Colonnades in Edinburgh, City of

Absolutely beautiful and a true experience. More upscale and "fancy" afternoon tea.

While i'm not the biggest tea fan, this tea experience was a great way to start the day. The library is gorgeous inside, and the service during our tea breakfast was a highlight. Not each food entry we tried was to my taste, but everything was prepared and presented well.

This was the most amazing afternoon tea in the most beautiful venue. Highly recommend if you are looking for lovely service, delectable savories and sweets and the most amazing presentation that will be a feast for your eyes. Our waiter (young Scottish man) was wonderful and full of history (including his own father's piloting stories). He was truly a wonderful ambassador for the city/country as well as the perfect host for our tea. The surrounding venue was as gorgeous as the savories and sweets (which were so meticulously created and plated!). We have been disappointed with some of the gastro experiences in Edinburgh but this was such a gem -- it truly exceeded our expectations!

10/10 would recommend for afternoon tea (they have vegan and vegetarian tea services as well as their regular menu)

Nice experience with tasty delicacies. Felt like a real Lady for a slice of time.

Had my first afternoon tea ever here, and it was such a lovely and memorable experience. They were so kind and clearly tale pride in what they do. I high recommend making reservations if you're thinking of a nice tea while in Edinburgh.

Afternoon tea costs 65 pounds per person. Six menu. The place is beautiful and luxurious, and the food is delicious. Do not miss it.

A very beautiful building with stunning features, our table was unfortunately right in the middle of the room, by the door to the kitchen which made it a very busy pathway for waiters and waitresses carting food constantly to other tables, all past our seating arrangement.

I heard from more than one person and more than one guide article that the Colonnades tea was a "must do" activity I am happy to verify this claim and to further encourage others to do the same. The food is elevated fare: Unique, thoughtful and delectable. The service is impeccable. The atmosphere...what a respite from the bustle of the Royal Mile. Such a peaceful atmosphere to recharge and relax. Beautiful shelves of books along the colonnades and tasteful decor. A true highlight of my trip.

My husband and I had a lovely afternoon tea here. It is absolutely beautiful inside and the tea and food were delicious. Service was excellent as well. We will definitely be back. It was such a wonderful experience.

Fantastic Gluten Free options - didn't feel like I was missing out at all.

Their staff need better speaking manners

Calm peaceful atmosphere, the food is absolutely beautiful like small works of art and yet tasty. There's both savoury and sweet selections and it made us very full. The tea selections were also very interesting! A nice place for occasions.

Fabulous afternoon tea.This was a gift for my 60th birthday. The staff and food were outstanding, and everything explained to you. There was no rush either. could just take your time and enjoy the ambience of the library . Would definitely recommend.

Excellent food, service fantastic and just brilliant in general - best afternoon tea ever !!

Wow! What an amazing experience for Afternoon tea in the beautiful surroundings of the Signet Library. We had just celebrated our daughter’s admission ceremony to the Law Society of Scotland and decided to treat her to afternoon tea. She is gluten free and the sweet and savoury treats they provided for her were first class. All the food was delicious and we were supplied with lots of tea . There is a lovely ambience with music in the background and we never felt rushed. The service was outstanding from all the staff, with particular mention to Nacho and Pascala, you guys made our day . At the end of the meal they came with a refreshing frozen pineapple sorbet and gave our daughter a plate with congratulations on it. We were given boxes to take away what we couldn’t quite manage. Overall a very special experience.

This is a pricy afternoon tea. At £65 or £80 with bubbles it’s the most expensive one I’ve been to. The library room where the afternoon tea is served is lovely and we were put in a small nook which made nice for my friend and I The food arrives as a savoury selection then a sweet selection. There was a good selection of food, this is not just sandwiches. You get pies, pastry and other things. However there were 3 items on the savoury platter that were cream cheese based. Not to my liking. On the sweet platter you do get 2 small warm scones and a selection of sweet treats. I really liked the carrot cake it looked nothing like it should. Over all it’s nice but I just feel it’s expensive for what you get

Beautiful hospitality and genuinely warm staff made our experience delightful! Thank you for a wonderful afternoon!

Great ambiance, food, staff. And also a lovely place to homework

I don't think many locals partake in afternoon tea at the Signet, but it's a charming building. The food is okay but a little over-priced.

Magical experience and worth the price tag! The food was adventurous, inventive and delicious, also beautifully presented by staff and on tray. You think the little mouthfuls aren’t going to fill you up but my husband and I could not finish it all, we felt guilty for leaving anything. The atmosphere is calm and sophisticated. We went between Christmas and new years and they decor was wonderfully festive. 100% will return again.

