Most guides to the best afternoon tea in Edinburgh rank the same grand hotels. This one starts from the occasion. Do you want a robe and a potion, a tea stand on a vintage bus, a table inside Edinburgh Castle, a fully plant-based spread for a coeliac friend, a cake stand a six-year-old will enjoy, or a castle in the countryside where the dog gets its own plate? We sorted 24 places by the reason you are going.
For each one we give the setting, what is on the stand, the times, the notice you need and the lowest adult rate the venue publishes. Where a figure is not shown online we say so; confirm it when you reserve. For a ranking of the big hotel lounges, such as Palm Court and Peacock Alley, see our hotel afternoon tea guide.
Updated 4 November 2026. Prices, serving times and notice periods come from each venue’s own website on that date. They change with the season, so confirm everything when you reserve.
Quick Comparison of 24 Afternoon Teas
| Venue | Area | Good for | When | From (adult) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Magic | Blair Street | Themed, robes | Set times | See website |
| Red Bus Bistro | Waterloo Place | Sightseeing | 12pm, 3pm Tue–Sun | See website |
| Brewhemia | Market Street | Beer or fizz | 12pm, 2pm, 4pm | £30 |
| SUSHISAMBA | St James Quarter | Rooftop outlook | 12:30–4:30pm | £65 |
| Willow Tea Rooms | Princes Street | Castle outlook | From 12pm | £31.95 |
| Harvey Nichols Forth Floor | St Andrew Square | Skyline | See website | £35 |
| Murrayfield Experience | Murrayfield | Rugby fans | Sat & Sun | See website |
| Edinburgh Castle Tea Rooms | Castle | Royal day out | 11am–2.30pm | £50 + entry; £70 with |
| Café at the Palace | Holyrood | Palace visit | Café hours | See website |
| Royal Yacht Britannia | Leith | Royal day out | With admission | £25 |
| Scottish Cafe & Restaurant | The Mound | Gallery visit | 12–4pm | £38.50 |
| Holy Cow | Elder Street | Vegan, no gluten | Pre-order | £35 |
| Browns | George Street | Coeliac UK accredited | 2–6pm | £32 |
| Colonnades at the Signet Library | Parliament Square | Celebration | Wed–Sun | £75 |
| Prestonfield House | Priestfield Road | Five menus | From 12pm | £70 |
| The Roseate | Haymarket | Plant-based on notice | See website | See website |
| The Dome | George Street | NGCI option | 12–5pm | £35 |
| Mimi’s Bakehouse | Corstorphine, Market St | Young guests | Seven days | See website |
| The Ivy on the Square | St Andrew Square | Families, central | 3–5pm | £36.25 |
| The Bonham | West End | Cheese lovers | 1–5pm | £38 |
| The Register Club | St Andrew Square | Weekend | Sat–Sun | £60 |
| Dalhousie Castle | Bonnyrigg | Castle setting | 1–4pm | £40 |
| Melville Castle | Near Dalkeith | Dogs, gardens | 12–4pm | £30 |
| The Balmoral, Palm Court | Princes Street | Grand lounge | 12–5pm | See website |
Lowest adult rates shown on official websites or official reservation pages on 4 November 2026. Where the table says “See website”, the venue did not publish a figure we could read, so confirm it when you reserve.
What Is on a Traditional Afternoon Tea Stand?
A traditional afternoon tea arrives on a tiered stand: finger sandwiches on one level, scones with clotted cream and jam on another, and small cakes, pastries and other sweet bites on top, with a pot of tea. A glass of Champagne or sparkling wine is the usual upgrade. A cream tea is the lighter version, just scones and tea; the Ivy and Britannia both have one. Prestonfield explains on its own site that high tea is different: traditionally a more substantial evening meal.
The classic format is only a starting point in Edinburgh. You will find beer instead of teas at Brewhemia, cheese instead of cake at the Bonham, a fusion tree of sweet and savoury dishes at SUSHISAMBA, and a stand served on a moving bus. We read the current page of every venue on this list and left out places whose own website did not show a current offer, or that had closed.
Themed and Unusual Teas
Best for a birthday or a visiting group that wants more than a cake stand, these three turn the meal into an activity. Each needs to be reserved ahead, and none of them is a quiet hotel lounge, which is the point.
Department of Magic
A themed afternoon tea in the Magic Potions Tavern, a themed bar on Blair Street off the Royal Mile. The venue lends you a robe for the occasion, and the stand is a curated assortment of scones, tarts and other sweet and savoury treats. The session lasts about 75 minutes and must be reserved ahead. Anything you cannot finish can be boxed to take away, and the food uses locally sourced suppliers.
