The Cafe Royal is a brilliantly traditional pub and restaurant, located down a sneaky wee alleyway, which is actually a nice little oasis of cool pub establishments, as you've got Voodoo Rooms above Cafe Royal to go to as well. The Cafe Royal is steeped in history (love the word steeped, have been trying to find somewhere to use it all day), having been around in its current location since 1863. You can witness the evidence of the history steeping when you get inside and check out the stained glass and wood paneled interior, with the old fashioned bar and surrounding booths. There are tons of whiskies and good ales to choose from, plus some really decent and hearty pub food options. The Cafe Royal is famous for its amazing oysters, and the restaurant section next door to the main bar has a really tasty, very Scottish menu on the go. A couple of other things to note - a restaurant scene from Chariots of Fire was filmed here, plus the place is apparently haunted, so ghost hunters, get yourself down here for some oysters plus spirit searching. read more

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Our first night in Edinburgh, exploring the streets where we were staying, we stumble across a backstreet, five minutes from Edinburgh Waveley Station, and this lovely traditional pub and oysters bar. We went in for a night cap and vowed to come back again to have a meal. It's a fabulous Victorian building and became a listed building after it was almost sold to Woolworths, so they could expand their stores. Luckily, planning permission was denied. On the blackboard outside, we saw some special pre-theatre deals, 2 courses for £14.95, and 3 courses for £17.95, available between 5pm-6.30pm, Mondays to Thursdays. These are only for dining in the restaurant. Unfortunately, we could not take advantage of those since we were there for the weekend, so we came back for lunch in the Bar. Our ethos for this weekend was to do everything for free or as cheaply as possible, that was our challenge! So lunch at the bar would have to do. There were plenty of booths round by the window side of the bar which obviously gets filled up pretty quickly, so we sat at tables on bar stools on the opposite side and the other side of the bar, which was just as pleasant. Sitting high, you could see everywhere! For starters, I took advantage of the oysters and champagne deal, 3 oysters and a glass for £11.95 or 6 oysters for £11 which the guys did, as they had ale. The oysters were absolutely delicious, fresh, natural, with a squeeze of lemon. However, did wonder why the flesh were so small compared to the size of the shells? For mains we had the Cafe Royal Fish Stew (fresh seafood in a rich tomato and basil sauce), Tagliatelle Pasta (with fresh crab, chorizo, chilli & prawns, in a tomato sauce), Scottish Salmon & Caper Fishcakes (with wilted spinach, poached egg & hollandaise). All done to perfection and tasted superb. A fabulous treat after climbing Arthur's Seat earlier in the morning, and a 20 minutes walk from Holyrood Park, pass Parliament and the Museum of Edinburgh, and across the North Bridge, or underneath the bridge, through Edinburgh Waveley station. read more

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An unreserved five stars for this classic pub. Had the smoked salmon to start, and it was excellent. My main was roast lamb. It was well presented, tender and had an intense lamb flavor. (Most of the lamb that I had in the UK was stronger than you would find in America. From my perspective this is a positive.) I enjoyed my ales, and our bartender was very helpful with recommendations and samples. The Victorian architecture is also a feast for the eyes. read more

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The Cafe Royal is a gorgeous bar and restaurant tucked away in West Register Street, directly behind Princes Street. In fact, it's so tucked away that unless you went on a mission to find it (or got lost in the city's back streets) you could quite easily be unaware of its very central existence. There are two parts to the Cafe Royal - the bar and the restaurant, both are equally wonderful. The bar has a wide range of malt whiskies and an excellent menu (including the famed Cafe Royal Oysters, try them Rockefeller style), however it is usually incredibly packed - you would be very lucky to secure a table for yourself, most of the drinks I've had here have been at the bar. The restaurant is an oasis of calm compared to the bar. The food and service are both exceptional however this is reflected in the price of the menu. The Cafe Royal is worth a visit just to check the decor of the bar, it is incredibly ornate with exquisitely painted Victorian tiles on the walls, stained glass windows and expertly carved wooden panels. Bring tourists and out-of-towners here to impress them with the style and quality of Edinburgh's drinking holes! read more

