Café at the Palace

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

Nestled into the historic setting of Holyrood Palace's mews courtyard, Café at the Palace isn't just a facility for visitors to the palace and adjacent Queen's Gallery, but a bit of an in-the-know local secret for those with business at the Scottish Parliament, situated just across the road. It's also convenient for families and visitors with disabilities. Part conservatory, the interior is light and airy, providing a comfortable atmosphere for tea for two, but also spacious enough to house a large lunch party with reserved tables. There are plenty of packaged sandwiches and juices for sitting in or takeaway, while hot dishes include jacket potatoes laden with fillings, freshly prepared soups and tasty daily specials. Typical examples of these are roasted courgette with a herb crumb and rich Provencal sauce, or roast pork with apple sauce, crackling and plenty of gravy. All are served up generously and can be enjoyed with a bottle of wine or beer. A variety of cakes, thick with luscious icing, make tempting deserts, while the apple pie and sticky toffee pudding make for serious comfort eating. You can even walk it all off in Holyrood Park, visible from the café and yet another tourist attraction right on the doorstep.

• High point: A pleasant café in a historical hot spot
• Low point: Daily specials' vegetables a little lifeless