Edinburgh has no shortage of places for afternoon tea. After some internet research, we landed on the Signet Library. If you want a very quiet and peaceful experience, this is for you! If the quality of the bites matter, this is for you! Stepping into the tea room is literally like stepping into a library. Voices are hushed and tables are spaced out widely to allow for a very intimate experience. The savory tray was filled with delectable treats that were all so well made. The sweets tray that followed was equally gorgeous and delicious! You can really tell that they take pride in creating delicate bites that are very well thought out! So tasty! At 69 pounds, the tasting is more expensive than you'll find in some of the restaurants, but the ambiance and experience is very elevated! read more

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The location is perfect- you're on the Royal Mile but tucked away into a quiet space. The building is still a functioning law library which is so cool! Amazing dining area and bathrooms! We were there in November so there was the most festive decor. They have kindest staff that explained how it worked, the food items, and tea. Yummy tea and you can try as many as you want, no extra charge. They accommodated a dairy allergy so well, my towers looked almost the same as the regular serving. They made easy swaps that tasted so good. The savory was delicious, but the sweets were the highlight! They were so beautifully made and delicious. There was a great variety and so many yummy flavors. This is the best high tea experience I have had (in Edinburgh and everywhere else!) and worth every penny! read more

I had the best time here. I booked a champagne afternoon tea for my birthday and it was perfect. We were seated in an alcove which was lovely and the space was just a dream! To have tea and picky bits amongst the books?? Perfection. We had champagne and they accommodated a vegetarian savory course for us and also the sweet course. The tea selections were wonderful. I would absolutely recommend anyone who loves books, libraries and tea to do a tea here! read more

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Beautiful room in a historic location. The afternoon tea was quite nice, with there being a healthy selection of both sweet and savoury items. The servers were friendly and knowledgeable on the various dishes served that day. For those visiting Edinburgh, this is a good place to experience a more luxurious afternoon tea. read more

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If you have only one high tea in Scotland, this ought to be the place you choose. Colonnades at the Signet Library was recommended to us by friends in London, who joined us on the festive day. You can have bubbles and booze with your high tea, but we stuck to the stuff in the teapot and spent our caloric load on the food, which was delicious. The savory tray comes first, and the bites delight, surprise and seduce. We all tried different teas, and they will bring as many pots as you want, so, if you're a twosome, it's a good idea to share, as you can switch to another without drinking a gallon. My usual cuppa is Earl Grey, but I had to try the IRN BRU, a tea based on the national soda, a favorite of Scots everywhere. It was lovely; light and refreshing with a subtle orange flavor. The dessert tray was absolutely yummy, but I must say, it's the savory food that I keep returning to in my memory. Service was what you'd expect at such a place, which is to say top notch; professional and helpful, while still being friendly and charming. The space is gorgeous, so wear something nice, as you'll want to fit in with the elevated surroundings. read more

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As a high tea enthusiast, this is the absolute best that it gets. We ordered all vegetarian and everything was incredibly inventive and delicious. Cannot recommend this enough to anyone looking for a special activity. The atmosphere is 10/10. read more

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Phenomenal experience, really. I had my heart set on experiencing a proper English afternoon tea, and my husband and I got that and so much more. If you've never experienced afternoon tea in the U.K., this is the place in Edinburgh. Service, presentation, taste, atmosphere -- everything was impeccably executed. The staff makes you feel so special. My suggestion is that you don't eat before you get here. Though little, these tiny bites add up. From the soup course, to the savory tea stand, to the sweet tea stand, and then finally the palate cleanser-- with all the tea you can drink-- you'll feel like you need to be rolled out the door afterward. Every element was so beautifully crafted. If you are staying or live nearby, though, they're more than happy to send you off with a box to take leftovers home. I really hope to be able to experience this again. My husband and I had so much fun. We were on our honeymoon in Scotland and afternoon tea at the Colonnades made it so much more special. read more

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I have to admit I never have had "high tea" before and I definitely think I've been spoiled! Wanting to experience Scotland/UK culture in all its culinary opportunities..high tea where the Queen has it...seemed right! It was a treat and it was very good! They start you with a full glass of champagne then you pick your tea type; they bring a beautiful tea pot out with the tea leaves in it and hot water.. steeping as you eat. Be for-warned the champagne is NOT part of the tea experience and they don't tell you that when they offer it... and it was the most expensive champagne we ever had! Next comes a little taste of a soup in a tiny tea cup. Our 1st tower of food was all savory treats.. two of each so we both try the same items. Though they appear small in size they were full of flavor.. delicate and good! Then another full glass of champagne (again, you'll pay).... Next we were brought a tower of sweet treats...again small but rich in flavor. More champagne offered but we still needed to find our way back to our hotel..lol! (Thank goodness or we'd be washing dishes!) Lastly a taste of a sorbet to refresh out palate! Lovely experience! read more

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High tea in Scotland in a beautiful library with piamo music. Fabulous gluten free offerings and some lovely bubbles to wash it all down.

