Treat yourself to a truly indulgent afternoon tea in Edinburgh, where historic charm, elegant venues, and mouth-watering treats come together in the most delightful way.
Whether you’re exploring the Royal Mile, admiring the castle, or shopping on Princes Street, there’s no better way to relax than with a classic afternoon tea.
Enjoy a tiered selection of finger sandwiches, fluffy scones with jam and clotted cream, and a tempting array of cakes and pastries, all served with your favourite tea—or a glass of bubbly for an extra special touch!
Top spots like The Balmoral Hotel, The Signet Library, and The Dome offer beautiful surroundings and unforgettable tea-time experiences, from grand Georgian elegance to contemporary chic.
Perfect for celebrations, catch-ups with friends, or simply treating yourself, afternoon tea in Edinburgh is a must-try experience that blends timeless tradition with Scottish flair. So sit back, sip, and savour every bite!
Best Afternoon Teas Edinburgh Has To Offer
The Witchery by the Castle
352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
The Witchery’s Afternoon Tea is served in both the Secret Garden room as well as the baroque candlelit Witchery dining room.
Enjoy delicious sandwiches and cakes piled high on silver cake stands. There’s plenty of sweet options with freshly baked scones, dragon cake and chocolate tarts.
Le Monde
16 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
The Le Monde Afternoon tea includes a glass of Prosecco on arrival, freshly cut sandwich bites, beautiful cakes, buttery scones and plentiful tea or coffee.
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
19 North Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1SD
At afternoon tea, guests will be served dainty sandwiches such as salmon and cucumber and ham and sweet chilli.
The fruit and plain scones are served with clotted cream and strawberry jam while the cake selection will include a mini Victoria sponge.
Visit the website for prices and opening times.
Tigerlily
125 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JN
Enjoy a moreish selection of delicious food, homemade fruit scones and chocolate treats with Afternoon Tea at Tigerlily or even give the Gentleman’s Tea a try.
Enjoy sandwiches, quiches, tarts, cakes and sweet treats as well as scones with clotted cream and jam.
Browns Edinburgh
131-133 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4JS
Treat yourself to an assortment of savouries, warm scones with seasonal jams, and irresistible mini cakes and puddings.
This can be paired with hand-blended, Fairtrade teas, a glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial, or a G&T.
The Scottish Cafe
The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL
Enjoy dainty handmade finger sandwiches, homemade fruit and savoury scones followed by chefs daily selection of sweet treats.
Served with your choice of tea from an extensive selection whilst overlooking our uninterrupted view of the magnificent Princes Street Gardens of the Scottish National Gallery.
The Red Bus Bistro
Departs from Stance ZE, Waterloo Place, EH1 3BQ.
Step aboard an iconic red Routemaster bus which has been repurposed from it’s former life transporting London commuters, to a stylish, retro bistro.
Take in the sights of Edinburgh from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh castle as you sit back and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea including home-made cakes and scones with locally produced cream and preserves, as well as an onboard licensed bar
Visit the website for further details
Palm Court at the Balmoral Hotel
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The décor alone is enough to tempt you into The Palm Court – with its opulent venetian style room, complete with palm trees and chandeliers.
You’ll enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and handmade Balmoral jam and a selection of pastries.
The Colonnades at Signet Library
The Signet Library, Parliament Square Edinburgh EH1 1RF
The Colonnades at the Signet Library is located just off the Royal Mile, this impressive room is lined with tall Corinthian columns and surrounded by a balcony gallery.
The Signet Library serves a fine Afternoon Tea with a highly extensive list of teas to choose from.
The Ivy on the Square
6 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD
The Ivy on the Square is serving up a Summer Garden Afternoon Tea.
With creative savouries such as the truffled chicken brioche roll, and a lemon and raspberry doughnut with pink lemonade, there is plenty to tickle your tastebuds.
Casa Angelina
42 London Street, Edinburgh EH3 6LX
Casa Angelina is a surprisingly spacious tearoom, with vintage-kitsch character.
Afternoon Tea is served on pretty cake stands and features mini bagels and pretzels and spring rolls!
Guests can even partake in a bit of dressing up thanks to a vintage dress up box.
Visit Facebook for opening times and prices.
The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh
Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 2AB
For an iconic and elegant Afternoon Tea head to Peacock Alley at The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.
Afternoon Tea showcases decadent sweets, savoury freshly cut finger sandwiches, homemade selection of scones and over 30 fine loose leaf teas.
Reserve at [email protected]
Cafe Portrait
1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD
Cafe Portrait is set within the magnificent Scottish National Portrait Gallery, one of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings.
