Treat yourself, family and friends to afternoon tea, with a festive twist!
Tiny sandwiches, dainty savouries and delectable cakes, accompanied by tea or a glass of fizz – who doesn’t love the traditional pastime of afternoon tea? And with the festive season upon us, many Edinburgh restaurants, bars and cafes are offering a seasonal twist, with Christmas favourites such as mince pies and gingerbread taking centre stage.
So this Christmas 2023 why not treat yourself, a friend or the family and enjoy some festive cheer at our top recommendations.
Top Tips
Tip 1: Bookings should be made in advance on the venue’s website.
Tip 2: Add some sparkle with an optional glass of Prosecco.
Tip 3: Many venues offer gluten free, vegetarian or vegan options – enquire when booking.
Edinburgh Castle
Served in the stunning surroundings of Edinburgh Castle, this festive-inspired menu includes turkey, sage and onion sandwiches, brie and cranberry brioche bun, pumpkin spice chocolate tart and a brandy mince pie, complete with an Edinburgh Castle Gin or Prosecco.
The package includes admission to Edinburgh Castle.
From £31.50 per person.
Fingal
An afternoon of nautical luxury awaits aboard Fingal, a luxury floating hotel permanently berthed on Edinburgh’s vibrant waterfront. With all the glamour and style of a superyacht but with an old-world charm, this is nautical life at its finest.
Be filled with festive spirit as you discover a selection of the finest teas perfectly matched with divine sweet and savoury delicacies.
From £55.00 per person
The Dome
Brightening up the dark days of winter, the Dome’s Christmas lights have become a firm favourite in the city’s Christmas calendar. Take in the twinkling decorations as you relax in this splendid city centre bar and restaurant.
Served in the delightful Georgian Tearoom, their festive morning tea includes chocolate orange granola, cinnamon bun and pigs in blankets roll, with a choice of tea or coffee.
£29.50 per person
The Scotsman Hotel
The luxurious Scotsman Hotel retains many of its original features, including luxurious floor to ceiling wood panelled rooms, grandiose marble staircase and stained-glass windows.
It’s the perfect space for relaxing with a glass of something bubbly and enjoying their festive-themed afternoon tea.
From £39.95 per person.
The Scottish Café & Restaurant
Located at the gardens entrance of the National Galleries of Scotland: National, the Scottish Café & Restaurant is an award-winning restaurant, sourcing the best locally produced ingredients wherever possible.
Their delectable Christmas afternoon tea includes free range turkey sandwiches with cranberry sauce, cheese scones with Kaimes smoked sea trout, mince pies and vanilla macarons with orange ganache.
From £32.00 per person
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Part of the Caledonian Railway’s Edinburgh Princes Street railway station that was built in the late 1890’s, the rose-coloured hotel provided luxury accommodation for disembarking passengers. Today, the station is long gone, but the hotel remains and offers guests a sumptuous stay in one of the city’s most popular long-standing hotels.
Served in the hotel’s stylish Peacock Alley, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian’s festive afternoon tea features creamed sprouts and chestnut tart, prawn marie rose brioche bun and a selection of buttermilk and mince pie scones. It is rounded off with a tantalising range of pastries, including salted caramel, pear and gingerbread petit gateau, and dark chocolate, coffee and Bailey’s panna cotta.
From £65.00 per person
Queen Charlotte Rooms
All aboard to experience the grandeur of the great age of train travel. Replicating the iconic Orient Express, The Queen Charlotte Rooms offers a unique experience for both the discerning traveller and afternoon tea lover.
Served with a glass of mulled wine, their Christmas afternoon tea includes an assortment of canapés and puff pastries, finger sandwiches and a selection of Christmas desserts.
From £20.00 per person
Brewhemia
Centrally located across the road from Waverley Train Station, Brewhemia is an ideal spot for meeting up with friends during the festive season.
Their Christmas afternoon tea has festive savouries sweets and scones, with a glass of prosecco or gluhwein an optional add-on.
From £22.00 per person
Browns Edinburgh
Take a break from shopping on George Street and step inside the buzzing brasserie atmosphere of Browns Edinburgh for a festive afternoon tea in sumptuous surroundings.
Turkey and cranberry sandwiches and smoked salmon and cream cheese brioche rolls are followed by warm scones with cream and jam, before finishing with mini mince pies, Victoria sponge, mango and passion fruit torte, glazed chocolate delice and Lemon posset profiteroles.
From £23.00 per person
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King’s official residence in Edinburgh and the home of Scottish royal history, The Palace of Holyroodhouse looks magnificent during the festive season, with garlands and seasonal foliage decorating the stately rooms.
Located in the historic Mews Courtyard, Café at the Palace offers afternoon tea all year round, but during the festive season you’ll be treated to a Christmas-themed tea, with mince pies, Christmas cake and mulled wine.
From £25.00 per person
Prestonfield House
The spectacular surroundings of 5-star Prestonfield House will be festooned with gorgeous decorations, blazing log fires and candles for Christmas.
Escape for an afternoon of indulgence and spoil yourself with their decadent festive afternoon tea, which includes traditional sandwiches, warm savouries, scones and home-baked cakes.
From £50 per person.
Colonnades at the Signet Library
Colonnades at the Signet Library is a delightfully calming escape from the hustle and bustle of the High Street.
Their delectable festive afternoon tea features a selection of amuse bouche including carrot tiramisu, goat cheese and mulled wine macaron, followed by delights such as mince pie and custard tart, Pear & speculoos bauble, and sour cherry and white chocolate yule log.
From £65.00 per person.
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