15 Best Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
When I started planning our trip to Scotland, one of the first things I knew I wanted to book was a proper afternoon tea experience. Scotland may not be England, but they are both part of Great Britain and Scotland has a plethora of British afternoon tea options!
(Did you know that there’s a difference between afternoon tea and high tea? Afternoon tea happens in the mid- to late-afternoon and consists of bite-size savories and sweets, and high tea occurs in the early evening and is essentially a regular meal eaten with silverware.)
Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful cities in Scotland and even the world as a whole, and it makes the perfect backdrop for afternoon tea. The city is famous for its historic architecture, stunning views, and old-world charm, and enjoying an afternoon tea in Edinburgh will truly immerse you in it all.
Below, I shared a thorough review of the afternoon tea I booked for our time in Edinburgh (after much research!) plus a list of 14 other spots in and around the city offering afternoon tea experiences at a variety of price points! Even though I think our location was the best 😉, I doubt you’ll go wrong with any of these options.
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15 Best Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
Colonnades at the Signet Library
After reading about all the possible options for enjoying afternoon tea in Edinburgh, I ended up booking our afternoon tea at Colonnades at the Signet Library. Because we were in Edinburgh during the same weekend Taylor Swift was in town, I knew I had to book something well in advance, and I ended up snagging the last spot that we could make on Friday afternoon. (I booked on May 9 for our tea on Friday, June 7. June 8 and 9 were sold out completely.)
The booking process is super easy, and they don’t take any payment when you book, so it’s easy to cancel in advance if you need to (cancel when you know you can’t make it so others can grab your spot!). They sent two follow-up emails, one asking if we had any allergies or other dietary restrictions (a nice touch) and one requiring us to confirm that we were still planning to come at that day and time.
On the day of our reservation, we showed up just before our two-hour time slot that started at 4 pm. It was busy but not completely full, and that was nice because it wasn’t loud or overwhelming. We walked into a beautiful library that was set up with multiple tables. It felt like something out of a fairytale! I really loved the setting so much, it was exactly what I was hoping for. As far as the dress code goes, there wasn’t one, but we were dressed smart casual. Most others were dressed the same, and some were dressed slightly more casual.
I booked the regular afternoon tea with no alcohol add-ons, so we could pick any of the coffees or loose leaf teas, and there wasn’t a limit to how many we could order. If we didn’t like something we picked, it was quick and easy to swap it out for something else!
I ordered the mighty chai as my first tea. I LOVE a chai, and this one was absolutely delicious! I finished my whole pot. Korri asked our waiter for a recommendation and was told to try the Russian Caravan (a blend of three teas). He ended up swapping it for Ceylon, but decided he liked the first one more. Unfortunately, once you order another tea they take the other pot away, even if it’s still full. I’m wondering if it’s so you don’t mix up which tea is which, since they all arrive in the same exact pot? And I suppose the table would start getting cluttered!
Our first course was an amuse bouche. It was some sort of watermelon and tomato mix and had an interesting flavor that was also kinda good? It was unexpected! After that, we got into the savories (finger sandwiches, quiches, and even a palette cleanser), and there were eight different kinds (two of each, one for each of us). Our favorite was the duck and potato dish!
I’ve had one other afternoon tea in my life (with my mom in Victoria, BC!), and I’m always surprised by how much those little bites fill me up, ha! I wanted to try everything but had a harder time finishing the sweets that came next (cakes, tarts, eclairs, scones with clotted cream and jam). I definitely liked more of the sweets than I did the savouries. You could tell they put a lot of thought and effort into creating each dish and flavor!
With the arrival of the sweets, we were ready for the next pot of tea. I picked apple and mint and Korri got peppermint. Both were delicious but I really loved the apple and mint! Both of my teas were excellent options. I was absolutely stuffed at the end. They do allow you to take away what you don’t finish, which is nice.
Our experience wrapped up with a sorbet! I couldn’t believe I could manage to eat one more thing but it was a tiny shot glass amount, haha. By then we were the last ones in the room; our tea was scheduled from 4 to 6 pm but we ended up leaving a bit after 6. We didn’t feel rushed at all, though. The staff was overall wonderful and attentive without hovering at all!
The Colonnades at the Signet Library host afternoon tea on Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 am to 4:30 pm (4 pm was the latest reservation we could make). Some Saturdays are unavailable due to weddings. The cost is on the higher end at £65 per person for the regular afternoon tea. If you want a glass of brut, the cost is £74 per person, and for champagne, the cost is £80 per person. Be sure to notify them at least 48 hours in advance of any allergies or dietary restrictions (they will ask about them in an email ahead of time)! Get directions.
Café at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is located on the east end of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh! Pre-book your afternoon tea experience at the Café at the Palace. Tea is available from noon to 4 pm (16:00) from April through October and from noon to 3 pm (15:00) from November through March. You can request vegan, gluten-free, and/or dairy-free menus in advance. Cost: £30 per adult (£35 each with sparkling wine), £10 per child. Get directions.
