Food and drink

The 18th century Orangery restaurant is a stunning location for breakfast, morning coffee, a light lunch or afternoon tea.

The Orangery restaurant

The Orangery offers one of the finest tea selections in London with over ten different flavours to enjoy, as well as a range of premium wines and champagnes. When the weather is fine, sit outside on the terrace and enjoy the view of the palace and its elegant gardens.

We offer

delicious homemade food (click here for the Orangery lunch menu)
early opening for morning coffee
light lunches and delicious cakes and pastries
afternoon tea (see service timings)
children’s menu
al fresco dining on the terrace
selection of wines and Historic Royal Palaces' beers

Drinks from £1.50, starters from £5.95, main courses from £9.25 and cakes from £2.25.

We love to see children at the Orangery and can offer them a special treat - their very own version of afternoon tea.

Wimbledon Afternoon Tea

22 June-5 July 2009
Celebrate Wimbledon at the Orangery with scones, strawberries and cream and a glass of Pimms for £11.95. For more information, click here. Please note: you must present this voucher when ordering.

Debutantes' afternoon tea

Step back into 1958 and sample the favourite nibbles of the last debutantes.
Cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, egg mayonnaise vol-au-vent, warm sausage roll, pineapple and cheese cocktail stick and a slice of Belgian chocolate cake served with a pot of English tea.
£13.65 per person

Afternoon tea gift vouchers

Whether for a corporate, family, social or celebration event, Afternoon Tea vouchers are the perfect gift for any occasion. Choose from Champagne Afternoon Tea for two at £40 or Tregothnan English Tea for two at £55. To purchase gift vouchers, please call 0203 166 6112 or email orangery@digbytrout.co.uk. Click here for the Afternoon Tea menu (PDF)

Our customers said…

‘Can't fault it – excellent’
T. Coyne, London

‘The view is wonderful along with the excellent afternoon tea selections’
N. Toghill, Kent

‘There is nothing you could do to improve anything - our visit was wonderful’
Mrs. Rawlins, London

‘Everything was delicious, beautifully presented and reasonably priced - Thanks for a wonderful luncheon’
Michelle

‘Beautiful setting, lovely tea’
Rosemarie, USA

‘We love the staff. Everyone is very friendly and very child friendly as well’
Lindsey, USA

‘Wonderful desserts, astoundingly helpful staff’
Maryan, Dubai

‘We enjoyed the total experience’
Karin, Denmark

Further information

We’re open
10.00-18.00 (March - October)
10.00-17.00 (November - February)

Our service timings are as follows:
From 1 March to 31 October
Breakfast 10.00-12.00
Lunch 12.00-14.45 (last orders)
Afternoon tea 15.00-18.00

From 1 November to 28 February
Breakfast 10.00-12.00
Lunch 12.00-14.30
Afternoon tea 14.30-17.00

Admission to the palace is not required to visit the Orangery
Reservations are not taken for the Orangery
The Orangery is wheelchair accessible. Click here to find out more about palace accessibility
The Orangery may also close early for other functions and events throughout the year. Please see below for dates.

The Orangery at Kensington Palace is a member of the prestigious Tea Guild. Click here to learn more about The Tea Guild.

Early closures

The Orangery restaurant will close at 4pm on the following dates:
• July 2009: 9. The Orangery will close at 3.30pm on 2 July.
• August 2009: 9.
• September 2009: 8, 9, 16.
Further dates are to be confirmed. For more information, please contact us. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Catering for functions and events

Our experienced functions and events caterers have an extensive menu and excellent knowledge of the palaces. Click here to learn more.

Did you know?

It has been traditional since medieval times for the Monarch to distribute gifts of specially minted coins to poor people on Maundy Thursday. This now takes place in churches around the country, but Queen Anne held the Maundy Ceremony in the Orangery.

The Orangery was often used for ceremonies. Queen Anne was notable as the last monarch who performed the ceremony called “Touching the King’s Evil” where people with diseases believed that by being physically touched by the Monarch they would be cured.