Afternoon tea is a long-running quintessentially British tradition, dating back to the early 18th century and we have seen the experience increase in popularity over the years. There is certainly a lot of choice for an afternoon indulgence, but I must say The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh definitely hit the spot!
Situated at the west end of Princes Street, the impressive and historic building nestles in the shadow of the stunning Edinburgh Castle, offering a perfect location for an afternoon treat. Afternoon tea is hosted in the beautiful and elegant ‘Peacock Alley’, a former railway booking hall which momentarily transports you back to Victorian splendour.
My friends and I decided to spoil ourselves with the ‘champagne’ addition and this was brought swiftly to our table by cheerful waiting staff. With the menu changing seasonally, Waldorf offers a creative and fresh take on a traditional delicacy. With prices starting at £35 per person, £45 with champagne, it’s a luxury that shouldn’t be missed!
Once comfortable, we were presented with an extensive menu of loose teas, which made deciding quite a challenge! Once chosen, we were bought our first course of savoury delights. We leisurely worked our way through delicious finger sandwiches, wraps and tarts, catering for both meat and vegetarian eaters. My favourite bites were the crispy duck, rocket, cucumber and coriander wrap and the bloody mary prawns in a brioche bun.
Once the first course was finished, the attentive staff cleared the plates, taking new drink orders as they tidied. Beginning to feel full at this point, we had a small break before our second tier of delicacies arrived! Having a very sweet tooth, I had been waiting for this moment and it did not disappoint! Our menu had a cocktail inspired theme and we were presented with an array of plain and white Russian scones, pina colada domes, tequila sunrise macarons, mojito jelly shots, cosmopolitan madelaines, black russian cheesecakes and a Blue lagoon mousse.
It truly was a decadent and sumptuous experience, perfect for a gift or just a self-indulgent treat!
Visit The Waldorf Astoria’s Gift Site to view their gift experiences.