Some afternoons can just be perfect, a day off work can allow a stroll in the city streets, taking in a spot of shopping, relaxing in the park with a book and a coffee or catching up with friends over lunch. Another afternoon activity that is becoming increasingly popular is afternoon tea. Whether you are celebrating a birthday, meeting old friends or just fancy treating yourself an afternoon tea can be the perfect solution.
The taking of afternoon tea started around 1841 when the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, asked for tea and cakes to be served in the late afternoon to sate her appetite until her dinner that evening. Since then the event has become a much more elaborate occasion with the addition of things like champagne or coffee but whatever you fancy as part of your afternoon tea you can be sure no city will serve it up better than Edinburgh.
With a variety of venues from cosy little tearooms to sumptuous hotels there is a tea to suit every budget and every palate in Scotland’s capital. Take a short journey up to Morningside and you’ll find Loopy Lorna’s, one of the most unique tearooms in Edinburgh with delicious home baking on offer to accompany a huge selection of loose leaf teas all served in individual pots with knitted tea cosies.
With even the cups and saucers not matching the impression that you could be at your grannies house prevails. But that’s not a bad thing; the whole atmosphere of this tiny tearoom is welcoming and slightly crazy with quotes on the windows to attract the more curious passer-by. Ask for their Fabulously Famous Afternoon Tea for a selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes, all served on a cute vintage cake stand. If you feel like something a bit more on the formal side why not pay a visit to the Pompadour restaurant in the Caledonian Hotel, sitting just off Lothian Road it is much closer to Princes Street – handier for those of you who don’t want to venture too far from the shops.
The restaurant overlooks Edinburgh Castle and even mentions a smart casual dress code for those attending afternoon tea. However, children of all ages are welcome. The items on offer for the afternoon tea changes depending on the season so you can be sure everything will be as fresh as it possibly can be. The sandwiches can include everything from peeled cucumber with peppered cream cheese to smoked ham and English mustard. Freshly baked scones are also served along with a range of fancies to tickle your taste buds.
The more adventurous can even order coffee but with a full range of loose leaf tea and herbal infusions it would be a crime. What would be perfectly acceptable is adding a glass of the Perrier Jouet champagne for a small extra charge. The Pompadour even has an accreditation from the Tea Guild for outstanding quality and consistently high standards in tea service, so you know you’re in good hands. After you’re done with afternoon tea, why not hang around and enjoy everything else Edinburgh has to offer. The nightlife can be incredible with a range of fantastic restaurants, pubs and clubs to suit all tastes and after an exhausting day make sure you’re checked in to a central Edinburgh hotel.Taxis can be frustratingly hard to come by at times so keeping your bed within walking distance is always a good plan.
Jesse Wallace writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