Went with my wife yesterday as her Mothers Day treat from our children. Everything about the experience was first class. The library setting was truly unique. The service was faultless. The staff were so friendly. The array of food on offer was mouthwatering in terms of quality and beautifully presented. Our quest to devour the whole spread inevitably ended in defeat. However, goody boxes were provided to carry home the remaining delights to enjoy another day. Sublime!

We took afternoon tea in this beautiful historical building, the law library from years gone by. The entire experience was very relaxing and enjoyable. The variety of teas, savoury and sweet foods was exceptional, with the presentation of the food showcasing the artistic, creative culinary skills of the chefs. A warm welcome from the Maître d’hôtel and first class service from the staff. Excellent.

Beautiful food and wonderful service. Great gluten free and standard options. Highly recommend

10/10 afternoon tea! My friend and I attended yesterday for the fizz afternoon tea. It was one of the best AT’s I’ve ever had. So much attention to detail went into the food & the puddings were to die for - especially the carrot cake! The staff were absolutely lovely and so attentive. Special shout out to Glenn who was so lovely and helpful to me through email - I had to rearrange my booking due to transport issues & he was so understanding. This is a real gem and in such a beautiful, unique venue. I will be back!

I was lucky to have photographed a wedding at the Signet Library recently and it truly is a stunning venue! Beautiful inside and outside for your photos and a perefct location for guests staying in the capital. The interior really does have a WOW factor! Plenty room for all your guest to mingle with some fizz and canapes and loads of room for your meal and evening entertainments! Hearing guests gasps as they entered the upper hall was wonderful - it really does look spectacular! You will be very well looked after by the staff who go above and beyond to ensure your day runs smoothly! Highly, highly, recommended! Edinburghweddingphotographer.uk

Great afternoon tea in the centre of Edinburgh. Given the quality of the food it was a well priced and comparable to some other afternoon teas we have experienced at the Dorchester or the Ritz.

Our first visit to Edinburgh and entering the refined elegance of the Colonnades surpassed our expectations. Arriving with no clear idea of what to expect, we were captivated by the meticulously restored beauty of the 19th century. Despite our preference for coffee, this tea session proved to be an indescribable experience, drawing us into a realm of luxury, exquisite hospitality and incomparable taste.

We really enjoyed this festive afternoon tea, the food was Amazing, the staff were friendly & professional & the setting was wonderful such an old building with so much history & character!

The only way you can get in this beautiful, historic library is by having a wedding or enjoying high tea. The tea service stands out in Edinburgh and would in London too. The service was delightful, the treats were amazing and surprising. This is not a typical "tiny sandwich" type of tea. Each item in the tea service was a discussion piece (and delicious) for example, a carrot cheesecake that was served in a tiny terra cotta pot and looked like a carrot. The amuse bouche and palate cleanser were a nice additional touch.

The ambiance was adorable! The tea was delicious. The desserts were tasty, and both desserts and savory food were the prettiest presentation I've seen. The food was nearly exclusively variations of cheese or tangier cream cheese and honestly our group didn't enjoy the taste of 90% of the savory foods. Careful on the step coming in. It's deceptive!

Just as I imagined it. Food drinks and tea were grand.You are also allowed to read the books if you choose.

Perfect for any event! Had a 21st and it was amazing. Definitely recommend! Food and service was exemplary.

We love tea, but we hadn’t had a tea experience until this. The library is a fancy and stylish venue, service is attentive and food is delicious and enough to satisfy one’s hunger, though a bit expensive.

What a delight! Had a nice Afternoon Tea here and was really impressed. Everything looked like little pieces of art.

Went on a gift voucher for a special birthday and have to say probably the best Afternoon tea ever. Great building, friendly knowledgeable staff, and exquisite food. To coin a phrase from from the late Michael Winners Dinners: a number of items were so good they were “historic”. Ie will stay in the memory for a while.

Excellent afternoon tea, as always. Friendly, courteous staff, fabulous atmosphere and of course, the most perfect and delicious food. My friend and I decided to go for the afternoon tea with a glass of champagne. Not cheap, £75 per person. The only issue we had was the 10% service charge added at the end of our afternoon tea, which was £15. The cost is fairly hefty for the tea alone, and this added cost is unnecessary. We would have, of course, left a tip but to have this added and have no option, is a bit much. We would have given 5*s otherwise.

We booked the afternoon tea on a rainy day in Edinburgh, and it was a wonderful experience. The service was lovely and welcoming, and the food was delicious. I would definitely do this again!

