Afternoon tea at Edinburgh’s Balmoral lodge is a transportive expertise. The serene Palm Court docket welcomes friends to dine beneath the inexperienced palm bushes, basking within the gentle from the good-looking glass dome overhead. Hand-painted de Gourney wallpaper and delicate harp music are refined highlights as friends dine from specifically commissioned William Edwards nice bone china.
Having chosen from over 80 teas, the attentive ready workers pour the primary cup in a powerful tea-pouring ceremony, lifting the teapots excessive above their heads whereas by no means spilling a drop. The meals begins with an amuse bouche of white bean and fennel velouté. The savouries swiftly observe: goat’s cheese mousse with inexperienced olive tapenade, parmesan sablé with asparagus and egg yolk, and a choice of sandwiches. The scones are accompanied by home made Balmoral jam crafted by Heather Hills Farm. Delicate sweets embody a light-weight strawberry & chamomile choux. Plus, you possibly can add a glass of Charles Heidsiec champagne to the expertise. A kids’s afternoon tea menu can be obtainable. An exquisite of completion is a small tin of free tea to take house – the proper memento. Keep the evening at The Balmoral, which was not too long ago introduced the 2022-23 AA Lodge of the 12 months Scotland.
Palm Court docket on the Balmoral, 1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
The Wizard Afternoon Tea at The Cauldron
££
The spellbinding one – greatest for youths, large youngsters and quirky date nights.
If you happen to fancy one thing magically totally different, descend into the darkish bowels of The Cauldron to don capes, wave wands, combine brews, uncover secret compartments and dine from a magically illuminated dragon’s nest afternoon tea platter. As soon as diners have damaged a code to open a magic tea chest, it’s time to decide on and blend up teas utilizing a pestle and mortar. Jasmine and peppermint work effectively collectively, or take into account breakfast tea, lavender, nettle, chamomile or lemon and ginger. The new water is, in fact, ’heated by dragons’. The meals providing contains ‘sand-witches’ of brie & spinach, and delicate cheese, dill & salmon. Candy treats function a trio of macarons, raspberry bakewell tart, and a bit of rocky street. This expertise is memorable for all ages, channelling enjoyable Harry Potter vibes. It’s all about creativi-tea.
The Cauldron, 57a Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1LH
The Lighthouse Restaurant, Fingal
££
The nautical one – greatest for luxurious in a novel setting.
Docked in Leith, Fingal is a shocking setting for afternoon tea. The ship’s 2-star AA Rosette Lighthouse restaurant has elegant artwork deco interiors, with refined nautical touches and a shimmering ceiling paying homage to rippling waves. Attempt the ship’s personal Fingal Mix tea, hand-crafted by Pekoe Tea Edinburgh. The meals units sail with an amuse bouche of candy potato velouté, adopted by delicate savouries corresponding to sizzling smoked salmon potato pancake and Wye Valley asparagus & chorizo tart. Sandwiches vary from duck egg mayonnaise & cress, to smoked salmon with avocado & radish, all served on angular artwork deco platters.
The scones are accompanied by Perthshire Preserves strawberry jam earlier than the grand finale of sweets are consumed. Look out for the wealthy amaretto & raspberry white chocolate bar, then freshen the palate with a lemon & poppy seed macaron. Improve the afternoon tea expertise with a drink from a menu of champagne upgrades. An added bonus? Indulgence is guilt-free, as Fingal’s a part of the not-for-profit Britannia Belief. After a glamorous £5 million conversion, luxurious cabins and suites may be booked aboard this floating lodge.
Extra like this
Fingal, Alexandra Dock, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 7DX, 0131 357 5000
Eteaket Leaf Tea Firm
£
The casual one – greatest for tea aficionados.
For individuals who consider the tea must be the star of the present, head to Eteaket’s casual Frederick Avenue café to decide on between 35 leaf teas, in addition to seasonal small-batch blends. Choose between black, oolong, white, rooibos and inexperienced teas, tea lattes and infusions. There are pretty Scottish touches, too. ‘Maintain the Heid’ combines Assam and Darjeeling teas with heather flowers and meadowsweet. The alcohol- and caffeine-free Isle of Harris Gin tea contains the identical botanicals that give the gin its flavour, corresponding to hand-harvested sugar kelp from the Outer Hebrides. Mix these imaginative infusions with a easy afternoon tea that includes a choice of finger sandwiches, a scone with jam and Cornish clotted cream, and a choice of mini patisseries, plus an Earl Gray panna cotta. Excessive tea and cream teas are additionally obtainable, plus a variety of vegan choices, a bubbly afternoon tea and a ‘Little Brewers’ menu for kids.
Eteaket, 41 Frederick Avenue, Edinburgh EH2 1EP
Colonnades at The Signet Library
£££
The literary one – greatest for double the treats.
Surrounded by elegant Corinthian columns in a library utilized by the Society of Writers to His Majesty’s Signet, take tea within the calming interiors of this elegant A-listed constructing. Do not count on one wonderful bespoke silver cake stand – right here, guests await two. The savoury stand arrives first, and the culinary creations look as lovely as any candy confection. From miniature smoked haddock tacos and sweetcorn brûlée with chorizo jam, to creative goat’s cheese ice cream served in a vibrant pink cone, every savoury goals to be a mini dish in every chunk. The sweets are visually fascinating, too. A vibrant watermelon macaron with an injection of margarita provides enjoyable to the wealthy flavours, then nibble on a tiny toadstool-shaped roasted strawberry, pomegranate & sumac pavlova, earlier than indulging in a honeycomb lollipop. Add bubbles by selecting between Sumarocca Cava brut or Monopole Silver Prime champagne. Vegetarian and gluten-free menus have additionally been rigorously curated.
