The 15 best afternoon teas in Edinburgh

What is it? A breathtaking pastel-hued restaurant housed in a former bank – trust us when we say look up at the ceiling. 

Why go? Curated by Head Pastry Chef Renato Blinder, the menu is a far cry from just your regular finger sandwiches and scones. The offering at The Spence instead boasts inventive savoury delights like wild mushroom cappuccino and west coast crab crumpets, alongside sweet treats such as bitter chocolate and apricot gateau. For the traditionalists among us, there's scones with Cornish clotted cream and Glen & Co strawberry and champagne jam, paired with loose-leaf teas, coffee, or a glass of Veuve Clicquot, darling. 

From £60pp. Mon to Fri, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. 39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD.

What is it? A sumptuous oasis in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Why go? Housed within the Signet Library – home of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty’s Signet, a prestigious legal association – the open-to-the-public Colonnades proclaims it serves ‘Edinburgh’s finest afternoon tea’ amid serene and elegant surroundings. The silver stands feature sandwiches made with seasonal ingredients, as well as a selection of cakes and amuse-bouches, while the extensive tea list is topped by the Colonnades’ own Signet Blend.

£65pp. Wed to Sun, 11am–4.30pm. The Signet Library West Parliament Square, EH1 1RF. 

What is it? Located at the National Gallery in Edinburgh, The Scottish Café & Restaurant has incredible views of East Princes Street Gardens and is slap bang in the centre of the city. 

Why go? The perfect setting to enjoy afternoon tea post-sightseeing or after a visit to the gallery in which it is housed, this venue offers a delightful Scottish produce-laden menu featuring freshly made sandwiches with seasonal fillings alongside the finest Kaimes smoked sea trout, oven-fresh fruit scones with homemade berry jam, and an array of sweet treats. They also offer vegetarian and kids afternoon teas, served with hot chocolate.

From £35 per person. Served daily 12noon – 3.45pm. Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL 

What is it? A luxury floating hotel in Leith (...otherwise known as a boat, a former Northern Lighthouse Board ship to be precise). 

Why go? With a backdrop of exquisite art deco interiors, it's easy to imagine you’re not docked at Leith’s port and instead glamorously dining at sea in the roaring 1920s when you indulge in afternoon tea on The Fingal. Savoury offerings include saffron and 36-month aged parmesan arancini and a Ribblesdale goat cheese tart with shallot jam and confit tomato, while sweet treats (alongside buttermilk scones, of course), involve yuzu and matcha macarons and mini apricot and ginger ricotta cheesecakes. 

From £65pp. Daily, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Alexandra Dock, Edinburgh EH6 7DX. 

What is it? Complete your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse or The Queen’s Gallery with homemade cakes and tea.

Why go? There are plenty of reasons to visit Holyrood Palace – the history, grandeur and regal architecture. But you can’t possibly go without booking yourself in at the Café for the afternoon tea. Served in the Mews Courtyard in specially commissioned chinaware, you can expect local ingredients and produce with your choice of loose-leaf tea (or a gin cocktail if you’re feeling fancy).

From £30pp. Daily, from 12noon. The Royal Mile, 98 Canongate, EH8 8DX.

What is it? A chance to enjoy a classy afternoon tea in the opulent surroundings of this Edinburgh institution. 

Why go? If you’re looking for an afternoon tea experience to remember, this is the one. Enjoy leaf teas, home baking, hot savouries, scones and more either by a roaring log fire, in the gothic tea house or in the rose-filled gardens at Prestonfield, depending on the season. There are also vegan, dairy free and gluten free options available.

From £60pp. Daily from 12noon. Prestonfield House, Priestfield Road, EH16 5UT 

What is it? A mini-chain of cosy Edinburgh bakeries.

Why go? Mimi’s is famous first and foremost for its cakes, so bear that in mind when you’re considering an afternoon tea here. In other words, save some room for the sweet stuff, and don’t fill up purely on the scones, sandwiches and savouries. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus are also available.  

From £25 pp. From 12noon every day. Mimi's Leith and Mimi's Corstorphine in Edinburgh. 

What is it? An ostentatious landmark in Edinburgh’s New Town.

