Afternoon Tea at Parker's Tavern

Review summary

1. J

   Jeanie

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Great food in a lovely atmosphere. Elegant library surroundings. We weren't rushed.
   

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2. S

   Sarah

   Cambridge

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 15 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 2

   The food was excellent so it’s such a shame the rest lest it down. I went as a pre Christmas treat for my mother who was visiting. When we arrived we were put on two tiny tables and two lounge chairs that were covered in drink and food stains. The waitress commented that our table was clearly not big enough but would not move us. We then had to perch the food and tea pots etc on the two tables and eat in our laps. The waiter and waitress who served us were polite, if very low energy. The large table next to us was empty when we arrived and covered in detritus from the previous party. Including food mess from a toddler / baby. This was left like this until we had almost finished. So the environment was a bit of an eyesore. What should be a relaxed refined experience was cramped and shabby. Food was great, we took most of it home to enjoy it in a nicer environment. Dining room was otherwise almost empty which affected the mood too. Will go back here for cocktails or dinner but not afternoon tea.
   

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3. d

   devyn

   Seattle

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 14 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Must try when in Cambridge! Loved it so much! Food was good and the ambience was impeccable
   

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4. A

   Anthony

   London

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined on 13 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   The festive afternoon tea was delicious and well presented. The library setting was perfect. The issue was very slow service. It took ages to get more tea and to finally get the bill. Also we were informed that drinks were included and unlimited but a glass of apple juice was charged (£4) on the bill.
   

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5. N

   Nigel

   Edinburgh

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 9 December 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Parkers festive afternoon tea was very good. It was well presented and the scones very light and tasty. All the sandwiches were good the turkey taco was the best. The cakes served were very rich and tasted very nice
   

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6. D

   Deanna

   Cambridge

   4 reviews

   3.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Very slow to serve us. Booked in but no food or drinks after 35 minutes. Had to chase. Was told they were busy. Tried to charge me for something I had not ordered.
   

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7. A

   Andreas

   New York City

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Good experience and good value. The service could be a bit better. I think they only had one server on, and he seemed overwhelmed.
   

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8. j

   jess

   London

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on 7 December 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   We visit Parker’s Tavern every year for their Xmas afternoon tea as it is also my fathers birthday but the service we received was not the usual service we receive, and at £42 per person we are disappointed. We arrived slightly early admittedly and waited for 10 mins before anyone came to the front desk. During this time, people walked through and helped themselves to seats, whilst someone clearly saw us but continued to serve people jumping in front. When we were seated we sat for 40 mins before anyone came to our table to ask if we wanted tea or coffee. I had already spoken to other man who I believe was managing the bar and not our table who when I asked why no one had served us said he didn’t know. Once our tea came out after a further 15 mins, we had no spoons and my pot had some dried food on the side of it where it was not clean. Usually during the afternoon tea, someone comes over to check everything is ok and if we want any tea refills…. No one came at all throughout. Once the afternoon tea was placed on the table no one came over at all. In the end, my dad had to go over to a waiter I believed named Amal once we had finished to ask for some boxes to put our food in even though we had tried for around 15 mins to get someone to pop over so we could get the bill. I just find it extremely disappointing as we had to get up multiple times to ask for basic things that the usual service of Parker’s Tavern would provide in our previous fantastic experiences at Parkers Tavern. At an overall cost of £189, at reflection I do not feel this is acceptable as a cost for the service we have recieved.
   

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9. C

   Catherine

   Cambridge

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined on 6 December 2024

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 4

   The food was great, the service was appalling, the waiter was not attentive at all, I took my mother for afternoon tea on her 87th birthday, on the phone they asked if I’d like a cake/chocolates, nothing materialised! I asked for another latte which didn’t materialise, I had to ask for clean plates after the savoury bits which were then just shoved on the table leaving me to sort out the dirty plates etc, disappointed and won’t be going again
   

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10. H

    Hayley

    Cambridge

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on 6 December 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3

    Service was very slow, took ages to get someone to order a drink then once we had took ages to get it. We had given dietary requirements but they were mixed up so lost out of some parts due to them mixing up what our requests were. We were sat on big chairs rather than proper chairs which were so uncomfortable but told we couldn’t move even though we were the first there.
    

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