The Café at The Palace
The Royal Mile, 98 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
rct.uk/visit/palace-of-holyroodhouse/cafe-at-the-palace
+44-131-652-3685
The Palace of Holyroodhouse sits at the opposite end of The Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle and has served as the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland since the early 16th century. Once or twice a year, members of the Royal Family come to stay, and when they do, it is not a good time to plan a tour, for the Palace is closed to the public for the duration of the royal visit. And the lovely Café staff, who normally welcome visitors from all over the world and serve them morning teas and coffees, appetising lunches, and, of course, afternoon teas, switch roles and cater instead to the needs of the chauffeurs, ladies’ maids, security staff, butlers, and dressers required by King Charles and his family. But, as soon as the royal party has left, the café-tearoom once again opens to tourists, dog walkers, and local people who live or work nearby.
The tearoom is housed in what was once the Palace Mews, and the main entrance to the Palace is within the same courtyard, so visitors usually enjoy a tour of the house followed by a revivifying cup of tea and perhaps a piece of cake, a warm scone, or a full afternoon tea before heading home. With one entire wall of the historic tearoom building now made of glass, the atmosphere is rather like that of an orangery, and the colour chosen for the interior walls is the same muted celadon green that is used in The Balmoral Hotel’s Palm Court. The colour is perfect in a tearoom, for it brings a sense of calm and tranquillity. Even at very busy times of the day here, there is still a harmonious feeling that is beneficial and restorative for everyone. Around the room, there are a few features left over from the day when horses were stabled here, and on the walls, stylish black-and-white photographs of different architectural features found at Holyroodhouse add to visitors’ appreciation of the history and style of the Palace.
The Café team, with the kind and efficient guidance of Manager Laura Amos, have remembered that children need their own special selection at teatime and, also, provide for visitors who need gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegan options. It is not surprising that The Café was awarded a Highly Commended certificate at the Afternoon Tea Awards in 2018 and 2019. These accolades are very well deserved, and if tourists and locals find themselves on the lower reaches of the Royal Mile and in need of a good cup of tea, they should take the time to walk a little further down the hill to the main entrance of the Palace, and they will find exactly what they need.
