The Court

So luxurious. I enjoyed the beauty of the place. The scones and chef cake of the day were delicious. It worths coming back ❤️ I tried the afternoon tea. It was wow .. super delicious.. the service was excellent. Everything was just perfect 👌🏼

+2

Lovely experience with their SCIENCE Afternoon Tea with server Iona. The sandwiches, cakes and scones were all delicious and the perfect size. Iona suggested the Cloud Catcher for me since I’m caffeine free. It was wonderful. And my husband enjoyed the Lapsang Souchong, Darjeeling First Flush, and the Peacock Alley Blend. Finishing with a cup of their decaf was perfect. Iona was superb and delightful to talk with.

+5

Fabulous afternoon tea at the Waldorf Astoria! The service was friendly and delightful, the scrumptious tasty treats were divine❣️The tea choices were wonderful as well. Highly recommend and make a reservation in advance.

Amazing food and great service. Dinner looked after by an amazing Italian manager and she does a great job. Breakfast team are super efficient and friendly and know great service. Could not recommend enough. The pancake day special was beautiful 😍

+5

Perfection! We had the gluten free option which was delicious and VERY filling. this restaurant is now our favourite place for afternoon tea in Edinburgh. Not only was the food wonderful and artistically decorated, the staff made all the difference. They were really friendly helpful and delivered a personal service which was exceptional. The harpist too was wonderful, I could have listened to her play all day. The harpist provided a sublime atmosphere Everything was perfect Kudos to the staff members Atlanta and Matthew who served us

+1

Had a private valentines day 4 course dining experience in the boardroom suite away from the celebrating rugby fans. This including an AMAZING harp player (name may be Mia?) Who was an utterly delight to the atmosphere. The staff were incredibly attentive. It was a set menu with bread to start and petit fours to conclude. This was all paired with a ~£85 rose champagne. Overall cost was £125 per person but it was incredibly worth it for the music, atmosphere, service, privacy and food. Incredibly romantic event but limited availability (somewhat of a one off due to the match). Views of edinburgh castle available too.

+1

Food Festival at the Caledonian. Limited number of exhibitors but food sampled was very good and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant

Fantastic place. Great staff and service. Drinks are great. Afternoon tea is extravagant and classy. Very chill atmosphere. An all-around pleasant experience. Big thanks to Gintare for looking after us.

Service was impeccable. Best afternoon tea we've had in the UK. On par with the Savoy in London. Our server, Melony, made our visit wonderful.

Staying at the Waldorf so comfortably sauntered in for late Sat brekkie.. immediately pleasantly taken aback with the level of attention and service .. from the welcoming host to all the servers in the main dining room Bit bourgeoisie when it comes to my brekkie.. and have a high bar.. so take these comments in stride.. (after all it IS my favorite meal of the day!) Pastries were ok.. surprised they were not warm.. what a let down to start.. and also bit dry. Wouldn’t get them again Asked for something off the menu.. 3 scrambled eggs (instead of 2 egg omelette) with the works.. tomato, onions, spinach, mushrooms, cheddar.. accompanies with some avocado and side of brown bread! Server was very kind and granted the request immediately. The outcome was exactly what I was after. Good work team! Coffee was ok.. could have been hotter.. but also like my coffee so hot that it’s normal for me not to have feeling in my lips for 3 hours after breakfast (not really but you get the idea) Given the outstanding service.. the atmosphere (amazing interior decoration), the seating.. (old school Victoria style chairs and tables for brekkie!).. giving this place 5 stars! Going back for brekkie tomo! :)

If you like tiny little chocolate hats this is your place to go! Don‘t drink more than 6 cups of tea. My heart was racing! I will come back!!!

Very nice and warm atmosphere, professional stuff, the manager prepares great cocktails time to time. The menu is not overloaded but very delicious. Over all we are happy every time we are here. Top!

We had afternoon tea here and it was lovely! The food was good and the staff were very attentive. It’s a bit more pricey at £55 per person but worth it for a special occasion!

The afternoon tea was amazing. Food quality was very good and tea was aromatic. The sweets were well made with complexity of flavor. Memorable experience.