I love going for afternoon tea but if you are looking for a seriously indulgent afternoon tea experience, you need to visit Colonnades. It is seriously impressive. Set within the beautiful Signet library, you are served up a four course afternoon tea in the most beautiful surroundings. None of the tables are too close to each other and everything is beautiful - you are made to feel very special and treated to a little bit of luxury. Two waiters attended to us during our visit. We booked the afternoon tea online which was £25.00 each (it is usually £30.00) and on arrival, we found out that this included UNLIMITED TEA. You could literally try as many different pots of tea as you like (and they encourage you to do so and be creative!). And if you are not a a tea lover, this also includes coffee and hot chocolate. The first course was a small cup of onion & thyme soup. I thought this sounded a little strange, but wow - it was one of the best things I have ever tasted! Creamy, delcious and the perfect portion size. The savoury stand arrived next with plenty of amazing treats to choose from. Think that beetroot meringue doesn't work? THINK AGAIN! It was so beautiful and the small beef wellingtons were equally as tasty. There was also a gorgeous savoury cheesecake topped with pesto which I could have eaten all day. Again, portion control was perfect! The sweet stand was what my friend and I were eagerly waiting on and we were not disappointed. An éclair that tastes of parma violets?! It happened! There was a beautiful champagne jelly that was just melt in the mouth. There was far too much and our waiter very kindly agreed to box up my leftover treats to I could take them home. And they didn't just come in a simple box - they were boxed and placed in a lovely reusable bag making them so easy to carry around. PERFECT! And finally, the experience was ended with a lovely lemon sorbet that cleansed the pallet and just rounded off a beautiful afternoon. Offering me unlimited tea probably isn't the best thing to do. I tried the Signet Blend which was beautiful and very much like a strong version of Tetley. The Jasmine tea was really nice too. I wanted to try more tea but I was literally full which is a pity. All of the teas are served in gorgeous teapots with separate strainers which I did want to take home with me - everything was so beautiful!! At the surrounding tables, couples were enjoying a romantic afternoon tea and families were celebrating milestone birthdays. I completely understand why they chose to visit Colonnades. The staff do an exceptional job and nothing is too much trouble. If there was a way to give 6 stars, I would immediately! I cannot wait to visit Colonnades again. read more

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I can't imagine a more perfect spot for Afternoon Tea. This is the quintessential British tea experience set inside of the beautiful Signet Library. Absolutely impressive! From the amuse bouche which was a Thai sweet potato soup to savoury followed by sweet trays and finishing off with a sorbet to the impeccable service. I can not recommend a better way to treat yourself while visiting Edinburgh. Not only is there a fine selection of teas but they also offer champagne and cocktails. They also accommodated me as a pescatarian with equally delicious options. We were also told by one of our servers that the Queen of England herself just had tea at the Colonnades this month. If the Colonnades is good enough for the Queen it most certainly is good enough for me. read more

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Excellent Tea selection and savory bites. Also love the ambience. One of the best tea experience for sure.

Afternoon tea is an extravagant treat and one of my favourite indulgences so I feel very excited to say that I may have found the best one in Edinburgh! Located just a stone's throw away from the historic Royal Mile of Edinburgh lies the Colonnades tea room, set within the beautiful Signet Library. There's a real sense of occasion when you take Afternoon Tea at Colonnades - as you walk through the hall the main room opens up before you with beautiful Corinthian columns towering above diners, and old books lining the walls and galleries, handwoven carpets and mirrored tables reflecting the ceiling detail. It really does feel a very special and awe inspiring place for tea! The recently opened Colonnades tea salon is part of Heritage Portfolio's collection of stunning venues. Their afternoon tea will be served year round alongside light lunches and cakes, and the menu will change seasonally depending on what is available, often featuring produce grown by the team in their gardens in Leith. Starting with the tea - there is a good selection on the menu with their own Signet blend too, not to mention coffee and alcoholic choices too. Fans of last year's Pommery champagne bar will be relieved to hear there is still a huge choice of champagne and cocktails on the menu. I tried a Lapsang Souchong and as the refills are free I also tried a Russian Caravan blend which smelled like a summer evening by a campfire! The staff were so welcoming and friendly offering suggestions on the teas and patiently explaining every course in detail. The Colonnades afternoon tea is slightly different to many I have had. They have made as much effort with the savoury course as they have the sweet. Each course is treated as a full course in its own right. The Savoury course arrived all on its own with three tiers, yes all three tiers, of beautifully presented goodies including an Aberdeen Angus mini burger on brioche bun, a flaky hot cheese tart with caramelised onions, fruity mini prawn cocktail with mango salsa and a Shetland Salmon tartare on oatcakes. I thought it couldn't get any better after the savouries but then the sweet course arrived with another three tiers of deliciousness! My favourites included an incredible mini lemon meringue tart, a passion fruit éclair and a mille feuille with Perthshire strawberries and grahams organic cream. They really did look and taste perfect! My partner is a chocolate fiend, you cant leave anything in the house and expect it still to be there the next day! He was head over heels in love with the Belgian chocolate and sea salted caramel tart. I always order the fruity puddings but I have to agree that this little treat was something special. If they were available to order I'd be there waiting to collect! The chocolate ganache was rich and creamy, the caramel just salty enough to balance the crunchy pastry tart case - Wow! read more

