Reviews of Cafe Royal. (Pub) in Edinburgh (Edinburgh).

Cafe Royal

0 Reviews

365 Comments

Pub

Pub

19 W Register St, Edinburgh EH2 2AA, United Kingdom

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Information of Cafe Royal, Pub in Edinburgh (Edinburgh)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

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Open hours of Cafe Royal

Popular times

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Saturday

Reviews of Cafe Royal

H. T.

A wonderful, heritage rich establishment. Our hostess and waitress was lovely, and the bartender professional professional personal enough given the crowd that day ( although they said it wasn't considered busy as yet ). Their Bloody Mary Oyster Shooters were just the right mix of flavours with simpmy the sweetest, most savoury, freshest oysters. The Oatmeal Stout available on our visit was a nice roasted pint that didn't sit too heavy. We were there for nibbles and a drink, so the scallops were just the thing along with the hearty Whitebait. I recommend the oysters as a must order and the scallops to start your evening. Lovely experience.

k. G.

I visited here for lunch on a Saturday afternoon with my husband. We were sat in a lovely booth, the surroundings are beautiful. Our waiter was lovely and friendly. We ordered 6 oysters - Asian which was garlic, ginger and soy - OMG these were absolutely the most beautiful, freshest oysters I've tasted. We ended up ordering a second round of 6. We had some of the sandwiches and fries for lunch and they were very tasty also. Good selection of wines and spirits. We will definitely be back.

B. A.

Spectacular interior within a grand building with very interesting history. The whole experience spoilt by quite bossy manager whos attitude influence other staff members. A tense environment to be in where no-one smiles. Also under impression of somehow fake sense of alertness and unnecessary seriousness. Was served a double gin and tonic at £11.40 by a rushing waiter who's actually on his mobile while serving me a drink....without a garnish nor a stearer

A. S.

The interior is stunning and I hear it has a great reputation for seafood, but I chose the ox cheek pie. It looked the business with a proper pastry case but sadly didn't deliver on taste. The filling was very bland and full of a too thin gravy and not enough meat.

S. S.

Cafe Royal is listed as one of the top oyster bars in edinburgh. While the ambience is great (true blue Victorian) but it would’ve been nicer if they served oysters. When asked, the server informed that they’ve not received delivery of fresh oysters since the last 3 days. Had to work with mussels and calamari! Overall, the staff was very hospitable and the place has a good collection of beers and whiskey.

K. L.

It was the historic building and splendid interior which made us visited. Food was really good, though not the very best of oysters we tried in Edinburgh.

P. C.

Just eaten lunch here and I'm fit to burst! Portions big enough for a Highland bear. Excellent salmon and venison and proper old world decor and charm. Book today but don't eat breakfast before you arrive.

D. W.

If you’re considering coming here for food, go the whole hog and get the hot seafood platter. Lobster, oysters, mussels, prawns all carefully prepared and easy to eat. Service was attentive and it was great value for money. Highly Covid compliant and professionally run.

G. A.

Stunning pub dining room. Friendly staff. Brilliant sea food, oyster and salmon starters excellent. Lovely fish pie, ox cheek pie a bit bland. Good covid precautions in place.

s. i.

Hot seafood platter was very tasty. It is more than enough for 2. The staff was lovely and exceptional service.

A. G.

After an afternoon of walking around Edinburgh, we were just looking for a cup of tea. The Cafe was welcoming and accommodating. We enjoyed their fresh oysters, a few drinks and some of their excellent desserts.

J. H. H.

Were very accommodating with moving our reservation up an hour due to timing despite what turned out to be a full house later on in the evening. Beautiful dining room and very active but separated bar. The only problem was choosing which gins to sample from their extensive list. And that's a great "problem" to have!

A. A.

If there is a more beautiful room to take a drink in, I've not been there.... This place is so beautiful, there's a fine selection of beer and whisky and a Bloody Mary to die for..... And the staff are gorgeous as well. I'll be back to try the food next time. Paradise.