The venue does not show the cost on its own page, so confirm it at checkout. Wax-sealed gift vouchers are sold for birthdays.
Key details: 75 min · 9 Blair Street, EH1 1QR · departmentofmagic.com
Red Bus Bistro
A vintage Routemaster double-decker fitted out as a tea room, which drives past the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat, the Palace, the Castle, the Meadows and the Scottish Parliament while you eat. The ride takes 1 hour 30 minutes and departs at 12pm and 3pm from Tuesday to Sunday. There are two versions, Afternoon Tea with Fizz and Afternoon Tea with Gin, the second with a gin pot-tail.
It is not a guided tour, there is no toilet on board (a comfort break is included) and tables may be shared. Front seats on the top deck cost £6 extra each, a guaranteed upstairs seat £4, and a private table £10 per empty seat. Guests must be 5 or over and pay the adult rate from age 10; alcohol is for over-18s. Wheelchair users need to transfer to a seat on the lower deck. Dietary needs can be covered with notice.
Key details: Pick-up at Stand ZE, Waterloo Place, EH1 3EG · confirm the fare on redbusbistro.co.uk
Brewhemia
A large bar on Market Street, next to Waverley Station. Its Gentleman’s Tea pairs a board of homemade treats and savoury bites with three beers of your choice (£35, £39 for the festive version, minimum two guests; it is a set menu that cannot be changed).
The Signature version, the chef’s Brewhemian twist on the classic format with traditional staples, is the familiar stand of sandwiches, savouries, cakes and fresh-baked scones with a pot of tea or an americano (£30), with Prosecco (£37) or with a cocktail of your choice (£40); the festive edition runs from 2 November at £32 and £39. Both come at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm and need two days’ notice. Brewhemia cannot do a version without gluten, so pick another venue if that matters.
Key details: From £30 · 1A Market Street, EH1 1DE · brewhemia.co.uk
Best Afternoon Tea with Views
Our four best picks where the outlook is part of the experience: the skyline from a rooftop, castle views from Princes Street, the New Town from a department store, or a rugby pitch from a private box. Ask for a window table when you reserve.
SUSHISAMBA
On the 10th floor of the W Edinburgh at the St James Quarter, this Japanese, Brazilian and Peruvian restaurant serves sweet and savoury dishes on a hand-crafted three-tier tree, with a wide choice of teas and panoramic views over the city, plus a terrace when the weather allows. It runs every day from 12:30pm to 4:30pm.
The standard set is £65 a head, or £75 with a glass of Laurent-Perrier Brut.
Key details: £65 · W Edinburgh, 1 St James Square, EH1 3AX · sushisamba.com
Willow Tea Rooms
A first-floor tea room on Princes Street with castle views from the window tables. The classic set starts at £31.95 and is available from 12pm; reserve ahead. Miss Cranston’s Free From menu covers gluten-free, meat-free and vegan guests, and younger visitors get their own version. The Christmas Deluxe set, from 26 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, brings a classic selection of sandwiches, scones and festive cakes on a three-tiered stand, or a savoury alternative.
Key details: From £31.95 · 1st floor, 120 Princes Street, EH2 4AD · willowtearooms.co.uk
Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
The restaurant at the top of the department store on St Andrew Square has wide skyline views over the New Town. It is listed at £35 a head on its reservation page. We cover it in more detail in our hotel afternoon tea guide.
Key details: £35 · 30–34 St Andrew Square, EH2 2AD · harveynichols.com
Murrayfield Experience
Scotland’s national rugby stadium hosts its afternoon tea in the Murrayfield Boxes, private hospitality boxes with views over the pitch and a bar in each box. It runs on Saturdays and Sundays, and Haymarket station is about a 10-minute walk away. The stadium did not show a figure online, so confirm it when you reserve.
Key details: Saturdays and Sundays · Murrayfield Stadium · murrayfieldexperience.com
Royal and Attraction Teas
Combine a sightseeing day and royal treats with a sit-down afternoon tea, without crossing town. Two of these need an entry ticket on top, so add that to the cost when you compare.
