcome you back again in the not too distant future! Warm regards, Malcolm Hendry General Manager

Reviewed 15 March 2020 via mobile

We had a fabulous Sunday lunch at the Rubens: effortless hospitality from the staff, delightful live jazz, and sublime food. The food was great from start to finish, from the crudités and bread basket through to the amazing deserts and truffles with the coffee. My...son can be somewhat fussy with food, yet at the Rubens, he came out saying that was the best food he had had! (“My tummy’s the happiest it’s ever been!”) My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed ours too, with fabulous beef being carved off an enormous roast beef, and a perfectly cooked whole plaice for me. Simply lovely.More

Date of visit: March 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 18 March 2020

Dear Bubz2, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave us a wonderful review following your Sunday lunch with us. We are so pleased that you thoroughly enjoyed, and I shall share with my team your positive words! We reallt so hope that...More

Reviewed 5 February 2020

Yet another fantastic stay at this hotel,the rooms are exceptional in every way everything you could possibly need and if there is anything you need it will be supplied for you. The restaurant is exceptional with such a variety of food to suit all tastes,the...breakfast is one of the best. The staff are friendly and make you feel so welcome nothing is too much trouble for them I can not recommend this hotel more highlyMore

Date of visit: February 2020
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 6 February 2020

Dear Di, Thank you very much for your positive review. It was our pleasure to have hosted and looked after you again, and we will be looking forward to your next visit to us soon! Wishing you a great day ahead. Warm regards, Malcolm Hendry...More

Reviewed 2 February 2020

Arriving at the Rubens is like arriving home. London being high on our "most liked place to visit - but couldn't afford to live there, list" is a city we often visit and always stay at the Rubens. Flying in from the East coast of...the USA we always look forward to a London cab from Heathrow because of the guys that drive them are welcoming jolly and have love to tell their road stories. Pulling up outside the Rubens the smartly dressed doormen with smiles on their faces are instantly at our side helping with luggage and making us feel welcome. The last stay was a week spending Christmas Day with them. We were completely made to feel we were in a movie set with all the trimmings a perfect Christmas had to offer. A day for us to remember. Leading upto the actual day we were placed into the feeling of expectation and excitement of Christmas by all staff at the Rubens. Ive always said its the little things in life and Rubens certainly know how to deliver. Oh and did I mention we were the Queens neighbors during our stay?More

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?
MalcolmHendry, General Manager at The Rubens at the Palace, responded to this reviewResponded 5 February 2020

Dear John Marshall, Thank you so much for your review. We really do appreciate your kind words with regards to your stay and for your superb comments made about our employees. I will make sure that this is shared with all of the team who...More

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Questions & Answers
Ask a question
Brenda W
4 November 2019|
Answer
Response from MalcolmHendry | Property representative |
Dear Brenda, Thank you very much for your question. We are a 5 minute walk to the Theatre. Tickets left at the Box Office for collection can be picked up on the day of the performance you are attending. You will need to... More
1
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Elsie160
2 September 2019|
AnswerShow all 6 answers
Response from MalcolmHendry | Property representative |
Dear Elsie160, We would love to host you for a group Afternoon Tea! My dedicated Events Team led by Layla and Simona take care of this type of booking-if you could call to the hotel and ask for this department, they will be... More
1
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jlg94184
23 March 2019|
AnswerShow all 9 answers
Response from MalcolmHendry | Property representative |
Dear jlg94184 For a 5pm reservation, a guest would typically finish the tea with our speed of service within the hour. However we can go at whatever pace is your preference.Unless there is a private event in the Palace... More
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