Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal

TL;DR: WOW - an absolute must. My partner and I went to Alex Dilling to celebrate her birthday. She’s vegetarian and I’m a regular person, and it turned out to be the best Michelin-star experience we’ve ever had. The food was extraordinary - textures I’ve never encountered before (the cheese balls, wow, we can't get them out of our heads), and an incredible balance of flavors and combinations. I'm not a big seafood fan, and I really enjoyed it here. The wagyu was delicious as well. The staff were wonderful. Muhit and Paolo patiently answered all our questions and knew every detail about the dishes. I also have to mention the sommelier. I chose the standard wine pairing, and it was the best I’ve ever had. I genuinely enjoyed all of the wines, and could really feel how each pairing elevated the dish - it truly enhanced the whole experience. Thank you for an amazing evening!

Our experience at Alex Dilling was simply excellent on all fronts. The service was truly exceptional. I had made a mistake with my booking in which I had not mentioned my seafood allergy. Thankfully the front of house team were understanding and attentive. The chefs went above and beyond to create a bespoke selection of delightful dishes to cater for my needs. An extra special thank you to the general manager Paolo, whose warmth and attentiveness made our evening truly unforgettable. Highly grateful to him and the team for their discretion and for creating a wonderful dining experience. An evening well spent!

A wonderful experience in Alex Dilling at Hotel Cafe Royal for my wife’s birthday We arrived 10 minutes earlier, so got arranged to sit and chill at the bar while we wait. Sommelier came to introduce the sparkling shortly. We had the English Sparkling wine which has some aging characteristics like oaky / nutty flavour but also with a nice citrus flavour. It is quite acidic but its a perfect before meal drink. Approximately 25 minutes later the Manager came and led us to the table. I must admit I was expecting more space between the next table but the environment is quiet so I wouldn’t hear the conversation of the next tables and this didn’t cause any problem After we moved to our table, our sparkling glass were replaced and refilled with the same sparkling wine (When I paid the bill I realised we are not being charged for the sparkling, I assumed it was the good gesture of restaurant for the wait). The manager also did apologise for the wait. We had the short menu (but received some extra dishes and was told by the manager this is a gesture of good will for my wife’s birthday.) All the dishes show very skilful technique and look absolutely beautiful. They are balanced, creative, nicely seasoned and perfectly cooked. The fish is very delicious, topped with some prawn and something makes the texture perfect. The combination of croissant with mustard and cucumber is really refreshing! My wife upgraded for the Wagu beef, it just melt in your month. Duck breast is not bad as well. The waiter served our table is enthusiastic and with good energy. I showed my appreciation to him before leaving the restaurant. The sommelier recommended different wines and explain the characteristics of each wine. Last but not least, the manager! very experienced and keep a very high standard. There were several little acts worth some compliment. For example, I dropped my napkin to the floor and he instantly got me new napkin or requested the staff to continue to speak to us after sneezing I indicated it is a birthday occasion and they served a complimentary cake with plum. If I am being picky / there are several things could be improved - no sign of the restaurant at the entrance (I am not sure if I was at the right place) - a tiny bone-shaped prawn shell in one of the dish - the receptionist did remember my wife’s coat but forgot about my bag However, the overall experience is still wonderful and I will come back again. I would recommend you to dress up for the vibe in the restaurant.

Had the most memorable experience at Alex Dilling- exceptional food that was so all so beautifully presented, service that went above and beyond and some fab wine pairings. Highlights from our tasting menu were the crab with caviar & avocado, the Hunter chicken and the John Dory stuffed with prawns! The veggie tasting menu was brilliant too. Highly recommend trying it for a special occasion 🥰

We were greeted with a smile on arrival and shown too our table. We dined at 18.00 hours and the dining room was empty. The house champagne on arrival within our gift voucher wasn't very nice or should I say too my palate. My husband drank both glasses. Only one other couple dined that evening which did put a bit of a damper on the atmosphere. It did not affect the service we received from everyone of staff in the dinning room. They were all very knowledgeable in their own field of service, be it wine or food. The food was superb and looked beautiful on the plate. We had the 5 course tasting menu which was given as gift from our son for our 40th wedding anniversary. We still spent a further £100 £70 being for a bottle of wine which was very good too. Apart from one course it was fish dish which we were happy about but if you are not a lover of fish I choose another option that they may offer. It was a lovely evening and glad we were given it as a gift.

