Palm Court
1 Princes Street
- Food served: Mon–Sun 9am–5.30pm [Afternoon tea: 1.30–5.30pm]
- Bar open: Mon–Sun 10am–midnight
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 17
- Private dining: Up to 30 covers
- No. overnight rooms: 188
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Live music
- Music on stereo: MOR
- Capacity: 60
- Largest group: 50
- Open since: 1902
- Average price:
£10.50 for sandwiches; afternoon tea £23 (lunch) - House wine: £29 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
At the heart of the Balmoral, the grand old railway hotel that stands foursquare at the eastern end of Princes Street, lies the Palm Court. For all that the rest of the hotel offers Michelin-starred dining (in Number One), a sleek brasserie (Hadrian’s) and a comfy modern bar (The Balmoral Bar), not to mention 188 rooms with amazing city views, the Palm Court seems to sum up the elegance and old-fashioned charm of the grande dame. Not that the modern world doesn’t intrude a wee bit: some prominent branding means that by day it’s the Bollinger Bar at Palm Court and by night it’s the Tanqueray No. TEN cocktail bar at Palm Court. The mood evolves gradually through the day from tea-cup tinkling with a harp playing in the background to a martini cocktail lounge by night with jazzy piano and sharp lighting. You can wander in for a drink, a coffee or a bar snack, but the main event here is undoubtedly the afternoon tea, which aims to trump anything else in the city for sheer, timeless decadence. Crisp white linen napkins and a three-tiered silver plate stand ever so delicately groaning with ever so delightfully tasty sandwiches (crusts off, of course), scones and shortbread, with ten different teas or infusions to choose from and the tickling temptation to augment it all with a glass of champagne. That will set you back £37, but it’s worth hinting to friends and lovers that gift vouchers are available. If you are set on afternoon tea, it’s often worth booking.
- High point: Proper old-fashioned elegance
- Low point: Proper 21st-century branding
The Balmoral’s sophisticated Palm Court Bar is to undergo a renovation and is reopening as a Tanqueray® No. TEN™ martini cocktail bar where customers can enjoy a modern martini cocktail experience.
The new styling is inspired by the Art Deco movement and recreates the chic atmosphere of the 1930’s martini cocktail bars when the drink first came into fashion. New features include a dramatic back bar display and black and white wall coverings - reflecting the sleek, art deco exterior of the Tanqueray No. TEN bottle. Ambient green lighting that echoes the iconic bottle colour will enhance the atmosphere in the evenings.
Text supplied by venue or third party.
Reviews of Palm Court (The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh)
- 2. frommywindow, Edinburgh – 11 October 2011, 11:32pm
Palm CourtReport -
Took my mum here for a treat on Sunday and was slightly underwhelmed. The Palm Court room and atmosphere was wonderful, and the tea blend was delicious, but the food was disappointing. Very bland sandwiches, no cream for the scones, and two of the petit-fours relied heavily on sickly-sweet butter-icing. I was also annoyed at being asked repeatedly if we wanted a glass of champagne. Overall, it was a lovely experience and my mum enjoyed it, but it didn't quite reach the standard I'd hoped for.
- 1. Lynda, Edinburgh – 3 February 2010, 12:50pm
Palm CourtReport -
I had afternoon tea before Christmas and the whole experience was wonderful. The sandwiches were plentiful and tasty and as for the cakes, I honestly think they were the most delicious cakes I have ever eaten!!! We had filter coffee and you could get as many top ups as you wished. It really was a fantastic treat and I can't wait to go again.
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