Hotel Cafe Royal launches The London Royal Tea

On 14 September, Hotel Cafe Royal will unveil The London Royal Tea, a take on the English afternoon tea tradition, featuring a London theme playfully presented in the gilded splendour of the iconic Oscar Wilde Bar. A celebration of British history, The London Royal Tea at Hotel Cafe Royal will allow visitors to learn about the origins of taking tea and the many traditions associated with it.

The team of chefs at Hotel Cafe Royal have carefully crafted a menu of unique sandwiches, scones, delicacies, cakes and savouries, all inspired by London and afternoon tea through the ages, including the traditional Battenberg cake, supposedly created to celebrate the royal wedding of 1884 between Prince Louis of Battenberg and Queen Victoria’s granddaughter through to macaroons, inspired by the icon of the London Underground.

The afternoon tea experience will begin when Hotel Cafe Royal’s designated toastmaster rings a bell from the historical entrance on Regent Street, to signal the beginning and end of afternoon tea service. Dating back to the 1800s, this tradition evokes the spirit of the muffin men, who used to hawk their wares on the streets of London and ring a bell when the muffins were ready, until a law was passed prohibiting the activity in 1839 - a law that still stands today.  Upon arrival at the stunning setting of Oscar Wilde Bar, guests will enjoy a brief history of the traditions surrounding afternoon tea in the UK and a piece of news from Cafe Royal’s legendary past, to celebrate the incredible legacy of this London landmark.

Guests will embark on an indulgent culinary journey that begins with a customary Savoury muffin with Goats cheese and tomato, before a selection of traditional tea sandwiches with a twist including: Cucumber, cream cheese and beetroot; Prawn brigade with spices and London honey; and Smoked Wilde salmon, quail’s egg and cress. 

Guests will then be encouraged to try the hibiscus ice tea to clean their palate together with a vanilla biscuit before moving onto the sweet dishes on offer, including: Traditional Battenberg cake, Underground macaroon, Pearly King and Queen Opera and Victoria sponge plus Raspberry Regent, a sweet treat that has been specially created by the hotel for this service, inspired by the iconic Dome Penthouse.  No afternoon tea would be complete without Hotel Cafe Royal’s golden raisin and plain scones with clotted cream and Baylands strawberry preserve, served alongside a selection of cakes including Lemon drizzle; Hazelnut tin; and Traditional fruit cake. 

A choice of custom-blended teas from the Canton Tea company will be on offer, including the Celestine (a harmonious blend of Bai Lin Gong Fu Black Tea, Yunnan Black Tea, Organic Vanilla Pod and Cornflower Petals); and the eponymous Oscar (a Lapsang Souchong black tea).  

The London Royal Tea will also showcase an eclectic menu of Champagnes and sparkling wines, not to mention the specially concocted cocktails using Veuve Clicquot Rich: Ziggy Stardust, a mix of Coconut noire tea, fresh coconut, gold dust with Rich Champagne or Whistler, featuring Lavender Earl Grey tea with Rich Champagne. 

Priced at £42 per person, The London Royal Tea is available daily from midday until 5pm (last order). 

The Champagne London Royal Tea is offered at £55 per person.

Hotel Cafe Royal is a proud member of The Leading Hotels of the World. 

For further information, visit hotelcaferoyal.com.