Café Portrait

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

When Edinburgh's Portrait Gallery opened with new-found swagger and style, at the end of 2011, art fans had plenty to get their teeth into: a stunning, multi-million pound facelift with glorious works by Scottish greats like Henry Raeburn and contemporary, colourful, glossy portraits of familiar faces like Tom Kitchin, David Tennant and SuBo, suggesting a venture firing on all cylinders. Foodies, too, had ample reason to rejoice, courtesy of the gallery’s fresh, bright and bustling new café area. Where once it felt dark and dingy, now high windows and airy, slick décor make it feel welcoming and inclusive. Staples include Parma ham and mozzarella-laden ciabatta, and delicious homemade soups (the parsnip and rosemary is a must), while daily specials offer interesting twists on classic dishes: a macaroni cheese, given depth and kick by a smoked pancetta and leek infusion. The wide array of cakes doesn’t disappoint, a lemon drizzle cake, offering suitable tang and moisture. It’s licensed, too, should you fancy a bottle of locally brewed beer or glass of crisp chardonnay.

• High point: Two for the price of one: food and art
• Low point: Gets very busy at lunchtime