Alex Dilling at Café Royal dressed their dishes so carefully that they almost resisted being disturbed. Each one a quiet study in honed beauty and restraint. The room was nearly empty on the bank holiday, which I enjoyed, and which made the experience feel even more intimate. The staff didn’t quite disguise their curiosity about the power dynamic at my table, but I enjoyed the slightly raised brows as much as the food. We took the shorter dinner menu - and as my date skipped the shellfish that made little appearances throughout, it left me with what felt like double the pleasure. A poised meal that whispers its mastery rather than shouts it.

The meal was exceptional and the service was very formal yet very friendly ; we had a wonderful dinner. All the courses were seasoned to perfection, and there is no dish that I could say that I preferred because they were all excellent ? P.S : Congratulations to whom was slicing the chives on that night (my husband says) ; and to the back and front of house team of course. 👌🏽

I recently dined at Alex Dilling at Hotel Café Royal, and the experience was truly outstanding. This two Michelin-starred restaurant offers an intimate, refined take on modern gastronomy that feels both luxurious and personal. From arrival, the atmosphere was calm, elegant, and beautifully executed—setting the tone for what followed. The tasting menu was exceptional, with each course showcasing precision, creativity, and perfectly balanced flavours. Service throughout the evening was impeccable, with Alex and Paulo delivering warm, knowledgeable, and attentive hospitality. Their professionalism and genuine passion elevated the entire experience without ever feeling overbearing. Overall, it was a memorable and seamless dining experience that fully lives up to its reputation. A big thank you to the team at Hotel Café Royal—I’ll certainly be returning.

The Oscar Wilde Bar is a lovely spot for high tea in the heart of London. I was running a bit behind schedule (*schedule* like how the Brits say it), about 30 minutes late, due to some poor planning and a bit of traffic. The restaurant called me and I returned their call to let them know I was still on my way. I felt like a total jerk for arriving so late, but the staff was incredibly welcoming. I decided to go solo for high tea, wanting to treat myself. They found me the perfect table where I could people-watch and enjoy the piano music from a comfortable distance. This high tea room is absolutely stunning and was made to be photographed. My waiter was incredibly patient and didn't judge me when I was taking pictures. In fact, he said that's what this room is meant for. There were a wide variety of teas, and I think the teas were the best part of the experience. The pastries were also delicious, but I didn't love any of the finger sandwiches. I'll definitely be back soon. Thanks for being so gracious despite my tardiness!

Forget about the Ritz, Savoy and Fortnum and Masons, afternoon tea at the Oscar Wilde Room is the bomb!!!! The decor is so ostentatious, gilt and mirrors for days, but it's marvelous. Great pastries and tasty savories and of course lovely teas - throw in a bottle of bubbly and you will not be eating dinner ! Service is good, the pianist is top notch, all in all a wonderful experience. You have to come to afternoon tea here, especially if you're visiting London.

The Oscar Wilde Bar at Hotel Café Royal dates back to 1865 and with its gilded interiors, mirrors and ornate Louis XVI decor, is probably London's most opulent setting for Afternoon Tea. A perfect fit for the awe-inspiring universe of Van Gogh afternoon tea experience. Experience the brilliance of one of history's greatest artists and immerse yourselves in the creative mind of Van Gogh. They will take you on a historical magical tasting journey through his most famous art works. In partnership with one of the most successful global immersive exhibitions to date. The Van Gogh afternoon tea will be served in the Oscar Wilde Lounge. Located in the Hotel Cafe Royal, in the heart of London's West End between Mayfair and Soho. Reservations is a must! Cheers

