The Dining Room at The Goring Hotel

Came here for afternoon tea. It was a fun experience to have under our belts, but not something I see myself doing often. Quiet /​peaceful enough that we felt a bit self-​conscious, especially since they had signs on the table encouraging you to put away your phones. We weren’t going there to web surf and ignore each other, but we did want to spend some time going over some trip logistics since you have 2 hours there.
Liked the sandwiches more than the desserts, which were on the sweet side. Also wished they put out multiples when more than one person is taking tea. They will refill for you if you ask (and we did), but would like to just have them readily available instead of tracking someone down… My husband shares, but leaves everything worse for wear after he finishes his half; it just looked a bit unappetizing, which seemed anti-​afternoon tea to me.
Attentive enough and polite service, though accents sometimes hard to understand. Man in bowler hat outside more pleasant and actually smiled.
Certainly expensive.

Let it be known that this is not where you make reservations for afternoon tea. I made that mistake, and made the reservation through their restaurant and upon arrival, I was informed that their tea room didn’t open for another hour but they could squeeze us in to the tea room if we waited for a little bit. I normally would have been super irritated by this, as I do think that they should make it clearer to people NOT to make tea reservations through their dining room, but the employees were all so pleasant and polite, and their bar was fun to wait in.
We were sat at a table in their tea patio, where the windows opened up to a gorgeous view of the city. Even though it started raining, of course, it didn’t deter us from having a great time. The sun patio let in so much natural light, and the girls waiting on us were of utmost politeness and manners. Our tea cups were never empty, and they checked on us constantly to see how we were doing.
The scones. oh my god, those scones. They were the best scones I’ve ever had, anywhere. They were warm and buttery, and paired with the clotted cream, they were heavenly. The sandwiches were all dainty and delicious, but those pastries were such eye candy. Everything was beautifully presented, and the experience was definitely memorable, from the seating, to the amuse bouche, to the tea, to the food, to the ending dessert.
This traditional English afternoon tea experience goes down in my book of memories, and if we ever make our way over to London again, I definitely want to do it again!

Great service, good food, exorbitant price. I don’t mind paying a lot for food but it has to be really good. I’ve gone to ‘high tea’ before and for it being ‘the best high tea in london’ I was expecting more.
I would come back — but only if someone else is paying the 62 pounds for my birdfeed.

A highlight of my trip to London is afternoon tea at the Goring. Great service, delicious food (continue to replenish your sandwiches, sweets, and teas). You feel like royalty when dining at the Goring :)

I LOVE having afternoon tea and having it at The Goring Hotel was absolutely fantastic and wonderful. The place was nicely decorated and peaceful, but not too quiet where you can’t have a lovely chat with your companions. It was on the pricey side but nonetheless, a great experience. Delicious snacks, sandwiches and desserts, with loads of tea to choose from.

Aaaaaaaaah, the Goring. Family run, discrete, tucked away… a great setting for tea or a drink (if you can find a table). You’ll find yourself surrounded by an interesting mix of clienetele. Highly recommended, but if you’re a jeans-​and-​trainers type person, and not a dressed down mogul, it’s probably not for you. Delightful garden at the back.
I’d not say the «tea» is authentic — show me someone who serves the same level of dainty patisserie in their own home, and I’ll show you someone who lives in a five star hotel — but this in no sense detracts from them. Service is highly attentive, which is important given how busy this location can be.

The Goring Hotel is a lovely spot for afternoon tea! Scoring a reservation can be quite challenging but definitely worth the effort. The décor is classic understated elegance with very comfy seats to lounge in as you daintily sip your tea and gorge on your second serving of sandwiches.
The sandwiches were more exciting than the desserts for us and we really liked the turkey cranberry sandwich! They have a great variety of teas and happily refill your pot with hot water frequently.

I had my very first tea time experience here and absolutely felt like a princess! We did the champaign with strawberries and cream and then came the tower of sandwiches, scones and deserts, which were absolutely fabulous! Since I’m allergic to shrimp, they substitute a sandwich for an egg salad sandwich. And the replacement was my favorite with its buttery taste and creamy texture. They brought us more since I gobbled that one up. I enjoyed the earl grey tea as well. Atmosphere was cheery with a touch of edginess, like the fuzzy lamb stools. There was a good mix of family, friends and business people there as well. Service was fabulous!

