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    Mackintosh at the Willow

    4.5 (17 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Mackintosh at the Willow Photos

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    Savory, sweet and bites of bliss
    Fairy T.

    My first visit to this tea room was a memorable one. For starters, the decor is elegant with a touch of old world charm. I felt like I was a guest in their home. I need to give a shout out to Sofia, she was most helpful and friendly. I loved how I was able to try as many teas as my heart desired. To my delight, they had some tasty flavored teas and my favorite was the Black Forest black tea. The sandwiches had fresh bread and the sweet treats were absolutely delicious! I was there for at least two hours. Afterwards, I visited the gift shop next door that hosted a variety of unique and artistic gifts that I purchased for loved ones at home. It warmed my heart to learn that they also give back to their community and support those less fortunate through their business. Each table had an old fashioned bell (it was just for show) and information on how to give back to those in need through purchases at the tea room. Kindness, good food, unique gifts and community outreach, what more can you ask for. Those who are in Glasgow, a visit to this tea room is a MUST!!

    Ranger A.

    So glad the National Trust is preserving this beautiful tea house. We went for the afternoon tea which was very tasty. The tea selection was overwhelming, And the art nouveau design by the famous artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh was lovely. A bit pricey compared to other tea houses but worth every penny for the quality and beauty of the restored 1903 establishment.

    David K.

    Mackintosh at the Willow is a historic tea room designed by the famous architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh of Glasgow. The exhibition presents the history and design of the original tea room, and you can still get Afternoon Tea in the restored tea room, which is an exact replica of the original. An Afternoon Tea set came with four finger sandwiches built on crustless bread filled with cheese & onion savoury, tuna & cucumber, chicken & sweetcorn, and roast beef pepper mayo & rocket; bite-sized plain and dry fruit scones with clotted cream & jam; and four mini desserts including Peach Melba Entremet (peach mousse with raspberry gel), Chocolate & Passion Fruit Delice (dark chocolate cream on a brownie base), a Pistachio & Cherry Macaron, and a Treacle Tart. For our choice of tea, we had the 1903 Blend (named after the year the original tea room opened), a light blend of Sri Lankan and Chinese teas, made exclusively for Mackintosh at the Willow. While the historic setting and friendly service was memorable, the Afternoon Tea left something to be desired, as it was way overpriced, the tea was watery, and none of the items that came with the set were particularly fresh.

    Plain scone, raisin scone and shortbread cookie
    Minxuan H.

    I had high expectations of this place for afternoon tea based on Yelp reviews but it turns out just mediocre. The highlight is the variety of tea and they do let you try a lot without questioning. 1903 is the winner for me. Besides there is little to praise. Service is quite slow that your server would never check in and you have to bravely interrupt any waiter passing by if you want something. The food quality is so so and very small size. No refill of scones like somewhere else. A bonus star as they have a discounted kids menu .

    Lentil soup and hot salmon sandwich
    Marcie L.

    The spot was a very unique experience. I had a 1903 tea, which was very pleasant. The lentil soup was absolutely phenomenal. The hot smoked salmon sandwich was good, but I would have preferred different type of bread. The servers were very friendly. I'm glad I was able to experience this teahouse and the history that camewith.

    Tea in Macintosh china
    Renee C.

    Such amazing tea, an entire gluten free afternoon tea menu, and everything tasted so delicious. There were options for boozy afternoon tea, which I wanted to try but I was on a business trip . The wait staff was impeccable and gave us such 5* service that my friend and I went back 3 times in the one week we were in Glasgow. Highly recommend!!

    Traditional scone with jam and clotted cream
    Charene G.

    Had a most lovely stop at the Mackintosh at the Willow. Scone was warm, light and delicious. Jam and clotted cream the perfect accompaniments. Tea choices were plentiful and service was pleasant. Not too many diners at 10 am on a Saturday but was getting busier with a little more atmosphere as the morning went on. Store and museum next door very worth a stop. For tourists to Glasgow, a must do.

    Casey M.

    I had the best experience at Mackintosh at the willow tea room. Seated in the salon de lux with all its splendour and typical Mackintosh design and exquisite chandeliers, it's an absolute treat! Talking of treats afternoon tea consisted of pea and mint soup while Megan gave a short talk about the building and fixtures and fittings of the Mackintosh design. Soon the sandwiches came out, haggis roll and scones to die for and a refill of tea or coffee. I must commend the staff who were fantastic, very friendly and attentive and down to earth. This is a place that reps on giving, not only do you get a talk, there is a free exhibition to enjoy and a goodie bag at the end of your visit which is far more than what I expected and would book again in a minute. Thank you all at Mackintosh at the willow for making my first visit extra special.

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    2 years ago

    Pleasant renovation of the tea room. Fascinating display. Dining service is quite sluggish, and meals are not very warm but good.

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    Review Highlights - Mackintosh at the Willow

    Charles Rennie Mackintosh designed the Art Deco house around 1902 and lived in it for the rest of his life.

