There’s no greater pleasure in life than indulging in something completely and utterly unnecessary. Afternoon tea (in Edinburgh specifically, in this case) falls firmly into this happy camp of all out opulence. What could be more luxurious than a whole other meal dedicated to satisfying your sweet tooth between lunch and dinner that is essentially everything you were told you weren’t allowed to eat before your tea growing up. Welcome, cakes, our old friends.
We have Anna the Duchess of Bedford to thank for this pleasant British pastime, who invented the concept which would later catch on across the country. Anna, who seems to have been very wise as far as we can tell, would often get a little hungry between midday and dinner (hers being served fashionably late at 8pm, no less). The answer? Three tiers of treats served around 4pm of course. Finger sandwiches, dainty pastries and scones have now all become essential components of an afternoon tea and a holy trilogy that we’re not willing to compromise on. Each and every one of the places we’ve picked to go on our list of the best afternoon tea Edinburgh has to offer has been carefully vetted to make sure it’s presenting the full package. We can’t, and won’t, stand for being short-changed on sugar.
Afternoon tea in Edinburgh is a mix of striking modern serves alongside more traditional, luxurious spreads. Whichever option you end up picking you’ll be treated to wonderful service, expertly made teatime treats and sumptuous surrounds. Once you’ve managed to polish off all your pastries you have the city to explore, the perfect place to walk off any over-indulgence.
Ready to take your pick of the best afternoon tea in Edinburgh? Below we’ve detailed our favourite places, along with notes on where to find them and why we like them so much.
Brewhemia
![ice buckets of prosecco with cocktails and an afternoon tea stand]()
What: For an afternoon tea that brings a bit of a party atmosphere, it has to be Brewhemia. Taking its place as Scotland's only beer palace, it's not just about the booze (although that's still an option if you fancy), with classic stands of all your favourite treats to keep you going throughout the afternoon. Tuck into the likes of cheese and onion quiches or spiced fig and feta choux buns, with indulgent desserts to follow in the form of coffee eclairs and lemon meringue pies. Wash that down with a nice blend of The Wee Company Tea, or a glass of fizz or cocktail instead, if that's more your style.
Where: 1 Market Street, EH1 1DE
Book now: Brewhemia
Palm Court at The Balmoral
![stands of afternoon tea]()
What: For traditionalists with a taste for all things classical, the Palm Court at The Balmoral is the ultimate in luxury. Palms sweep the ceiling, while a huge glass dome floods the comfortable space with daylight. Teas are poured tableside, and award-winning pastries come out in abundance to be enjoyed alongside the lulling background sound of the resident harpist.
Where: 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ
Book now: Palm Court at The Balmoral
Colonnades at the Signet Library
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What: Housed in the, rather iconic, Signet Library, enjoy your stands of cakes and scones with the kind of grandeur that afternoon tea deserves. The welcoming library room is surrounded by lines of bookshelves and is flanked by wonderfully grand pillars. The menus here are seasonally changing, boasting the freshest ingredients in its selection of amuse bouche. Start with the likes of avocado mousse, guacamole and prawn tartare, caprese tartlets, and miniature pork and 'nduja burgers, followed by honeycomb baked alaska, peach melba and white chocolate and pistachio eclairs.
Where: Parliament Square, EH1 1RF
Book now: Colonnades at the Signet Library
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie
![the terrace at Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie]()
What: Providing a rather idyllic backdrop for a couple of cakes and some tea, Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie brings glamour in spades, as well as offering panoramic views of the city. Afternoon tea here is a pretty simple affair, the perfect stop off after a busy day of shopping, with menus including savoury delights of vegetable and mozzarella quiche, pulled pork wraps and beetroot and potato salad, followed by freshly baked scones and bite-sized treats of pecan tart and black cherry panna cotta.
Where: 30-34 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD
Book now: Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie
Prestonfield House
![afternoon tea outside]()
What: For five-star luxury you don’t get much more glamorous than Prestonfield in Edinburgh. These guys take their offering so seriously that they’ve even created their own bespoke tea blends, offering everything from lemongrass and marigold to chilli cherry rooibos. Pick from a handful of different rooms to suit your mood, with options during the summer including a spot with beautiful outdoor views or a seat in the rose garden itself, while throughout the colder month you can plump for a spot beside a real fire where you can tuck into your sarnies.
Where: Priestfield Road, EH16 5UT
Book now: Prestonfield House
Grand Café
![classic stands of afternoon tea and prosecco]()
What: If part of your love of afternoon tea comes down to its picture-perfect credentials, then you’re going to love the Grand Café in Edinburgh. Seemingly purpose built for the ‘gram, the space is decked out with verdant foliage, velvet sofas and chairs in clashing colours and elaborate crystal chandeliers. The standard tea spread includes all the usual suspects, with savoury and sweet treats including chicken and leek sausage rolls, cucumber sandwiches, Dundee cake and rhubarb and custard crumble to finish.