Take a break from exploring the galleries extraordinary collection, and enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea.
MacDonald Holyrood Hotel
81 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AU
Housed inside the MacDonald Holyrood Hotel, Surf & Turf Restaurant offers an indulgent Afternoon Tea in unforgettable surroundings.
With uniquely sourced Scottish ingredients and fresh local produce, the food is a contemporary, slightly decadent vision of what fine dining should be.
Visit the website for prices and opening times.
Dalmahoy Hotel
Kirknewton, Edinburgh, EH27 8EB
Spoil yourself with a succulent Afternoon Tea at Dalmahoy Hotel, this magnificent country house provides picturesque scenery to enjoy while indulging in an array of treats.
Their menu includes sandwiches along with a range of cakes and a selection of tea or coffee.
Mimi’s Bakehouse
63 Shore, Edinburgh , EH6 6RA
You can enjoy your Afternoon Tea in the cosy cafe, whilst taking a peak through the window into the bakery.
Start off your Afternoon Tea with a selection of sandwiches, mini handmade sausage rolls.
Follow this with warm scones, served with Mimi-made jam and thick clotted cream, then tucking in to a selection of the daily cakes and traybakes they offer.
Crowne Plaza
18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh , EH7 5AQ
Crowne Plaza Edinburgh is ideally located for easy access to all the main attractions that the city has to offer.
Afternoon tea includes delicious finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, haggis bon bons, macarons, chocolate brownie, scones with cream and preserves.
Visit the website for prices and opening times.
The Bonham Hotel
35 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN
The Bonham is a luxury boutique hotel situated in the West End of Edinburgh. Traditional Afternoon Tea at The Bonham is served in the hotels new bar.
The Consulting Room is a welcome addition to the hotel where guests can enjoy an early evening glass of wine, meet with a group or friends for Afternoon Tea or enjoy a variety of great cocktails.
Dalhousie Castle
Bonnyrigg, Edinburgh, EH19 3JB
Situated on the banks of the River Esk, The Dungeon Restaurant and The Orangery at Dalhousie Castle is set within ancient barrel-vaulted dungeons.
You can enjoy a delicious Afternoon Tea featuring a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with jam, clotted cream and butter, and cream cakes and Shortbread, with the option to add a glass of champagne.
Cafe Modern Two
73 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DS
Café Modern Two is housed within the Gallery of Modern Art Two, the renowned home of Surrealist art in Scotland.
Situated in beautiful parkland close to the Waters of Leith, Café Modern Two offers the perfect place to enjoy a spot of Afternoon Tea after exploring the galleries art collection.
Prestonfield
Priestfield Road, Edinburgh EH16 5UT
Prestonfield provides, home baking and traditional sandwiches served in beautiful surroundings with a roaring log fire in the winter.
In warmer weather guests can enjoy afternoon tea in the rose-filled gardens or in the gothic tea house on the terrace.
Served daily see website for more details.
The Dome
14 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2PF
Enjoy afternoon tea in majestic surroundings of this Georgian Tea Room in George Street.
Delicate finger sandwiches are served along with scones and clotted cream and a selection of pastries accompanied by your choice of tea or coffee.
The Palace of Holyrood House
98 Canongate, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
In the historic settings of the mews courtyard afternoon tea is served daily.
Enjoy a delicious range of home-made cakes, pastries and sandwiches served with your choice of palace loose leaf tea.
Harvey Nichols
30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
With amazing views, you cannot beat the Forth Floor Restaurant and Brasserie at Harvey Nichols.
Enjoy a relaxed afternoon tucking into a traditional assortment, everything tastes better in miniature, and even more scrumptious partnered with the finest leaf tea.
The Glass House
2 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA
Spend an indulgent afternoon sipping tea and sampling the finest selection of a delicious combination of savoury tarts and sweet pastries, in wonderful five star surroundings at the Glass House Hotel.
Visit the website for prices
Fingal
Alexandra Dock, Edinburgh EH6 7DX
Afternoon Tea is enjoyed aboard Fingal with a backdrop of Art Deco interiors and views to match.
Add a whole different dimension of luxury to this most decadent and dainty of British traditions aboard former Northern Lighthouse Board ship, Fingal.
Sit under a shimmering ceiling and tuck into a selection of delicious sandwiches, and sweet treats.
Bistro Du Vin Afternoon Tea Edinburgh
11 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EZ
Afternoon tea at Bistro du Vin is perfectly placed if you’re visiting Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival.
As well as your usual sandwiches and scones, you can’t miss the rhubarb and custard tarts or macarons.
Check Out all of the Afternoon Tea Choices available throughout the UK.