Reviews of La Cour des Palmiers describe an elegant, chic setting with a refined atmosphere and a memorable piano ambience that enhances afternoon or high tea; the tea and pastries are frequently praised, and cocktails are a highlight for many guests thanks to flavor and presentation, while food quality of savory items is often described as decent but not exceptional and prices are considered steep. Service is a major variable, ranging from attentive and friendly to slow and inconsistent, with delays in greeting, water, taking orders, tea delivery, or the bill that can sour the experience even when other aspects shine. Space can feel intimate or tight, seating arrangements sometimes noted as compact, though decor is repeatedly cited as beautiful and the overall vibe as special for celebrations. Overall, the venue draws visitors for ambiance and tea rituals, with many planning returns, while some visits emphasize value and pacing as areas for improvement.
I recently visited for afternoon tea & overall had a lovely experience. The Palm Court is a beautiful space & the atmosphere feels very special. The live piano music added a wonderful touch, & the service from the staff was warm & attentive throughout. The food itself was also excellent. Everything tasted fresh & thoughtfully prepared.
The one aspect that surprised me, however, was how limited the cream & tea service felt. We were initially given only a very small amount of cream (roughly two tablespoons) for the scones. When I asked for more, the additional serving came with a full new set of jams we didn't need, but again only a very small amount of cream in a much larger container. We were also charged extra for this additional cream, which felt a bit unusual given the overall price of the experience.
Similarly, when I asked for more tea, the pot was simply topped up with hot water rather than being provided with a fresh tea bag. This left the second pot quite weak & watery. At around $100 per person after tax & tip, I expected the tea service itself to be more generous.
It's a wonderful setting & the quality of the food & service are excellent, but a more generous approach to the tea & cream would make the experience feel more in line with the premium price point.
Mar 6, 2026
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I had high expectations for afternoon tea here & it really didn't deliver. The decor is beautiful, but the seating is in the lobby, which takes away from the experience & ambiance. For the price, I expected standout flavors & more care in the food, but everything tasted bland. Overall, it felt overpriced & underwhelming. I wouldn't return.
the food & cocktails was delicious & the host desk was lovely, the only glaring issue was that the service was terrible. we weren't greeted or given waters for around ten minutes, our orders (on the set menu) took another fifteen to twenty. our cocktails came out relatively fast but the biggest issue is our food came out before our tea, & the tea came out at two separate intervals. we asked for our leftovers to go & they upcharged us for the loose leaf tea that they included without us asking, but at that point the service had been such a low point i just sucked it up & paid it. the service did improve a little bit after i pulled the manager aside halfway through but it already soured our experience. for the price you're paying, the service is genuinely abysmal.
We had made a Valentine's Day dinner reservation two weeks in advance for 9:30 PM, expecting a special & smooth evening. Instead, it turned into a complete disaster.
When we arrived right on time for our 9:30 PM reservation, the girl at the front who seated us casually informed us that the kitchen was closed. Closed? At 9:30 PM? On Valentine's Day? When our reservation was literally for 9:30 PM? Why the hell was this not mentioned earlier-either when we booked two weeks ago or at any point before we showed up?
To make it worse, we could clearly see other tables still being served food. People around us were receiving their meals while we were denied service. How does that make any sense? Why were we singled out & refused food when others were still dining?
As if that wasn't bad enough, our drink order took 30-40 minutes to arrive-& only after we had to remind them. No apology, no urgency, no effort to make up for the situation.
The entire experience was unorganized, unprofessional, & honestly embarrassing. Valentine's Day is supposed to be special, & they completely ruined our night. We planned ahead, made a reservation well in advance, & were treated like an afterthought.
We are a family of 4 & had the pleasure of spending Valentine's Day at the Palm Court at The Ritz-Carlton, & it was nothing short of magical.
From the moment we were seated, the atmosphere felt luxurious & refined - the perfect setting for a special afternoon tea. The live pianist was absolutely excellent, adding a beautiful touch to the entire experience. The music created such lovely ambiance without ever overpowering our conversations.
As for the drinks - perfection. The matcha latte was hands down the best I've had: smooth, vibrant, & perfectly balanced. The masala chai was rich & comforting with just the right amount of spice, & the London Fog was delicately fragrant & creamy.
The pastries were delicate & beautifully presented, the scones were perfect - tender on the inside with just the right golden exterior - & paired wonderfully with the accompaniments. The savory mise en bouche selections were absolutely delicious, adding a flavorful touch to the traditional tea experience.
Having previously visited the Louis Vuitton Café in New York, I can confidently say that our experience at the Palm Court was just as exceptional!