Edinburgh Castle Tea Rooms
The Queen Anne Tea Rooms are in Crown Square, at the heart of the castle. Each stand has freshly made savoury bites, homemade sweet treats and buttermilk fruit and plain scones with Galloway Lodge preserve and clotted cream, with a selection of teas. Sittings run every day from 11am to 2.30pm (times change in August for the Tattoo), and a festive theme runs from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. No alcohol is poured before 1pm on Sunday.
The package with castle entry costs £70 for adults (£80 with Champagne) and £35 for a child; members pay £45, £54 or £22.50. If you already hold an entry ticket or pass, the tea alone is £50 (£25 for a child, £60 with a glass of fizz). Email dietary needs two days before your visit.
Key details: From £50 plus entry · Crown Square, Edinburgh Castle · edinburghcastle.scot
Café at the Palace
The café in the Mews Courtyard of the Palace of Holyroodhouse presents its afternoon tea in limited-edition keepsake tins. The spread includes smoked salmon, pulled ham with pickle and truffled egg mayonnaise sandwiches, Earl Grey scones, lemon drizzle loaf, apricot Bakewell and Guinness red velvet cake.
There is no need to reserve, but you can pre-order when you buy Palace or King’s Gallery tickets. From 1 November to 31 March it opens at 9:30am and closes at 4:30pm (last orders 4pm). The café caters for all dietary requirements, has a set meal for younger visitors and allows dogs in its outdoor areas. Confirm the cost on the day.
Key details: Mews Courtyard, Palace of Holyroodhouse · rct.uk
Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Deck Tearoom sits on the top deck of the former royal yacht, moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith. You need a Britannia admission ticket; tables cannot be reserved and are first come, first served. The Britannia Cream Tea (£25 on the October 2026 menu) brings a sandwich, a fruit scone and a pot of tea with a glass of Crémant rosé or sparkling tea; a separate dietary menu is available and a 10% discretionary service charge is added.
For more, the Royal Tea and Group Guided Tour (£89) runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 29 October 2026 to 1 April 2027 for up to 12 people: a guided tour at 1pm, then sweet and savoury treats at 2pm featuring some of Queen Elizabeth II’s favourites, such as Coronation chicken and oak-smoked salmon sandwiches and Victoria sponge, with a Royal Yacht Blend by PekoeTea. Reserve by 4pm the day before.
Key details: From £25 plus admission · Ocean Terminal, Leith, EH6 6JJ · royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
Run by Contini at the gardens entrance of the Scottish National Gallery, on the Mound below the Castle. The set is available from noon to 4pm at £38.50 a head, with a vegetarian option. The gallery itself closes at 5pm, so it pairs well with a visit to the paintings.
Key details: £38.50 · Scottish National Gallery, The Mound · 0330 164 9386 · contini.com
Vegan, Gluten-Free and Other Dietary Needs
Most venues can adapt with notice, but the rules differ a lot from one kitchen to the next. These six publish clear dietary options on their own sites, which makes them the best starting point for coeliac, milk-free or plant-based guests.
Holy Cow
A fully plant-based café near the St James Quarter that makes its whole afternoon tea vegan and without gluten, a plant-based take on the classic stand. It is only available as a pre-order, at least two days ahead, and costs £35 to £70 depending on the option you choose. Our plant-based restaurant guide lists more plant-based places.
Key details: £35–£70 · 34 Elder Street, EH1 3DX · holycow.cafe
Browns
The George Street brasserie offers a coeliac-safe set accredited by Coeliac UK, a useful choice when cross-contamination matters. Expect savouries, warm scones with seasonal jams, and mini cakes and puddings. The classic set is £32 and the version with Champagne is £42, available every day from 2pm to 6pm. Ask for the coeliac or vegetarian option when you reserve.
Key details: From £32 · 131–133 George Street, EH2 4JS · browns-restaurants.co.uk
Colonnades at the Signet Library
Afternoon tea under the columns of one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian buildings, next to St Giles’ Cathedral, Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4:30pm, from £75. The festive set starts on 18 November 2026. Some Saturdays are closed for weddings, and you can reserve up to three months ahead.
With 24 hours’ notice the kitchen can make a gluten-free, meat-free, vegan or milk-free stand, but not combinations such as no gluten plus no dairy. Groups of more than six should call 0131 226 1064.
Key details: From £75 · Parliament Square, EH1 1RF · thesignetlibrary.co.uk
Prestonfield House
A country house below Arthur’s Seat, where peacocks roam the lawn. It is the only venue here with five separate menus: traditional, meat-free, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, each with finger sandwiches, scones and home-baked cakes. The set is £70, or £85 with Champagne or English sparkling Gusbourne; the festive version is £80 or £95. Times are 12pm to 6:45pm Sunday to Thursday and 12pm to 4pm on Friday and Saturday, and each guest needs their own set.