Why go? The Dome is famous in Edinburgh for its OTT Christmas decor, including massive, tinsel-wrapped columns and a towering indoor tree, but it’s still pretty impressive at other times of year. Their afternoon tea menu – served in the crystal-chandeliered Georgian Tea Room – features finger sandwiches, scones, pastries and nine varieties of loose-leaf tea. 

£32pp. Daily, 12noon-5pm. 14 George Street, EH2 2PF.

What is it? An elegant café located in the stylish Scotsman Hotel.

Why go? With its interior dating back to 1905, this delightful space is inspired by the ‘grand cafés’ of Europe, offering a relaxed and stylish setting in which to enjoy a menu of modern food and drink. The afternoon tea is handmade by the in-house pastry chef, with hand-cut finger sandwiches, savoury bites, miniature desserts and homemade scones and jam. To enhance your experience at the Grand Café, pop by on Saturday between 2pm and 5.30pm to enjoy your afternoon tea with a live pianist.

£37.95pp. Daily, 12noon-5pm. 20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR.

What is it? Afternoon tea at the top of the famed department store.

Why go? While there’s no shortage of places to take tea in Edinburgh, very few have views that can rival Harvey Nicks’. Take tea in the Fourth Floor Brasserie that has north Edinburgh spread out below to the River Forth, and you can indulge in the likes of duck spring rolls, traditional fruit scones and rosé champagne. However, remember to make a booking before you head along, as afternoon tea is for reservations only! 

From £35pp. Daily, 2pm-4pm. 30-34 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD. 

What is it? As if you couldn’t guess, it’s afternoon tea on a vintage bus.

Why go? Since you’re a fan of afternoon tea, you’re probably into vintage things in general, and what’s more vintage than an old bus? While nibbling your sandwiches and sipping your Earl Grey (or a glass of fizz), the Red Bus Bistro will take you around some of Edinburgh’s historic highlights including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament.

From £43.50pp. Tue to Sun, 12noon & 3pm. Departs from Stance ZE, Waterloo Place, EH1 3BQ.

What is it? A touch of old-style glamour in the heart of the city.

Why go? A glass-domed, light-filled space fringed with exotic trees and cream-coloured frescoes, Palm Court at the Balmoral revives the notion of afternoon tea as a cool respite from inhospitable tropics. While Palm Court can’t in fact offer a tropical climate, it does offer sweets, sandwiches and a very respectable tea selection, plus occasional live harp accompaniment.

From £67.50pp. Daily 12noon-5pm. 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ. 

What is it? Incongruously enough, it’s tea and scones at a popular nightlife spot.

Why go? It may be far from the down-and-dirty rave caves on the Cowgate, but it still perhaps seems slightly incongruous that a boutique hotel, restaurant and bar would also offer an afternoon tea. But you’ve got to do something in the daytime, right? With delicate sandwiches, quiche, cupcakes and gateau, Tigerlily’s doing it well.

From £15pp. Daily, 1pm-4pm. 125 George Street, EH2 4JN. 

What it is? A decadent treat in a chic venue across from Waverley Railway Station. 

Why go? What could be better than winding down with a delicious and indulgent afternoon tea after a long and arduous train journey? Brewhemia's convenient location makes this pretty hard to resist but so too does their menu of bespoke versions of classic treats like sandwiches, savouries, cakes and fresh-baked scones. 

From £30pp. Daily at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Each sitting 90 minutes. 1A Market Street, EH1 1DE.

What is it? Sister restaurant to the famed London celeb hangout.

Why go? This is one of a crop of London luminaries that have pitched up on St Andrew Square in recent years (it’s just a few doors along from the wonderful Dishoom). The Ivy on the Square offers sophisticated dining both indoors and out on its Parisian-style terrace. For afternoon tea, sample savouries such as truffled chicken brioche or sweet treats like almond macaron while sipping your favourite fruit infusion.

For afternoon tea, sample savouries such as truffled chicken brioche or sweet treats like raspberry choux puff while sipping your favourite fruit infusion. 

From £32.95pp. Mon to Sun, 3pm-5pm. 6 St. Andrew Square, EH2 2BD.