Anteaques Edit

They seem to specialise in flavored blacks (the violet is particularly nicely balanced) and do many seasonal flavors. The scones are lovely, as is the service.

I always have a pleasant time when visiting Anteaques whether I am there for a loose leaf tea purchase or to have a sit down tea. They don’t offer a formal afternoon tea or high tea package but you can still order a pot with scones and a variety of sweet treats. The selection of jam with the scones is very interesting- I had a violet jam and my friends choose apricot and raspberry. Fancy truffles are also offered in pistachio, honey and almond, coconut, strawberry, salted caramel and a selection of others. There are seasonal treats such as mince pies and candied clementines. The owner is very friendly and always greets customers with a smile. He is very passionate about tea and his tea shop! Of course the decor of the shop is antiques themed. Certainly a most interesting place to sit down for tea. The selection of loose leaf teas is quite impressive and I find the prices to be quite good as compared to other tea shops in Edinburgh.

Anteaques is our favourite tea house in Edinburgh. The staff are professional, and truly care about the tea they serve. Cedric, the proprietor, is warm and knowledgeable, and always ready with an accurate description of a tea or a suggestion.

Their locally-made cakes and truffles are the perfect compliment. The front room is light and busy, with a bright window, and shelves of large caddies amongst the antique china sets and brass scales. The back room provides the comfortable, eclectic charm of a Victorian auntie’s parlour.

Opening hours are limited, so reservations are essential. A wonderful shop.

This is easily the best tea shop in Edinburgh. Everything about it is pretty near perfect; the staff are friendly and knowledgeable, the decor is old-fashioned without going down that irritating “kooky vintage” route, and all the teas are excellent and lovingly prepared.

This is my favourite tea shop of all. It’s a tiny shop on the north side of Edinburgh, but definitely worth going to find. As the name might suggest, it sells antiques as well as tea – you can buy all the furniture and many interesting tea-related bits and pieces. It’s very prettily and old-fashionedly furnished, as you’d expect.

They have a great selection and really know their teas, and can recommend things or will occasionally even offer to let you try something they’re brewing for themselves. They also have really nice locally-made truffles, cakes and pastries which are worth a nibble.

The only downsides – it’s so small you sometimes need to book a table (especially during Festival time, though it is open more days a week then), and there’s no toilet facilities!