Edinburgh's Waldorf Astoria creates zoo-themed afternoon tea - with cute penguin and panda cakes

The luxury hotel and Edinburgh Zoo have come together to create a special afternoon tea.

Published 16th Apr 2021
Updated 8 th Aug 2023

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian have teamed up with Edinburgh Zoo for a special zoo-themed afternoon tea.


In celebration of one of Edinburgh’s most loved attractions, customers can enjoy an afternoon tea with animal cakes in the Peacock Alley lounge of the hotel from 26 April until 30 June.

Handmade by the hotel’s talented pastry chefs, the Edinburgh Zoo Afternoon Tea features Chilean flamingos made of strawberry milkshake choux buns, Queensland koalas made of mint chocolate chip petit gateau, giant pandas made of triple chocolate delice, miniature giraffes made of watermelon ganache filled macarons and king penguins created from deconstructed banoffee pie.

Accompanied by a selection of savoury treats, the afternoon tea also includes Scottish roast beef, onion marmalade and truffle mayonnaise on sliced baguette, smoked salmon and dill crème fraiche sandwich, sun-dried tomato and ricotta quiche.

As with any afternoon tea, there will be freshly baked plain and sultana scones and an array of loose leaf teas to choose from.

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh will donate £5 per afternoon tea to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, the wildlife conservation charity which leads Edinburgh Zoo, to support their work to safeguard threatened species in Scotland and around the world.

Guests can also gift an additional, optional £5 to the zoo.


David Field, Royal Zoological Society of Scotland CEO, said, “While we are delighted Edinburgh Zoo is open to visitors from across Scotland again, our visitor numbers remain limited for everyone’s safety, so it is really exciting to have a brand new way to help people connect to nature.

“Seeing some of our amazing animals recreated as delicious treats is incredible and it is fantastic to see our world-famous giant pandas and penguins featuring alongside new additions like the giraffes we hope will be arriving soon.

“After a very challenging year, we are so grateful for support of Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh which will help our charity continue to protect species at risk of extinction across the globe.”

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Dale MacPhee, General Manager of Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, added:, “As one of the city’s most loved attractions, Edinburgh Zoo has a special place in our all our hearts.

"Our pastry chefs got a lot of joy out of creating each of these pastries so that our guests can enjoy them while
also supporting the wonderful work of the zoo.”

Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh’s Edinburgh Zoo Afternoon Tea is priced at £40 per person and available as classic, vegan and free from gluten.

Peacock Alley Lounge will be open for bookings from 26 April from Monday to Friday 12-5pm.

Waldorf Astoria Afternoon Tea at Home is priced at £70 for two people and available Wednesday to Sunday 12-2pm for delivery and collection.

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To book a table, email afternoontea.reservations@waldorfastoria.com or call 0131 222 8824.

To find out more about Waldorf Astoria Afternoon Tea at Home, visit the hotel's website.

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Known for cake making, experimental jam recipes, Champagne, whisky and gin drinking (and the inability to cook Gnocchi), Rosalind is the Food and Drink Editor and whisky writer for The Scotsman, as well as hosting Scran, The Scotsman's food and drink podcast.
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