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The Pavilion at Kensington Palace, London,

The Pavilion at Kensington Palace

4.1
4.1
4280 Reviews
£26 to £40
British
The Orangery is now closed for refurbishment and we have relocated to the Pavilion just in front of the Orangery, surrounded by beautiful formal gardens in the grounds of Kensington Palace The Pavilion, a relaxed and elegant setting for breakfast or lunch and the only royal palace in London where you can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. We have a birds eye view of the Sunken Garden and the wiggly walk, which you can enjoy from our covered terrace.

Kensington Palace is now closed for visits to prepare for the new exhibition and will reopen from 13th of December. The Pavilion Restaurant will be open as usual between Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00-16:00.

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 32 times today

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Afternoon Tea, Contemporary British
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Wed–Sun 10:00–11:30 Afternoon Tea Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00 Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00–14:30
  • Phone number
    020 3166 6114
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Area
    Kensington
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Public Transit
    Queensway Station<br /><br>Kensington High Street<br /><br>Bayswater
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 4,280 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.7Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • West London

    British

  • West London

    Most Booked

4,281 Reviews
  1. samfam

    Calgary

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    An excellent afternoon tea! The food and service couldn't have been better. It would have only been better if we had been here in the summer when the gardin was is bloom and if we had been able to have our tea in the Orangery.

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  2. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall2food3service3ambience1
    A bit chilly and no atmosphere (no christmas decoration) No luxurious feel at all Okay food, kind Staff but took a while to be able to order

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  3. OpenTable Diner

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food3service2ambience1
    It was nice, but really expensive. We had a nice time, but the waiter was not always understandable + the food was good but not really worth the money. Also we had in mind that the afternoon tea would be in the actual kensington palace but it was in a tent next to it

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  4. Eliza

    London

    9 reviews

    4.0

    9 reviews

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    There is an elegance and calm about eating at The Pavilion which makes it a delightful place in which to meet friends. The piano background music is pleasant and not obtrusive. The service there is always good but on this occasion I particularly appreciated the swift way in which our waiter rescued me from having spilt my glass of red wine over the table and the floor. It was very pleasant earlier in the year sitting outside for coffee and croissants.

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  5. EmanuelC

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Relaxed, good food and nice ambience. Afternoon tea very well presented. Excellent service

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  6. ChristinaK

    London

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 November 2023

    overall1food2service1ambience1
    Not worthy. Very touristic and pricey. The service was terrible and the room was cold.

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  7. LynnJ

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 November 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely afternoon tea for our daughter’s 40th birthday celebration. The china and table setting was beautiful, each tier held the most delectable and delightful offerings, and the service was impeccable. The cost may be prohibitive unless for a special occasion. The only disappointment was that the outside pavilion gave no indication you were in Kensington Palace, other than the walk past Diana’s garden. All in all a lovely experience!

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  8. Josie

    London

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 24 November 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    An okay experience, the ladies loo needs a good clean, quite disappointing.

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  9. DinaD

    Philadelphia

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 18 November 2023

    overall2food5service5ambience5
    I totally enjoyed the high tea at this beautiful place! The food was delicious and the service was excellent! Everyone was very friendly and helpful. The large windows in this place looked right out to the gardens and the palace.

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  10. MelindaH

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 17 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and service. Wish the orangery itself wasn't closed but the pavilion had the same great food and service.

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  11. AndeeNeve

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 16 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very delicious tea and food. The service was great and the staff was very kind.

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  12. SarahS

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A delightful treat with helpful, lovely service! Would highly recommend for a special moment in London!

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  13. Felipe

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 15 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The Ravioli dish could definitely havea bigger amount of ravioli, since it doesn't even have meat.

