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

Indulge in the magic of the season with our festive afternoon tea, featuring festive-inspired treats and warm, cosy elegance from November 20th to December 29th, 2024.

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

Please note: We are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays

• From £65 per person
• See our sample menu for the festive afternoon tea

*Please note that on certain Saturdays, the tearoom may be closed for private weddings. Bookings are accepted only three months in advance.

*Colonnades will be closed on December 25-27, 2024; January 1-2, 2025; and January 22-26, 2025.

Afternoon Tea

Wednesday – Sunday*, 11am – 4.30pm

• From £65 per person
• See sample menu for afternoon tea
• Preview our drinks menu

*Please note that on certain Saturdays, the tearoom may be closed for private weddings. Bookings are accepted only three months in advance.

*Colonnades will be closed from September 9-13 for private use. Thank you for your understanding.

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).

Book online