The Orangery at Kensington Palace has just reopened after extensive restoration which saw its historical, 18th-century setting revived to crisp perfection. This was accompanied by a menu refresh too by Company of Cooks, who are now heading the culinary offering at the beloved London venue. Their signature lunch and afternoon tea lead the charge, merging all-time classics with seasonal British fare and contemporary touches.
The Orangery at Kensington Palace: a brief history
The building was originally conceived as a greenhouse for Queen Anne's orange trees. Set right next to one of the official homes of the members of the British royal family today, it is a handsome piece of English Baroque architecture designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in 1704, and later enhanced by Sir John Vanbrugh.
The Orangery's contemporary refresh
The Orangery's period character has now been lovingly maintained but infused with gentle, contemporary minimalist architecture touches - courtesy of design practice StudioKKD. The refreshed interiors blend the restored historical details and fixtures with modern features, such as new counters, partitions and reception desks. More examples include the Verdure Tapestry wallpaper by Cole & Son, inspired by a 17th-century tapestry, and a velvet fabric design by GP & J Baker which nods to the royal gardens of Historic Royal Palaces.
The redesign's clean, light, predominantly white-coloured palette makes for the perfect backdrop for the delightfully colourful culinary offering. High tea treats include Castle Farm lavender éclair; traditional scones served with Cornish clotted cream and blackcurrant preserve; and pea, broad bean and tarragon quiche; while young guests are equally catered for, with a bespoke Children's Afternoon Tea selection also on offer.
Company of Cooks group chef Karen Poynter highlights the business' attention to detail in The Orangery's rethinking: 'Our commitment to sustainability is ingrained in every aspect of our operations at the Orangery. From reducing farm surplus with local growers to refusing airfreight for fresh produce, we prioritise our planet and our communities. With an exclusive reliance on only British meats and cheeses and adherence to the Good Fish Guide for responsible seafood sourcing, we are dedicated to making environmentally conscious choices.'
'We take pride in sourcing ingredients from some of London's finest local artisan suppliers,' adds Poynter. 'By supporting local growers and producers, we not only ensure the highest quality ingredients for our dishes but also contribute to the sustainability of our local food ecosystem.'
-
Jonathan Anderson and Wedgwood join forces to release Lucie Rie designsTwo cup-and-saucer sets designed by the British studio potter in the 1960s are produced for the first time, thanks to the shared efforts of Rie collector Jonathan Anderson and Wedgwood
-
Tyler Mitchell’s London show explores the figure of the Black Dandy, ‘imagining what else masculinity could look like’Originally part of a visual essay to accompany the Met’s ‘Superfine’ 2025 Costume Institute exhibition, ‘Portrait of the Modern Dandy’ goes on display at Gagosian Burlington Arcade in London this week
-
Julian Charrière brings the sounds of the ocean to Ruinart’s chalk cellars in ReimsJulian Charrière’s sound and light installation, ‘Chorals’, joins the worlds of environmental science and culture
-
Here’s what to order (and admire) at Carbone LondonNew York’s favourite, and buzziest, Italian restaurant arrives in the British capital, marking the brand’s first expansion into Europe
-
A first look inside Kudu Marylebone, where South African dining meets contemporary designA beloved South-African restaurant relocates to central London, featuring Fabled Studio-designed interiors that thread in African tones and textures
-
Carmela’s joins London’s pizza renaissanceA Little Italy-inspired pizzeria lands in Islington with 13-inch pies, pepperoni heat and big flavour energy
-
Has the ice cream parlour come of age?A global wave of architecture studios is treating the scoop as spectacle, turning parlours into immersive social spaces
-
Legado brings a bold Spanish legacy to ShoreditchMichelin-starred chef Nieves Barragán Mohacho’s second venture marries design-led interiors with regional Spanish flavours rarely found in London
-
The Macbeth, an icon of indie sleaze, goes from grotty to gastroAn East End legend meets Portuguese small plates in Jamie Allan’s ambitious revival of a beloved Hackney watering hole
-
A complete collection of Phaidon’s ‘Contemporary Artists Series’ is on display in LondonA 30-year project reaching 100 volumes is being celebrated with an exhibition at the 45 Park Lane hotel, including limited-edition works by Kaws and Dana Schutz
-
London’s best pizza restaurant gets a new home in MayfairSecure a slice of New York-style pizza in central London as Crisp Pizza teams up with the Devonshire pub to set up shop in the relaunched The Marlborough
