Afternoon Tea at Parker's Tavern

Review summary

1. C

   Clare

   Cambridge

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

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

   The experience was average and not good value for money. It feels like a quantity/appearance has been prioritised over taste. We had the festive afternoon tea. There was lots of food presented (5 sandwiches, 2 scones and 5 cakes per person) but the quality of this was not great. The afternoon tea is ordered in from elsewhere and had clearly been stored in a fridge as 3/5 sandwiches were dry. The other two items were a wrap/taco and a sausage roll which were very nice. The scones were lovely and served warm, the jam was liquid and went everywhere. Out of the 5 desserts, 2 were lovely and 2 looked pretty but were inedible. We were able to takeaway the items we couldn’t eat (and wanted to eat). None of the tables could finish the whole afternoon tea. The tea itself was not loose leaf tea but served in sachets. Service was slow and had to ask multiple times for cream/jam. It also felt like there was a script they needed to run through and was not really personal. The room we were sitting in was nice, but seats were uncomfortable. Sofa is so large, low down (and worn out) it was uncomfortable to sit up and eat at the table. I have had much better afternoon teas elsewhere in Cambridge and would not return.
   

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2. N

   Nicole

   VIP

   Cambridge

   5 reviews

   5.0

   5 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

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

   Family of 4 for Festive Tea. Absolutely stunning presentation. Lovely setting in the Library. Highly recommend!
   

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3. R

   Rebecca

   Norfolk/Suffolk

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on 28 December 2024

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

   We booked the champagne afternoon tea, got the festive afternoon tea due to menu change, which was not communicated to us, so £49.50 for 3 glasses of champagne was added to our bill, which after our complaint was removed. BUT, the service, delivery and fanfare of the afternoon tea was lacking. A small plate consisting of a very small amount of savoury food was provided, had to ask three times for clean plates for the cakes, which were just placed at the end of our table with no description or interest, the scones were not warm as they were delivered at the same time as the savoury and there were way too may cakes for three people to enjoy. It was a very expensive 2 hours and we will certainly not recommend or return.
   

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4. E

   Elizabeth

   Cambridge

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 21 December 2024

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

   The festive afternoon tea was delicious (we had a vegetarian version). Friendly staff with the right amount of attentiveness and a wonderful setting.
   

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5. J

   Jeanie

   London

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on 17 December 2024

   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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6. 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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7. 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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8. 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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9. 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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10. 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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