The space is absolutely iconic so beautiful. The columns and the library. It feels so formal but can be more relaxed. We saw others in parkas, joggers and leggings. The flavors are complex and definitely geared towards foodies. I went all in what was described as a Portuguese cheese roll which tasted like Gorgonzola very heavy which is one of my least favorite cheeses so it was a matter of personal preference. The desserts loved the banana rice pudding. It was divine and my favorite item. The chocolate mousse w/a cherry filling was to die for. The desserts were my favorites. Service is prompt and it's leisurely go at your own pace. We did not feel rushed even being 1 of the last tables remaining. read more

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Edinburgh has no shortage of places for afternoon tea. After some internet research, we landed on the Signet Library. If you want a very quiet and peaceful experience, this is for you! If the quality of the bites matter, this is for you! Stepping into the tea room is literally like stepping into a library. Voices are hushed and tables are spaced out widely to allow for a very intimate experience. The savory tray was filled with delectable treats that were all so well made. The sweets tray that followed was equally gorgeous and delicious! You can really tell that they take pride in creating delicate bites that are very well thought out! So tasty! At 69 pounds, the tasting is more expensive than you'll find in some of the restaurants, but the ambiance and experience is very elevated! read more

Could only be 5 stars here. Afternoon tea is exceptional, a total stand out from the usual bits of old sandwich and dry scones you get. Creative savories are followed by a plethora of sweet treats. Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. They are also pretty good about catering to dietary requirements. read more

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After visiting Edinburgh castle in the morning, our afternoon event was a high tea that we booked in advance at the Signet Library, which we were really looking forward to. By this time the rain was coming down hard, and we spent over an hour walking around trying to find the Library! We finally stumbled across it by accident, and laughed so hard when we realized it was right at St. Giles Church square, a place we had been many times already. Cold, wet, and hungry, we checked in for tea expecting to be turned away as we had missed our seating time. But they staff were so nice and understanding with us. We were seated in our own alcove amongst the ancient books, awaiting our first pot of hot tea. Our service consisted of a savory selection of eight different things to sample (my favorite was the salmon mousse in a savory mini waffle cone) followed by eight sweet temptations. They were unbelievably decadent and delicious! It is a bit pricey at 55GBP each, but it is a special treat and so worth it. We had to waddle out, completely stuffed and sated, even though the portions were "tea sized" but plenty. read more

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In full disclosure, we will be getting married here in July 2020. This review is for the event services at the library. When planning an international wedding, you have to realize that your window for seeing venues is limited (as in 12 or so in a work week). it's chaotic, jam-packed, and after a while, all the venues start to blend together (keep detailed notes and spreadsheets in Google drive - you're welcome in advance). Some places however standout in terms of professionalism and organizational ability. The Signet is a prime example. I could tell right away that this place was a cut above the rest, as they were prepared for our visit with the answers to questions they anticipated we would have, and with an iPad full of photos of the space set up for a wedding (it is, of course, one of the most beautiful spaces I've seen, which made the decision to choose this venue rather easy). They lay out everything you'll need in reasonable timelines and are happy to work with any vendors (aside from food) that you choose - and of course offer suggestions of their own, which was very handy for us. If you're thinking about doing any sort of event in this part of the city, I would highly recommend them as a venue, you'll find that they are wonderful partners to work with. More than anything though, they made us feel very welcome and comfortable, sitting with us as long as we need them too (other places felt rushed). I am excited to see how this pulls together, and I know that the folks who run this space have my back (they seemed as excited as we were, honestly), and for that, I am exceptionally grateful. read more

Signet Library - 07/17/2020 - Libraries Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

