Kensington Palace in London. Nestled within its vast gardens stands an elegant cafe-restaurant sharing the same exterior design as the palace itself. It is a true hidden gem, and breakfast when it is especially quiet is the perfect time to visit.
- The cafe at the exit of the Kensington Palace gift shop
- A little-known spot: The Orangery in Kensington Gardens
- A restaurant as graceful as an art gallery
- When to book, the best reservation time slots
- Food, prices, taste, service
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The Cafe at the Kensington Palace Gift Shop
Right next to Kensington Palace there is a gift shop, which requires a security check to enter. The gift shop has a cafe-restaurant attached to it. The indoor cafe is a fairly standard spot with nothing particularly special. The open-air terrace cafe (shown in the photo above) is quiet first thing in the morning when it opens at 10 a.m., and you can use it without going through the security check, making it a great morning option.
A Hidden Spot in Kensington Gardens: The Orangery
Just a three-to-four-minute walk from the gift shop cafe, you will find a building (shown above) that mirrors the same exterior design as Kensington Palace. This is The Orangery, a cafe-restaurant that is remarkable both inside and out.
As Graceful as an Art Gallery: Dining Inside Kensington Gardens
Brilliant white soaring ceilings, fine reliefs visible in the arches, ornate stonework (shown above) give the space the feel of a grand museum hall. Tall windows frame the lush greenery of Kensington Palace gardens, making every visit genuinely elegant. Enjoying tea or a meal here feels truly special.
When to Book: The Best Reservation Times
We booked a breakfast reservation for opening time at 10 a.m., making our reservation about three months in advance.
The restaurant had been closed for renovations for quite some time, so it is not widely known yet. A staff member mentioned that breakfast is particularly quiet. When we visited there were only two other tables occupied. A true hidden gem.
Food, Prices, Taste, Service
We enjoyed Eggs Benedict with Americano coffee in a refined setting. The total for two came to around 50 pounds, not particularly expensive by London standards where prices are generally high. The Eggs Benedict was decent rather than extraordinary, yet the ambiance with attentive service more than made up for it. Highly recommended.
They also offer afternoon tea, which makes the visit even more special.
Several staff members were Japanese, everyone was warm and welcoming. One staff member mentioned that Japanese visitors are a rarity, sometimes just one group per day.
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