Harden's survey result
Summary
“Michel Roux does the afternoon tea menus here” (it operates as Chez Roux in the evening) and his input “adds a little extra individuality in the London High Tea Hotel market, which can seem quite overcrowded”. It’s a gracious chamber too, in the centre of an imposing five-star hotel opposite Broadcasting House, and claims that on its opening in 1865, it was the first major venue to offer the ceremony of Afternoon Tea.
Summary
“Always a treat” – this luxurious lounge in a swanky five-star opposite the Beeb makes a “beautiful setting for a classic afternoon tea”: indeed the hotel claims the ceremony started here! (The venue spent the latter half of 2023 hosting evening meals as ‘The Good Front Room’: south London chef Dom Taylor’s celebration of his Caribbean heritage, with elevated versions of dishes including curry goat and rice and peas. The residency was his prize for winning Channel 4 show ‘Five Star Kitchen’, hosted by chef Michel Roux Jr, the Langham’s culinary director.)
Summary
“Elegant silver and grey décor” helps set a refined tone in the plush lounge of this luxurious five star. Most reports of “very imaginative gateaux and sandwiches” suggest it lives up to its heritage (the ceremony of afternoon tea having, apparently, started here), but even fans can find the price tag “a little steep”.
Summary
“A wonderful afternoon tea, more personal than some big hotels where you’re conscious of being in a time-slot” – the gracious space at the heart of this luxurious five-star claims to have invented afternoon tea back in the day. Nowadays run in collaboration with Michel Roux, it was highly recommended this year.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Palm Court, The Langham?
1c Portland Place, London, W1B 1JA
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £42.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
1c Portland Place, London, W1B 1JA
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
| Monday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am‑11 am, 12 pm‑11 pm |
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