The Orangery Restaurant Reviews Summary

Food Quality

Pros:

• "Absolutely delicious scones served on beautiful china."
• "The cakes were a nice selection with bold flavours."
• "The food was very delicious and the tea was perfect too."
• "I've never had better cakes and biscuits. The sweets weren't too sweet, and the tea was delicious."
• "Wonderful High Tea with exquisite sandwiches, Delightful selection of tea (Earl Grey is a must have) and beautiful delicious desserts."
• "The sandwiches were delicious, the scones very light."
• "The food was amazing and beautiful. Worth going for the afternoon tea time!"

Cons:

• "The scones were a bit too cake-like and jam given was way too little."
• "The scones and cakes lacked flavour and frankly tasted like they'd been bulk purchased somewhere cheap."
• "The cakes were bordering on stale and once again, no choice."
• "For a few small sandwiches, some thin slivers of cake and a couple of fruit scones + jam / clotted cream, it's not worth it."
• "The sandwiches are a bit stale, but it's fine."
• "The sandwiches lacked flavor, and the cakes were lack luster."
• "The sandwiches, pastries and scones all tasted good, but were nothing impressive."

Service

Pros:

• "The staff is pretty accommodating as well."
• "All the staff were incredibly professional, polite, and helpful."
• "Our server was polite and helpful, even asking to take our picture."
• "All of the staff were quite friendly and helpful."
• "Our waiter was very knowledgeable and kind."
• "Service was excellent, very professional and friendly staff."
• "The staff was very friendly and nice."

Cons:

• "You will be having a very expensive tea in a modular building with zero ambiance."
• "Horrible experience."
• "The waitress was horribly rude to us and ignored us most of the time."
• "Not one person smiled or gave a friendly welcome."
• "The worst time ever. We came here with my wife because she was in the mood for an afternoon tea. After we were seated we ordered one afternoon tea for my wife and a coffee for me only to be told we had to pay for two afternoon teas even when I didn't order one."
• "Racist wait staff. Did not want to seat my girlfriend and parents."
• "Service was terrible & above all they charged me twice & will not reply to my emails."

Ambiance and Location

Pros:

• "You face the beautiful gardens in a lovely setting."
• "The scenery is gorgeous, and I'm sure it's better in the summer (we went in winter)."
• "Great location, and beautiful building."
• "A beautiful setting overlooking the sunken garden that Diana would often admire."
• "The setting is so elegant and nice, it’s a pleasure to sit here and have a cup of coffee."
• "A stunning setting for a spot of afternoon tea."
• "The huge building is one room, pristine white and filled with light."

Cons:

• "The tables are right on top of each other."
• "There is a constantly cold draft in the winter and the walls between the kitchen and the toilets are paper thin."
• "The temporary tent is drab, dark and depressing. There is no decor, very little lighting, no ambience, it’s cold, and the service was mediocre."
• "The floor shakes whenever a server walks by."
• "The place was overrun with children, bumping into tables, spilling random peoples drinks, and the staff did nothing to qualm this."
• "Don't expect the Orangery with pillars and beautiful windows: you will only get a glorified tent with cheap speakers playing a sad playlist and poor lighting."
• "NOT sitting in a temporary pavilion that feels like you are sitting in the London Frieze luxury Portaloos."

Value

Pros:

• "Prices absolutely reasonable for what you get."
• "It is one of the more affordable places to enjoy afternoon tea in London."
• "It is cheaper than other Afternoon Teas in London and was a nice experience."
• "The Afternoon Tea served here was fresh, modern and at a reasonable price."
• "Simple, elegant high tea at a very reasonably price."

Cons:

• "Eye wateringly expensive afternoon tea."
• "Not worth the £30."
• "Afternoon tea here is very expensive, not sure it's worth it."
• "At £24 per person the afternoon tea is enormously overpriced."
• "Too pricey for a casual afternoon cup of tea."