Loch Fyne in Edinburgh boasts an incredible á la carte menu that is filled with the freshest and most seasonal dishes
£9.95 set menu , 12pm–9.30pm. Claim your voucher.
Café Royal Oyster Bar
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–2pm, 6–10pm
- Bar open: Mon–Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 12.30pm–10pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 10
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Nothing
- Opening times: Mon–Wed 11am–11pm; Thu 11am–midnight; Fri/Sat 11am–1am; Sun 12.30–11pm
- Capacity: 35
- Largest group: 30
- Open since: 1863
- Average price:
£25 (lunch)
£25 (evening meal) - House wine: £13 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
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.
Folklore has it that oysters were once so plentiful in the Forth that Edinburgh used to live on them. The Café Royal Oyster Bar is living proof that the citizens have loved oysters at least as far back as 1863 when its revolving doors first twirled open. The vibe is more old-world Paris than Edinburgh and the menu would please any Parisian with a choice of four varieties of oyster and heaving shellfish platters that come, somewhat unusually for Scotland, in one- or two-person servings. Mussels come in traditional marinière style, spiced with chilli and coriander, or perked up in a tart cider and pear sauce. Sea bass shines as a main alongside a hearty smoked haddock chowder, while the chunky king scallops burst alive with chorizo, crushed celeriac and a chilli jam. For a decadent treat, indulge in lobster polished with Café Royal butter sauce. Things finish off with raspberry cranachan, which, along with those plump oysters, has kept Edinburgh diners happy since the days when the city lived (allegedly) on the hallowed mollusc.
- High point: The oldest seafood restaurant in the city swims in history
- Low point: Tables are a wee bit too close for comfort
The LIST Card F28
This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:
Lunch: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Dinner: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Exclusions: Public Holidays
Remember: book by phone (0131 556 1884) and ask for a LIST Card booking.
Café Royal Oyster Bar
The following information has been provided by the restaurant.
More Theatrical than Edinburgh in August, it is a perfect Victorian relic tucked down an alley off Princes Street. The fantastically atmospheric room-a riot of stained glass, murals, mirrors and wood paneling-that's the star. Taste Scottish produce at its best. Pop in to Edinburgh's hidden gem to sample a selection of Scottish cask ales, malt whiskies and why not try our home smoked delights, we smoke food on the premises every day. Don't miss the best oysters and mussels in town. Food is served all day in the bar and restaurant, the bar is open for drinks till late.
Guardian Newspaper–21 June 2008 Irvine Welsh’s (author) favorite restaurant in Edinburgh “As well as being an amazingly beautiful building, the Café Royal is also a great place for seafood. My usual order is a glass of champagne and a plate of oysters. They’re just gorgeous here”
Telegraph Newspaper–24 May 2008 “This polished gem set near Edinburgh’s Castle Rock is worth visiting just to ogle its Victorian opulence. If there had been a pub on board the Titanic, this would have been it.”
The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.
Reviews of Café Royal Oyster Bar (17a West Register Street, Edinburgh)
- 3. Judy, Edinburgh – 21 July 2011, 8:22am
Café Royal Oyster BarReport -
We ate there last night & OMG! Standard of food was appauling, from start to finish. The oysters were poor, I asked for a mix of 3 natural & 3 special, the natural came slightly warm fixed to a plate with mashed potatoe! For main course we had a steak which came with burnt mushroom & onion, 15 mins later more came & the onion was raw this time, my fish stew was awful, a tasteless gloop. Pud was meant to be a toffee, pear sponge which was an M&S sticky toffee pud with slices of hard unripe pear on top - yuk! Some of the service was ok but clearly geared towards tourists but I couldnt recommend this to anyone. Later last night both of us were feeling slightly unwell, only I have made it to work today - beware!!!!!! Much better places in Edinburgh to have oysters if your a fan.
- 2. Midweek Foodie, Edinburgh – 13 October 2009, 9:41amCafé Royal Oyster BarReport
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Oh dear, went last night for a special meal and the surroundings, the service and the wine were absolutely lovely.
Unfortunately the lobster wasn't. It was overcooked and didn't taste great but we gave it the benefit of the doubt. A few hours later it became clear that the overcooking had been an attempt to hide the fact that this lobster had been residing in the kitchen for rather longer than recommended! Maybe a Monday night wasn't the best time to go but definitely not an experience to be recommended - unless you're a fan of a spot of food poisoning!
- 1. R Dineen, Wessex – 13 January 2009, 2:22pm
Café Royal Oyster BarReport -
Ate there today at lunchtime and had a fantastic meal in wonderful surroundings. this place came recommended as we had no idea where to go to lunch but knew we wanted oysters. And what a wonderful place for lunch.
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