While visiting Edinburgh it would be criminal to miss out on a traditional afternoon tea, especially as Edinburgh has some of the most amazing venues to enjoy it in. Afternoon teas in Edinburgh are a luxurious and indulgent way to relax after a few hours pounding the cobbled streets of this beautiful city. It's an experience, one to be savoured with friends, one to enjoy with loved ones, where you can sink into a comfy seat, sit back and chat while relishing the pretty, dainty treats on offer.
Splashing out on afternoon tea dates back to the 1880's when Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, fancied a light snack during the long afternoon gap between her lunch and evening meal. What began as some tea, bread and butter served in her room with a few friends quickly caught the attention of high society and the light snack became a glamorous affair enjoyed by ladies dolled up in dresses, long gloves and posh hats.
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The Dome
High end luxury
The Dome, Edinburgh Afternoon tea is one of the best dining experiences in the city. If you want to splash out this is a fantastic option. The huge, elegant Georgian Tearoom is lined with black and gold wall panels, with grand chandeliers and beautiful warm wall lights. The menu is created by chef Sue Snider. There are 9 flavours of loose leaf tea including a traditional Scottish brew and the meal is served on bespoke Fine Boned China. There is also a children's afternoon tea menu.
Stand out item - Savoury Choux Bun filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese
Mimi's Bakehouse
Cute, vintage bakery
This small chain of bakeries in Edinburgh are most famous for their amazing cakes but also serve a pretty delicious afternoon tea. With funky wallpaper and decor, and a cosy, comfortable atmosphere Mimi's is a lovely place to spend time. Leave some room for the cakes, made fresh every day they are to die for. They also do a... wait for it.... a beforenoon tea, with cheddar scones, cinnamon rolls, bacon rolls and granola pots.
Stand out item - Hot pork and apple sausage rolls (award winning!)
You may also be interested in My Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh with Kids here
Eteaket
Mid-priced, trendy, modern
If you want a classy place for afternoon tea but not somewhere too, shall we say, stuffy, this is the place to go. You may have guessed from the name but Eteaket is famous for its tea and many of the other places in this list serve Eteaket tea with their offerings. Not only can you choose from the massive range of exciting and often unheard of whole leaf teas, including black teas, green teas, Oolong teas, tea lattes and fruit and herbal teas you can also enjoy the new range of tea cocktails!
Stand out item - Minty Mohito Tea Cocktail
Harvey Nichols
High end luxury
Harvey Nichols is a luxurious British department store which is famous world wide for its outstanding collection of designer clothes, beauty products and food department, so, of course, the restaurant would have to be pretty fantastic too and it certainly is. For one of the most upmarket afternoon teas in Edinburgh head to the Forth Floor restaurant which has amazing views over the city and across to the Firth of Forth. If the weather isn't being typically Scottish you can even sit outside on the balcony. Food-wise, the afternoon tea is traditional with an original twist, with quiche, tarts and miniature salads replacing the sandwiches.
Stand out item - Serrano ham, courgette and feta quiche
The Cafe at the Palace of Holyrood House
Top attraction
After your visit to the wonderful Palace of Holyroodhouse or the Queen's Gallery you can relax in the cafe in the historic mews. This Edinburgh afternoon tea gets good reviews and deservedly so. With views over to Arthur's seat enjoy a great selection of teas with your afternoon tea in Edinburgh, which is made using the best locally sourced products. A little difficult to find but worth the hunt!
Stand out item - Whisky-soaked raisin and cherry scone
Tigerlily
Mid-priced, trendy, modern
Stand out item - Teapot cocktails
Palm Court at the Balmoral
Ultimate Edinburgh experience
For the ultimate Edinburgh afternoon tea it has to be a Balmoral afternoon tea. The building is a landmark in the city, with Edinburgh's most prestigious address, Number 1 Princes Street. The Balmoral is over 100 years old and is home to luxurious suites, an award-winning spa, the Michelin-starred Number One restaurant and the elegant Palm Court, where the award-winning afternoon tea is served. Enjoy delicate treats created by executive pastry chef Ross Sneddon under the exquisite glass dome and grand chandelier.
Stand out item - A surprise Amuse Bouche
Flickr @ byronv2
Prestonfield
High end luxury
What was once the baroque home of Edinburgh's Lord Provost is now a multi award winning 5 star hotel. The decor is rich, colourful and extravagant and by enjoying one of Edinburgh's best afternoon teas here you'll be dining where none other than the Dali Lama, Elton John and Sean Connery have dined before you. In the winter eat by the roaring log fire in the Rhubarb Restaurant, named as owner Sir Alexander Dick was the first person to successfully introduce rhubarb to Scotland. In the summer you can enjoy your meal outside in the beautiful rose gardens or in the whimsical Gothic tea house. The menu changes seasonally so in the winter you can sample toasted brioche with chicken liver pâte, mulled apple cider and sultana chutney and in the summer enjoy goats cheese and red onion Palmiers and haggis bonbons.
Stand out item - Prestonfield own blend tea
Looking for somewhere to stay in Edinburgh? Search below and find the perfect place!
The Grand Cafe at the Scotsman
High end luxury
Once home to the advertising department of the national newspaper, The Scotsman, the Grand Cafe has been lovingly restored with plush teal blues, wood panelled walls and intricate detailing lining the bar, ceiling and furniture. The cafe is stunning and not only do they serve a beautiful handmade afternoon tea and a children's afternoon tea ,with hot chocolate and chocolate dipped marshmallows and strawberries, they also serve a Gentlemen's 'Club 43' afternoon tea with four different types of whisky and miniature dishes such as beef burger on brioche and pork pie with piccalilli.
