Visiting Edinburgh? Don’t forget your wellies, raincoat and umbrella. For as beautiful as it is, Edinburgh can be equally wet, with an average of 129 days of rain a year. That’s about 35% rainy days, but don’t let that put you off. Scotland is full of brilliant indoor and rain-friendly activities.
At The Chocolatarium, our visitors often ask for suggestions for rainy days, so we put together this easy guide for adults and families.
Food and Drinks Experiences in Edinburgh
Afternoon Tea in Edinburgh
Colonnades at the Signet Library
This is probably the finest afternoon tea you’ll find in Edinburgh. The kind of place you take your mother to celebrate her birthday. The Tea Salon is absolutely beautiful. It does get busy, though, so you’ll need to book in advance.
- Prices: From £75 per person
- Opening Hours: Thursday to Monday, 11:00 to 16:30
- Address: Parliament Square, Edinburgh, EH1 1RF
- Official Website: colonnadesedinburgh.com
Prestonfield House Hotel
If you’d like that Scottish country-house feel, Prestonfield is wonderful. Think tartan cushions, antlers on the walls, velvet-draped rooms, roaring fires, and even a few Highland cows out in the gardens. I live nearby and visit for special occasions, and always find the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming.
- Prices: Summer Afternoon Tea £70 per person, Summer Champagne Afternoon Tea £85 per person
- Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday 12:00 to 18:45, Friday and Saturday 12:00 to 16:00
- Address: Priestfield Rd, Edinburgh, EH16 5UT
- Official Website: prestonfield.com
The Dome (Georgian Tea Room)
The Dome is a classic choice. It’s served in a Georgian Tea Room with a stunning ceiling that feels very grand. It’s a large restaurant so it’s usually easier to book than some of the others.
- Prices: From £32 per person.
- Opening Hours: From 12:00 daily
- Address: 14 George St, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF
- Official Website: thedomeedinburgh.com
Make Your Own Scottish Chocolate Bar
If you’d like something cosy and chocolatey, consider adding the chocolate tour at The Chocolatarium to your list. This is a fully guided, hands-on chocolate-making experience in a small, traditional Scottish building with a cosy atmosphere. You’ll start the tour with a delicious warm cup of hot cacao (ideal on a rainy day to cheer you up), learn about cacao, make your very own Scottish bar to take home and have a chocolate tasting session. The tour was voted the number one food experience in the UK this year.
There are also Wine & Chocolate, Whisky & Chocolate and Truffle-making options.
- Tickets: Chocolate Tour £28 adults; £18.50 children (6–15)
- Opening Hours: Open daily; tours typically 09:30 to 18:30
- Address: 3–5 Cranston Street, Edinburgh, EH8 8BE
- Official Website: chocolatarium.co.uk
Take a Gin Distillery Tour or Tasting
The history of gin in Edinburgh goes back hundreds of years. But it was in the early 2000s that gin-making in Scotland exploded. The rules about the size of distillation stills that were allowed were changed, and the number of distilleries in Scotland went from just two in 2000 to well over 100 distilleries today, mostly small craft producers.
Most gin experiences offer a comprehensive overview of gin’s history, a sensory smelling experience, insights into their brand’s history, and, of course, a gin tasting! There are also make-your-own gin and cocktail-making options.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery
Right in the centre, this distillery offers guided tours that start with a video about the history of gin. The botanicals room is beautifully designed, and then you finish with the tasting. The setting is classy, with a spacious bar where you can relax afterwards.
- Prices: Classic Tour £28; Gin & Chocolate £35; Cocktail Class £50; Gin-Making (3.5h) £140
- Opening Hours: Daily from ~11:00 to 19:30 (late tours Thursday to Saturday)
- Official Website: edinburghgin.com
- Address: Arch 16, The Arches, East Market Street, EH8 8FS.
Also check out our recommendations about things to do in Autumn in Edinburgh.