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  14. Felicitas

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2023

    overall1food3service1ambience1
    We had a booking at 2.30 pm and expected the slot to be two hours. We were not told (by the receptionist) that we would have to leave at 4 pm. Three of us were late, so in fact the restaurant told us after 1 hour, and after just having ordered huge amounts of food, that we had to leave. When we told the restaurant that we - at least - wanted to finish our meal in peace, we were threatened with security and with the prospect of escorting us out. Never in my whole life have I experienced such an appalling, contemptuous conduct towards a paying guest. I will never set foot in this etablissement again and I really, really cannot recommend this restaurant.

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  15. BirgittaW

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 11 November 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    Most of all we loved to sit in this area, next to the beautiful garden and the majestic Castle.

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  16. JeanW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 8 November 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I took my 19 year old granddaughter and it was her first time in London. The High Tea was a wonderful experience and we enjoyed every minute. Our waiter was Chris and he took the time to explain “tea time” to my granddaughter. She loved the attention and I was grateful. An overall beautiful thing to do that is the total London experience.

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  17. MoiraL

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 8 November 2023

    overall4food3service3ambience4
    Although the food was probably as was served at a Royal Tea party, i would preferred a larger selection of savoury items and not just sandwiches. Maybe only 1 scone. I was very surprised that the tea wasn't leaf tea, but teabags

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  18. KevinA

    London

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 5 November 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    We had a fantastic afternoon tea, much better than Fortnum Masons

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  19. MartinR

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 November 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience1
    I saw when we turned up to the shack not really a pavilion! I would never pay £46 pp to sit in the pavilion?? Did not sit there long enough to order!!

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  20. BabitaP

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 4 November 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    The quality of food and the service has comparatively gone down. The English breakfast tea had no flavour of tea at all.

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  21. HHhhh

    London

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 1 November 2023

    overall3food4service4ambience3
    Afternoon Tea is not really value for money as a concept! However all we got was very well prepared and good taste and excellent service !

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  22. JenniferL

    Kansas City

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 30 October 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience2
    Pricey for what you get. Dishware was pretty. Top tier pastries were small and seemed a little stale. The place could use a decorative update.

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  23. DanielaC

    Hampshire

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 29 October 2023

    overall3food2service4ambience4
    It is of course a beautiful place. However, it is a tourist trap. The afternoon tea prices are extortionate considering you only get 3 tiny pieces in each tier. So, if you're hungry just dont order the high tea. It is a shame really but I was very disappointed.

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  24. AnnabelM

    Hampshire

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Such a delight to look over towards Kensington Palace whilst having a delicious meal. Overall a very special experience

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  25. PierreB

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 29 October 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    Very cold room, that seem classy but with no charm... People are really nice though.

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  26. CimenG

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall2food4service4ambience1
    Ugly prefabric style building decorated with ugly plastic plants and flowers, serving overpriced tea purely for tourists.

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  27. BUBBLES

    Kent

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall1food2service2ambience2
    Unfortunately we had a few issues firstly we tried to email regarding sandwich dietary requirement. No response. When we turned up we orderd sparkling rose prosecco and earl grey tea. Were given still rose and the wrong tea these were changed by the manager. The new waitress said we could change my wifes sandwichs then returned saying she could not have ham as it was only on the childs menu. Then we received a plate of coronation chicken only so i did not have the full selection of sandwich's. Once the mistake was pointed out the other selction of sandwichs were bought on seperate plates. It was my wifes bithday and at around £120 i felt disappointed at the service and value. This was pointed out to the on call manager who kindly gave us a glass of bubbly as an apology. We enjoy afternoon tea and hope they can up there game.

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  28. pamr

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    We had a lovely time. However the actual fish cake wasn’t the tastiest we both agreed: ordinary . Also the teapots and jugs didn’t match the china quality and looked like the sort that can be purchased in any cheap high street shop. Otherwise, overall our service and the ambience did make it very special and we would come again

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  29. MeaghanG

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 28 October 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Great start to the morning before exploring the gardens and others parts of London.

