Cafe Hub

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses: £11.50 (lunch)
• House wine: £12.95 per bottle

• High point: Quality desserts
• Low point: Uncomfortable chairs
• Food served: Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (open until 10pm during the Festival)
• Open since: 1999
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
– in the shops now or buy online.

Light pours in through the high windows of Café Hub and settles on the cheerful yellow walls of this grand dining hall, that was formerly a church and is now the headquarters of the Edinburgh International Festival. There's a peaceful vibe in this tourist-filled eatery that has both a formal dining area and comfy blue sofas for lounging on and enjoying a cup of coffee at the back. The menu celebrates Scottish cuisine and serves mostly light, lunchtime fare. The roasted butternut squash soup is a vibrant orange and has a sweet and smooth texture. A tall, stacked sandwich of Parma ham, mozzarella, tomato and pesto on crispy toasted bread is a delicious mouthful. On the heavier side, the roasted chicken leg has a crispy skin and a moist underside, and comes with sturdy wedge-cut sage potatoes and green beans soaked in a nutty, honey glaze. Best of all are the desserts, which include a cupful of rhubarb crumble partnered with a tiny pitcher of yellow custard. During the Festival, the Hub is a popular place for grazing outdoors as guests can enjoy the excitement of the Royal Mile as well as a great glass of wine.