Harden's survey result
Summary
Executive pastry chef Ross Sneddon (ex-of Claridge’s) is, say fans, “the best in the country so it is no wonder the afternoon tea is simply outstanding” at what they hail as “Edinburgh’s best hotel by miles”. While a visit to its glass-domed, leafy lounge is “more performance art than afternoon tea” – all “Victorian grandeur, hushed conversations” and “harpist serenading guests”, it’s “one of those bucket-list experiences for wealthy tourists” – there’s no doubting the “to-die-for patisserie”.
Summary
“A real treat. A top experience” – “it’s afternoon tea in a posh hotel... but they know what they’re doing and do it very, very well” in the elegant glass-domed lounge of this Edinburgh landmark: “savoury food and patisserie both excel, in a space that is so beautiful they‘d be full even if the food was dross!” all served by “brilliant staff who provide great theatre: the tea pouring is something else!”. This year’s biggest complaint? “A huge array of delicious food… but way too much for me!”
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Palm Court, The Balmoral Hotel?
1 Princes St, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £70.00 |  |
|
|
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £25.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.50 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
1 Princes St, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ
Opening hours
| Monday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Tuesday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Wednesday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Friday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am‑12 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am‑12 pm |
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