M. M.

My favourite pub in town! Really pleasant and comfy atmosphere:)

M. C.

Great place for scottish cuisine, whiskeys and oysters. Found an amazing cullen skink, haggis and cranachan; the portions are generous.

d. m.

Excellent bar/pub. Always go here. Great atmosphere all the time. Lovely decor and great bar staff.

V. K.

Cozy, crowded and warm place with excellent and knowledgeable bar ✌️

J. M.

One of my favourite places to go to when we manage to get down to Auld Reekie. Great beer and great food and one of the best bar interiors.

P. G. F.

Everything was good: good service, beautiful design and food was good. My only concern was: do they clean the leather seats? The sofas under the window were looking a bit dirty and in contrast with the beautiful design it was a bit disappointing. Although, the general experience was 5⭐️👍🏻

S. B.

Great spot, good atmosphere, food was great and decently priced. Staff were good craic I'll be back again in the future.

A. B.

Amazing pub with good selection of drinks. Food is outstanding but bar service can be a little slow. Don't let that dissuade from going just have a relaxing time.

C. H.

Beautiful old pub not far from Princes Street. Fabulous selection of beers. Stunning interior with gorgeous stained glass windows and wonderful tiles. Highly recommended.

d. c.

Beautiful traditional interior. Fantastic friendly service. A great range of drink and wine. Has an excellent seafood restaurant off the main bar area..definitely worth a visit if you are in Edinburgh

G. W.

Wednesday 1pm. Surprisingly quiet but none the worse for that. Not the cheapest pint in town, but great range. Good food, not 'fast food' but delivered quickly. Overall, a wee visit to Cafe Royal is always a grand experience.

F. S.

This is a beautiful place, full of character. The decor is stunning. Staff very attentive. My husband had the oysters and said they were delicious. A must try venue when in Edinburgh.

A. S.

The interiors were amazing, classic and elegant dining. Casual dates could be a nice place to host this and great collection of wine and draught beer worth a try.😃

K. H.

A beautiful bar with a great range of draught ales, malt whiskies and a menu to keep you coming back for more. I visit Edinburgh every six months or so and the Cafe Royal is always in the itinerary. Great staff, grown up clientele, hand picked music, life, laughter ... who could ask for anymore?

R. S.

It's proper local institution. One of Edinburghs remaining traditional pubs (and a pretty fancy one at that). Good range of beer and wine. It can be a bit pricy and it's hard to get a proper seat sometimes, but it's always worth a visit.

D. M.

I love this place. It's got an amazing atmosphere unlike anywhere else in Edinburgh and feels like you've found somewhere secret when you approach it from Princes Street. The decor is stunning and the service, beer and food are all excellent. Definitely worth a visit when you're in the city.

G. M.

As one of Edinburghs prime pubs, it's reassuring to know its still offers great food and service in a beautiful setting. Visitors to Edinburgh are in awe of this cultural gem. With Edinburgh fast becoming a tacky theme park, let's treasure what we still have.

j. d.

Right in the heart of Edinburgh but tucked away if that makes any sense. Decor is incredible your eyes can't stop exploring. Staff are attentive and polite, excellent drinks selection for all beers wines and spirits. We didn't eat but food that came out for others looked tasty,we will try on next visit and no doubt upgrade the star rating.

I. B.

Such a classy place, totally refined. Good selection of quality drinks, on tap and spirits. The staff are soo friendly and attentive. Love this place.

B.

Visited today and really enjoyed the experience. Staff were super and the Oysters were perfect. Will definitely make this our go to venue on our regular visits to Edinburgh.

a. j.

I like the Cafe Royal. It's a fantastic building and deserves praise and to be seen and enjoyed by pub lovers. Amusingly, when I asked for Punk IPA I was informed it was no longer available. Apparently, according to the bartender they were shifting to "Scottish beers". Being brewed in Aberdeenshire must have confused the buyers! Anyway I had a very Scottish Estrella Dam instead lol.