The Cafe Royal - www.caferoyal.org.uk - Seafood Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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My salmon was absolutely to die for. I got the salmon with potatoes and asparagus paired with a Pinot Grigio rosé and it was by far the best thing I have eaten in Edinburgh. The restaurant is very neat, as it is turning 155 years next week, so the history is very cool. Kind of a hole in the wall, slightly off Princes Street, but nothing too sketchy. Absolutely amazing, definitely worth a try. read more

The Cafe Royal - My salmon filet. So good! - Seafood Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Quite the busy pub! We were out after a long day in Edinburgh. We waited for some seats back at the restaurant area at a bar table. We enjoyed some good drinks and some fried mac and cheese balls. The bar area is cool...Victorian style. Drinks prices are average. We then got to the restaurant area. The food itself was alright. Not the best, not the worst. There were some dishes that we wanted that they were out of. This place was very crowded though. I would absolutely recommend making a reservation for dinner. read more

Was our first stop of the trip and it did not disappoint. The fish and chips have been the best so far- still haven't found anything quite like it. Also got delicious scallops and great beer. Sat at the tables by the bar area, and my only complaint was slow service (this may just be culture shock since i'm used to a new york pace). Otherwise, delicious and very nice environment. Must go, might go again. read more

Went there while visiting Edinburgh. It's a few doors down of the playhouse. The look of the place caught our eye and we decided to check out. At first we were a little confused because no one came to take out order. But we are just not used to ordering at the bar. We figured it out after a few minutes. We had two beers and tried the haggis nachos. They were pretty interesting I'd say. I've definitely better nacho chips but I liked they added a Scottish spin to the dish. We enjoyed the atmosphere of the place and would recommend if you are looking for a nice pub. read more

The Cafe Royal is an upscale Pub located across the street from The Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland, a short walk up an alley. The "restaurant" part of the Pub is off the main bar and is small with only a few white linen tables. It's a charming Pub with a warm and comfortable ambience. We shared a bottle of wine with oysters and the fish stew which was very good; the frites (also called rooster chips) were excellent. Highly recommended. read more

Salmon caper fish cakes were amazing. Salmon entree was great too. Good service. Great ambiance. read more

Looking for a story? Why not got to the Café Royal for some journalistic hearsay. This noisy, comfortable bar is tucked away behind Princes Street and is the destination for many weary hacks and businessmen seeking an after-work drink. As you see the Evening News and Scotsman laid across the bar, it's tempting to flick through the stories and try to identify their authors. Like the Horseshoe in Glagow, the traditional wooden bar dominates the centre of the room as customers fit round its edge in plush booths or by lean-to tables. The pictures on the wall, the exotic plants by entrance and the painted mirrors decorate the bar subtly and in good taste. The range of drinks and their prices are reasonable without being remarkable - it's the decor and interesting company that you come here for. read more

The Cafe Royal - Cafe Royal Circle Bar - Seafood Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This used to be my favourite bar in town, why? It is suitable for absolutely anyone, apart from Jakeballs. So lets review possible scenario You are on a date/out with the Partner - cheeky pint of something local for him, lovely glass of red for her, sit in a booth or on one of the high tables and stare lovingly into each other's eyes while the non-obtrusive staff bring refills to your table, and you can order some nibbles to share. Out with the parents or family - you want one of the booths, you could fit 6 around one of these. Mum can try one of their fine Gins, while you and dad work your way through the beer range. Old Dear starts talking nonsense? You can start talking about the beautiful design of the bar, the history of the tile art work, or just pick up a paper and ignore her babbling! After work beers/ out with the boys/girls? This island bar is yours to conquer, elbow your way in and line the drinks up! Worth noting that there are numerous good boozers within a stone's throw - two more in the same building (Guildford and Voodoo) This place is a great spot for escaping town, its really warm, but open, and the staff are very good. Their food is very good, renowned for seafood from the adjoining restaurant - though I prefer the burgers. They stock a lot of local produce from seafood, to whisky and beer. read more