Wow! What a lovely afternoon tea experience at the Oscar Wilde Bar! The experience starts with the luxuriously decorated dining room and the live music by a pianist when we first walk in. I just can't stop looking at the ceiling and all-round the room! Because it's the holiday season, they now serve the festive afternoon tea set. I love the holiday decorations and flavors! You have the option to select your tea experience with a champaigne too. The first tea set has the pumpkin flavored starter and the tea sandwiches. I absolutely loved their carefully cut afternoon tea sandwiches! I was surprised by all the different flavors of the sandwiches. I picked up the cucumber sandwich first which was refreshing with the mint cream cheese. Very festive flavor! Then I had the egg salad sandwich which was phenomenal with a touch of truffle! I never thought truffle would mix well with the simple egg salad, but it really elevated the whole sandwich. It's not overpowering, just a light lingering truffle taste that makes all the difference. The third sandwich was smoked salmon with a bit of spicy taste. This is also wonderful. Not your typical smoked salmon sandwich. Finally, the roast beef with a touch of orange flavor was also fantastic. I love the combination of flavors that are just simply amazing. I was really impressed by all the flavors. While we enjoy the tea sandwiches, we try their Christmas tea blend and the Earl Gray Orange tea. The tea was good, but not super special. Round 2 of the afternoon tea experience is their sweet treats. Before we have the sweets, their palate cleanser pear sorbet is to die for! It's simply wonderful and perfectly placed between the savory and sweet. For the sweets, they are beautifully crafted Christmas sweets. Some are sweeter than others. I am not a dessert person, but I like them. Last, but not the least, you have the scones! They have two types of scones, plain or the Christmas cake scones. I love their Christmas cake scones with the berries and nuts. Wow! What an afternoon tea menu! It's a lot of food. They allow us to take away so we can continue to enjoy the wonderful food. When we had the sweet treats, their white apricot tea was the perfect pairing! Overall, great festive afternoon tea menu, great service, and amazing ambiance! I recommend coming in early when there are less people, so you truly get to experience the room and quiet afternoon tea.

I never thought a cucumber and cream cheese sandwich could surprise and delight me, until I had the afternoon tea at the Oscar Wilde Bar inside Hotel Cafe Royal. Same for the Salmon. Same for Chicken Curry. Same for Orange Jelly. I could keep going, but you understand. We were able to score a 2:30pm Saturday reservation (one of two options remaining) by booking online at 10:30am. We arrived a bit early at 2:15pm, but since our table was available, we were seated immediately. Standard Afternoon tea was £65 per person. We opted for the £75 option with Brut de Brut. By the way- what a clever champagne pour that draws your eye up to the ceiling- it's a bit of showmanship, and I like it! You are encouraged to try one tea with your savory items and another tea with your sweet items. When you finish the tower of the savory items, they bring a tray to offer you any additional seconds you'd like. When you finish anything really, you're offered more! I should have been more cautious on the scone quantity, but the thick clotted cream made them go down easily and became deceptively filling! We were so full we couldn't even finish our sweets tray, but thankfully they let us box up what we didn't get a chance to try. I'm afraid no other afternoon tea will live up to this experience now... I peaked way too early! Also- shout out to the Piano player who has an amazing memory bank of tunes and flawless changes without missing a beat between jazz standards, classics, and pop!

Beautiful tea room, wonderful service and prime location near Leicester Square. We had a reservation for afternoon tea at noon on a Wednesday. There were plenty of open tables at that time so walking in should not have been an issue. They had a pianist playing for the majority of our stay (~2 hours) which elevated the entire experience. We both had the afternoon tea menu with champagne for £55 each. We weren't given an option to opt out of the champagne. Otherwise it would have been £45 each. The servers were great at explaining the menu and proper order of afternoon tea, as we had never done it before. They recommended at least 2 different teas: dark, black tea for the savory course and a light, herbal tea for the pastries. We started with finger sandwiches and a savory muffin, which was extremely dry. The sandwiches were okay, nothing spectacular. Noted, it is all you can eat, and they will replenish the sandwiches, pastries and tea as much as you like. The pastries were also okay. Some were waaayyy too sweet or dry. Although, the raspberry mousse was phenomenal and exceeded expectations. The highlight of this experience was the tea. Together, we tried 6 total: Celestine (black tea), Oscar (black tea), Lychee (green tea), Earl Grey, Lavendar (herval infused) and Rosebud (herbal infused). The aromas and flavors of each tea were particularly strong and each was flavorfully unique from the others. Overall impression: The ambience is enough to make this afternoon tea experience worth it. The tea is great. The sandwiches and pastries were okay, not bad but not great. £55 for all-you-can-eat and drink is not a bad deal at all.

