Food: Afternoon tea at Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

Luxurious afternoon tea within sight of Edinburgh castle

The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, started its life in 1903 as a railway hotel and soon gained a reputation as the place to be seen in Edinburgh.

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

Stars from the silver screen who have visited, grace the walls as you enter “Peacock Alley”.  I certainly found out why they came.  There is a quiet and unassuming atmosphere, somewhere to relax with friends. Which I did, I had the pleasure of afternoon tea-ing with the newlywed Mrs Edinburger, so tea, cakes and chat was called for (Check out their blog here).

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

Menu

Peacock Alley’s afternoon tea showcases savoury freshly-cut finger sandwiches, decadent sweets and a selection of home-made scones with clotted cream and jam.

There are also over thirty fine loose-leaf teas and herbal infusions to choose from and I picked the house tea, the Peacock blend.

Finger Sandwiches

Egg and cress
Smoked salmon and dill crème fraîche
Honey roast ham and mustard mayonnaise
Connage highland crowdie and cucumber
Crab mayonnaise, avocado and lime, brioche bun
Pancetta and hazelnut tart

 

Freshly Baked Scones

Selection of plain and sultana
Served with homemade preserve & clotted cream

 

Pastries

Red velvet cupcake
Orange and Pimms curd meringue tart
White chocolate and raspberry macaroon
Edinburgh fog
Popcorn and vanilla choux bun
Caramel apple mousse & macadamia Breton
£32 per person
£46 per person with champagne

Children’s afternoon tea is £16 per child

 

Food

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

The freshly-made sandwiches were delicious, if only my packed lunches tasted this good!  Connage crowdie with cucumber was my fave – so creamy and light – I could happily have munched another round of these! Along with the more conventional sandwiches there was a crab, mayonnaise and avocado brioche bun; and pancetta and hazelnut tart – I’d never tried that particular combination before, it had a creamy quiche-like filling with chunks of pancetta and was lightly speckled with hazelnut.

Sitting pride of place at the top of the tower were some fabulous looking cakes.

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Fog is in the middle of the plate here, sliced in two for myself and Mrs Edinburger to enjoy. A base of almond biscuit topped with raspberry mousse – it was divine!  Thankfully we didn’t have to split any of the other cakes – or this could have been war!

Our plates were replaced with scones, plain and fruit, which were served with jam and clotted cream. Then more cakes were provided – this time the orange and Pimms curd meringue tart caught our eyes.

The caledonian hotel Waldorf Astoria afternoon Tea Edinburgh

Experience

This is an afternoon tea worthy of the money.  The food is delicious and if you like unobtrusive service in a relaxed refined environment then Peacock Alley afternoon tea is for you.  I loved sitting in what was the old ticket area for the historic railway station reflecting on how the life of the building has changed over the years and pondering about all the famous faces who’ve sat here.  You’ll certainly be bowled over by the cakes and savouries, and full for a good few hours afterwards unlike some other afternoon teas.

Location:

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, Princes Street, Edinburgh

Times:

Afternoon Tea is served 12pm to 5pm Monday – Friday, and 12pm to 6pm Saturday & Sunday

Booking:

Booking is essential

Nearest railway station:

Haymarket, Waverley Railway Station

Disclaimer: Mrs Foodie was kindly invited by Waldorf Astoria to sample the afternoon tea but Fred vouches that the “hoomin speak” here is the truth, even though he doesn’t understand any of it.

fred purr of honour

emma

Emma

Hello!

I am Emma and with my husband Mark write Foodie Explorers, which is a food and travel website.

I am a member of the Guild of Food Writers and British Guild of Travel Writers.

We have a wide range of judging experience covering products, hotels and have judged, for example, for Great Taste Awards and Scottish Baker of the Year.

Along the way Mark gained WSET Level 2 in Wine and I have WSET Level 2 in Spirits as well as picking up an award with The Scotsman Food and Drink Awards.    

Usually I can be found sleeping beside a cat.

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