We loved our afternoon tea here. The savouries were delicious and the deserts even better! All of the staff were very friendly, accommodating and approachable. The setting was gorgeous. If you want to treat yourself don’t hesitate to book this place.

My spouse and I have dined at this establishment twice – first for our second wedding anniversary in 2022 and most recently, to celebrate my birthday. On both occasions, we received exceptional service and enjoyed outstanding food. While we did express a desire for more vegetarian options beyond larger appetizer portions, the overall experience was highly commendable. The restaurant's ambiance, with candles on every table, creates a warm atmosphere, and the entire staff, from the host to the busboys, makes you feel valued. They even surprised me with a special dessert for my birthday. These factors contribute to a consistently remarkable dining experience.

One of the best afternoon teas that we have ever had. This was a gift from our family and what a wonderful experience. Delicious food presented wonderfully. Staff were very attentive and friendly. Ok it is expensive but so worth it.

Great atmosphere, great service, but the food was incredibly average. Considering the price (£70 per person for afternoon tea), I can't recommend it.

Absolutely delightful. Wonderful flavors. Everything beautifully presented. What a treat! Highly recommend.

Very nice atmosphere and excellent staff attention. The food was beautifully presented and delicious. It was a suitable venue for a celebration.

Afternoon tea at the Colonnades is a lovely experience. The venue, the amazing food, the efficient but discreet service, all combine to make afternoon tea a memorable experience. This review would have been 5 stars if it had been based on the restaurant experience alone, however the brusque reception we had from the male person on the front desk was less than appropriate. Once the restaurant staff appeared, the experience was 5 star.

The most wonderful afternoon tea experience. We were served by Nacho through the whole hi-tea afternoon. He was so professional, welcoming and friendly. The chef is Aung- who prepares fresh amazing food. You receive a gazpachio starter soup, then theres the strays of savory and sweet treats and then a palate cleanser sorbet. Tea & coffee is all included. Really recommend this afternoon tea experience, is so worth it. The venue is beautiful within the Signet library.

This was an absolutely beautiful experience. I had such an amazing time and you get such a great value for the money, given all that comes with the Afternoon Tea menu. They were very accommodating when it came to my food allergies and were readily available whenever I needed something. Experiencing this place is a must!

Ultimo giorno di un meraviglioso viaggio in Scozia di due settimane. Per festeggiare con una botta di vita prendiamo il famoso afternoon tea di Colonnades. Esperienza eccezionale sia lato dolce che salato, staff impeccabile, posto bello, non a buon mercato ma li vale tutti

A hidden gem amongst historical buildings and tourists wandering the royal mile. Wonderful food, pleasant staff and an amazing atmosphere. Afternoon tea as it is meant to be 😁👌 Absence makes the heart grow fonder - I'll be back, some day.

Great food and service whats not to like

This was amazing. Food and atmosphere spot on what a wonderful experience

We got given a nice corner to ourselves! Nice and quiet. Pretty relaxed. The food was amazing! I mean look at the mushroom design.

Absolutely fantastic experience! This is not your average afternoon tea; the food plays on classic dishes and creates something unique from them. It was all delicious. Fantastic service; the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, and they don't rush you to finish. It was just a great experience all round. The only thing I would change is being able to refer to a written menu of what was served, as if was hard to keep track of which item we were eating and what flavours to expect.

This was the best thing my Dad and I experienced on our weekend trip to Scotland. The library is beautiful and they have lovely music. The service was great and the food was even better. We could not finish all of our sweets because there was so much food. The price is worth it. Their website needs a little updating because there was a minor scheduling issue. However, this is a MUST do!

Perfect afternoon tea. Everything was a culinary delight. Peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

Fabulous afternoon tea at The Signet Library. Food was delicious and very well presented. Works of art

Fabulous afternoon tea today (22 June 2023). Outstanding service from every staff member I spoke to, nothing was too much trouble. The food was phenomenal. I can't recommend The Signet Library highly enough if you're looking for somewhere for a special occasion 10/10.

Fantastisk upplevelse alltihop. Miljön, servicen och maten. Så genomtänkt hela vägen. Tog ett gott glas cava till.

We really enjoyed our lunch in this georgous restaurant. There is so much time and effort put in these tiny bites and they are filling! We had a few favourites including the tomato caprese and the deconstructed shallot tatin. The service was very attentive and pleasant.

