St Giles' Cathedral Café

Send us more details about this place.

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

This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.

Entered through the courtyard at the back of the cathedral and nestled partly among the crypt arches, this café offers something different just off the main drag. A modern refit creates a cool, calm interior while minute stained-glass windows and the faint strains of sermon, organ or choir provide a gentle reminder of the setting. Serving up quality, freshly made food, umbrella company Glenfinlas runs a tight ship without losing the personal touch. Seasonal produce is the starting point for changing daily specials and it’s often sourced from their own farm shop in East Lothian. A mushroom, potato and thyme soup is rich and earthy while the surprisingly light butternut squash curry is delicately spiced, flavoured with coconut milk and comes with basmati rice. A slice of the savoury pie is a superior staple of all-butter pastry crust stuffed with eggs, cream and a delicious concoction such as roast vegetables and brie. There's a great array of cakes too. In the midst of summer hubbub, five outside tables offer a secluded suntrap in the heart of the city.

• High point: Quality ingredients, quality food
• Low point: Not easy to find