The Signet Library

Edinburgh's Finest Afternoon Tea 

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Experience the elegance of Colonnades Afternoon Tea in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, adjacent to St Giles Cathedral. Nestled within the renowned Signet Library, one of Edinburgh’s finest Georgian buildings, our tearoom features ornate columns and a soaring ceiling, creating the perfect setting to enjoy a delightful afternoon.

Our resident chefs, Aung and Mario, use the finest seasonal ingredients to craft delightful bites, from home-baked breads to delectable savouries and decadent sweets, all beautifully presented on bespoke silver tea stands. Our dedicated Maitre’D, Glenn D’Costa, and his charming staff will make you feel at home, guiding you through an extensive tea list and highlighting our signature Signet Blend. With unlimited tea and coffee, you can sample everything on offer at your leisure, and elevate your experience with a glass of champagne as you indulge in the grandeur of Colonnades Afternoon Tea.

We cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets with 24 hours' notice, though we cannot accommodate combinations of gluten and dairy-free or vegan gluten-free options.

For groups of more than six guests, please call 0131 226 1064 or email us to book.

Festive Afternoon Tea

Celebrate the season in timeless style with our Festive Afternoon Tea at Colonnades. From 19th November, our signature afternoon tea takes on a magical twist, with handcrafted sweet and savoury creations inspired by the warmth and sparkle of Christmas. Served in the breathtaking setting of Colonnades, every bite is a celebration - perfect for gathering with loved ones, marking the season, or simply treating yourself to a little festive indulgence. 

Wednesday - Sunday, 11 am - 4:30pm*

Please note: We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

• From £71 per person
• See our sample menu for the festive afternoon tea
• Drinks menu available now

Greyed out dates are due to unavailability or being privately booked. 

Due to high demand, we are delighted to open our diaries on Tuesday 9th and 16th December.

*Please note that we will be closed for Christmas from 22nd–26th December, and again from 19th–29th January, reopening on 30th January.

Important Dietary Information for Afternoon Tea Guests

At Colonnades, we strive to offer exceptional dining experiences, but due to the nature of our menu and our location within a working law library, we have some limitations regarding the facilities available for food preparation. While we do our best to accommodate all dietary requests, there are a few exceptions. Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for Gluten & Dairy Free Afternoon Tea, Vegan Gluten Free Afternoon Tea, or Sugar-Free Afternoon Tea.

Please note that while we take all necessary precautions to serve food safely, we cannot guarantee the complete absence of cross-contamination in our kitchen.

We are happy to cater for Gluten Free Afternoon Tea, Vegetarian Afternoon Tea, Vegan Afternoon Tea, and Dairy Free Afternoon Tea, provided we are given a minimum of 24 hours' notice.

Gift Vouchers

A gift voucher from Colonnades makes a delightful present for any occasion. Choose from our luxurious afternoon tea with champagne or fizz, or our traditional afternoon tea. For the perfect gift, Colonnades offers a variety of vouchers available for purchase online. All vouchers can be mailed directly to the recipient.

To have a voucher posted, simply purchase online and select the 'Delivery Method' option (please note that delivery is within the UK only).

In line with Royal Mail’s last posting dates for Christmas, we advise purchasing physical gift vouchers before Monday 15th December. After this date, please choose an e-voucher to ensure your gift is received in time for Christmas.

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