Come to La Garrigue and sample the flavours of the Languedoc, in the South of France. Beat the credit crunch with our special offers. At lunch times from Monday to Saturday order one main course, a glass of wine and a coffee for £14.50 or enjoy 3 courses for the price of 2 (£13.50). Sample the deep South's food, its terroir wines and the warmth of its welcome.
City Café
- Food served: Mon–Sun 11am–10pm
- Bar open: Mon–Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–12.30pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 4
- Also offers: Gluten-free options, Outdoor tables (smokers welcome), Live music
- Music on stereo: Dance and house compilations
- Opening times: Mon–Sun 10.00–1.00am
- Capacity: 300–350
- Largest group: 150 (City Café 2 - downstairs)
- Open since: 1985
- Average price 2 courses:
£9 (lunch)
£9 (evening meal) - House wine: £13 per bottle
Nominate this restaurant forThe List Reader Award 2010
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.
The City Cafe's ultra-central location on Blair Street, just off the Royal Mile, makes it one of the capital's busiest drinking establishments, popular with residents and tourists alike. Tables towards the front of the bar are basked in comforting red candlelight suited to quiet drinkers, while the more raucous atmosphere at the back sees diner-style booths and industrious pool tables laden with clubbers usually on their way to Cabaret Voltaire across the road. The dimly lit, grungy interior provides an atmospheric setting for its downstairs live music venue, too. Not surprisingly for a bar with such an energetic pace, food and drink is quick, functional and satisfying. Standard house spirits, draft and bottled beers offer no-fuss choices, while the menu provides a blend of old favourites: burgers, brunch (served until 4pm daily) and sandwiches. A burger with chilli beef, cheese and jalapenos oozes over a plate crowded with salad, coleslaw and chips. Flaming fajitas come with tender chicken and spicy vegetables (but sadly sans flame), though crispy tortillas make for difficult wrapping. Side plates piled high with chips and garlic bread are hefty snacks for peckish drinkers, and a great way to line your stomach before a night out.
- High point: No-frills food and drink in a vibrant atmosphere
- Low point: Waiting for a free pool table can be a futile venture
The LIST Card C2
This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:
Lunch: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
Dinner: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
Remember: book by phone (0131 220 0125) and ask for a LIST Card booking.
The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.
Comments for City Café (19 Blair Street, Edinburgh)
- 1. Juliet – 23 January 2009, 3:50pm
Report -
I went to the City Cafe today for lunch & it was lovely! There was a small group of us so we grabbed a booth & I had the chicken fajitas - I can highly recommend them!
Lovely, good quality pub food. Mmmm.
- 2. Lynda, Edinburgh – 16 September 2009, 5:09pmReport
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Been to the City Cafe for lunch countless times and honestly never had a bad meal there.
It is a really cool bar with a great vibe, only thing missing is a juke box.
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