Go Here: Clarinda's Tea Room in Edinburgh


When I'm traveling with my students,
I'm a bit of a sucker for routine.

You see, I'm often doing a similar circuit
that is really fast-paced,
so I enjoy a bit of normalcy in the midst of the whirlwind.

I tend to stick to my pre-approved list of good things
and spend the rest of my time staring blankly at the ceiling of my hotel room
trying to recover and plan for the day ahead.

But sometimes, even in the midst of exhaustion & routine,
you find that places can still charm & surprise you...
like I was in Edinburgh this week.

***

I was heading up the Royal Mile from Holyrood Palace
right as Tyler was arriving at our hotel from the train station.


{Editor's note: Yes, he arrived a day later than I did
because home boy now has three ladies to support
and is feeling some pressure to work some wee longer hours.}


As I huffed my way up the hill in the cold,
I saw a cute little tea room named Clarinda's 
that seemed to be glowing from the window.




I texted Tyler if he wanted to walk down to meet me there instead
and he said he'd be there in ten minutes.

When I walked in the creaky door,
I was patting myself on the proverbial back 
for choosing to stop in this gem.

Tiny bouquets of flowers sat on
lace tablecloths draped over the tables...




Blue & white china hung spattered along the wall...




A table full of baked goods lay before me
glowing with the splendour of a pirates chest 
overflowing with golden coins & jewels...





And the menu had so many of my favorite things
at ridiculously cheap prices.





I was in heaven!




Please add this cozy stop to your visit to Edinburgh...
and pretty-please try the carrot cake.

Find Clarinda's on the Royal Mile

Just walk down and you'll find it 
near the bottom of the Royal Mile on your left-
sitting somewhere between the Canongate Kirk
(where economist Adam Smith is buried)
and the new parliament building near Holyrood Palace.

***

For more of my favorite things in Scotland, 
click here for additional posts.


*all images original to Aspiring Kennedy

32 comments:

  1. Ahhh! A peek at the bump! You look so happy and glowing :) Aside from the adorable pregnant lady, this little cafe looks pretty darn cute too ;)

    xxx
    Jenna

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  2. Gorgeous photos! Makes me want to travel so badly! www.fashionifancy.com

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  3. Absolutely beautiful! Your are such a radiant, gorgeous mama to be!

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  4. Oh it's a proper old fashioned tea room, how lovely.

    Yes you do look beautiful.

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  5. Beautiful photos! So jealous of your life... !!

    Xo-L

    simplylowcountry.blogspot.com

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  6. Clarinda's looks lovely. I wish I was there right now! And I love the peak at the bump in that picture!!

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  7. It looks so cute! And the baked goods...drooling over my computer now! :)

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  8. Looks yummy! Seems like a place that would be good for the soul :)

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  9. On my list - planning on Scotland in the spring. Thanks for the tip.

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  10. And this is why you're the best travel blogger ever- you find the hidden gems and showcase them so beautifully for us.

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  11. Haha! Homeboy is in for one heck of a ride with three beautiful ladies in tow!

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  12. So cute. I could go with one of those pastries about now and a hot cup of tea. It got cold here!

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  13. Cute place! Looks cozy. -Heidi http://fabricandfrosting.blogspot.no/

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  14. What an adorable jem! Love the cozy decor :)

    -Sarah {tuckerup.blogspot.com}

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  15. loveliest tea room! i'm sure you've said a million times, but i'm a new reader - what is your awesome job that you get to travel so much?!

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  16. so lovely and charming! i want to spend all my mornings there!

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  17. I think Scotland is next on my Europe to visit list! And I love tea rooms, so I'll definitely be bookmarking this place to try! Thanks for the post...

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  18. this looks like a place right out of a book!

    xo the egg out west.

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  19. Looks truly delightful! (Love the peek at your babyx2 bump! You look gorgeous!)

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  20. Did you order one of all those baked goods? YUMMY! My sister and I have been doing research for our next trip (like in 5 years). We want to Scotland and Ireland and rent a house for a week or two. Of course, Ella wants to go so she can look for Nessie. ;)

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  21. I want to go!! Meet you there?! (:

    You are glowing. I'm soo excited for you four!

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  22. Ugh that cuppa tea is making me feel like I am super cold and need one to match right now. You look aahhhmazing too. And now I am waiting to hear about how Ireland went! #instagramcreeper...

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  23. i've actually been to endinburgh - but not to the tea room. i would love to go back and explore the nooks and cranny's of the city. have you climbed the mountain? {ok, maybe it's a hill (:} xojacqlyn new follower!

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  24. the PERFECT little spot to take the babies once they are at the tea-drinking age :) looks magical. xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

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  25. What a charming place! And the food looks delish :)
    Now, I'm curious, what do you teach? Do you travel often with your students?
    xoxo
    The Brazilian Way of Life
    www.camilagcarneiro.blogspot.com.br

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  26. those pasteries looks amazing!!! and how cute are you preggys!

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  27. Clarinda's Tea Room is one place that I continually day dream about from our visit 6 years ago. Glad you stumbled up on it - it is delightful and that cream tea...oh dear, I think I need another trip! ;)

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  28. Clarinda's Tea Room is one place that I continually day dream about from our visit 6 years ago. Glad you stumbled up on it - it is delightful and that cream tea...oh dear, I think I need another trip! ;)

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  29. What a great little place- makes me want to go! Beautiful photo of you :D

    http://mylifebeingrenewed.blogspot.com/

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  30. What a neat little place. I would park there for the day and write. Seems like an inspiring spot.

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  31. I walked past that just the other day but we decided to find somewhere to sit outside because for once it was sunny and warmish in Edinburgh!

    If you're back soon check out Anteaques, my favourite place for tea. I wrote about it (and another place) here: http://laualexandra.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/tea-tea-tea/

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