Excellent setting, i had afternoon tea here, the food and tea were very tasty and there was plenty of both. I would recommend their own tea specially made and solely used at peacock Alley.

Ah wonderful afternoon tea with family. Amazing service, attentive without being fussy ... laid-back and special. Thank you for the memories.

We have come here 3 times during our stays and have had terrific service. The appetizers were delicious. We'd like to especially commend Heather on her great hospitality!

The Court have done it again! What a wonderful experience delivered by Lukasz and his team. Delicious food and exceptional service!

Beautifully presented and very tasty! Each cake was a little animal and £5 for each afternoon tea went to the zoo fund. I really liked the elegance of the presentation which made it feel less overwhelming than most afternoon teas. The service was attentive but not overbearing and the Peacock Alley is light and airy but so comfortable. I think it is the best afternoon tea I have had!

We stopped in Edinburgh on our cruise. Experiencing an afternoon tea was my goal. Peacock Alley did not disappoint. Each pastry was better than the last. Making our experience even more delightful was the service we received from the lovely Iona. She made these American tourists feel very special.

What an amazing addition to the Edinburgh food and drink scene! Cocktails are world-class, food is incredible and the live music is just superb. What a wonderful evening. We will be back many, many more times!

A recent Sunday visit to Court by Mark Greenaway delivered a largely elegant and enjoyable experience, underscored by refined cookery, attentive service, and a setting enhanced by the soft strains of live harp and piano. The meal began with a ham hock terrine that was both rustic and refined – flavours were clean, well-balanced, and thoughtfully executed. The Sunday roast showcased a standout centrepiece: a 35-day aged sirloin, cooked with precision and offering far more depth and quality than the cuts typically found on similar menus. The accompanying gravy was rich and full-bodied, while the sides offered plenty to admire – velvety mash, well-seasoned vegetables, and perfectly crisp roast potatoes. Unfortunately, the Yorkshire puddings detracted from the dish. Pre-prepared and reheated, they arrived burnt on two occasions and were ultimately left uneaten – a rare oversight in an otherwise well-composed main. Desserts marked a return to form. The sticky toffee pudding was superbly executed – warm, indulgent, and balanced – and the 16-layer carrot cake, presented in the style of an opera cake, demonstrated finesse and flair. The third offering, a sundae, felt jarringly simplistic and lacked the sophistication expected from such a carefully curated menu. Service throughout was gracious and professional, contributing to an overall atmosphere of calm and sophistication. While a few inconsistencies marred the experience, Court still offers a polished and thoughtfully crafted Sunday lunch, with clear attention to detail and a touch more ambition than many of its peers.

Had lunch 2/14/25 and afternoon tea 2/15/25 here while staying at the hotel. I enjoyed lunch however Nicole our server had a hard time understanding me and the fact that I asked how lobster roll was done and it was lobster salad in mayonnaise so I had to return it for Shepards pie. The pork terrine and the beef tartare were very good. Today afternoon tea was good however two pastries were not to my liking however all were pretty and colorful. Service can lang sometimes and then pick up again. For a whole hour the pianist played from 1p until 2p which was nice. Breakfast each day was lovely and I really enjoyed the avacado toast with puree and half fresh avacado and poached egg. It was delicious

+6

Went for a birthday celebration. Had Sunday lunch. Food was ok ... small portions for hungry folks. Nice ambience and great staff.. Very nice settling in the middle of Edinburgh.. 8 out of 10

Wonderful breakfast menu! We enjoyed the Scottish Salmon trio and Eggs Royale (eggs Benedict with Salmon rather than ham)- as well as a side of Haggis! The haggis was incredible! Beautiful seasonings! (First time having it- and it didn’t disappoint)! As Diamond members the breakfast was complimentary with our stay! (Otherwise it’s £30/person) Also enjoyed a pot of the Peacock alley blend tea and a cappuccino. Beautiful Narnia themed decor for the holidays! I knocked one star off because the Pastry basket was so-so, and the service felt rushed and lacking.

+6

The cake selection was incredible and the presentation was superb (all cakes were animal shaped). There was a great choice of tea and the sandwiches were very good. The service was excellent and our server Gwen was happy to answer all questions, including the ones about the venue’s history. Value for money is the only reason I gave it 4 stars.