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    The Hidden Lane Tearoom - Afternoon tea

    The Hidden Lane Tearoom

    4.4(71 reviews)
    0.9 miFinnieston, West End
    ££

    I was on a trip to the wonderful city of Glasgow from the US with my mom. We went to the quaint…read moreHidden Lane Tearoom our first day in to unwind and enjoy delicious treats. First you go down an alley, only to reveal a secret enclave of an antique store, corner shop, and the tearoom. The square itself is fun to explore and great for photos. Once we sat down in the charming tearoom, we were greeted by a friendly and accommodating server. We ordered the afternoon tea. There was a perfect balance of sweet and savory with yummy finger sandwiches and delectable scones with clotted cream and jam. This is a lovely afternoon tea spot for all ages!

    Honestly I could rave about this place. I just love afternoon tea to begin with so there's that,…read morebut honestly I feel like the teas were just SO lovely. I had their house chai and their London fog, both of which were creamy and SO flavorful and served in the loveliest teapots. The finger sandwiches and cakes were also really good and I actually did leave full, as did my travel companions. The servers were friendly and checked in often, and the place itself was actually fairly big (had 2 floors and we sat in a corner on the second floor), but it had a quant feel. The cost per person was reasonable in my opinion at £16 per person for a mini pot of tea and selection of sandwiches and tea cakes. We really enjoyed our experience there and I would recommend it to anyone looking to have a lovely afternoon tea!

    Photos
    The Hidden Lane Tearoom - Selection of tea cakes and sandwiches on the left; tea pot with a cup of their London fog latte on the right :)

    Selection of tea cakes and sandwiches on the left; tea pot with a cup of their London fog latte on the right :)

    The Hidden Lane Tearoom - Late lunch with tea at the Hidden Lane Tearoom.

    Late lunch with tea at the Hidden Lane Tearoom.

    The Hidden Lane Tearoom - Teacup

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    Teacup

    Spoon Cafe - Newly refurbished in March 2017

    Spoon Cafe

    3.2(6 reviews)
    0.8 miMerchant City, City Centre
    £

    The food here was really disappointing. I ordered toast…read morewith scrambled eggs and beans on the side. On my plate there was dry toast and the most tasteless scrambled eggs ever to be made. There weren't even a hint av flavor. My guess is that it was made from a can. I had to go ask for the beans, and when I finally got them, it was a portion as small as a table spoon. I know I got what I ordered, however I kind of expected it to look less made by a little child and more cafe-ish, with some lettuce, a slice of cucumber or a tomato - or just some herbs sprinkled on top. At least I expected it to taste something.

    There are some days when you want a leisurely breakfast, eggs benedict perhaps, with a steaming mug…read moreof fresh coffee and the morning paper. You find a quiet spot in the corner of a cafe and emerge an hour or so later. Then there are times when you just want caffeine and a roll and sausage with no fanfare. For the latter, I'd heartily recommend Spoon (was Travelling Spoon, same place, different name). The decor is pleasantly kitsch, with recycled furniture including a church pew and old sofas. It's a nice space, bright and airy and positioned on a corner, so if you do want to while away the hours doing some people watching it's perfect. I ordered my roll and sausage and a white coffee, the latter being delivered in a hearty mug, with a tea spoon already plonked in there ready for stirring. No airs and graces and it's all the better for it (why don't more places use mugs? does ANYONE drink coffee at home from those awful little cups with handles you can't even get one finger through???). The coffee was palatable, the roll and sausage tasty enough without being memorable, but I wasn't expecting anything special. If you venture into Spoon with the same mindset I'm sure you'll be fine. --- Note: the cafe is run as part of the Unity Enterprise project, with the main aim to help people gain experience; "Confidence is the main aim of the projects and therefore helping with social inclusion".

    Photos
    Spoon Cafe - As well as hot beverages, for those rare sunny days in Glasgow we offer a range of smoothies to keep you cool!

    As well as hot beverages, for those rare sunny days in Glasgow we offer a range of smoothies to keep you cool!

    Spoon Cafe
    Spoon Cafe - Range of snacks to fill those gaps

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    Range of snacks to fill those gaps

    Clarinda's Tea Room - I liked the hanging teacups

    Clarinda's Tea Room

    4.3(67 reviews)
    42.4 miRoyal Mile, Old Town
    £

    **March 2024: Weekday Morning Visit**…read more A couple of things to note -No reservations -Hours: Tues-Fri: 10am-4:30pm; Mon: Closed; Sat/Sun: 9:30am-4:30pm I saw this tearoom featured on a youtubers channel and thought it would be a great breakfast option as Clarinda's is known for their scones and baked goods. I came pretty close to the opening and was able to select my choice for seats. I picked a table near the window for natural lighting. They have a table of a lot of tasty treats and while I didn't get a chance to try them all, I can attest to the scone being very tasty! I ordered the Cream Tea (I think I ordered the Lemon and Elderflower) which comes with a freshly baked homemade scone (I chose a fruit one), and a cup of tea €6.80. I decided to upgrade to a pot of tea (€7.75) and added a bowl of porridge (€5.50) with jam as I usually prefer savory breakfasts. This was more than enough to eat for one, but I just enjoy trying different items - does anyone else have this problem? lol I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here as the ambiance, food and tea were homey and intimate. This would be such a fun place to converse with girlfriends for tea time!