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  30. AnneT

    France

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    Had a high tea with daughter. Location was fine though not so nice as the orangerie that is being refurbished (makeshift tent rather than pavilion). Two downsides: waiters not really friendly nor classy (shouting and singalong could be heard from kitchen + not smiling verging on rude to customers) and top tier pâtisseries spongy and tasteless. Excellent sandwiches though. I wanted to show my daughter what a high tea was but the whole experience was clearly overpriced and a bit tacky considering the place we were in.

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  31. carols

    London

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall3food2service2ambience3
    I am afraid the afternoon tea was very disappointing and expensive.

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  32. RachaelD

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall2food2service2ambience2
    Disappointing. Very expensive for level of food, service and options available. I know it’s Kensington Palace, however the service staff could do with some more training. Took 25 minutes to get their attention to get the bill and only then when I walked up to the desk. We asked for some bread (from the menu) at 2:45 and were told the lunch menu stopped at 2:30 so they could only offer more afternoon tea options.

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  33. WanderingWinnie

    London

    3 reviews

    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    It’s a pleasant enough place to eat but unremarkable. I went for a light lunch with a friend before going to an exhibition at the Palace. We arrived separately and were seated separately, although I had reserved a table! We only found each other by texting. So service was a little off kilter, it was pleasant but slow so our extra helping of bread arrived when we had almost finished our food. It’s a pleasant airy environment and a nice place to relax.

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  34. Lizzy

    London

    5 reviews

    3.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall3food3service3ambience3
    Very average afternoon tea experience. I counted 5 different members of staff who served us, so no personal waiter to look after us. One had particularly bad body odour which is not great when you’re serving food. I had to wave for a waiter to ask for a refill of tea. We could hear shouting from the chefs in the kitchen. Then bill came which was well over £100 for two of us we noticed the discretionary tip of £15!

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  35. JennyT

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 27 October 2023

    overall3food2service3ambience4
    Rather disappointing. Not good value for money. Cheese platter very small for £25. Only noticed service charge at last minute, which was nearly £10.00. Afternoon tea basic with no reference to Crown and Couture as photo depicted. No reminders of member's discount which I forgot when paying. However I did manage to rectify this mistake after talking to a rather reluctant waitress. Sorry to say I wouldn't return or recommend a visit.

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  36. VictoriaT

    London

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    overall4food4service3ambience3
    Not great first impressions, the lady showing us to our table wasn’t very friendly. I asked if we could have a table in the window but I was told only if I wanted to wait, even though a table was empty the whole time we were in the pavilion. We were show to a table which wasn’t ready and stood there waiting for it to be set up. The service was very disappointing. The afternoon tea was nice but not worth the money. £207 for 4 people. Nothing worse than paying a service change when the service is poor.

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  37. CarlosE

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were treated respectfully and with courtesy. The overall service was good and the food, excellent.

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  38. Reedy

    London

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on 26 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Absolutely outstanding service. Mentioned at the table it was my friends’s birthday and a lovely birthday dessert plate was brought over at the appropriate time. Food was delicious and the atmosphere and ambiance made for a truly memorable lunch. My friend was delighted.

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  39. SarahH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 October 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing experience. Chris was welcoming and attentive. Thank you

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  40. EllieM

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on 25 October 2023

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    The service was terrible , we had to ask 3 times for another pot of tea. No one came over to see if we needed anything. The incorrect tea was served twice. It did spoil a special birthday treat . Very disappointed

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FAQs

The Pavilion at Kensington Palace is rated 4.1 stars by 4280 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

19:00


Booked 32 times today
Google Map for The Pavilion at Kensington Palace

Kensington Palace Gardens, Kensington Gardens, London, W8 4PX

Additional information

  • Area
    Kensington
  • Hours of Operation
    Breakfast Wed–Sun 10:00–11:30 Afternoon Tea Wed–Sun 10:00–16:00 Lunch Wed–Sun 12:00–14:30
  • Price
    £26 to £40
  • Cuisines
    British, Afternoon Tea, Contemporary British
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress Code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking Details
    None
  • Public Transit
    Queensway StationKensington High StreetBayswater
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Beer, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, High Tea, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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