Stand out item - Raspberry Financier
Clarinda's
Cute vintage cafe
A cute and cosy vintage tearoom in the Canongate with classical music playing and a wonderful atmosphere, it's like sitting in a posh living room! Very nice and comfortable. The wooden sideboard is laden with all sorts of sweet cakes and scones, service is quick and thoughtful and this place is a wee hidden gem. There isn't a set afternoon tea menu here so you can pick and choose your sandwich fillings, scones and cakes.
The Vintage Red Bistro Bus
A tour and tea in one
If you fancy something completely different why not kill two birds with one stone and combine your afternoon tea and your sightseeing? Board this lovely vintage bus at Stance ZF on Waterloo Place and explore the gorgeous streets of Edinburgh while indulging in miniature treats. You can also have a Gin pot-tail!
Tower Restaurant
Top attraction
The Tower Restaurant is situated on top floor of the National Museum of Scotland and has huge floor to ceiling windows and a wrap around terrace giving amazing views of the castle and the rooftops of Edinburgh's Old Town. This museum is fantastic, free to enter and it's super easy to lose yourself exploring the different exhibitions. From standing in the spectacular Grand Gallery, marvelling at the high, glass curved ceiling to learning more about Mary Queen of Scots and Dolly the sheep this museum is a perfect way spend the morning before indulging in a glass of Champagne and some . dainty treats.
Flickr @ David Phan
Casa Angelina
Cute vintage tearoom
This cute, vintage little tearoom and patisserie could almost be missed, tucked underneath an interior design shop on London Street, but keep your eyes peeled because you don't want to miss out on the delights this talented team serve up. For a vegan afternoon tea that's creative, unique and utterly delicious this is the place to book. The menu varies daily but you won't be disappointed and it means you can go back over and over. With gorgeous little treats such as mini pretzels and mini bagels, samosas, avocado melba toast and amazing fluffy scones Casa Angelina is a must. They also do a brilliant vegan option.
Stand out item - Mini Greek spanakopita
The Gateway Restaurant at the Botanical
Top Attraction
Edinburgh's pretty Botanical Gardens cover 70 acres and is free to enter, with over 100,000 plants to see. There is a small charge to enter the 10 glasshouses (£7 for adults and £6 for children). After you have finished exploring the rock gardens, alpine houses, the woodland gardens and the Chinese Hillside (among many other displays) head to the award winning John Hope Gateway and enjoy afternoon tea at the Gateway Restaurant. If it's sunny outside dine alfresco on the outdoor decking area and soak up the wonderful surroundings.
Stand out item - Farmhouse bread
Flickr @ kaysgeog
The Witchery
Ultimate Edinburgh experience
This legendary restaurant is often at the top of people's culinary bucket list and deservedly so. Named after the thousands of witches that were burned at the stake on Castlehill this romantic and opulent restaurant is a delight for the eyes. Tapestries line the walls with oak panelling saved from a fire at St Giles Cathedral, deep red leather seats, gilded ceiling and antique church candles complete the scene. Choose to have your afternoon tea in the lavish Witchery dining room or the magical Secret Garden, hidden down a close in a historic courtyard. One of the top afternoon teas in Edinburgh.
Stand out item- The Edinburgh Gin cured salmon
Flickr @ Patrick Down
The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle
Top attraction
If you have been dreaming of a trip to Scotland and are including Edinburgh in your Scotland travel itinerary to include Edinburgh then how about adding this amazing experience? A traditional Queen Anne afternoon tea served in the tearooms at the very top of Edinburgh Castle! Combine a visit to Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's top attraction. and tea fit for royalty, in a beautiful restaurant with outstanding views over the city.
Address | Castlehill, EH1 2NG
Price | £32 with Prosecco, £27 without Book | Just turn up
Stand out item - Struan Apiares Strwberry jam
Brewhemia
Mid-priced, trendy, modern
There is a lovely story behind this venue, of a gentleman who read about Elizabeth Stuart's love of Bohemia and decided to visit himself. He fell in love with Bohemia and the hedonistic lifestyle. He met people throughout his life, heard their stories of places they loved and travelled there to experience it himself. He fell in love with beer in Bavaria, Prosecco in Venice and was taught everything he could learn about coffee. He brought the knowledge back to the Highlands of Scotland and it got passed down the generations to his last great, great grandson who opened Brewhemia, a fantastic mixture of everything learnt. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon tea in the modern Caffe or a Gentleman's tea with house baked sausage rolls, quiche and scotch egg, served in the stunning wood-lined Bothy.
Address | 1A Market Street, EH1 1DE
Price |£24 per person for two people with Prosecco, £18 without. Gentleman's tea £30 per person for 2 people Book | Book via email here
Stand out item - Beer Brownie
Roseleaf
The Roseleaf is a quirky, crazy little family pub in Leith that's extremely popular with locals for it's delicious food, big portions and value for money. This place needs to be seen to be believed, it's wonderful. With all types of miscellaneous and creative items on the walls, including an extraordinary amount of hats this pub/cafe is cute and has a great vibe. While they don't offer afternoon teas as such if there is a group of you (6 or more) you can book a Mad Hatter's Tea Party, where you can wear that hats or bring your own. Yeah, bonkers, but brilliant fun. One of the quirkiest afternoon teas in Edinburgh.
Stand out item - Pot-tails
Have you had a chance to sample an amazing afternoon tea in Edinburgh? The perfect addition to add to your itinerary.
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