There is no dress code, though smart casual is suggested.
Key details: From £70 · Priestfield Road, EH16 5UT · prestonfield.com
The Roseate
KIN by Gary Maclean, at the Roseate in Haymarket (formerly the Dunstane), sets out its afternoon tea on silver stands with Scottish preserves and cream, with a choice of Champagne or a botanical kombucha. A plant-based menu needs two days’ notice. The venue did not publish a figure online, so confirm it when you reserve.
Key details: 4 West Coates and 5 Hampton Terrace, Haymarket · roseatehotels.com
The Dome
The Georgian Tea Room on the first floor (there is a lift) is where afternoon tea is served from 12pm to 5pm every day, with classic, NGCI (no gluten-containing ingredients), plant-based, vegetarian and kids’ menus. A £10 deposit a head secures the table, and the largest table seats 10. Gift vouchers start at £35, with sparkling at £42.
Key details: From £35 · 14 George Street, EH2 2PF · thedomeedinburgh.com
Afternoon Tea with Kids
Several venues above have a set for younger guests: Willow, the Dome, the Castle and the Palace café. These two are the best with small children, with simple food, treats for small eaters, central locations and no fuss about noise.
Mimi’s Bakehouse
The bakery offers its afternoon tea and a Kids Afternoon Tea with cake pops, mini sausage rolls and orange juice. Both are available seven days a week at Corstorphine and in the City Art Centre on Market Street (open 9am to 5pm). Reserve two days ahead. Scones come with Rodda’s clotted cream and the teas are from Eteaket. Cupcakes, traybakes and other treats fill the sweet tier. In-store vouchers for two cost £50 to £68.
Key details: Corstorphine: 277 St John’s Road, EH12 7XD · City Art Centre: 1 Market Street, EH1 1DE · mimisbakehouse.com
The Ivy on the Square
A bright brasserie on St Andrew Square, a short walk from the St James Quarter and the tram stop. Its afternoon tea is served Monday to Sunday from 3pm to 5pm at £36.25, or £46.25 with Champagne, and must be reserved. The lighter Ivy Cream Tea, with fruit scones, cream and strawberry preserve, is available from 11:30am to 5pm, and there is a children’s menu. See our family-friendly restaurants for more places to eat with little ones.
Key details: From £36.25 · 6 St Andrew Square, EH2 2BD · ivycollection.com
Relaxed Teas in Town
Our best quieter options for a weekday or a weekend treat that is not a big production. Both are a short walk from Princes Street, and both cost less than the five-star lounges.
The Bonham
A hotel in the West End, a few minutes from Princes Street. Afternoon tea is served every day from 1pm to 5pm at £38: a stand of sweet and savoury treats, with classic sandwiches, cakes and freshly baked scones and Brodies teas; a glass of Champagne is £15 more. For anyone who prefers cheese to cake, it also does an Afternoon Cheese with crackers and oatcakes.
Key details: £38 · 35 Drumsheugh Gardens, EH3 7RN · thebonham.com
The Register Club
The bar on the 4th floor of the Edinburgh Grand on St Andrew Square offers its Grand Afternoon Tea only on Saturday and Sunday from 12.30pm to 4pm. It costs £60, or £73 with Champagne, and needs 24 hours’ notice. Plant-based, meat-free and coeliac versions are available on request.
Key details: From £60 · 4th floor, the Edinburgh Grand, St Andrew Square · theregisterclub.com
Castles and Dogs beyond the City
Both are in Midlothian, south of the city, and easiest to reach by car or taxi. They are best for a celebration with a drive, or a day out with the dog.
Dalhousie Castle
A castle hotel near Bonnyrigg that serves its afternoon tea from 1pm to 4pm: delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones, savoury delights and sweet treats. The traditional set is £40 and the version with Champagne is £56.
Key details: From £40 · Bonnyrigg, EH19 3JB · dalhousiecastle.co.uk
Melville Castle
A castle hotel near Dalkeith, with garden views from the tea room and three tiers of sweet treats and savoury delights, with homemade scones and fruit preserves. Afternoon tea is served every day from 12pm to 4pm: £30 for the traditional set or £37 with sparkling wine. The festive version (1 to 29 December, not 24 to 27) keeps the same rates. Dogs get their own Doggy Afternoon Tea at £13 per dog, in the garden or conservatory; call 0131 654 0088 to arrange it. More ideas are in our dog-friendly Edinburgh guide.