Where: 20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR
Book now: Grand Cafe
Fingal
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What: Fingal offers an afternoon tea affair in Edinburgh that is truly unique given that it’s on a ship. Moored up in Leith, a trendy small town on the outskirts of the city, this is a truly one of a kind experience for the adventurous visitor. Guests are treated to a five course feast in the art deco surrounds of the bar. Enjoy treats such as haggis tart, falafel with baba ganoush, cappuccino cheesecake and Disaronno and cherry macarons - perfect for a special occasion.
Where: Alexandra Dock, EH6 7DX
Book now: Fingal
The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse
![the restaurant interior at The Spence and a stand of afternoon tea treats]()
What: Housed in one of the city's most iconic hotels, afternoon tea at The Spence is sure to be a rather glamorous affair set against the backdrop of towering columns and plush, pastel seating. Menus here are anything but ordinary, offering indulgent menus of smoked salmon croissants and wild mushroom cappuccinos with cheese straws. On the sweet side, you can enjoy bitter chocolate and apricot gateau and homemade scones served with a strawberry and Champagne jam.
Where: No.39 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD
Book now: The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse
One Square
![a box of sandwiches and cakes and a three-tiered afternoon tea stand]()
What: One Square takes the quintessentially English tradition of afternoon tea and gives it a good Scottish twist in line with its position in the capital. Taking inspiration from the Scottish capital’s best storytellers, there’s something unique about each snack. The Lind and lime gin cured salmon with citrus brioche is inspired by Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting, whilst cucumber ribbons served with a parsley and lemon cream cheese take inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. If you’re looking for a quirky way to enjoy your sweet treats, then this could be the one for you.
Where: 1 Festival Square, EH3 9SR
Book now: One Square
The Dome
![afternoon tea stands and someone pouring tea]()
What: Served daily, The Dome serves up its afternoon tea in the rather glamorous surrounds of its Georgian Tea Room, if you’re looking for that classic backdrop to delve into finger sandwiches and dainty cakes. The team here offer a regular line-up as well as a vegan version, a gluten-free option and a special child-friendly spread so that all guests should be kept content. Organic, loose-leaf tea play supporting act to the main stars of the show where you’ll find creations like homemade sausage rolls, warm, crumbly scones and dainty desserts.
Where: 14 George Street, EH2 2PF
Book now: The Dome
The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle
![afternoon tea stand and glasses of fizz]()
What: You might suspect The Team Rooms at Edinburgh Castle to be a tourist trap, and while there is no denying that they are typically packed with site-seers, this isn’t your typical cheap canteen-style affair. The Team Rooms are comfortably decorated with soft furnishings and a range of potted plants to give them a sophisticated yet homey feel. Castle admission is included in the price and each guest is treated to an individual stand of homemade delights.
Where: Castle Terrace, EH1 2JY
Book now: The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle
Tigerlily
![stands of afternoon tea with rose and pink cocktails]()
What: Tigerlily’s boutique vibes are popular with – dare we say it – posers, who revel in the pretty interiors and take full advantage of the many photo opportunities the hotel presents. Its afternoon tea offering is no less pretty, with three tiers of teatime dainties served on a rose gold stand. All the sandwiches, scones and cakes you could ever want are accompanied by a choice of teas from an independent Edinburgh tea company called Eteaket for something a little different. Keep it classic, or switch things up a bit by adding wine, fizz or even a cocktail to your afternoon feast.
Where: 125 George Street, EH2 4JN
Book now: Tigerlily
The Roseate
![classic stand of afternoon tea]()
What: Afternoon tea at The Roseate is a relaxed but refined affair that can be enjoyed in the main Dunstane Restaurant or taken outside into the Roseate Garden. Guests can enjoy all of the classic options to start such as smoked salmon and cream cheese or coronation chicken sandwiches, with homemade scones and a selection of miniature sweet treats to follow. Tea aficionados will really find their spot here, with a rather extensive list of teas on offer, including black and green teas, infusions as well as a selection of rare and exclusive teas which you can add to your package.
Where: 4 West Coates, EH12 5JQ
Book now: The Roseate
The Ivy On The Square Edinburgh
![the restaurant interior at Ivy on the Square]()
What: Fancy a failsafe? With years of experience under its belt The Ivy chain knows a thing or two about serving a solid, crowd-pleasing afternoon tea. If you prefer you can plump for a sparkling option, adding in a glass of fizz, alongside three tiers of teatime pleasures. Tuck into the likes of grilled chicken and truffle brioche rolls followed by apricot jam doughnuts and raspberry choux pastries, all served in the decadent surrounds of the restaurant’s main dining room.
Where: 6 St Andrew Square, EH2 2BD
Book now: The Ivy on the Square
Browns
![a circular stand of afternoon tea with a plate of cakes]()
What: Served each day between 3-5pm, Browns’ afternoon tea menu reads like a lesson in how best to present this perfectly posh pastime. Smoked salmon pate on toasted rye and lobster tail brioche are available on the savoury front while home baked scones follow, served with clotted cream and blackcurrant or strawberry jam. Enjoy a selection of loose leaf teas, or make the affair a bit boozier with a glass of Champagne to wash everything down. A whole gluten free menu is available too, with other dietary requirements being catered to if notice is given.
Where: 131-133 George Street, EH2 4JS
Book now: Browns
Staying more than a day? Why not make your way through some of Edinburgh’s best brunches while you’re in town.