Delightful afternoon tea with great service, lovely tea and plenty of cakes. The savoury course was a little lacking as the bread was a tad on the stale side and the flavours were all a bit mellow. The deserts were all very beautifully crafted and the scones really were incredible (clotted cream then jam, don't be an idiot and put the jam on first). The valentine's themed cocktail was tasty and the teas are some of the best I've tried. Even given the less positive elements, 3 hours flew by and it really was a fantastic afternoon.

We had a lovely lunch at The Court, a restaurant that immediately stands out for its stunning design. The large ceiling window floods the space with natural light, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, while the interiors are thoughtfully styled with a mix of tones and textures that give the place real character. Service was attentive and friendly, which added to the overall positive experience. From the menu, we tried a mix of dishes: the kids’ beef burgers were excellent, the goat’s cheese salad was fresh and full of flavor, and the tomato salad was light and refreshing. The fish and chips were decent but fairly standard, while the linguine could have used a bit more seasoning to bring it to life. One area where The Court could improve is the variety on the lunch menu—it would be nice to see a few more creative choices. Similarly, the kids’ menu, while reliable, could benefit from incorporating some healthier yet still fun options to make it more appealing. Overall, though, The Court is a beautiful spot with great service and some standout dishes, and with a few small tweaks to the menu, it could be an even better dining experience.

+5

We visited for an early dinner before a concert and while the kitchen was running quite delayed that evening, I have to say the service and care we received from Catelyn and the team were absolutely outstanding. Catelyn handled the situation with so much professionalism, kindness, and genuine care - constantly checking in, updating us, and doing everything possible to make sure we were looked after. The atmosphere was lovely, and despite the kitchen delay, we were still able to enjoy our starter, drinks and we managed to get to the concert (with some running) on time. Mistakes happen sometimes, but it's the way the staff handled it that truly stood out. Huge thanks to Catelyn and the team for turning a stressful situation into a really pleasant experience.

My daughter & I had a couple of drinks here on Fri night. Great atmosphere & loved the decor. A special mention to our waitress, Nicole, who was very attentive, pleasant & helpful.

Dinner at The Court. Food was tasty but overshadowed by poor service. Server with glasses and red hair seems to be on a power trip. Or she really needs training. Table next to me got the incorrect main dish. Due to her reading the incorrect dish he pointed at, never mind that he stated what he wanted to eat. Blatantly told me that she will be delayed in providing me with a spoon for my Seabass main dish- which came with a clear broth and (floating) lentils. She the proceeded to instruct another server, seat a family and chat to her colleague.... when the cutlery tray was not even 2 meters from me. Had to ask another server for a spoon for my cold mains. If I knew it was so close, I would have helped myself. Oh and they forgot my drink, but order was taken by another person. Server in a jacket was more responsive and attentive. However, too little to late. Such a pity. Loads of potential and great venue. Morning crew was better and attentive.

I guess it has seen better days. I booked champagne afternoon tea for 3 and the food was well presented and tasty, the waitress was lovely and they offered a good selection of teas. On the other hand, I was asked for my reservation confirmation email three times despite the place was basically empty (it's not like I've taken someone else's table so why keep interrupting our conversation and making us feel unwelcome?) There were also crumbs on the seats so cleanliness wasn't great. Moreover, I asked for Kir Royal, a basic champagne cocktail instead of champagne and the barman never heard of it. (It's just Crème de Cassis and champagne, even if you're unfamiliar with it Google is your best friend.) All in all, a mixed experience. When you pay £190 for some finger sandwiches and bite-sized cakes expectations are quite high and here even the basics (well trained staff and cleanliness) were sadly lacking.

Disappointing savories: the bread of the cucumber sandwich had dried out; the prawn filling was bland; there seemed to be more fruit than chicken for the coronation blend; too much blue cheese for the base (and one person had just cheese with no base) though the cheese was fantastic ... all in all, could do better. But the sweet stuff? Scones were perfect, the lemon curd with them was fab - sharp, creamy, really super. All the pastries and cakes were excellent and beautifully presented. Full marks here. Service was friendly and very relaxed, slow even. We were a decent sized party and all the teas, coffees, other drinks and allergen-free food went to the correct recipients but cups/pots/glasses were periodically empty for longer than was comfortable. Airy space, decent napery and drapery, live piano tinkling away in the background and guests all happy to be there make this a pleasant place to while away some hours.

