Superb afternoon tea with amazing range of items not just the traditional selection all beautifully served by charming attentive staff. An essential visit for locals and tourists alike.
Chosen to treat ourselves to evening tea at the Signet Library with a visit to Colonnades - an a truly huge and stylishly shocking area. Fastidious in quality, style and introduction, everything was rich and refined. This was as great an evening tea encounter as we'd had in any best lodging anyplace on the planet. Definitely justified even despite the cost (really not as terrible as I'd dreaded).
We booked three months in advance as this is such a popular venue with limited tables. My fourth visit, and it is consistently good. The surroundings are what sets the signet library apart from anyone else. The afternoon tea is the cherry on top - great quality food with a decent variety of teas and champagnes. Service is not rushed so have plenty of time when you visit. It is worth it though - a visit to the Signet library is always a special treat and memorable experience.
We had arrived in Edinburgh only a few hours earlier to visit the Festival and Military Tattoo. We enjoyed the walk through the crowds enjoying the early afternoon entertainment in the streets outside and absolutely loved the contrast between the exuberance and noise outside with the refinement and peace inside this wonderful room. We were allowed plenty of time to get settled and between courses in the wonderful cream tea. It was delicious and filling and the service carried out by friendly people who knew their stuff and obviously liked their job.
This is so far the best afternoon tea that we had, the place was beautiful, the service was excellent and the cakes were nice, the only downside was the savoury part on the middle tray, it wasn’t appetising as the goat cheese pie and the other one (pie rolls?) taste was very ordinary and the tofu seems only mixed with sweet chilli sauce. But we appreciate as they accepted us with dietary requirements without any booking first. Other than that 2, all were fabulous, we especially love how soothing the instrumental songs were, and the friendly and gracious service by all the staffs, we will definitely come back next time.
(The rating should be 4,5 but since zomato kept changing n not doing it anymore, i put it on 4)
I think it's pretty safe to say that any afternoon tea from now on will be no comparison to Colonnades. Fabulous service from the minute you walk in the door. Started off with an amuse bouche, then a selection of beautiful savoury dishes. Our festive treat included a game pie (WOW) a festive club sandwich, salmon profiterole, stuffing balls and a tasty apple wood cheese and chutney tart. Then came the sweets....all the delicious sweets! MUST TRY- you will not be disappointed!
Jadine Arnold - The Punk Rock Princess
+5
Such a fantastic experience and afternoon. This was one of the best treats I have had in a long time, the venue, layout, staff everything was to perfection! The little treats from sandwiches to small tart-lets to scones and sorbet. This is something I recommend and will want to do again. Lovely helpful staff. Afternoon feeling like royalty.
If you like Afternoon Tea, the one at The Colonnades will leave you speechless. From the elegance of the room to the highest quality of each and everyone of the little treats you are about to taste, everything is perfect. It is also quite filling, so make sure you take your time to savour everything. If you can, have some champagne with it and the experience will be enhanced.
It has been just over a year and a half since we last visited The Signet Library in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town to attend the beautiful wedding of Ross and Vivienne. Step through the doors and you will notice just how welcoming and calm it is inside in contrast to the bustling Royal Mile. The Lower Library where the reception was held has now been restored to its former grandeur and reopened under the name Colonnades, which is a reference to the ornate, classical columns that grace the building. The tables have mirrored surfaces and are set with the finest bespoke silverware, some of which are original to the building.
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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! 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 and 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. As l love smoky drinks a Lapsang Souchong was my favourite, and as the refills are free I also tried a Russian Caravan blend with 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. Our server was excellent and a fountain of knowledge on food and drinks, I believe he had previously worked at the Balmoral’s Palm Court and clearly loved his job.
The Colonnades afternoon tea is slightly different to many I have had as they have made as much effort with the many exciting savoury treats as the sweet with each being 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!
To finish we had a lovely little lemon sorbet and an espresso each, plus a little chocolate tart to take away – I think I went on about it a little too much to the waiter!
We can both say with complete honesty that this is the BEST Afternoon tea we have had in Edinburgh!
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.
We got given a nice corner to ourselves! Nice and quiet. Pretty relaxed. The food was amazing! I mean look at the mushroom design.
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!
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.
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.👍🏽
An exquisite afternoon tea in an amazing location and atmosphere. You're settled inside a historical and beautiful library. The savory and sweet selection is unique with some interesting flavours such as white chocolate and wasabi. I particularly enjoyed how quiet the setting was which lends itself to a lovely peaceful afternoon tea. The staff are professional and the service is perfect. They cater for allergies with care and ensure everyone is served properly. The average price is around £55 which I think for this level of service and quality is just right. I'm giving 5 stars for memorable event and overall recommend this place for afternoon teas. Given its central location, it is very accessible if you're visiting Edinburgh.
Warning…they give you so much food that this isn’t a dainty afternoon tea experience, lol! The food was delicious and you’ll gorge yourself while trying to act civilized in this breathtaking setting. This was a relaxing and romantic experience and such an oasis during a hectic and rushed day.
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.
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!
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Excellent afternoon tea! It is definitely on the pricey side but in my opinion, we got our money's worth. It is 50GBP per person and it comes with your choice of unlimited tea or coffee and 3 trays of gourmet savories and sweets. We came around noon after we have worked an appetite after strolling around the Royal Mile for 3 hours with our guide. By the end of our tea time, we had struggled to finish everything on our trays! The food was presented and crafted beautifully, most of them were too pretty to eat! I ordered the Signet Library signature tea; my husband ordered the Darjeeling and both teas were excellent, they almost could give Kenyan tea a run for its money (emphasis on almost). The ambiance was also unparalleled- who would've have thought you can eat and drink in a place rich in historical significance?? The Colonnades is right next to St. Giles cathedral, right in the heart of the Royal Mile. I believe reservations are required; it is easy to do in their website. Although we saw plenty of empty tables when we came in around noon.
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