Lovely afternoon spend drinking yummy cocktails on their lawn, if you are
Looking for somewhere with a relaxing outdoor space near Victoria head here, they also have a cool beach bar for summer 2011

review for afternoon tea–
service– not incredible for a hotel, including a random waitress who interrupted our conversation and asked if she could remove all of our stuff on a chair to take to a different table when there were other chairs at empty tables… not that it would be a problem but it was just strange. the manager (?) was super friendly.
beautiful, yellow room. weird thing is no music! no live, no CD.
scones here were really good, the tea was good, though the menu more limited than dorchester.
not that clean– i didn’t fuss but dust in the cup, and little things like that.
overall, i just really love afternoon tea and i’m glad i came here

Ok, firstly, I know it’s a tad cliché to hit afternoon tea here directly after a certain Duchess and fam just stayed here before a certain wedding, but hey, if it’s good enough for them, then surely it’s an ideal late Mother’s Day pressie for a visiting mum…
Firstly, the setting — absolutely lovely. We were lucky enough to have a sunny, warm day and were sat outside overlooking the lovely private garden (see photo). Being outside also helps make it less stuffy/​more relaxing.
Secondly, the food — again, fab. Guinea fowl and mushroom replaces the bog-​standard ham and cheese (melt in your mouth), delicious scones and calorie-​laden clotted cream don’t disappoint and the pastry selection was delish and unique (popcorn macaroon anyone?). Two pages of tea selection, including silver needle (my choice), jasmine pearl, and two types of mint tea are great for normal coffee-​drinkers like me. Only comments here were that my initial coffee was lukewarm…
Lastly, the service — now, i admit my expectations were set exceptionally high, but given a) the fact this staff recently hosted a number of royals and b) the price (£35 for traditional tea and £45 for champagne tea), I think that’s fair enough. The service was by no means bad, it just lacked that polished aspect I expected. We were given a complimentary seafood starter (a bit odd before tea) before we had anything to drink and then when I ordered tea, our server poured it for me and then commented that it probably needs to steep longer. Well, that’s great, but I now have to drink what is basically a cup of warm water. We also had an issue with being charged for a glass of champagne rather than the afternoon tea which resulted in a bit of attitude before being resolved.
Anyway, I’ll put all that down to the fact that I’m not a princess — I would definitely recommend The Goring.

The Goring, for afternoon tea; a Tea Virgin’s story
During a family vacation, we stopped in London, which required an afternoon tea for my wife and teenage daughter. I recommend you consider the same.
The setting is delightful. Not garishly opulent, but understated finery. The garden takes the experience over the top, with cut grass, shrubberies, statuary, and yes, even people playing croquet. If lucky, a table on the patio will let you split the difference.
The staff are not stiff, but warm (English warm) and easily help a neophyte along. Not that tea is rocket science, but there are many choices, and you’ll be there awhile so you need to select something to make the visit sing.
That said, I’m not a tea fan, but was won over nonetheless. I never thought I could ever spend three hours drinking teas, but we enjoyed every minute. The sandwiches (chicken curry, tuna salad, salmon, and of course cucumber) and sweets (scones, cakes and tarts) were delicious as well.
Tea at the Goring is a worthwhile treat

This is a review of High Tea at the Goring Hotel, while visiting London.
Went to high tea at the recommendation of a chef friend. If you want an authentic British tea, without going to the usual places, I would highly recommend the tea at the Goring. Very nice tea service in a lovely hotel. Plus it’s out of the usual tourist pathways. ..

Here’s ‘The Situation’: Parent birthday, parent obsessed with Victorian/​Eduardian England, how to score massive points with least amount of pain…
Answer: The Dining Room at The Goring.
It’s a pretty penny, but the food was excellent and the service was rock solid ensuring all the birthday trappings came off perfectly! Nice of them to have a set menu price (a trifle steep, but worth it) to avoid the awkward selection process, and a wine list that ranges from the excessive candle-​pour to the solid and price worthy to make any meal a ‘smashing affair.‘
Birthday cake was an absolute hand-​made, fruit delight (in Jan no less) at a fraction of what you’d expect and birthday child was made to feel oh so grand.
In short, have that someone in your life with an Agatha Christie obsession? Bring them here and sit back while the staff does all the rest!
Apropos the food, from the eggs drumkilbo to the beef wellington, was, well, a surprising not-​as-​stuffy-​as-​expected delight