Beautiful place to have afternoon tea - the library itself is such an elegant setting and the food is also fantastic, matching the elegant quality of the library. The afternoon tea itself is separated into savoury and sweet and you are also allowed unlimited tea and coffee. The food is presented very delicately on high quality silver platters and is importantly, very tasty. While you may not think you'll leave feeling full when you first see the size of each of the bites, trust me, you will be satisfied. They also cater very well for vegetarians as long as you let them know at the time of booking - if you want a high class afternoon tea at a reasonable price, definitely visit Colonnades! read more

just returned to my hotel room after spending 2 hours having tea. I missed out in London, so I made sure to treat myself in Edinburgh. Delicious both the savoury and sweet.Really enjoyed the entire experience. read more

Having skipped out on afternoon tea experience during our last trip to UK, we decided to make this trip count and "went big". The Colonnades did not disappoint. The day we are in Edinburgh was especially cold (though I'm a Californian weak sauce), so it was perfect to spend the afternoon in such an elegant setting. This is basically a 4 course experience, starting with an amuse bouche, a set of savory snacks, a set of sweet snacks, then end of with a palate cleansing dessert. It seems that their food changes often so I won't go into the specific, but all the food was elegantly and freshly made, taste amazing! Another differentiation is their amazing tea selection, with a great Asian tea selection. On top of everything, their service was great, and they often check to make sure you don't need to refill on your tea. Overall, afternoon tea can't get better then the food and setting here. Absolutely recommend it for anyone who's looking for a great experience. read more

Ahh, my VERY first afternoon tea during my very first trip to the UK and I cannot think of a better place to have popped my cherry. And let me tell you, I cannot imagine a better place to have done so. The whole experience of the Colonnades, tucked away inside a library building right off the Royal Mile, was simply divine and decadent in the best possible way. I strolled in and used the lavish bathroom while I waited to be escorted into the library and seated. I was solo and given a nice table tucked away in a little outlet by a window. The entire dining area is within a lovely library. The staff is wonderful, kind, and attentive. The tea began with a lovely bit of cream soup and serving of the tea, delicious strawberry. Then came out the savory tower. Loved that they provided separate towers. Definitely you preference over scones, sandwiches, and pastries all being in one tower. The little bites and sandwiches were absolutely fabulous. Then a little sorbet palette cleanser. I loved all the little touches! It really was a full, unique experience. And the sweet tower certainly didn't disappoint. Yum!! Minimal on the scones but heavenly bites indeed. Overall I enjoyed every minute and every morsel, anyone looking for a wee, relaxing break in a busy day of touring, take some tea at the Colonnades. Simply wonderful. read more

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This restaurant will give you the best high tea experience in your life. This is not an exaggeration If you are looking for delicious tea, fresh home made sandwiches, amazing sweets, out of this world home made scones in the most beautiful setting you can imagine; you must come here. The tea is the best I've ever tested; it's delicious and originally made just for this restaurant. The variety of teas available to choose from it's also very impressive. And they allow you to choose as many teas as you would like to try with your food. The sandwiches and salads were out of this world delicious. Everything is made from scratch at this restaurant and you can really tell the difference from any other high tea place. The sweets tray is also super unique and scrumptious. The scones were light and perfectly baked. The setting is a gorgeous beautifully renovated library next to the Parliament. And then there is the service, so outstanding. Everyone is extremely attentive and friendly. I had Carolina and Francisco as our servers and they made my experience very special. Again this place is a must for any tea lover and discerning food critic. I highly recommend it. read more

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Remember when the librarian used to tell you not to eat or drink in the library? Well, you can at Colonnades, a truly beautiful setting to enjoy afternoon tea surrounded by books. The food is pretty good too, although the sweet tray was a little overwhelming for me. Excellent teas - I had both the lapsang souchong and the Darjeeling. read more

My husband and I had the best Afternoon Tea here! Great ambience and superb, flawless, service.

This was a highlight of our trip. The signet library is located behind st Giles cathedral. What a gorgeous setting for a fine tea experience reserve online to avoid disappointment. The service is top notch the stands contain a wide range of savory delights and sweet desserts. The amuse was a sweet corn soup with smoked paprika which everyone loved. There are numerous teas to select from and they are unlimited so you can try several and the server can find one to please you. The savory stand had a wide range of tastes. We all enjoyed the variety. The sweet stand also had many textures and treats. We were full and the remaining treats were packaged in takeaway containers and placed in a lovely souvenir burlap bag. We were celebrating my daughters 21st birthday and they came out with a lit candle on the dessert. The finishing touch was a delicious lemon sorbet. We enjoyed the presentation and encourage you to try the tea for thirty pounds. It was a good value for such a wonderful meal. We had five in our party could not say enough how we all enjoyed this. They have champagne and cocktails as well. Family friendly for well behaved children. read more