Pop in here after 5pm on a week day and you'll notice it start to fill up with people who work in the centre of Edinburgh. I really like it here, it looks classy but you won't feel out of place. They've always got a good selection of beers and I've never had to wait too long to get served. Nip in for a quick one on your way past, you won't regret it. read more

Wow...Cafe Royal is one of the best looking old-school pubs you can find in the capital. Go here, seriously, you will walk away impressed! Sure Cafe Royal is a bit touristy, but seriously I could spend hours staring at the elaborate plush interior. It gets insanely crowded such that we couldn't get a table for dinner, but to be honest the food in the bar area did not look the best (though in the adjacent restaurant the food looked stellar). Do come here for a drink or three though, you'll be glad you did! read more

This is a stunning bar and restaurant. In the middle of the Victorian type room is the huge circle/oval shaped island bar, and is a sight to see. Let alone the ornately carved wooden fireplace, large mirror, high ceilings, and six huge ancient tiled murals on one wall. From what I read the murals were done by and artist named John Eyre, and done in the 1880's, and later purchased by the bar when they opened. I love pubs with a history, and this has it. There is a bar area, and a separate dinning area in the back. The bar is where its at for me though. They have four cask ales, and a full menu so you can eat at the bar if you want. One cask is always Deuchars IPA, the rest rotate. A variety of Kelburn and Stewart's Brewing have been available on my visits. The casks are in good shape as well. The food is great. I usually have lunch here after walking around Calton Hill for a few hours. Awesome seafood options. The oysters, and mussels are top notch, fresh, and local. Last time I had a Sea Bass Chowder that was excellent. The chowder itself was good, but the huge fresh prawns that came with are amazing. This place is great, and a pretty central location as well. Very easy to get from the station at Waverly, Calton Hill, or even the Royal Mile. Guildford Arms is right there as well, so a good spot to start a pub crawl if you want to explore the Rose St area. read more

I came here on rugby day and thought it would be packed out, but in fact there was room to move and the bar staff were being pretty speedy with service (except for me, but I wasn't giving off "I'm waiting signals", so entirely my fault.) Often have I admired its opulence from outside (like a little Victorian waif pressing up against the grubby glass to watch a family eat roast beef) but I definitely chose the right time of year to come inside for the first time - my goodness me. The opulence was raised another notch by beautiful Christmassy decorations - everywhere! Those halls were well and truly decked, but in superb taste. I felt that first twist of excitement at last! Yes, I am one of those who gladly will embrace Christmas preparations as early as October... mid-November is definitely leaving it late for me... As I stood there chatting away with my £1.05 lime and soda (not the most expensive I've had, but not the cheapest) a glorious aroma filled my nostrils... and past my eyes floated a plate bearing beautiful, golden and crispy-looking battered fish. Oh, but it did look good. I'll update when I've been back for food, but for atmosphere and decor, it's a firm and twinkly four from me! read more

Went to this place for lunch as a friend had eaten here before and recommended it. We couldn't find a table initially but were able to share with some other people. The service was good and the food fabulous. I had the salmon salad and the salmon was superb. My friend had haggis neeps and tatties, which were heavenly. The decor is lovely with high ceilings and a central bar. Very spacious area, in a good location. Although not on the main road so not many people stumble across this, glad we got a recommendation. read more

Mmmm... Scotch and shellfish. I expected this place ot be a tourist hell being that it's tucked just off Princes Street. However, it seems to be a pretty serious local for many a Scotsman (and woman). Because of this, I tried very hard not to rub off too much of my touristy-ness on anything. Go. Choose from the awesome array of Scotch. Eat some oysters and maybe a mussel or two (they're the small ones just like I love!). But for the love of all that is holy, please don't be a tourist about it. We wouldn't want to ruin this place for the locals. read more