Clarinda's Tearoom
Clarinda’s Tearoom is a quaint spot along the Royal Mile that offers pre-planned afternoon tea events. Check their Instagram for the next time they offer one, and pre-book your spot via DM or email. A £10 deposit per person is required (prices start at £30) and you must book a minimum of two people. Vegan and gluten-free options are not available. Get directions.
Cranston’s Restaurant at Old Waverley Hotel
We stayed at the Old Waverley Hotel on Princes Street during our time in Edinburgh, and I didn’t realize the on-site restaurant, Cranston’s, also offers a daily afternoon tea until we got there! This is an inexpensive tea option; prices start at £15 per person (alcohol upgrades cost extra), and you can stop in between 12 and 5 pm for your tea fix. Note that the restaurant is up a flight of stairs with no elevator. Get directions.
Edinburgh Castle
What’s better than enjoying afternoon tea INSIDE the historic Edinburgh Castle?! Be sure to pre-book your tea; times are available every day but do sell out in advance. The cost is £54 without added gin or prosecco (£60 with) and £24.50 for a child. Castle admission is included. Get directions.
Fingal
Looking for a fancy, five-course afternoon tea experience just outside of Edinburgh? Head to the Leith waterfront to Fingal, a five-star hotel on a ship. Be sure to book your table in advance; tea is available from 12:30 to 3:30 pm daily (Wednesdays through Sundays during the shoulder seasons). It costs £65 per person for the regular afternoon tea and £80 per person with champagne. Get directions.
Georgian Tea Room at The Dome
The Dome is one of the most gorgeous bars and restaurants in all of Edinburgh! Afternoon tea is offered daily inside the Georgian Tea Room from 12 to 5 pm. Afternoon tea starts at £32 per person (kids can join for £10); alcoholic drinks are an additional expense. Vegan and gluten-free menus are available. A deposit of £10 is required when you book, and note that they do not accept Chase cards. Get directions.
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie
If you’re looking for a casual afternoon tea with a beautiful view of the Edinburgh skyline, head to the Forth Floor Brasserie at Harvey Nichols along St. Andrew Square! It costs £35 per person (£45 per person with champagne). A vegetarian afternoon tea menu is available. Get directions.
The Ivy On The Square
The Ivy is a collection of artsy British chain restaurants, and The Ivy On The Square in Edinburgh is a popular option for afternoon tea! Enjoy their summer garden afternoon tea from 3 to 5 pm at this location adjacent to St. Andrew Square. The regular tea costs £32.95 per person and £42.95 if you want to add a glass of champagne. Get directions.
The Lounge at The Caledonian (Waldorf Astoria)
Located to the west of Edinburgh Castle, The Lounge at The Caledonian hotel in Edinburgh (part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, a Waldorf Astoria property) offers afternoon tea daily from 12:30 to 4 pm. Get directions.
Mimi’s Bakehouse (Leith and Corstophine)
There are multiple Mimi’s Bakehouses all around Edinburgh, but only two of them offer afternoon tea: the shop in Leith and the shop in Corstophine! Mimi’s Bakehouse in Leith (located on the northeast side of Edinburgh) is the flagship location, and the Corstophine location was opened a few years later and is on the west side of Edinburgh.
At both spots, you can get afternoon tea after 12 pm (“beforenoon” tea is offered from 9 am to 12 pm at the Leith location). Afternoon tea is also available for kiddos when booked in advance! They do recommend pre-booking if you want to eat inside; reservations aren’t taken for outdoor seating. The cost is £25 per person (add more for a cocktail or champagne), £12.50 per kid. Get directions to Leith or get directions to Corstophine.
Palm Court
Treat yourself to an award-winning afternoon tea in Edinburgh at the Palm Court inside The Balmoral. Your classic afternoon tea consists of an amuse bouche, savories, sandwiches, scones, pastries, and your choice of tea from 88 tea options! This tea costs £67.50 per person for the classic experience and £82.50 per person with brut. Palm Court is open daily for tea from 12 to 5 pm. Get directions.
Prestonfield House
Prestonfield House is located on the southeast side of Edinburgh near Arthur’s Seat. Summer afternoon tea is available daily from Sunday through Thursday, 12 to 6:45 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 to 4 pm. The regular tea option is £60 per person and £75 per person with a glass of champagne. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free menus are available. Get directions.
Red Bus Bistro
This is a unique afternoon tea option: Enjoy yummy food and drinks WHILE on a bus touring around Edinburgh! Select either the afternoon tea with fizz (starting at £43.50) or afternoon tea with gin (starting at £49.95); kids 5 and over can join for £20. Tours depart at 12 pm at 3 pm Tuesdays through Saturdays from St. Andrew Square and last for 1 hour 30 minutes. Get directions.
The Witchery
Steps outside Edinburgh Castle is The Witchery, a popular fine dining establishment (and hotel) in Edinburgh. They also offer their own afternoon tea on Mondays through Fridays from 3 to 4 pm; you can opt to sit in their Secret Garden room or moody Original Dining Room. The cost starts at £50 per person (more for brut or champagne). Get directions.