We came here for a special treat and the experience was very disappointing. I had thought I had booked for afternoon tea but found the website confusing. Initially the service was great and accommodating but our waitress had to leave due to a personal emergency. Following that the service was slow and disorganised. It seemed a lot of the other guests were also frustrated. We had to wait for ages and had to keep asking for things. There was a really long wait for everything. The management did acknowledge our situation and gave a small discount but it was still unfortunate. The food was amazing when it came and the piano playing was beautiful though!

I booked a table and wrote in the comments it was to celebrate my birthday and that I'd like to request a vegan afternoon tea. As no confirmation was given, I had to call to confirm they had received my request. On the day we dined, I was so excited to try their vegan afternoon tea as I am severely allergic to dairy and egg. Our waitress kindly explained what each piece was which was helpful as it didn’t match what was on the vegan menu I was given. I was also kindly greeted by Hans whilst dining and he said he would pop back to find out how everything was as I was yet to try the scones and cakes. After spreading some of the cream on the scone and taking a bite, I could feel something wasn’t right as my tongue started to react to it. It was much creamier than any other vegan cream I’ve had so I asked the head waitress to confirm. 5 minutes passed and I could see her but she didn’t return to our table. Instead she informed the maitre’d and he came back to tell me that the chef had made a mistake and had given me clotted cream. If I had eaten more and didn't ask - I'm pretty sure I would have needed an ambulance.. Although they recovered the situation by apologising and taking care of the bill, I wish they had checked to see if I was ok rather than all of the staff avoiding me. Despite that, no effort was made to celebrate or acknowledge it was for my birthday.

Disappointed. The service was very slow and waiters are not interested in to the customers at all. Waited more then one hour for my dinner (my fork was bigger then fish on my plate for £22 but at least taste was good or I was so hungry). Desert was very posh but salted caramel sauce was very salty. Coffee Latte was the most untasty coffee what I ever had (£5)

Having visited most of Edinburgh’s high-end establishments, we decided to try The Court at the Caledonian for a special evening. Unfortunately, the experience did not live up to its reputation. Service was notably poor, particularly during pre-dinner drinks at the bar. During the meal, our wine was kept at the far end of the room, and we had to repeatedly prompt staff just to have our glasses topped up. Furthermore, the portions were quite small and the quality was underwhelming for this price point. We left feeling disappointed that our special trip into the city didn't meet the standards we expected from such a well-known venue.

5 of us order for two/three course Sunday menu, it took more than 2 hours to finish it, especially the dessert took almost a hour to serve, we asked the waitress many time , seems none treat it seriously, really bad service, highly NOT recommend. Food so so , the only good is the atmosphere

Service on our most recent visit was terrible. We waited more than 20 mins for a tea and coffee. I mentioned this to the server and instead of apologising she walked away to return 5 mins later to say ‘You’ve only been waiting less than 10 mins’. Also she didn’t even return with our offer. Rude and unprofessional is not what I expected! Despite an excellent tea selection I think the staff needs to be considerate.

Disappointed. My expectations were higher. We paid 150£ for two for the afternoon tea. It was cheap quality of the food. The tea selection was poor too. We left all pastries as it is and we went to other place. We live in Dubai and Peacock Alley Dubai is a huge difference with Peacock Alley in Edinburgh . The service was slow too however the lady was very nice and she was running from one table to another table but she needs help.

I have been in to the Caledonian hotel for coffee and lunch. Popped it today for cup of tea to be told I needed to book. It was 11.30am and was virtually empty. I would have been in thirty minutes at most but no I would have to book. Ridiculous! Do they want local business or not. I asked the lady at the reception desk if this was the new lounge repeatedly, and her reply was this is the court. I persisted by asking can I get tea coffee sandwiches etc as I did previously in the old lounge to be told yes. Again ridiculous. I have always enjoyed my visits to this grand hotel. May not be back.