10 of the best · Edinburgh, Scotland
Cafés, Bakeries and Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
Afternoon tea at the Balmoral’s Palm Court and the Signet Library, the roasters Fortitude and Cairngorm, Söderberg’s cardamom buns, Twelve Triangles’ sourdough and gelato on the Grassmarket.
Our 10 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Insiders' picks
Three we return to, chosen by people who know Edinburgh’s closes, crescents and quaysides.
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On Parliament Square
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Afternoon tea among the columns of the Signet Library, beside St Giles’ on Parliament Square.
Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RFExplore View on map
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Under the glass dome
Palm Court at The Balmoral
Afternoon tea in the Balmoral’s Palm Court, at 1 Princes Street.
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQExplore View on map
The full list: Cafés, A–Z
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Afternoon tea 2
Tea in style.
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Under the glass dome
Palm Court at The Balmoral
Afternoon tea in the Balmoral’s Palm Court, at 1 Princes Street.
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQExplore View on map
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On Parliament Square
The Colonnades at the Signet Library
Afternoon tea among the columns of the Signet Library, beside St Giles’ on Parliament Square.
Parliament Square, Edinburgh EH1 1RFExplore View on map
Coffee 3
The city’s roasters and cafés.
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Cakes on West Port
Lovecrumbs
Cake and coffee on West Port, a short walk from the Grassmarket; no bookings at weekends.
Bakeries 3
Baked on site.
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Cakes and afternoon tea
Mimi’s Bakehouse
A bakery of cakes, traybakes and afternoon teas, with cafés in Leith and the city.
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Swedish bakery
Söderberg
A Scandinavian bakery: buns, sourdough and Swedish pastries baked daily, with coffee and brunch.
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Slow sourdough
Twelve Triangles
A scratch bakery working with slow-fermented sourdough: breads and pastries shaped by hand.
Gelato and tea 2
Something sweet.
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On the Grassmarket
Mary’s Milk Bar
Gelato, made on site, on the Grassmarket below the castle.
Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HSExplore View on map