While on vacation in Scotland, I came here with two of my friends for an afternoon tea on a Sunday. This was the first time in my life I had ever been to an afternoon and I was really looking forward to coming here, and this afternoon tea did not disappoint. My friends and I made a reservation in advance and you have to have to have to do that. It is a really famous afternoon tea place and you will not get in without a reservation. This is such a beautiful and historic library. It is very fancy, sophisticated, and beautiful. I felt amazing just being in here. To eat, we got the afternoon tea that came with four different courses and unlimited tea and coffee. We also got a bottle of champagne to share. The food, tea, coffee, and champagne were all super super yummy!! Every single bit and sip tasted like heaven and I loved it so much. The employees here are amazing. They give you recommendations on what teas to pair with the course that is about to be served, which really enhanced the experience. So listen to the waitress and waiters! Come here and experience the best afternoon tea of your life! read more

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Gorgeous setting for starters. Last year (like this year) I escaped the Burgh at Festival time but had missed going to the champagne bar so this year, I was determined not to miss out and had my table booked a month in advance. The Pommery Cafe Bar, hosted in conjunction with the Signet Library is a month long (Festival) pop-up bar offering champagne. This year, the menu was extended beyond afternoon teas to seafood platters and lobster and wedges. The Signet Library as Jenny L. mentioned, offered various vouchers for money off certain deals and these were valid throughout the month. For a budget visit, there were also offers on such as Twitter Tuesdays (15% off for tweeting pics/tweets about the Pommery) and Wedges Wednesday (Wedges and Glass of Champagne for £10). Lobster and wedges were £20 (normally £30 without the voucher) and they were fab. The lobster, although not the Boston portions I had reported on recently, were still decent portions and tasted fresh and delicious. The wedges are a small portion (still tasty with proper garlicky alioli) so don't come ready to eat your arm off. We had a seafood platter as a starter and it was decent enough to feed three of us with drink munchies. Prawns, smoked salmon, beetroot salmon, trout, mackerel pate, bread and salad were all lovely and certainly were a good sign of things to come (sadly, I didn't take a picture). Champagne is available by the glass, bottle or magnum. I think the magnum is around £110, a bottle is average £52 and a glass around £11. We opted for a bottle (can't not drink champagne in a champagne bar) and it was lovely (an autumn blend). We all thought the Cafe Bar was lovely and 'done' very well, with friendly staff but great service. Given demand at the Festival time, we weren't all squashed in and there was lots of room between tables. The setting was just stunning with the blue decor and given that I 'read' for a living, then I loved being surrounded by books. A great chance to see somewhere that is not normally open to the general public. Note: I'm also Gluten Free but everything (lobster, wedges and seafood minus bread) was ok for me to eat :) read more

Signet Library - Lobster and Wedges at the Pommery Cafe Bar - Libraries Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Every August the Signet Library is a 'pop-up champagne bar' called the "Pommery" An outside caterer sets up an exclusive, reservation only meeting point in one of Edinburgh most elusive and private areas - The Law Library on Parliament Square in the Old Town. Just of the Royal Mile, but not so easy to spot is the library building. In itself it is unassuming. The Pommery adds an terrace, parasols and a canopy. A nice French affair. You have a doorman, a host (or two) a Maitre D and some ladies that walk around serving and popping corks on the numerous bottles of Champagne served out to their guests and visitors. All impeccably dressed - the server ladies wear a t-shirt with the slogan 'can I pop your cork?' - cheeky! (but, yes thank you!) It is indeed a wonderful affair, especially when the light is getting dimmer. A surreal clash of blue and pink light reflected in a mirror ball against the age-old library hall bows, ladders leaning on the book cases in their alcoves and historic splendour. Impressive setting. Drinks and food are reasonably prices and service is efficient, though a little chaotic at times. They have free wifi for the duration and allow you to wonder around the building. They also have weekly compettitions on social media websites to win a meal or vouchers. i would definitely visit again as they are creating the all important exclusive atmosphere and this is one place that keeps its visitor numbers to a containable volume. I very much like. - See you next year! read more