We came here after a tour of Edinburgh Castle, expecting a relaxing tea experience, but we were greeted by a very rude hostess. No smile, no “welcome”. Made us feel like we were inconveniencing her. We walked out and found a very nice tea room nearby. We will not be back.

Amazing food in an amazing location

Had a lovely afternoon tea here today. The location and building were just beautiful. And the service and food just as good. Just lovely. Thankyou

Quirky and elegant yet not too posh or stiff in terms of atmosphere. I fact one of our waiters was quite funny. Afternoon tea was amazing, especially the sweet varieties. Tea selection very good. It's pricey but worth it for a special occasion. Felt totally spoilt!

Food was unfortunately underwhelming, which is a pity when it’s being served in such a lovely place and but such an attentive staff. I’m sure it comes down to preference, but having attended my fair share of afternoon teas, the sweets were a bit too strong, and the savoury forgettable IMO.

Afternoon tea servito in una biblioteca storica in pieno centro, visitato a pranzo su prenotazione. L'ambiente è particolarmente affascinante e particolare, il luogo è molto ricercato ed il personale molto attento. Viene servito il the a scelta fra molte possibilità e poi ci sono due alzati e con piccoli cibi tutti diversi, una ventina di pezzi a testa circa. Tutte le preparazioni sono curate e belle da vedere, e tutte vanno dal buono all'ottimo. Esperienza molto positiva e tutto è andato alla perfezione. Certo bisogna fare i conti col costo davvero importante ma posso tranquillamente dire che qui troverete uno dei migliori afternoon tea del regno unito. Se ne avete la possibilità prenotate ed andate!

Excellent visit from start to finish. On arrival we were greeted along with a happy birthday to one of our party we were then taken to our table where our afternoon tea experience was explained to us. Food was delicious and was a great size portion and quantity. With desserts they had added a birthday candle for the birthday girl which was a lovely touch. Would highly recommend for the great service and for being one of the best afternoon teas I have had.

The reception was welcoming. Attentive and friendly staff. Stunning atmosphere. Music was great. Every bite of the savouries, sweets and scones was absolutely delicious! Would 100% recommend this place for an afternoon tea. I’ll return.👍🏽

Absolutely beautiful venue for an equally beautiful Afternoon Tea. Highly recommend the tastiest and loveliest choices both savoury and sweet. Polite and friendly service too. Just fabulous.

Afternoon tea here was an absolute dream. A family member gave us a voucher as a birthday gift when they heard we would be taking a trip to the UK. I am so thankful for that as this was one of my husband and I's favorite parts of the whole trip. It was wonderful to take a break from exploring the city and take part in this leisurely and delicious and exquisite tea experience! The library is absolutely gorgeous. The mushroom soup they served to start is a taste I will forever be hoping to find again. The food was delicious and so filling! We could barely make it through the desserts which were absolutely heavenly.

Highly recommend! We went for a traditional Afternoon Tea service and out of several teas during our trip this was miles ahead of any other. We booked afternoon tea on a Thursday. I would recommend booking in advance as they seem to book up fast....

Highly recommend! Out of several teas during our trip this was miles ahead of any other. We booked afternoon tea on a Thursday. I would recommend booking in advance as they seem to book up fast. There was a large array of savory and sweet goodies. The atmosphere was wonderful and they were very accommodating to providing non-meat alternatives for a vegetarian.

An absolutely gorgeous afternoon tea thank you. Such delicious, delicate and tasty savoury and sweet treats. The service was first class and we thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience. Thank you to everyone for making this such a memorable experience.

Exceptional experience at the Signet Library! Our host was so accommodating and making sure we had the best experience here, he was able to squeeze us in last minute and make sure our dietary restrictions were supported (vegetarian). The setting/atmosphere was so luxurious with fantastic...

I recently visited The Colonnades at the Signet Library in Edinburgh, and while I had a decent experience overall, there were some aspects of my visit that fell short. Firstly, the service and ambiance of the restaurant were quite good, with attentive staff and a beautiful, historic setting. Unfortunately, the food didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the homemade scones, lemon lime fruit tart, and homemade watermelon margarita macaron were delicious highlights of the meal, the savory portion of the menu left a lot to be desired. The dishes lacked flavor and complexity, and for the price point, I was left quite disappointed.

Lovely food, beautiful venue and great service👏👏👏

This was such a lovely find! The ambiance is impressive and the food absolutely delicious and beautiful. The staff was lovely, especially Loughlin that explained our savory sandwiches. A delightful young man.

Attended a stunning wedding here. The location is breathtaking, the atmosphere is astounding, the food is fabulous and the sensational service is superb. We will definately return on our next trip to Edinburgh in July for afternoon tea.