I am a regular customer of this bar mainly as I am a lover of all things seafood. Normally I will admit the food is very good - last night however the osyters we were given were dry in the shell, warm and well disgusting! The waiter tried to rectify the situation but the next oysters brought out were warm, dry and gritty. Awful experience! We also ordered the seafood platter which costs £44 - for that you are thinking oooh this will be good! Well....it wasnt anywhere close to being good value. A small overcooked lobster, prawns in filo ala out of a freezer bag, 2 small scallops, some average smoke salmon with capers....that was it......! Next time....when I want a seafood paltter...I will stick to Ondine! read more

One of the most beautiful pubs in Edinburgh, which is quite a feat. Traditional Victorian pub yet at the more stylish end of proceedings, and tends to attract more of an after work crowd than other pubs in this category. Oval bar in the centre, surrounded by booths with leather seats, tiled floor, ornate ceilings, brasswork, high windows, and the real highlight: tiled "paintings" of famous Scottish scientists and inventors. Absolutely gorgeous interior all round, and a place that no visitor to Edinburgh should miss. Has the usual booze offerings with about 4 real ales on tap, so something for everyone. It's often referred to as the oyster bar because of its signature dish, which you can have in the bar or in the adjoining restaurant. The only downside is that it gets packed out most days in the early evening or on weekend afternoons. But fear not. It's next door to another fine Victorian pub, The Guildford Arms. Two of my favourite pubs in Edinburgh, right next door to each other. Isn't Edinburgh a great city? read more

Very elegant pub with restaurant in Edinburgh. We sat on the pub side. Crowd was mixed with a fair share of suits but the place was not snooty. Food is reasonably priced but 2 to 3 pounds more than other pubs. Haggis was excellent as well as the pasta. The place is always packed which attests to it's popularity. A nice change from the usual pubs. read more

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We loved this place, 3 of the 4 nights we ate out in Edinburgh, we ate HERE! The mussels in white wine with the Cullen Skink (2 nights in a row!). The other night shared the seafood tower. Great service, great atmosphere, enjoyed ourselves immensely! Beautiful location. Ate in the bar side each time, loved the historical tile artwork too. read more

The Cafe Royal - All that was left by the time I took the photo! - Seafood Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great character, good service, good food, a bit expensive. Beautiful setting for a nice meal on a quiet street in central edinburgh. The Gnocchi starter was delicious, My husband enjoyed his lobster dinner, and I thought the scallop dinner was ok. Chocolate salted torte for dessert with port was a fun finish. read more

Our first meal in Scotland and it did not disappoint. First our server was friendly and attentive. She gave great suggestions, which my friend took and was so glad she did. She even was able to get us an appetizer portion of some risotto that comes with an entree that we really wanted to try. The risotto was delicious. It was rich in flavor and the rice was cooked perfectly. I had the Sunday roast. It was cooked perfectly. The gravy was rich and savory. The Yorkshire pudding was crispy and delicious. My friend had the lobster thermador which she describes as amazing. Highly recommend this lovely place. read more

We came to get a couple of drinks after of meal, we were expecting the place to be jammed packed but fortunately, for us, there was a free table. Drink prices were average and the best thing wasn't so noisy I couldn't hear the other half. Generally, bars for me can be nightmarish as the noise of others can drown out the company of whom I'm with, but Café Royal surprised me. I can't remember if they were playing music or not, so perhaps that was one reason to why I could hear my other half. This bar is suitable for anyone, and it's wheelchair friendly too - not too sure about the toilets though. The bar staff are particular y speedy with sevice so we didn't have to wait long at all for a our drinks which is a big thumbs up. My only nit-bit and it's small is why salt the chips and give you more salt and pepper? I rather salt my own chips. read more

I've only ever been for coffee and wine. The cafe/bar is nestled discreetly in the heart of Sloane Square. Dimly lit, the ambience is seductive. Service is nothing exceptional, though prices are on the upper side of central. Overall, had good experiences at this place. You always know what to expect. read more

Had the langoustines and scallops which were just ok. The langoustines tasted great but 2 of the 3 scallops were definitely not fresh. I was worried about getting sick after so we didn't bother with dessert. Thankfully I didn't get sick. Also had the beans and snap peas which were overcooked and mushy. read more