The Signet Library, Parliament Sq., Edinburgh EH1 1RF
The Witchery
££
The Gothic one – greatest for famend meals and dramatic decor.
The Witchery prides itself on atmospheric eating in baroque environment. Take tea both within the authentic candlelit oak-panelled eating room, or inside the Secret Backyard with its hand-painted ceiling and out of doors terrace for Edinburgh’s sunnier days. Savouries embody Findlay’s of Portobello haggis with pineapple chutney & asparagus, and spinach & tarragon quiche. Candy highlights function a ‘Dragon’ tea cake, and Valhrona Ariaga chocolate tart with a cocoa nib tuille. Add bubbles by ordering a glass of Billecart-Salmon champagne, and, to make an evening of it, e-book into luxurious lodging. 9 particular person suites provide various levels of the darkish, dramatic, romantic and gothic.
The Witchery, 352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
Holy Cow
£
The animal-friendly one – greatest for vegans and vegetarians.
Holy Cow gives animal-friendly, guilt-free indulgence, and it’s gluten-free, too. Look out for vibrant beetroot wraps with wasabi & inexperienced pea hummus, and a carrot wrap filled with carrot lox, cashew delicate cheese, capers and contemporary dill. Sandwiches embody ‘no fish’ mackerel made with tofu and nori. Candy desserts present vegan alternate options to clotted cream with scones, Victoria sponge and chocolate & espresso cake. There are just a few Holy Cow venues in Scotland’s capital, however afternoon tea is simply served at its Dundee Avenue property, and should be pre-booked. The cafés have an ethereal, laidback and casual environment, with a loyal vegan following.
Holy Cow, Fortress Mills, 1 Dundee Avenue, EH3 9FP
The Ivy on the Sq.
£
The fashionable one – greatest for a touch of Nice Gatsby theatrical type.
The Ivy is the place to satisfy and greet, see and be seen in gregarious and daring environment, with lush greenery and wealthy furnishings. Its very moderately priced ‘Dream afternoon tea’ has the wow-factor, as dry ice cascades from a pink flower topper down the yellow cake stand. Begin with a grilled rooster & truffle mayonnaise brioche, or maybe pattern The Ivy 1917 remedy smoked salmon & delicate cheese finger sandwich. The candy treats are super-cute, that includes edible flowers or served in dinky flower pots to channel a flamboyant ‘again to nature’ vibe. Dig right into a honeycomb & darkish chocolate plant pot, or slurp an Alice in Wonderland-esque ‘Drink Me’ mango & coconut smoothie. Improve by including a glass of Nyetimber English glowing wine.
The Ivy, 6 St Andrew Sq., Edinburgh EH2 2BD
Crimson Bus Bistro
££
The one on the transfer – greatest for sightseeing as you dine.
If you happen to’re large on enjoyable and/or quick on time, see the sights of Edinburgh on a classic Routemaster or Leyland Titan bus whereas tucking into afternoon tea. Attempt the Gin Tour, which incorporates prosecco, full afternoon tea and the bistro’s gin ‘pot-tails’: a wide range of flavoured Scottish gins combined with fragrant herbs and topped with edible flowers. The meals contains conventional scones with whipped cream and jam; a choice of finger sandwiches, mini rolls and wraps; mini quiches; a choice of petit fours and muffins. The route leaves St Andrew Sq., taking within the Scott Monument, Edinburgh Fortress, Greyfriar’s Bobby, the Elephant Home Cafe (the place JK Rowling put pen to paper), the Grassmarket, Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament. Kids aged eight and over are welcome to hop aboard, too.
Crimson Bus Bistro. Choose up at St Andrew Sq., Edinburgh, EH2 2AD.
Peacock Alley on the Waldorf Astoria
£££
The one for lounging – greatest for glamorous prepare spotters.
Loosen up in Peacock Alley, a wise lounge within the lodge’s former railway station concourse with uncovered sandstone brickwork. The vibe goals to emulate its authentic namesake, Peacock Alley of the Waldorf Astoria, New York from 1897. Savouries embody the rum-cured salmon with yuzu aïoli & caviar, or Cropwell Bishop stilton with plum chutney. After scones, friends bask in a pastry choice, together with the enduring Victoria sponge with buttercream & strawberries, and ‘The Royal Gala’, a sticky apple pudding with toffee sauce. Vegan and gluten-free menus can be found, too. There may be additionally a particular menu designed for kids. This grand railway lodge gives over 240 rooms, with a spa and pool too, so it’s doable to make a weekend of it.
Waldorf Astoria, Princes St, Edinburgh EH1 2AB.
And there’s extra…
If you happen to’re looking for an all-rounder, head to The Dome, famend for its Christmas afternoon teas and array of afternoon tea menus, together with kids’s, gluten-free and vegan, plus a morning tea with bacon and sausage rolls. If muffins made by the Scottish Baker of the 12 months sound tempting, plump for Mimi’s Bakehouse, providing afternoon tea at its Leith and Corstorphine branches. Lastly, if it’s a case of location, location, location, head to the nation seat of Prestonfield Home, dine within the former Scotsman newspaper HQ, or lookup the afternoon teas dished up on the historic Edinburgh Fortress and Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Associated content material
Greatest afternoon teas in London
Greatest afternoon teas within the UK
Greatest UK gourmand glamping websites
Greatest foodie experiences within the UK