    If you make it down to the bottom of Royal Mile you MUST stop at Clarinda's Tea Room, a small…read morehole-in-the-wall place with so much personality. We had breakfast here on our first day in Edinburgh. It's cozy and the walls are covered with paintings, antique cups, and plates. To be honest the walls are quite chaotic but that's where the personality comes in. We ordered the eggs with toast and the full Scottish breakfast. Food was great, coffee hit the spot, and service was excellent. Even with the chaos they keep the place clean. Also, BEWARE they do not have hot sauce here LOL. I asked the server and she said "No, but it was worth a try to ask" Respect lol. We sat by the window and people watched and awed at the beautiful architecture of Edinburgh. It's a chill spot to rest and refuel. Would love to come back for their afternoon tea!

    Photos
    Clarinda's Tea Room - Treats!

    Treats!

    Clarinda's Tea Room - Inside

    Inside

    Clarinda's Tea Room - Vegetarian haggis toastie my love. And to think I thought I wouldn't find haggis I could eat in Edinburgh. LOLZ

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    Vegetarian haggis toastie my love. And to think I thought I wouldn't find haggis I could eat in Edinburgh. LOLZ

    Sunshine Tea Lounge - Crispy shitake mushroom & vegetable beng

    Sunshine Tea Lounge

    4.5(4 reviews)
    0.6 mi
    ££

    The idea of the Sunshine Soiree is to mingle with other diners in an informal, relaxing environment…read moreand sample Asian cuisine. It was a £10 donation - to cover ingredients, decor, and towards start up costs of the Sunshine Tea Lounge business - and BYOB. We were shown around the secret location (address private messaged to attendees a couple of days before) and presented with a refreshing ginger & lime mocktail. There were little dish name cards spread out on a table but I didn't note them all down so I may be slightly off with descriptions. There were around 20 guests and we spread ourselves out in different rooms, some people sitting on a sofa or on provided chairs, and some of us standing. This wasn't an official Yelp event but there were quite a few of us Yelpers there. First dish up was two bowls of lotus root dip and fried crispbreads. This was one of my favourite dishes of the night, the dip had lots of flavour and the breads were delicious. Next was the lotus root crisps with a lotus root dip, this one a bit more creamy in consistency than the previous ones. The crisps were very thin so these were not really as suited for a dipping style, but also tasted great. Following this were green peppers in a garlic and black bean sauce - this was very tasty and I could have eaten a bowl of this to myself easily. We then had a salad of greens and carrot topped with sesame seeds, and some hoisin chicken wings were also brought out. Next was firecracker rice with either a vegetable curry or a chicken curry. As the plates that had come out were for sharing with a large group of people I was quite hungry by this point and was looking forward to loading up in carbs. The curry was nice, very mild. I did wonder what happened to the dumplings as I'd seen place cards for different varieties of dumpling - and mentions of them on social media for tonight's event, but none ever materialised. Lastly, there were desserts of orange and cardamom cakes, and sweet potato mochi in a coconut sauce - the latter being suitable also for vegans. Again, these were all shared and self service, so I felt I had to be considerate with watching portion sizes. It was good to be able to chat with chef & host, Susan, at the end of the night about the food and other Chinese dishes. I have opted to give it a 4 as although I enjoyed the event, the Yelp event a few weeks ago - where there were only 8 people - looked a bit better in that everyone had a seat to themselves for the evening, their own portions of food, and more opportunity for chat about the Sunshine Tea Lounge concept - discussing the mood boards, etc. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future events; unfortunately I can't make Susan's pop-up in two weeks' time but I hope to make another of her events soon!

    I visited their pop-up shop in Buchanan Galleries and was really pleased to see a couple of vegan…read moreitems. I started with dumplings - shitake mushroom & vegetable, with mooli pickles. I then had a beng - a mighty big fried thing stuffed with shitake mushroom & vegetables. Both items were fried, so not exactly the healthy choice, but my gosh they were tasty. Ideal hangover/comfort food. It would set them off nicely to perhaps be served with some fresh salad. I'll watch with interest to see what Sunshine Tea Lounge do next.

    Photos
    Sunshine Tea Lounge - Shitake mushroom & vegetable dumplings with mooli pickles

    Shitake mushroom & vegetable dumplings with mooli pickles

    Sunshine Tea Lounge
    Sunshine Tea Lounge - Green peppers in garlic and black bean sauce

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    Green peppers in garlic and black bean sauce

    Mackintosh at the Willow - tea - Updated May 2026

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