Best Afternoon Teas in Edinburgh: Where to Sip, Savour and Indulge
Looking for the best afternoon tea in Edinburgh? Whether you’re craving clotted cream and jam-laden scones or seeking an indulgent day out with Champagne and delicate pastry or two, Edinburgh delivers an unforgettable afternoon tea experience. From grand hotels like The Sheraton and The Caledonian to bakeries and floating gems like Mimi’s Bakehouse and Fingal, our capital serves up a rich variety of afternoon tea menus. Perfect for birthdays, baby showers, catch-ups or just because, afternoon tea in Edinburgh is steeped in tradition, elegance, and a dash of local charm.
Afternoon tea is a ritual here in the UK, a right of passage. We do love a proper cuppa, especially when it comes with dainty finger sandwiches and the occasional flaky pastry. It’s one of my favourite ways to while away an afternoon. Add a cheeky glass of bubbly on arrival, and you've got yourself the ultimate indulgent treat.
After Twenty Princes Street scooped up an Award of Excellence for their afternoon tea, I took it as the perfect excuse to share my top five go-to spots in Edinburgh for an afternoon tea worth talking about. PLUS an additional 5 places that come highly recommended but I have yet to visit.
WHERE TO HAVE AFTERNOON TEA IN EDINBURGH
1. One Square, Sheraton Grand Hotel
Price: From £59pp
Why it’s special: Overlooking Edinburgh Castle, One Square’s afternoon tea is a celebration of local flavours and literary inspiration. Their current Afternoon Tea celebrates the hotel’s 40th anniversary with a playful menu nodding to the past four decades. Expect savouries like haggis bon bons and sweet treats themed around iconic Edinburgh authors. Served with JING teas in sleek ‘Tea-iere’ infusers, and optionally paired with Champagne or Prosecco, it a playful and imaginative experience.
Book here - www.onesquareedinburgh.co.uk
2. The Caledonian, Waldorf Astoria
Price: From £60 per person
Why it’s special: Served in The Court, this “Sweets of the World” afternoon tea is a globe-trotting journey of flavours from Turkish delight curd to fizzy kola jelly. The setting is pure grandeur, with live harp music on weekends and a rich history as a former railway station. It’s indulgent, theatrical, and perfect for those who love a bit of drama with their scones. I’ve never had an Afternoon Tea here that I didn’t love!
Book here - www.hilton.com/en/hotels/ednchqq-the-caledonian-edinburgh/dining/the-court
3. Fingal
Price: £65 per person | £80 with Champagne
Why it’s special: Fingal is a luxury floating hotel in Leith, where afternoon tea becomes a voyage. Served in the most gorgeous of restaurants under a shimmering copper Art Deco ceiling, the menu features delicate savouries and patisserie-level sweets, all with a view of the docks and Port of Leith Distillery. It’s a serene, elegant escape ideal for marking a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary.
Book here - www.fingal.co.uk
4. Twenty Princes Street
Price: From £35 per person | £70 for two
Why it’s special: Come for the panoramic views of the Old Town and a menu inspired by literary legends, this is afternoon tea with a story. Think Tolkien’s buttered scones and Proust’s madeleines, paired with Shibui teas or a Hendrick’s G & Tea cocktail. It’s stylish, central, and a brilliant blend of tradition and creativity.
Book here - www.twentyprincesstreet.co.uk
5. Mimi’s Bakehouse
Price: From £25 per person
Why it’s special: A beloved local gem, Mimi’s serves up nostalgia with a wink. Their afternoon tea includes hearty sandwiches, warm sausage rolls, fluffy scones with homemade jam, and a rotating selection of traybakes and cupcakes. It’s cosy, cheerful, and perfect for a relaxed catch-up plus, you can add a cocktail or bubbly if you’re feeling fancy.
Book here - www.mimisbakehouse.com
FIVE Afternoon Tea’s that I know are stunning and come highly recommended, but I have yet to experience (in no particular order)
LUXURY AFTERNOON TEA EXPERIENCES IN THE CAPITAL
1. The Balmoral, Palm Court
Price: From £67.50 per person
Why it’s a treat: Set beneath a sparkling glass dome and Venetian chandelier, Palm Court is the epitome of elegance. Afternoon tea here at The Balmoral includes a tea-pouring ceremony with your choice of 88 loose-leaf teas, savouries like whipped Lanark Blue tartlets, warm scones, and exquisite patisserie. Live harp music adds to the serene, luxurious atmosphere, perfect for a refined escape in the heart of the city.
2. Colonnades at the Signet Library
Price: From £69 per person
Why it’s a treat: Housed in a stunning Georgian library just off the Royal Mile, this is afternoon tea with grandeur. Expect silver tea stands laden with savouries, delicate sandwiches, and decadent sweets, all crafted with seasonal ingredients. Unlimited tea and coffee, impeccable service, and the neoclassical setting make it feel like a step back in time (in the best way).
3. Sushi Samba, W Hotel
Price: £65 per person | £75 with Champagne
Why it’s a treat: Afternoon tea gets a bold, global makeover at Sushi Samba at the top of the St James Quarter. Served on a sculptural three-tier “tree,” the menu fuses Japanese, Brazilian, and Peruvian flavours. Think Highland Wagyu Katsu Sando, scallop nigiri, and miso crèmeux. With panoramic views from the 10th floor of the W Hotel, it’s a high-style, high-flavour experience unlike any other in Scotland.
4. Clarinda’s Tearoom
Price: Around £15–£20 per person (cream tea or light afternoon tea)
Why it’s a treat: Quaint, cosy, and full of charm, Clarinda’s is a local favourite on the Royal Mile. While not a formal afternoon tea venue, it offers hearty homemade scones, cakes, and sandwiches in a vintage setting. It’s walk-in only, cash-only, and utterly delightful and ideal for a relaxed, no-frills tea break steeped in nostalgia.
5. Prestonfield House
Price: £60 per person | £75 with Champagne
Why it’s a treat: This opulent boutique hotel offers afternoon tea in its lavish drawing rooms or, in summer, among rose gardens and a gothic tea house. The menu includes finger sandwiches, scones with raspberry jam, and patisserie-style cakes, all served with a curated tea selection. It’s indulgent, theatrical, and perfect for a special occasion or romantic afternoon.
WHY AFTERNOON TEA IN EDINBURGH IS A MUST-DO TREAT
No matter your taste, budget, or mood, there’s an afternoon tea in Edinburgh to suit. Whether you’re sipping Oolong beneath a crystal chandelier or nibbling traybakes in a cosy tearoom, each venue adds a unique twist to this much-loved British tradition. These top picks combine beautiful settings, impeccable service, and expertly curated menus to make every afternoon tea a treat to remember. So go ahead, book a table, raise your teacup, and savour the sweet side of Scotland’s capital.
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