Walk down Regent Street and you're basically drowning in a sea of shoppers and frantic energy. It's loud. It’s chaotic. But then you step through the doors of the Hotel Cafe Royal cafe—specifically the Cakes & Bubbles space or the gold-drenched Oscar Wilde Lounge—and the volume just drops. It’s weird how a few inches of glass and stone can change the vibe so completely.
Most people think this place is just for the elite or the folks staying in the £700-a-night suites upstairs. Honestly? That's a mistake. While the history is heavy—we’re talking about the spot where David Bowie retired Ziggy Stardust and Oscar Wilde fell in love—the actual experience of sitting down for a coffee or a glass of Nytimber is surprisingly accessible if you know which door to walk through.
The Hotel Cafe Royal has been a London fixture since 1865. It started as a French restaurant run by a wine merchant named Daniel Nicholas Thévenot, who changed his name to Daniel Nicols because, well, Victorian London was a bit funny about foreigners. It grew from a modest cafe into a sprawling labyrinth of luxury. Today, it sits as a bridge between the old-school glamour of Mayfair and the pulsing, modern grit of Soho.
The Gilded Reality of the Hotel Cafe Royal Cafe
If you're looking for the "cafe" part of the hotel, you’re likely headed to Cakes & Bubbles. This isn't your neighborhood Starbucks. This is the brainchild of Albert Adrià, who was voted the World’s Best Pastry Chef. The man is a legend. He was the creative force behind elBulli, a restaurant so famous people used to practically sell their souls for a reservation.
When you walk into Cakes & Bubbles, it looks... expensive. There’s a lot of golden marble. But the menu is actually a masterclass in weird, wonderful textures. You've probably seen the "Cheese Cake" on Instagram. It looks exactly like a wheel of Baron Bigod cheese, complete with the little wooden box and the wax-like rind. It’s actually made of goat’s cheese, white chocolate, and hazelnuts. It’s savory. It’s sweet. It’s confusing in the best way possible.
The lighting in there is moody. The service is precise. You don't just "grab a coffee." You experience a ritual. It’s a bit much for some people, but if you want to feel like you’ve actually arrived in London, this is where you do it.
What People Get Wrong About the Dress Code
There is a massive misconception that you need to be wearing a three-piece suit to get a table at the Hotel Cafe Royal cafe areas. You don’t. This isn't 1920. While you probably shouldn't roll in wearing gym shorts and a tank top, "smart casual" is the name of the game. I’ve seen tech founders in hoodies sitting next to ladies in fascinators.
The staff are surprisingly chill. They care more about whether you appreciate the food than whether your shoes are polished to a mirror shine. That said, the Oscar Wilde Lounge—where they do the afternoon tea—is a bit more "hallowed ground." If you’re going there, maybe leave the flip-flops at the hotel.
The Ghost of Oscar Wilde and the Green Room
You can't talk about this place without talking about the history. It’s baked into the walls. The Oscar Wilde Lounge was originally the Grill Room. It’s where Wilde held court. It’s where Aubrey Beardsley debated art. It’s where the "Green Room" name originated because of the green absinthe everyone was drinking.
Walking into that room is like being slapped in the face with 24-karat gold leaf. It is ornate. It is loud in its visual design. Mirrors everywhere. Red velvet. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to speak in epigrams.
Why the Afternoon Tea is a Different Beast
Most London hotels do a decent afternoon tea. The Ritz is iconic. The Savoy is classic. But the Hotel Cafe Royal does something a bit more experimental. They often theme their teas around perfumes or specific historical eras.
- The Sandwiches: They aren't just cucumber and butter. Think roast beef with horseradish cream on beetroot bread.
- The Scones: Always warm. Always served with clotted cream that is so thick you could probably use it as spackle.
- The Tea: They have a tea sommelier. Yes, that is a real job. They will explain why a specific Oolong from a specific hillside in Taiwan is the only thing that should touch your palate.
It’s expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? If you like history and sugar, absolutely.
The Modern Pivot: More Than Just Old Gold
The hotel underwent a massive renovation a few years back, led by David Chipperfield Architects. They did something ballsy. Instead of making everything look "old-timey," they stripped back the layers. They used huge slabs of Carrara marble. It looks clinical and futuristic in the hallways, which creates this wild contrast with the historic rooms.
