Cafe Hub

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• Average price 2 courses:
   £12 (lunch)
   £16 (evening meal)
• House wine: £12.95 per bottle

• High point: Families welcome - and a Sunday carvery
• Low point: Chairs and tables have a 'waiting room' vibe
• Food served: Sun-Thu 11am-5pm; Fri/Sat 11am-10pm.
• Private dining: Up to 300 covers
• Open since: 1999
• Also offers: Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Wheelchair access

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Despite its austere, gothic exterior, the Hub has a disarmingly warm and brightly coloured interior - the glass doors open upon a large, high-ceilinged hall with pale wooden flooring, bright yellow walls and deep blue chairs. This former church is now the home of the Edinburgh International Festival, and really comes into its own in the summer-time, when light pours in through the tall, arched windows and the outdoor tables are packed. Evening meals are available throughout the spring and summer and lean towards Scottish game and seafood with a European twist, such as the chorizo-stuffed chicken breast with basil and parmesan potato. Outside Festival season, it's a good place to escape from the throngs on the Royal Mile and enjoy some simple home cooking during the day. The likes of lentil and sweet potato stew, or chef Shona Thompson's own sausages and mash, restore the soul and prepare the many visiting tourists for their assault on Arthur's Seat. Desserts are the Hub's strong points - the fruit crumble's topping is rich and buttery and the cheesecake perfectly matched with a cinnamon cream and poached pear.