Key details: From £30 · Melville Castle, Lasswade, EH18 1AP · melvillecastle.com
The Classic Grand Hotel Choice
If you want the traditional experience in a five-star lounge, start here, then compare the other big names in our hotel afternoon tea guide.
The Balmoral, Palm Court
The Palm Court at the Balmoral, at the east end of Princes Street, has a glass dome and a Venetian chandelier. Afternoon tea is served every day from 12pm to 5pm, with leaf teas poured at the table, fresh pastries, dainty sandwiches and savouries, and a list of Champagnes. There is no dress code, but guests are asked to avoid sportswear, shorts and beach shoes. We could not read the current rate online; confirm it when you reserve.
Key details: 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ · roccofortehotels.com
Reserving: Notice, Sittings and Dress Code
The biggest surprise for visitors is how much notice some places need. Plan around these rules, all taken from the venues’ own pages:
- Two days or more: Holy Cow, Mimi’s and Brewhemia need two days. The Castle wants dietary needs by email 48 hours before.
- One day: the Register Club and the Signet Library dietary options need a day’s notice.
- No reservations: Britannia’s Royal Deck Tearoom and the Palace café are first come, first served.
- Fixed times: the Red Bus leaves at 12pm and 3pm, Brewhemia pours at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm, and the Castle takes the last sitting at 2.30pm.
- Deposits: the Dome takes £10 a head.
- Dress code: none of these venues sets a formal one. Prestonfield suggests smart casual, and the Balmoral asks you to avoid sportswear and shorts.
Tips for a Better Afternoon Tea
- Weekends go first. The Register Club and the Murrayfield Boxes only open for it on Saturday and Sunday, and December is the busiest month.
- Check combined allergies. A kitchen that can do coeliac and vegan separately may not do both together, as the Signet Library says on its page.
- Go hungry. A full stand of scones and sweet treats replaces lunch. Holy Cow, Mimi’s and the Department of Magic will box any leftovers.
- Gift it. Mimi’s, the Dome, the Castle and the Department of Magic all sell vouchers.
- Add the entry ticket. At the Castle and on Britannia, the cheapest set needs admission on top.
Hotel Rankings and Seasonal Teas
This page sorts venues by occasion. Our hotel afternoon tea guide compares the big lounges, including the Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse and the Witchery. For Christmas sets and other festive plans, see Edinburgh at Christmas, and for a dinner date try our romantic restaurants.
Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh: FAQ
Where is the best afternoon tea in Edinburgh?
It depends on the occasion. For a celebration, the Colonnades at the Signet Library or Prestonfield House; for a themed treat, the Department of Magic or the Red Bus Bistro; for a fully plant-based set, Holy Cow; for a royal day out, Edinburgh Castle or the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Where can I get a gluten-free afternoon tea in Edinburgh?
Browns on George Street offers a set accredited by Coeliac UK. Holy Cow makes its whole set without gluten, and the Dome has an NGCI option. Prestonfield, Willow Tea Rooms and the Signet Library also cater for coeliacs, but the Signet Library cannot combine that with a milk-free set.
How much does afternoon tea cost in Edinburgh?
On 4 November 2026 official rates for adults started at £25 (Britannia, plus admission) and £30 (Brewhemia, Melville Castle), and went up to £75 at the Signet Library and SUSHISAMBA, and £95 for the festive set with Champagne at Prestonfield.
What is the difference between a cream tea and afternoon tea?
A cream tea is simply scones with cream and jam and a pot of tea. The full version adds sandwiches, savouries and cakes on a tiered stand, often with a glass of fizz. The Ivy and Britannia both do the lighter option if you are not hungry enough for the whole thing.
Can I take children for afternoon tea?
Yes. Mimi’s Bakehouse is best for little ones, with its own Kids Afternoon Tea, and Willow Tea Rooms, the Dome and Edinburgh Castle offer a child’s set or rate. The Red Bus Bistro takes passengers from age 5.
Can I bring my dog?
Melville Castle has a Doggy Afternoon Tea in its garden or conservatory, and the Palace café allows dogs in its outdoor areas.
Do I need to reserve?
Usually yes. Holy Cow, Mimi’s and Brewhemia need two days’ notice, and the Ivy requires a reservation. Britannia’s Royal Deck Tearoom and the Palace café do not take reservations.
