Afternoon tea Edinburgh: 16 of the best places for cake and a cuppa in Scotland's capital

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 surroundings. 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.

Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison

What: Chez Mal offers afternoon tea with a difference. The menus change with the seasons, but rather than sandwiches, you’re in for such creations as bacon and gruyere sliders, and sticky beef fillet noodle wrap. Then, it’s onto sticky toffee scones, and sweet treats like apple crumble tartlet, treacle toffee parkin loaf cake, and pina colada trifle. Chez Mal also caters to dietary requirements, with a special vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea menu, ensuring everyone is well looked after. Plus, with one location in Leith and another in Edinburgh New Town, you’ve got options. 
Where: 22 St Andrews Square, New Town, EH2 1AY; 1 Tower Place, Leith, EH6 7BZ
Book now: Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Edinburgh City; Chez Mal Brasserie at Malmaison Edinburgh

Bistro du Vin

What: Bistro du Vin brings a touch of French-inspired elegance to the traditional British afternoon tea. Savoury snacks include ham and gruyere on a mini croissant, chicken and tarragon Dijonnaise on pain d’epi, and ratatouille on socca pancake. Elsewhere, a traditional selection of cakes and desserts will satisfy the sweetest of teeth - think creme brulee, fine apple tart, and chocolate and avocado pot with pistachio. If you'd prefer to keep things light, opt for the classic cream tea, served with your choice from the Bird & Blend Tea Co, or upgrade your experience with a glass of Champagne or a timeless cocktail.
Where: 11 Bristo Place, EH1 1EZ
Book now: Bistro du Vin

Brewhemia

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 quiche with onion jam, or blue cheese and basil pesto mini roll, 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

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. Choose from a Champagne afternoon tea - with a choice of seven house Champagnes - or the classic afternoon tea, with a full loose leaf tea list as well as black tea, green tea and herbal infusions. 
Where: 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ
Book now: Palm Court at The Balmoral

Colonnades at the Signet Library

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 pao de queijo with romesco, haggis, neeps and tatties, and miniature pork burger, followed by limencello baba with pistachio, and oreo mousse with macaron.
Where: Parliament Square, EH1 1RF
Book now: Colonnades at the Signet Library

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 fish bon bon with sweet chilli sauce, and caramelised onion and feta quiche, followed by cranberry scones and bite-sized treats of miso semifreddo with breton biscuit and Cointreau orange almond cake. 
Where: 30-34 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD
Book now: Harvey Nichols Forth Floor Brasserie

Prestonfield House

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

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. If you fancy an alcoholic tipple, you can also upgrade your afternoon tea to the Gin and Tonic package or the Moet and Chandon package. 
Where: 20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR
Book now: Grand Cafe

Fingal

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 stilton, walnut and fig tart, aged beef bourguignon with potato puree, oak smoked salmon with dill creme fraiche, buttermilk scones, Dundee cake with candied orange, and Greek yogurt cheesecake with bergamot.
Where: Alexandra Dock, EH6 7DX
Book now: Fingal

The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse

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 with herring caviar and venison sausage roll with hedgerow ketchup. On the sweet side, you can enjoy chocolate and hazelnut macaron and fruit scones served with a strawberry and Champagne jam. There's also a wide array of loose leaf tea, from chai black to white peony. 
Where: No.39 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD
Book now: The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse

The Dome

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 pork and apple sausage rolls, warm, crumbly scones and dainty desserts.
Where: 14 George Street, EH2 2PF
Book now: The Dome

The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle

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 Tea 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. For an added treat, there's also the option to add a glass of Prosecco or a rather fitting Edinburgh Castle gin!
Where: Castle Terrace, EH1 2JY
Book now: The Tea Rooms at Edinburgh Castle

Tigerlily

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 a glass of Whispering Angel, Prosecco or even a cocktail to your afternoon feast.
Where: 125 George Street, EH2 4JN
Book now: Tigerlily

The Roseate

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 egg and watercress 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

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. Kick things off with the signature Ivy smoked salmon and cream cheese choux bun, before tucking into the likes of chicken milanese and truffle brioche rolls. Warmed fruit scones are to follow, alongside creme brulee, salted caramel chocolate truffles, and vanilla and strawberry jam muffin - 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

What: 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. Mini cakes and puddings offer a final sweet treat, including mini carrot and orange cake, and lemon meringue tart. 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. Got a cause for celebration? Here's where to head for a boozy bottomless brunch in the capital.