Between the elegant setting, attentive service & exceptional tea selection, it was a nice way to celebrate Valentine's Day. I would absolutely return for another afternoon tea!
Nous sommes allés pour L'Heure du thé & c'était vraiment fabuleux!!! Nous avons dû réserver 3 semaines à l'avance pour avoir l'horaire souhaité. Le service est impeccable, le menu est entièrement expliqué. Les thés & les bouchées sont vraiment délicieux. C'est très chic & l'ambiance est calme. Il y avait une pianiste sur place donc l'ambiance était encore plus agréable. Le seul bémol, très peu de place entre les tables, c'est très serré pour savoir & les chaises sont lourdes à déplacées. Aussi nous assis très bas, ce qui peut être difficile pour certaines personnes.
Feb 7, 2026
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Nous sommes allés pour le tea time. C'était une première pour moi. J'ai littéralement A-D-O-R-É!!!
Belle présentation, service A1. décor agréable. Une dame jouait du piano durant toute notre visite.....j'y retournerais assurément. Le personnel entier est très aimable
Deeply disappointing. Service was really bad (except for the manager who was very friendly). So slow that the table besides us decided to leave because they never came to take order or offer drinks after 15mins. We got water also about 15mins after arriving.
Slow service would have been forgiven if food would have been good, but alas… nothing to write home about. The only nice thing were the mocktails my daughter ordered (which arrived about 30mins into seating).
We ordered the cauliflower salad (it was not bad) & the salmon with risotto, which was so ordinary it did not account for the price tag.
Second time we go for Christmas Eve. Last year service was good & food was not bad. Decided to go there again because the Christmas decor is stunning, & that did not disappoint.
Sadly we wanted to make this a yearly tradition, but will not be returning.
Dec 25, 2025
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Decided last minute to walk in got a seat at the bar. Kiara was so accommodating as well as the staff & waiters. Ensured we will taken care of & enjoying ourselves. A must see in Christmas
Such a cute experience every time. I've been here multiple times with my baby girl(first when she was under one, now she's 15 months)& it's always lovely. Went during Christmas & the vibes were magical. The live pianist was such a nice touch. Food is okay, but honestly you're paying for the atmosphere. It's become a little tradition with my daughter, & I'll definitely bring my toddler next time. Super cute & worth it for the whimsical Christmas decor.
Dec 12, 2025
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My friend & I wanted to share a joyous & memorable afternoon at The Ritz High Tea.
Such a Horrible experience after we waited a while to get our tray of goodies, the waiter was very awkward
After our meal, a manager came to see us & practically told us we must leave as they needed the table ( very rude) We knew we had at least 2 hours to enjoy our Christmas celebration.
He rudely told us we needed to leave as we were only 2 guests & time allocated for 2 guests was an 1 hour & 1/2.
More confusion when our waitress came to apologize & told us we were allowed to stay 2 hours
Please get your story straight!!
If they take too many reservations it shouldn't affect the customers who are there to enjoying the experience of High Tea at Christmas time.
It left a very bad taste & never expected this from a high class restaurant. Very unprofessional & very disappointing
The manager or whoever he was should get spoken to & shown how to treat people.
We felt confused & could not understand the attitude he was giving us
For such a magical & festive moment- it was totally ruined.
Spending money & having a very rude ending was so discouraging . We left there with such dismay & a feeling of disbelief.!!!
Délicieuse soupe à l'oignon & très bon cocktail sans alcool. Ça été un peu long pour se faire servir au début, mais le service était excellent par la suite.
Guillaume gave me the best service! Kind & attentive, recommended the poutine & it could've not hit harder… (i was craving poutine & it did not disappoint!)
I would reconsider before coming here for high tea. This was quite a disappointment, especially considering the amazing reviews online & the weight that the name carries. The food was good, not great. Same for the tea. It all would have been passable & I don't think I would have bothered writing a review, if it wasn't for the horrible service we got. We were more often than not waiting. Waiting for our order to be taken. Then waiting for tea. Then waiting for water. Then waiting for the bill.
Our experience was excruciatingly slow due to the poor service we received from the waiter. If it was a busy day, I would have easily forgiven him. But on a slow Monday morning, you can do better.
This is not the level of service I expected from the Ritz, certainly not at this price point.
Le lieu est chic & très beau. La cuisine a très bon goût. Je dirais juste que cet espace est petit. Il faudrait peut-être un espace restaurant dédié. Actuellement cela est très correct pour ce style d'ambiance.
J'ai beaucoup aimé ma visite dans ce lieu
