Even the dreariest days of winter in Edinburgh will seem filled with sunshine when you visit these seven lovely tea rooms. Take a break from your daily routine and enjoy a fine cup of tea with an assortment of traditional cakes and sandwiches. Cheers!
Enjoy A Tea Ceremony In These 7 Edinburgh Places
1. Harvey Nichols
High tea takes on a whole new meaning at Harvey Nichols’ Fourth Floor Bar. Looking out onto St Andrew Square, sip your tea while watching the bustle of Edinburgh below. Delicious treats such as chocolates, pastries and cakes are hard to say no to. Downstairs, you can find chocolate fondues to lavishly drown fruit in. Harvey Nichols gives you an ideal high tea with class, and is steeped in tradition.
Address: 30-34 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
2. Eteaket
Edinburgh proves that it does high tea differently from the English with their fun, colourful and eclectic selection. This popular tea room has vintage and mis-matching china that pairs well with the gorgeous but homey baked goods. Pour over the loose tea and let the room’s warmth and character wash over you. Forget etiquette, we’d much rather enjoy Eteaket.
Address: 41 Frederick St, Edinburgh EH2 1EP
3. Tigerlily
Get trendy at Tigerlily, where traditional high tea becomes a fashion statement. Popular with the socialites and fashionable, high tea is never out of style. On the very frequented George Street, Tigerlily gives you high tea without breaking the bank. Choose from three choices of afternoon tea!
Address: 125 George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JN
Photo: trip101.com
4. Clarinda’s Tea Room
The kitsch and quirky Clarinda’s Tea Room puts a wackier twist on the posh tradition. Feel at home with flower-printed tablecloths, teapots, and decor. The whole place feels more like a cozy cottage than a fancy tea room, which actually makes up most of its charm. The fresh and hearty scones are well worth the trip.
Address: 69 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BS
5. Anteaques
Mixing antiques with high tea would probably seem stuffy, however Anteaques manages to create a fun and no-fuss spot for tea. The eccentric layers of cakes on trays work perfectly with the over-adorned antiques. Over-the-top lace and china patterns juxtapose against the delicious tea and scones. This small room has a long waiting list!
Address: 17 Clerk Street, EH8 9JH
6. The Georgian Tea Room, The Dome
Get back to your traditional high tea at The Dome. The Grecian and Roman architecture and facades are all about the classics — tea being one of them. The exceptional finger sandwiches and tasteful scones bring in a well-seasoned crowd. Celebrate Edinburgh’s Georgian past with a cup’a tea, after all it’s tradition.
Address: 14 George Street, EH2 PF
7. The Tower Restaurant
At the National Museum of Scotland, the Tower Restaurant lives up to its name. With incredible skyline views of Edinburgh, the delicious scones and sandwiches will be competing for your attention. Visit the museum downstairs first to work up an appetite, then head on up to The Tower Restaurant for the perfect end to the day.
Address: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, EH1 1JF
This article was written by Clara Hudson.