St Giles' Café Bar

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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This comfortable café bar has you sinking back into your chair and disappearing into a little piece of Provence. A magnificent stone building, St Giles' Café stands proudly just off the High Street and offers a little taste of France on a plate. The interior is impressive, with a fabulously high stone ceiling, wooden stairs and beams. Its warm open arms give you the chance to hide from the hordes on the Royal Mile, beckoning you in with its enchanting fairy lights and cheeky little menu. There might not be a huge range to choose from, but what it does it does well. In the morning, croissants are plentiful – almond, raisin, and chocolate – with delightfully flaky pastry. Throughout the day there’s a choice of hot dishes along the lines of couscous with vegetables, vegetarian lasagne, and waffles with bacon, brie and maple syrup. But the highlight of the menu is the light bites, which are great to mix and match. Feta and mixed olives, a meat platter with salami and pastrami, three-cheese platter, falafel and feta yoghurt dip – all ideal for sharing. Whether it’s for some wine and snacks before tackling those Edinburgh cobbles or a more hearty sandwich you're after, this is a great pit stop to recharge those batteries.

• High point: A little taste of France in the heart of Edinburgh
• Low point: No hot food served upstairs