Café Royal Oyster Bar
- Food served: Mon–Sun noon–2pm, 6–10pm
- Pre-theatre times: Mon–Fri 6–7pm
- Bar open: Mon–Wed 11am–11pm; Thu 11am–midnight; Fri/Sat 11am–1am; Sun 12.30—11pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 8
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Nothing apart from the din from the bar next door
- Capacity: 35
- Largest group: 30
- Open since: 1862
- Average price 2 courses:
£30 (lunch)
£30 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £14.95
- House wine: £12.15 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.
Hidden away down an alley close to, but sufficiently away from, the bustle of Princes Street is this sumptuous snapshot of architectural Victoriana. Designed by Robert Patterson in 1862 as a showroom for the latest in high-tech fixtures and fittings, many of which are still intact, it is astounding that the Café Royal complex has avoided the developer's glare. It's a little like having dinner in the dining room from The Shining, particularly with the din from the adjacent, and equally beautiful, Café Royal Circle Bar giving the sense that a slightly better time is being had elsewhere. Nonetheless, this is an experience and a half: crisp tablecloths and silver tableware ensure that the dining is as elegant as the surroundings, and lend an air of refinement to the food. A starter of half a dozen oysters Kilpatrick wrapped in bacon, grilled and drizzled with balsamic are scrumptiously fresh and only tarnished by the slight crunch of shell from the grilled edges. A main course of scallops with fresh mushroom risotto and mushroom cream is tasty, if slightly too rich, while grilled halibut, salmon and gambas with tagliatelle and a plum tomato dressing is a hearty plateful. Finished off with delicious coffee and a very large platter of British cheese, the refined experience is complete.
- High point: Plump, fresh oysters…
- Low point: …with bits of shell in them
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 4124) and ask for a LIST Card booking.
Café Royal Oyster Bar
The following text has been provided by Café Royal Oyster Bar.
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.
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