Hotel Cafe Royal

The staff made our anniversary dinner at Cafe Royal feel special. They knew it was our 18th wedding anniversary and brought a complimentary dessert, chocolates, and a plate wishing us a happy anniversary. A pianist was playing when we arrived, though his set ended soon after. Since we went on Sunday night, it was quiet, which suited us and let my wife take plenty of photos and videos without being disturbed. The restaurant is inside the hotel, and the room is beautiful. Sitting there made us feel special, knowing royalty and famous people have dined there. Service was what you'd expect from an upscale place, with staff who were helpful, polite, and friendly. The food was light but flavourful, and the halal steak we'd pre-ordered was cooked just how I like it. Portions aren't large, so expect to spend at least £100 per person. We don't drink alcohol, and a bottle of Coke Zero was £6. This was a one-off for us, but I'd recommend it.

Ahmed looked after my mother and me in the restaurant and went above and beyond to make the afternoon tea suit our preferences. Whenever something was slightly off, he corrected it quickly. He was a real credit to the place. Husma from the reservations team also deserves thanks. After I'd dealt with a staff member who wasn't very helpful, I raised my concerns with her and she gave us a great deal of support through the booking process. She showed strong customer service and problem-solving skills, and is a great example for the team. The welcome, decor, and presentation were all wonderful, and the staff deserve a 12 out of 10. Meeting two people who really empathised with us was a breath of fresh air. The whole experience was so lovely it was off the cuteness scale.

The venue is stunning, and the staff were attentive. They'd noted the special occasion we'd marked before arriving and handled it with real thought. The food and tea were varied and delicious, while still keeping to traditional afternoon tea etiquette. The ambience, music, service, and little details all came together beautifully. We've been going for afternoon tea for years, and our visit to Cafe Royale was easily one of the best. Perfect in every respect, and highly recommended.

We enjoyed the Nutcracker afternoon tea for our engagement anniversary. The room's decor and atmosphere were lovely, and the tea selection was very good. Staff were attentive and explained each dish clearly. The savouries came first, then the scones and sweets, which worked well. A few things kept it from being a five-star experience. One cup had a very visible stain, though the staff apologised and replaced it right away. The warm milk we asked for arrived cold, but the next servings were warm. We also had to follow up on the water we'd ordered, and there was a mix-up with the teas that I only spotted after finishing mine and trying my wife's. We sat near the back door to the toilets, and every time it opened there was a cold draft. For the price, it's a very good afternoon tea compared with others I've tried, but not amazing.