The 16 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 savoury delights like like heritage tomato gazpacho and smoked salmon croissants, alongside sweet treats such as sea buckthorn meringue tarts. For the traditionalists among us, there's scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, paired with loose-leaf teas, coffee, or a glass of Veuve Clicquot, darling. 

Address: 39 St. Andrew Square, EH2 2AD, Edinburgh

Tea hours: 2.30pm to 4.30pm

Expect to pay: From £60 per person

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 tapioca and gruyère croquettes and a crispy potato basket with John Ross hot-smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce, while sweet treats (alongside buttermilk scones, of course), involve apricot frangipane tarts with rosemary cream.  

Address: Alexandra Dock, EH6 7DX, Edinburgh

Tea hours: 12.30pm to 3.30pm

Expect to pay: From £65 per person 

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.

Address: 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily, from noon to 5pm 

Expect to pay: From £72.50 per person 

What is it? ‘A gothic fever dream of a hotel’ nestled on Edinburgh's Royal Mile that takes its name from the hundreds of women and men burned at the stake in the area. 

Why go? A trip to The Witchery is worth it alone for a nosy at its absolutely jaw-dropping interiors. Afternoon tea is hosted within their spell-binding, candlelit (using antique church candlesticks, of course) historic dining rooms (remember to look up at their heraldic painted and gilded ceilings), offering a welcome escape from the bustle of the Royal Mile. The menu does tradition well and features the classics alongside more modern takes such as dragon cake and haggis bonbons. 

Address: 352 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2NF, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Monday to Friday, from 2.30pm-3.30pm

According to The Witchery's website, afternoon tea is not served during August and the festive period (December 23 to January 4).

Expect to pay: From £60 per person

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.

Address: Prestonfield House, Priestfield Road, EH16 5UT, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily from noon 

Expect to pay: From £70 per person. 

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 crème brûlée with berry compote while sipping your favourite fruit infusion. 

Address: 6 St. Andrew Square, EH2 2BD, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily, from 3pm-5pm 

Expect to pay: From £33 per person. 

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.

Address: The Signet Library West Parliament Square, EH1 1RF, Edinburgh

Tea hours: 11am to 4.30pm

Expect to pay: From £71 per person

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 sausage rolls, 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. 

Address: Scottish National Gallery, The Mound, EH2 2EL, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Noon to 4pm

Expect to pay: From £38.50 per person

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 limited-edition keepsake tins, you can expect local ingredients and produce with your choice of loose-leaf tea, with no need to book in advance. 

Address: The Royal Mile, 98 Canongate, EH8 8DX, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily from noon.

Expect to pay: £46 for two people.

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. 

Address: 14 George Street, EH2 2PF, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily, from noon to 5pm 

Expect to pay: £35 per person. 

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 1pm and 3pm to enjoy your afternoon tea with a live pianist.

Address: 20 North Bridge, EH1 1TR, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Noon to 4pm 

Expect to pay: From £38 per person. 

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 summer vegetable quiches, traditional fruit scones and espresso martinis. However, remember to make a booking before you head along, as afternoon tea is for reservations only!

Address: St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily, from 2pm-4pm 

Expect to pay: From £35 per person.

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.

Address: Red Bus Bistro departs from Stance ZE, Waterloo Place, EH1 3BQ, Edinburg

Tea hours: Tuesday to Sunday, at noon and 3pm 

Expect to pay: From £47.50 per person 

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.  

Address: Mimi's Bakehouse at the City Arts Centre is located at 1 Market Street, EH1 1DE, Edinburgh. 

The Corstorphine location is at 277 St John's Road, Corstorphine, EH12 7XD, Edinburgh. 

Tea hours: Open daily, from noon

Expect to pay: From £25 per person.

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.

Address: 125 George Street, EH2 4JN, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Open daily, from 1pm-4pm

Expect to pay: From a £30 per person. 

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. 

Address: 1A Market Street, EH1 1DE, Edinburgh

Tea hours: Daily, with 90-minute sittings at noon, 2pm and 4pm 

Expect to pay: From £30 per person.