From the moment you enter through the revolving doors of this 180-year-old Edinburgh institution, you can tell that you’re in for an “expérience gastronomique”.
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, just off Princes Street, the Café Royal has been a hive of eating and drinking since 1826, meeting the city’s appetite for the Café’s speciality – oysters.
In 1863, the Café moved to its present Parisian-styled building becoming one of Edinburgh’s most striking restaurants. Surrounded by original stained-glass windows, Victorian plasterwork and Doulton ceramic murals, you really feel that nothing has changed in over 100 years.
The menu has a distinctly Scottish feel, focussing on dishes such as Cullen skink and equally well-known ingredients like Stornoway black pudding. But as the name implies, oysters (and mussels) are what the Café is renowned for. Oysters are served either naturally, Rockefeller (on spinach with mornay sauce) or Kilpatrick style (wrapped in bacon, grilled and drizzled with balsamic), while the mussels are offered with either white wine, cream and shallots; tomato, chilli, red onion and coriander; or with cider and pear. But the menu offers much more than seafood, presenting a selection of venison, lamb, chicken and vegetarian options.
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Saturday lunchtime visit with friends, really busy but great atmosphere and friendly and quick service. Best Fish finger sandwich ever!! Steak sandwich also fab and we loved the Rosemary fries!
Another great visit for beers only, especially loved the 80 shilling. Fabulous bar, love decor and high stools next to the bar so comfortable. Service and staff were great, very friendly and helpful. Would deffo recommend x
Excellent all round. Lovely atmosphere, genuine mix of locals, tourists, suits and partyers. Busy but bar staff never “off”. And a beautiful, unique and historic interior. They don’t make them like this any more. Highly recommend.
* A note on grades, I rate outwards from three stars. * A pleasant, beautiful, and buzzy dining room with good oysters, decent food, and efficient service. A few months on, the vibe and room are memorable from our dinner.
If you're lucky enough to attend on a Sunday for a session, Grace will be behind the counter waiting to serve you with a smile, her friendly happy disposition will put you at ease, nothing is a trouble for her. As you sit back with a pint of your favourite you will bask in the beautiful surrounds that takes you back in time, this is the Cafe Royal, do not miss this place. It is a must on your travels. Highly recommend.
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