✨ Don't miss: Погода Нью Йорк на месяц: Чего на самом деле ждать от капризного мегаполиса
This is why the Hotel Cafe Royal cafe experience feels different from, say, The Wolseley. It feels like a place that actually lives in the 21st century. The Wi-Fi is fast. The acoustics are handled by people who actually understand sound dampening. You can actually have a conversation without shouting over the clink of silverware.
The Bar Scene
The Green Bar is where the botanical influence lives. They specialize in Absinthe. Now, before you start thinking about hallucinations and Van Gogh's ear, modern Absinthe is just a very high-proof herbal spirit. They serve it the traditional way: ice water dripping over a sugar cube on a slotted spoon.
It’s theatrical. It’s a bit "theatre kid," but it works. The bartenders here are some of the best in the city. If you ask for something off-menu, they won't roll their eyes. They’ll ask you what your base spirit is and what kind of mood you’re in.
Pricing: The Elephant in the Room
Let’s be real. You’re in the center of London. You’re in a Grade II listed building. You are going to pay.
- A coffee at the cafe will set you back about £6-£8.
- A dessert at Cakes & Bubbles is usually between £12 and £20.
- Afternoon tea starts around £80 per person.
It’s a splurge. But compared to the price of a bland sandwich and a lukewarm latte at a chain cafe nearby, the "price per ounce of joy" is actually higher here. You’re paying for the seat. You’re paying for the fact that you’re sitting in the same room where Mick Jagger used to hang out.
How to Actually Get a Table
Don't just walk in off the street on a Saturday afternoon and expect to be seated immediately. You’ll be disappointed.
- Weekdays are your friend. If you show up at 11:00 AM on a Tuesday, the place is yours.
- Book online. The hotel uses standard booking platforms. It takes two minutes.
- The "Secret" Entrance. There’s an entrance directly on Air Street. It’s often less crowded than the main Regent Street foyer.
What Most People Miss
The details. Look at the ceiling in the Oscar Wilde Lounge. There are carvings of N’s everywhere—a nod to Napoleon, whom Daniel Nicols was obsessed with. Look at the "C" and "R" motifs in the ironwork.
Also, the bathrooms. I know, talking about toilets in a luxury article is a bit uncouth, but the marble work in the Cafe Royal's public areas is genuinely stunning. It’s like being inside a very clean, very expensive cave.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to the Hotel Cafe Royal cafe, here is how to do it right:
✨ Don't miss: Getting from Santa Monica to LAX: What Most People Get Wrong
First, decide on your vibe. If you want a quick, high-end "sugar hit," go to Cakes & Bubbles. Ask for the Cork—it’s a dessert that looks like a wine cork but is made of steamed chocolate sponge and hazelnut. It’s genius.
Second, if you’re doing the afternoon tea, skip lunch. Seriously. People underestimate the sheer volume of food. They will keep bringing you sandwiches. They will offer more cake. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
Third, check the "What's On" section of their website. They often host live jazz or specific spirits tastings. Sometimes these are open to non-residents for a small fee or just the price of a drink.
Lastly, don't be intimidated. The Hotel Cafe Royal cafe is a public space. You have as much right to be there as the guy with the Rolex and the private jet. Take your time. Read a book. Watch the tourists struggle with their shopping bags through the window. It’s one of the few places in London where time actually feels like it slows down.
For those interested in the technical side of the architecture, the building is a mix of styles, mainly 1860s French and 1920s Neo-Classical. The restoration used $200 million worth of materials to ensure that the transition between the old rooms and the new minimalist rooms felt intentional rather than jarring.
Go for the history, stay for the goat's cheese cheesecake, and definitely don't leave without seeing the gold leaf in the lounge. It's the most "London" thing you can do without having to wait in line for the London Eye.
To make the most of your trip, arrive via the Piccadilly Circus tube station; it’s a two-minute walk. Head straight to the Air Street entrance to avoid the Regent Street crowds, and if you're visiting in December, the festive decorations are some of the most understated yet elegant in the city. Just remember to silence your phone—this is a place for real conversation, not TikTok notifications.