Beautiful bar room. We came to the Hotel Cafe Royal for high tea in the Oscar Wilde Bar room. Excellent experience. The room itself is very ornate, everything lined in gold trim. The ceiling has pictures of topless women and some babies. The walls are all mirrors with gold pillars. When you look at the walls, you get the illusion that the room continues on and on. The high tea was such a cool experience for an American that's never had anything like it. We started with a glass of champagne while we looked over the tea menu. There are probably 15 or more different teas to pick from, and each person gets their own tea pot. If you go with others, you can each get a different tea and try those, or...you can get as many teas for yourself that you can drink. When they bring out the tea, it is served with a tray of food...which I would call sandwiches, but they might just call it finger food. The tray is 3 levels of food for 2 people. Everyone gets the same food, and each level has 2 different sandwiches. I won't go through what each sandwich is, but they are all good. By the way, you can get more champagne if you want. Once you've finished all the sandwiches, they bring out a dessert tray. It works the same as the sandwich tray. We ate all the sandwiches, but got full half way through the dessert tray. If you're in London, definitely try high tea at the Hotel Cafe Royal in the Oscar Wilde bar.

Well I definitely felt like a princess here. Best afternoon tea experience I could have possibly imagined! Great to do right before catching a shOw!

If you want the ultimate high tea experience I would recommend this bar. From talented live piano playing to the flavors of tea everything was wonderful. I especially enjoyed the ambiance of the room. The walls, the utensils, everything was spot on. I got the jasmine green tea and the rose tea. I loved the jasmine. The smell was so strong without the flavor being too overpowering. The champagne was a nice touch. The sandwiches and desserts were delicious. An overall wonderful experience.

Prior to traveling to London I reviewed multiple online suggestions for the 'best' High Tea. The front runner was at The Ritz--it was booked. So we chose one of the top five found on multiple sites, High Tea at Oscar Wilde. Lets cut to the chase--It was ok. It was late in the day, admittedly after the usual tea time, and the place was almost empty. But, The ambiance was extraordinary! Lovely, ornate gold accents and mirrors EVERYWHERE. Lovely pink tones throughout and comfy pink velvet banquet seats offered cush to the bottom for a long sit during the high tea. Why such a low score you ask? The food. The service. The tea. They phoned it all in. For nearly $100 a person, with ONE glass of champagne, this is truly unacceptable in THE capital of High Tea. The sandwiches, full of mayo and filler. The treats--cute presentation trumped taste in overly sweet, and dime store flavors. The tea--my son's was BLUE, like a blue gatorade full of FD&C Blue. My white tea--the bag was left in the bottom and the second cup was awful and astringent. The service--minamal. They couldn't be bothered to clear our used items or deliver our bill. Truly, dont waste your time at this place. Poke in for a nosy and then bolt on out after snapping a pic of the pretty place as you wander over elsewhere for your lower cost, better tasting, more attentive High Tea.

I came here last week for Afternoon Tea with a friend while in London. We did our research before making the reservation a few months in advance and while it is definitely expensive, so are all Afternoon Tea's... so if you are interested - look at menus, look at reviews, and compare prices, until you find the Tea that's right for you. Anyways. When we arrived we were greeted by the hostess and had our coats hung up in their coat room and were quickly taken to our table. Once we sat down a server quickly came and explained the different choices for tea that afternoon (regular, with champagne, or with a Diptyk candle...). At this point we did end up waiting awhile for them to come back to take our choices. One thing I would have liked to know at this point: you can get more than one type of tea. After we were done our sandwiches we were offered the choice of changing our tea type (and therefore trying something new!)... I would have liked to know this off the get-go and it would have changed my choice. Anyways. The sandwiches were all fantastic. There were a couple items that weren't to my preference... but that's bound to happen when you're a somewhat picky eater on a fixed menu. However, if you're still hungry when you're done they're more than happy to bring you some more of your favourites (we didn't ask; they offered). The desserts were INCREDIBLE. Seriously some of the best things I've ever tried. Again, they offered to bring us seconds of any favourites... unfortunately we were both too full. The teas I had were all outstanding (and they do also sell, so you can purchase what you loved!). My cup was always full. The service was great. The ambiance was to die for (beautifully lavish, like you're in Versailles or something), including a musician playing a piano in the corner. My only qualm was how long it took to get the bill. Eventually we got to the point where I had to flag the server down... I know that they were trying not to pressure us to leave or anything but at the same time it got to the point where we really wanted out of there.

I don't know how there are only 9 reviews of this place!! I don't post reviews often and I never do while I'm still dining but this place is magnificent at every turn! The level of service is impeccable, the presentation, the quality of food, ingriedienta, tea, I could go on and on! Attention to detail is so impressive. You can tell everyone here is trained so well in the ART of hospitality! This is the only place I will ever go to for afternoon tea in London for as long as I live!! Cheers to everyone who made this special experience so memorable.