I've always enjoyed the Cafe Royal, on my many visits. They serve an excellent array on drinks, and their bar menu is tremendous. The stars are, of course, their oysters, which are best served on ice, with nowt more than a squeeze of lemon. Overall, we said: "I'd heartily recommend that you pay the place a visit, glug down and oyster or two, and savour the buzzing environment of another noble Edinburgh institution." read more

Go to this bar just for the tiled walls, brass fittings and the posh toilets! The beers and drinks are well kept and the service friendly, the seating comfy, worth the effort of finding the location! read more

The Cafe Royal - Seafood Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I have to say that the Café Royal has to be one of my top 3 bars in Edinburgh. You will pretty much regularly see me in there, either with friends or family. My mum has always been a fan, from when she used to work at the Civil Service nearby - and there certainly are many regulars, (probably a lot who worked/still work for the government!) who have been going for years and years! You will pretty much see some form of politician in there at some point but don't let that put you off! It has the most lovely oval bar in the centre (it is, in fact, not the original bust still lovely) - and the tiled painted decorations of various Scottish famous people around the room is lovely. It's always busy - as it is a famous landmark of Edinburgh - so you're lucky to get a seat - but if you do get a seat at one of the round booths, even if you are sharing with others - it's even better - and you always end up talking to some random people! It's a great place for people watching. In a way, it has a similar vibe to the Crown Bar, in Belfast - which is now owned by the National Trust - but a great bar, so different from those around it! I've only tried the bar food which is really nice. Saying that some days are better than others! However there is the Oyster Restaurant next door, and part of the Café Royal - does look stunning if you fancy a special meal. The bar selection is very varied and the rose wine selection is lovely. Would highly recommend visiting if you've not been before! read more

This is a really cool place to hang for a glass of wine and some decent pub-grub. Great fish & chips - great service - super cool surroundings (love the tile paintings). Seems like more local people than tourists but also feels welcoming. A special note to West Coast (US) oyster people: the oysters here are very huge and creamy, not briny at all - and there is no mignonette (only lemon wedge and Tabasco). I did not find them appealing. At all. But i'm probably too stuck in my own expectation. Don't order oysters 'Natural' expecting something like Hog Island Miyagis or Kumamotos (*sigh*). If you don't have that in your head - they're probably quite nice indeed. read more

Beautiful decor and helpful waiters. They know the dishes enough to recommend drinks that actually go well with them. The first time I went, I had the "Scottish Venison" which was superb! The venison was tender and very tasty whilst the red cabbage on the side was sweet and slightly sour. Their muscles and oysters were fresh too. During the second visit, I had the Cullen skink, which was quite nice and different to ones that I had in the past, as they had blended the haddock into fine pieces. The waiter had recommended a lamb special, so I tried it out and was pleasantly surprised. The lamb chops were very tender and they also provided a very nice fresh mint sauce. As for desserts, I was amazed by their summer berries crumble. It was mildly sour and quite sweet (just the way I like them). Overall, I strongly recommend coming to this place, I'm definitely coming back when I return to Edinburgh some time in the future. read more

This is my favourite bar in Edinburgh. Having been a student up there many years ago, and visited Auld Reekie at least once a year since leaving - I've spent many a happy hour in this utterly beautiful pub. Inside the tiling is impressive and something you just rarely see anymore as it's been ripped out of so many older pubs. The massive wooden central bar is an absolute beauty and it's oval (well squashed circle) makes getting served a lot easier. The little booths take a bit of getting used to as the built in seating is a tad on the small side, but nothing so as to put you off. It's got a good range of drinks, a very friendly crowd and the service is excellent on the whole. It has a really good atmosphere with a mixture of those tucking into the newspapers and snacks and casually letting the day drift by, and those there to discuss the important matters of the day - whether they be politics, sport or whatever - but always over a great pint or a slowly rolled whisky. It's especially good fun if Scotland beat England in the rugby. The sign outside has a lovely touch of the surreal with a lobster crouching on top of the sign. This points the way to the excellent sea food served within. There is a separate listing on Qype for the adjoining Oyster bar restaurant, which is also fabulous and well worth a visit. The building was originally a showroom selling hi-tech gadgets of the 1860s, but rapidly turned into the pub we know today and not a lot has changed since. It has come under threat once from developers but survived - hardly surprising people tried to move in on it as its just off Princes Street and could have been the back of a prime retail site. I think I remember reading the last time I was up there that is is a listed building now so hopefully it'll be around for all to enjoy for a long time to come. read more