Absolutely amazing. Friendly attentive service, lovely food, and a beautiful setting. 100% recommend.

Ein wundervoller Ort für Teetime, bitte vorher anmelden.

Beautiful setting in an old law library-turned tea venue with very pleasant, charming service. Great variety of teas, savories and sweets for a very classy afternoon tea. Highly recommended.

Absolutely stunning! Perfect ambience and setting. The staff are exceptional and the quality of food just beyond expectations. Food was freshly prepared and beautifully presented. Nacho our waiter was super attentive, polite and ensured we had a memorable experience, he was just brilliant. Can’t recommend...

Una biblioteca piena di volumi storici, questa sala da tè è elegante e ampia, con tavoli sistemati sia nella stanza principale, sia nelle "nicchie" laterali. Il servizio è impeccabile, ci sono molte varietà di tè tra cui scegliere e il cibo è eccellente.

Having had the pleasure of visiting The Colonnades at the Signet Library multiple times, I have found that it remains one of my favourite spots for afternoon tea. Set in the historic and picturesque Signet Library, the elegant and sophisticated atmosphere provides a unique and memorable experience.The staff is friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu, making you feel welcomed and at ease. The attention to detail in the presentation is impressive, and everything is fresh and of the highest quality. It's clear that the chefs take great pride in their craft.

First time there & was not dissapointed. Beautiful traditional building & lovely afternoon tea, great place to catch up with a wonderful friend.

Great experience, already planning when to come back :)

Fantastic experience took my grandmother for afternoon tea and the options and service was un-faultable.

Oh my goodness what a special treat. Went for my 50th birthday and what a way to spend it. Lovely staff, I am dairy free and had a luxury afternoon tea in a 5 star hotel recently so I had high expectations. I have to so that this one exceeded the other. The attention to detail was absolutely outstanding and what an effort to make sure my food was still super tasty and very special. I have had many an afternoon tea but this is by far the best ever! Thank you for making my day so special, picture is just the sweet course I was too hungry to take a picture of the savoury sorry.😊❣️

Fabulous birthday Tea. We celebrated my friends birthday with a tea at the library. It was a beautiful presentation. The food was good and surprisingly very filling. The food was like little works of art. The tea was fabulous. The service was amazing. All the...

Fantastic afternoon tea great service and amazing food

We were visiting Edinburgh for my Mum's 70th Birthday and I had researched places to celebrate(being in Edinburgh, many to choose from) and my Mum mentioned wanting to visit the building in her childhood. I emailed only the day before and we were very kindly...

Lovely afternoon tea experience. Outstanding service, as you would expect from a venue like this

Literally a stone’s throw away from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile, this luxury establishment offers a delightful afternoon tea in a historic library. Visitors appear to be mostly locals who have something to celebrate. They make no attempt to lure guests inside:...

Fantastic afternoon tea in very nice surroundings. Booked to go back in April

Went there for afternoon tea. The location and staff are brilliant. However, the food was not of the quality I would expect for the price. The bread on the sandwiches was very dry. It started brilliantly, with a wonderful haggis and chicken pie served in superb extremely short pastry. However, following that, the salmon macaron was far too sweet and this sweetness carried through to the following courses, offsetting the balance in flavour of the upcoming savoury dishes, which were all competent but not memorable. The meal was finished off with macha bubble tea with a sponge which tasted liked smoked salmon, as if a component on this dish had been sliced with, or on the same equipment as something, from the savoury course; an unwelcome flavour in this instance but one which missing from the aforementioned macaron. Disappointing for us, but for those that save to go there as a treat, regrettable.

Perfect in every way. My wife loved surrounding, staff and delicious afternoon tea.

A superb afternoon tea with lots of different tastes as well as some traditional fare. Excellent service in a beautiful, relaxing environment.

Went for their festive afternoon tea. It was a wonderful experience. Surroundings beautiful, staff friendly and efficient and the food was wonderful.

Magnifique expérience, nous avons adoré le lieu et l’ambiance générale. Les plats salés étaient délicieux ! Les pâtisseries manquent un petit de peu finesse. Leur sélection de thé était délicieuse, mention spéciale pour le earl grey et ginger chai! A faire quand vous êtes à Édimbourg

I have tried several afternoon teas around Edinburgh, but this is the place I keep going back to. Premium experience, curated in every detail, and the staff are amazing. Highly recommended.

My favourite place for an afternoon tea. Beautiful place and amazing food!!!