Visited the Oscar Wilde Bar in January of this year for high tea. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the teas, sandwiches and desserts. Very detailed decor everywhere in the tea room with a pianist and very accommodating and friendly service staff.

So here I was indulging in yet another Sunday afternoon tea, this time in the iconic Oscar Wilde Bar at Hotel Café Royal - formerly the iconic Grill Room which has been exquisitely restored to its authentic Louis XVI detailing. Originally established in 1865, it is now the place to enjoy Afternoon tea during the day and Champagne, sparkling wine and a light menu in the evening, complemented by a further programme of live entertainment. Dropping off our coats at the entrance, we were then shown to our table at the back of the grand room, embellished in extravagant gold detailing, vast mirrors and renaissance painted ceilings. We were first served a glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne whilst we perused the selection of teas. I went for the Oscar, an authentic and historic Lapsang Souchong, whilst Lili chose the Celestine, a soft black China tea with sweet Madagascan vanilla pod and pretty cornflowers - both from the Exclusive Blends selection. The amuse bouche was a 'Low Sidecar Muffin', filled with a luscious swirl of truffle cream cheese and a plastic pipette on the side which contained apple juice. Soft and fluffy with a smooth, creamy centre - a great start to what was yet to come. Then came our three-tiered stand of tea sandwiches. Starting from the top was the wild boar crackling, pickled apple and mustard bun, and a light and crunchy pastry filled with chorizo. On the second tier was the Mary Rose prawn cocktail, which was Lili's favourite, and the goat's cheese puff and sweet wine jelly. And the final tier were a couple of sandwiches - London Cure smoked salmon and quail's egg, and "cucumber and cream cheese". A much more interesting selection as opposed to the usual white and brown bread sandwiches. As a palate cleanser, we were served some refreshing iced fruit tea and a cute piece of fluffy marshmallow. And last but not least was a beautiful and vibrant tray of sweet pastries: "Profile 66", "Opera 1865", Seasonal flower pot, Absinthe Green Fairy macaron, Pear Regent, and cream filled choux. My favourite was probably the cute little seasonal flower pot and the petite choux buns. I truly love macarons, but although it had a nice crunch and sticky texture, the taste of Absinthe may not have quite been my cup of tea. Overall, it was indeed a truly decadent afternoon tea experience, and I would definitely recommend a visit. Check out my blog for full post with photos x http://dancing-in-high-heels.blogspot.co.uk/

If I could give zero stars, I would. The food was okay, the serives fine. However, when we came in, I was holding a Pride flag (the parade route was passing out front) and was told rather nastily by the maitre d' that it was not allowed in the restaurant. I wasn't waving it, I was in the process of sliding it in the front of my camera bag. The guy physically stood in front of my friends and I until we put the flag in coat check. I could keep my camera bag (a medium sized backpack) no problem, but the flag had to go. As it was Pride, none of us were very impressed at all. For the price, the food is okay, the tea was good, the service alright. For a similar price, the Savoy has a lovely afternoon tea.

Had a wonderful afternoon tea here at the Oscar Wilde bar. The food was lovely, the atmosphere was so charming and we had the best time! Christian, our server, was extremely friendly and helped us pick the best teas! He made the experience top notch and we would recommend this place to anyone looking for a wonderful afternoon tea!

Omg! Just finished having tea at The Oscar Wilde Lounge, it couldn't have been more enjoyable! The tea delicious, so many choices, the savories unbelievable, the sweets out of this world. I'm so full and happy. The service was incredible. Our servers Sani and Dayanne were the best. So patient and sweet. We took forever to decide what tea to have. I've had tea all over London and I have to say this has by far been my best experience. I will be back. Thank you for a lovely afternoon.

Probably the best and brightest afternoon tea service in London, do drop by if you are moved by Oscariana, tasty tea, delicious assortment of pastries and splendid décor. A must if visiting London and a recommended addition to your favourite places if you happen to live here. Marvelous live piano music, as if all of the above were not enough.

Came in here for a post dinner drink after a great meal in the Domino room..... Wasnt quite what I expected for a bar named after oscar wilde. The Louis XVI detailing along with flashing lights and cheesy music made it feel a bit more appropriate for a stop on a hen party... Cocktails were good - but should be at £16+service