A Regal Winter Wonderland Tea at The Rubens at the Palace
Behiye Hassan swapped a grey Monday for palace views, spiced scones – and mulled wine with a twist – at The Rubens at the Palace’s Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea
Arriving at The Rubens at the Palace on a chilly Monday afternoon, it felt like Christmas had come early. The grand entrance alone, dressed in rich reds and greens, with gilded baubles, ribbons and garlands framing the doorway, seemed lifted straight from a Christmas card. Beyond it, we glimpsed a towering Christmas tree just outside the Palace Lounge, where afternoon tea is served. It put us firmly in the festive mood before we’d even taken our coats off.
The Rubens at the Palace is situated at 39 Buckingham Palace Road, right opposite the Royal Mews (the entrance used by the Royal Family) and just a short stroll from Buck House itself. My sister and I were shown to a window table overlooking the Royal Mews and Buckingham Palace Road. And inside, the décor is an appropriately regal red and gold. But rather than creating a stiff, formal atmosphere, it feels warm, and friendly.
And that extends to the service. The staff were amazing: many have been with the hotel for years, and it shows. The staff make you feel genuinely looked after. There’s no sense of being rushed: you’re encouraged to really settle in and enjoy the afternoon. With our dietary requirements and drink preferences already noted, all we needed to do was choose our tea. We opted for the Halal menu, requested no fish – and no alcohol.
Which made our first arrival a real surprise: glasses of rich, spiced – and completely non-alcoholic – mulled wine. I didn’t even know that was possible! (The regular alcoholic kind is available too.) And when our teas followed, they were just as delicious.
The tea menu is extensive, drawing on ethically sourced Ceylon blends. Options include the delicate, floral Jasmine Green, a spicy and creamy Vanilla Chai, and a rich Imperial Chocolate. We kept things simple and seasonal: my sister had a lemongrass and ginger, while I went for apple and cinnamon – exactly what you want on a cold afternoon.
Then came the food: the sandwiches were laid out on the table, while the scones and pastries appeared on a tiered cake stand to our right. In place of the usual smoked salmon, the kitchen had prepared a smoky, soft, and really satisfying baba ganoush and roasted pepper sandwich – a very tasty swap.
The enormous range of sarnies include egg and watercress and cheddar with plum tomato, roast turkey, pork and apple stuffing with cranberry mayonnaise, and beef sirloin with rocket & horseradish. And while they were all delicious, the standout for us was the chicken and mustard mayonnaise: a round shape, rather than a finger sandwich, rolled in toasted almonds for extra crunch, with a pulled chicken texture that made it even more special.
The scones followed next: one plain and one spiced fruit each, served warm with lemon curd, cherry jam, and clotted cream. The spiced fruit scone was particularly good – you could really taste the fruit and spices rather than just a hint of them – and both jams were full of flavour without being overly sweet. This is the point in afternoon tea where you instinctively slow down, lingering over each bite and debating whether you actually need that final half. (You do!)
The pastries were the final flourish – distinctly festive and tasting as good as they looked, thanks to the impeccable artistry of the Ruben’s Executive Pastry Chef Sarah Houghting, celebrated for her work on Bake Off: The Professionals. There’s even a signature crown pastry among the selection, filled with vanilla cheesecake, mango, passionfruit curd, and coconut sponge. But the Swiss hazelnut roll was the clear favourite for both of us – a heavenly blend of light sponge and rich praline filling.
If you’re looking for a Christmas tea that feels properly indulgent, Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Rubens could easily become an annual fixture. And if you’re visiting on Christmas Day, there’s a glass of champagne for adults.
Despite the grandeur of its setting, the experience is incredibly welcoming – and thoughtful in all the right ways: its curated menus cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and Halal. While for little ones, there’s the Prince & Princess Afternoon Tea, featuring bite-size sandwiches, scones, pastries, milkshakes, hot chocolate, and a Pastry Chef Experience for under-12s. Beyond the winter tea, the Rubens hosts celebrations for every occasion: ongoing events including Bridal Afternoon Tea, Baby Shower Afternoon Tea, Golden Tips Tea, Pre-Theatre Tea, and Afternoon Tea Parties.
With impeccable service, intimate surroundings, and a front-row view of royal London, it’s a fabulous reminder that few traditions are as comforting, or as celebratory, as afternoon tea at its finest.
Winter Wonderland Afternoon Tea at The Rubens costs £82 per person and is available until 4th January 2026.
