Panoramic 34

Afternoon tea with a view sounded like a perfect plan, and the location of Panoramic 34 certainly delivers on that promise. Perched high above the city, the skyline and river set a spectacular stage for an indulgent treat with my wife. However, the experience itself stumbled in a few key areas. The order came with an error — an unwanted prawn sandwich on the plate, despite me specifically not requesting it with the restaurant a day before. Sorting it out required more effort than expected, as I had to chase this up with the bar staff to have it removed and corrected, despite our server being made aware at the first instance. Facilities also let the side down. The gents' toilet was not working correctly, a fairly basic issue that shouldn’t crop up at this price point, and it certainly dampened the overall polish. The bill came to £121 including service charge, which felt steep for what we received. The experience leans heavily toward Instagram-friendly style over traditional substance: and doesn't fully translate into the depth and quality you’d expect from classic afternoon tea. For those seeking the gold standard, nothing comes close to The Chester Grosvenor — in our view, it simply cannot be beaten. Traditional, refined, and genuine quality, it sets a benchmark that leaves Panoramic 34 feeling more like an elevated photo opportunity than a truly memorable tea service. In summary: visit for the views and the vibes, stay realistic about the value and substance, and enjoy — just don’t expect it to match the experience that can be had further down the road in Chester.