The Orangery

Beautiful building, shame about everything else. Not sure where to start. Unfriendly service, lukewarm watery tea, needed a microscope to find salmon in the sandwiches, and the cakes were of poor quality. We felt ashamed that this is what we are offering to visitors to our country.

The outside toilets, which we had to approach in the dark via unlit steps, were not particularly clean and there was no water in my cubicle to wash my hands.

The final insult was the walk back to Kensington in the dark with no lights and therefore no directions could be seen.

We strongly advise ladies not to take tea here and leave after dark.

Suggest tea at the Ritz where you will be comfortable, safe and treated with respect.
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Mrs. V. M. Burton and Mrs. L.M. Breading
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 21, 2009

We enjoyed a lovely bowl of delicious mushroom soup (2) the smoked fish tray and my husband had two small chicken legs on a small bed of lettuce.. 2 glasses of average wine and 2 colas. Just a little brunch to the sound of the hedge trimmer and lawn mower blasting away. Although the sevice was just ok, the soup was some of the best we have had ever. HOWEVER the total cost in US 124.00. Way too much for the deal we got. we won't go back.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I finally found a lovely place to have a wonderful cup of tea with scones and sandwiches in a peaceful atmosphere.
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marisa escribano
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, October 23, 2008

The Orangery is set in a Kensington Park and is lovely, it is where the Queen used to grow her citrus in London but you can walk in the door look around for about 20 seconds and see all the glory there is to see and save yourself a wad of cash. I never mind paying good money for a lovely experience but I really hate to just be taken to the cleaners and get about $4.00 worth of experience for 40.00 plus dollars. We have gone to the Orangery every time we’ve been in London but will not go again. The dishes used to be pretty blue and white ones now they are chipped white ones, say it with me…tourist trap! This is not an exaggeration for a small pot of watery tea (about 1 ½ cups) and bad service we paid 3.95 UKL which is 7.90 USD plus the conversion charge and to add insult to injury the tip is now 12 percent mandatory so the service has gone down the rat hole since they know they get a tip no matter what kind of service they provide. Total USD for a cup and ½ of mediocre tea $9.01 OMG! To top that slap in the face we made the mistake of ordering their pea soup which was the worst soup I have ever tasted. It was dehydrated peas half cooked then partially blendered with absolutely no flavoring, no salt, no pepper, nothing! Watery, flavorless slop which they had to nerve to charge 5.50 UKL which translates with the conversion and the mandatory tip to $12.30, so for a cup of watery tea and a bowl of substandard pea soup for 2 people we paid $42.62…OUCH! I have to say it is one of the biggest rip-offs in London! You are better off picnicking in the Park, or just having tea by the Serpentine in Hyde Park for a few pounds. There is nothing in the view or the experience at the Orangery that warrants those kinds of prices. Even the Orangery cake named after the place is dry and common. I think the Orangery must be under new management and they have really taken a big turn for the worse.
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LondonBlue - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Another in a long line of disappointing English eating experiences. I thought that this would be a casual, yet still classy place to go for a bite to eat. It was average at best. The service is amateur, the food mediocre, and the prices too high for what you get (typical of most UK eating I've found.) At least I know to avoid it in the future. We got there in time for breakfast and received oily breakfast tarts, sad croissants and poor service all to the tune of over 30 pounds.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Monday, May 19, 2008

Loved this place! Yes, the bathroom is out of the way. However, not one person who I have ever taken here was bothered greatly by it. In fact, they loved the atmosphere, which was ethereal and relaxed. Everyone ordered their own tea, so there was more than enough to go around. The one time I was with someone who ordered soup, the butternut squash soup was quickly served and she said it was delicious. Everyone I took also loved the sandwiches. A few people were disappointed by the desserts, but I think its because we were all used to very sweet desserts. The desserts here are simple and rich...not the instant cavity makers my American visitors and I were used to. While in London, I took each of my visitors here, and each loved it. I would highly recommend it.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, February 25, 2007