It was the opening night of the Signet Library Pommery Pop Up Bar yesterday. There is a massive sign infront of the building indicating that the bar is open for a month of AUG 2013. The Signet Library normally is not open to the public and personally I feel privileged to drink Pommery champagne with a few nibbles (Popcorn) amongst all these law books, contemporary or old. For now the library has been transformed into a place of relaxed and classy entertainment, but still gives the feeling of a sanctuary. I wish we would have access to all the books that surround you whilst relaxing in comfortable leather chairs and enjoying what life has to offer. It is not a cheap place. A bottle of Champagne starts from £59. They offer shared Fish and Mediterranean platters (£14-£17), afternoon tea (£27), lobster and wedges (£35), sandwiches, cakes, cream tea, and much more. Drinks are prepared neatly starting with Mojitos, Pomitos (champagne and Mojito mix including leaves of fresh mint - very strong), Knops Beer, soft drinks, Martinis..... On their website you can book a table and get some vouchers, which enable you to dine in class for reasonable price. Enjoy the ambiance of the environment and indulge in classy drinks and delightful food! read more

Signet Library - Library - Libraries Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Beautiful setting and very nice afternoon tea. We felt like the general attentiveness of the wait staff was a little lacking. Running out of tea and milk - they didn't really check in with us on that. I'm not sure I'd go back here, but can't say exactly why. It was nice, but nothing memorable. read more

The best afternoon tea I've ever had in my life! Better than London! The food wasn't unlimited, but each and every item was PERFECT. The sandwiches, eclairs, macarons, chocolate... all of it was so amazing. The tea and coffee was unlimited and the selection was also so great! I got a strawberry kiwi tea, which was great for someone like me who doesn't always love tea but DOES love fruit! The Signet Library is a hidden gem. It's centrally located on the Royal Mile and the atmosphere is incredible. Eating in a library is so cool... everything looks very old and the carpets and books are beautiful. The shelves are all huge! I cannot express enough how amazing this experience was. I highly recommend going here for a brunch. It was my favorite part of my trip to Edinburgh! read more

Where does one take one's mother-in-law for lunch on a crisp winters day during her first visit to Edinburgh? Well, the Signet Library fit the bill. As a former library assistant I did feel a bit naughty eating and drinking near all of those lovely books, but still... Maybe we were lucky with the menu on the day we visited, but there wasn't a single thing I wouldn't have eaten. The soup of the day spicy parsnip and apple sounded delicious (and smelled rather good as someone else's order wafted past) but in the end I opted for the savoury scone, basil and tomato scone topped with mozzarella and sun-dried tomatoes - accompanied by a rocket salad with a delicious balsamic glaze (which can save even the most bland of salads in my eyes). All delicious, not overly expensive (although mother-in-law kindly paid!) and fuelled us nicely for traipsing around the castle afterwards! read more

A great place to escape from all the hustle & bustle during the frivolities of August. Champagne by the glass, 250ml Pop bottle or share a bottle of magnum with some nibbles.... Very civilised. Highly recommended- make sure log onto their website for the afternoon tea or lobster voucher if you're planning something more substantial than nibbles. read more

I found this place when looking for "things to do in Edinburgh" and decided to do the afternoon tea. My oh my! I have never had a better tea service. The ambience is a library with beautiful moldings on the ceiling that you can view on your glass top table. The service starts with a soup, followed by tea and a savory stand and a dessert stand. The husband and I found every piece of food item to be works of culinary art! A true Edinburgh treasure! In case you are wondering, the tea was great too! If you are a fan of high tea or want a great high tea experience, don't miss this gem while in Edinburgh! read more

Attended a very well organised and catered wedding function here last weekend. Heritage Portfolio kept everyone well supplied with champagne before & after the meal and with wine throughout it. The dinner itself was first class, particularly the steak which practically melted on the tongue. No idea what you'd pay to have your event here but my guess is that you'd not feel it wasn't money well spent, given the professionalism of the staff and the excellent surroundings. read more