My wife and I went here on the recommendations from some folks I met in Oban from the US. We sat at the bar. It was a little busy, so we had to collect a stool to sit together. The bartenders were friendly, but service was kind of slow and they seemed rather distracted. They had some good brews on tap. I had the Goldihops by The Kelburn Brewing Company and Draught by Williams Brothers Brewing Company. Both were decent brews. The food was good when it arrived. (For bar food, it was decent) The atmosphere was busy, but not loud. We were able to relax after a busy day of walking around. Finding the place was a bit of a trick. We had to find a small alley by the Royal Bank of Scotland to find it. read more

This is a great establishment. There are no drinks promos here but going by the atmosphere and clientele this is certainly a good thing! This is more an older crowd so if you want to go for a drink with your folks, take a girl out and impress her or have a sophisticated night on the tiles with the ladies then this is the place to go. The big old fashioned wooden bar takes centre stage and all round it are booths and wooden tables with a tiled floor - I always feel like I'm in a bar in Paris rather than Edinburgh just due to the decor and feel of the place. With huge displays of fresh flowers dotted about this place it is such a pleasure to frequent this little gem. They do a great bowl of mussels with lovely fresh bread to dunk into the sauce - delicious!!! read more

Situated next door to the Guildford Arms, The Café Royal is another iconic traditional Victorian Edinburgh pub. Again there is a high ceiling and plenty of ornate tile panels. There is an air of grandeur about the building, a throw back to the heady days of Victorian splendour and self-confidence! The bar itself is a fantastic oval type featuring stand-up lamps and plenty of seating around it. There are also seats down the left hand wall, but even so, due to the sheer popularity of this historic pub, sometimes there is standing room only. There always seems to be a buzz in The Café Royal, and it's a pleasurable experience just to sit (or stand) and soak up the atmosphere of the place. The Café Royal also combines as an oyster bar which features several outstanding stained-glass windows. Must visit pub!!! read more

We stopped in the bar for a quick bite. Service was fast and attentive the food was very good so we decided to come back for diviner. Reservations are a must on the weekends the dining room is small and beautifully decorated. They have lamb duck and venison like a good Scottish restaurant should. However it is a seafood place at heart and the seafood stands from and center in the bar dishes the appetizers and main menu. When we visited there was construction on the walkway which made this hidden gem just a little tricky to find read more

This is a very attractive pub in Edinburgh sits beside the Cafe Royal buffet and the Guilford Arms. It has a large Island bar and is beautifully decorated and has an impressive ceiling. Serves Teas and Coffees, real ales, and a range of Malt Whiskies. Serves Traditional Pub food, however, Seafood and Game is the seciality here. Children are allowed into the restaurant area, which is seperate from the main bar. There is wheelchair access but unfortunately the toilets are downstairs. All in all a very plasant place to visit for a quiet pint, no t.v's or loud music, they only play background music. Accross the road from the Balmoral hotel up the side street next to burger king, right next door to the Guilford Arms. read more

This is a favourite of my aunt's so we often go but I wouldn't really recommend it, it's always so busy and there are people crammed in everywhere most evenings, so it's hard to move around and very noisy! If you manage to get a table it's not quite as bad though! However, it is a nice building and there's lots to look at on the walls etc, just hard to hear people who aren't right next to you! read more

Popped in again today for lunch. Have been in here for a lunch time bite several times and it never ceases to exist. I've brought my parents and clients here, and it's a winner every time! Food is very good, very well priced, good selection of beers and the rest. It's especially hard to find somewhere simple and well priced at the east end of town, so put this on your list! Add the beautiful period decor and you can't go wrong! read more