A. C.

Superb range of food and drinks, excellent staff

L. L.

First time in Cafe Royal since a couple of years pre covid. My husband and I were looking forward to Oysters Kilpatrick with pint of Guiness. Menu changed!!! Fried oysters in panko!! Nowhere near as good!We could have had raw oysters but it was a raw, cold, wet day so something warm was required.Plenty space even at lunchtime. It is a beautiful space to sit in.

C. M. B. (.

Amazing food and excellent service for 5 star!! Very good atmosphere. The Venison is tasty but also the haggis freites!!

C. J. F.

Very nice and relaxed until the power went off. No ambience but they tried their best! Would be happy to go back. Staff v good.

W. T.

Amazing hidden gem in Edinburgh, bringing tradition back and away from pretentious George Street cocktail bars. The bar was full and I mean full of lovely locals. The staff were lovely and very professional. They seem to specialise in oysters and Bloody Mary’s, unfortunately we tried neither but from what we did, was amazing. Would definitely revisit and recommend to anyone.

R. F.

Great place for dinning with comfy seating and great food.

A. C.

Great selection of beers, ales and other drinks. Bar staff happy to help. Super city centre feel and atmosphere.

P. O.

Nice food in a lovely setting just off Princes Street. There's a large bar and a smaller restaurant area. Very friendly service. Definitely recommended.

R.

I enjoyed staying at traditional CAFE ROYAL. Both meal and dessert are perfect combinations‼︎ I want to go back after lockdown‼︎:))

M. H.

One word, wow! If you’re debating whether or not to eat here, switch to phone, dial and make that booking! You’ll be glad you did. We arrived a little early and had a cocktail in the bar while we waited for our table. The seafood sampler was worth every penny. We also shared some oysters on the half shell (aka natural). They were from Mull and we’re some of the best oysters we’ve had anywhere in the world. The seafood was cooked to perfection and the service was friendly and gave enough space between courses that we had time to digest without wondering if anyone would ever come to check on us. Would I go back? Absolutely... and bring a few friends to share the experience with.

K. M. (.

Great selection of beers, friendly staff and the bar layout/decor is classic with so much obvious history of big conversations no music/TV.

S. T.

Good pub good beer 🍺good food 🍛 friendly staff 10/10 1 Of My Locals I Recommend 10/10 🥂🍾🍷🤘

g. k.

Hidden away to the east end of princess street. As soon as you enter you can’t but appreciate the amazing interiors which transport you back to the Victorian era! Has an Oyster Bar which I believe is famous. I did not have food here... just drinks, which they have a very good choice 👌

J. C.

Some of the best food I had in Edinburgh. They have a very good selection from steaks to seafood and of course wines/scotch. They also have traditional dishes like Cullen Skink, Arbroath Smokie etc. I ordered a 7oz fillet Angus steak done medium with peppercorn sauce along with an extra order with garlic prawns. I recommend this place for a good evening with friends with great food.

M. S.

Nice ambience, large selection of beer, gin and whiskey, swift service and very friendly staff, thanks for today

A. W.

Lovely setting and great atmosphere. Enjoyed a few drinks as part of a birthday celebration.

S. S. (.

UPDATED: PREVIOUS REVIEW 5 STAR Fantastic place to eat, always seem to have oysters in stock whenever I go which is great. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Food is always (see update) fantastic. Would be best to book far in advance for dinners though. UPDATE: Back after covid. They are currently running a more focused limited menu. Went 1 week after reopening. Would advise against red meat options for now. Lamb came undercooked nearly raw, steak was perfectly cooked med rare (sear wasn't great though), but for some reason it carried an astringent flavour. Was mediocre at best. Desserts are still pretty damn good. And the bar is still great. Chicken dish with smoked butter was great and now they allow for vegetarian options (Vegetable tagilette) seeing that why have only been open for a week or so it's passable. I would wait till things get back to normal to order the red meats. Staff are as friendly as ever. They did remove the steak and the lamb from our bill which was very generous of them New menu attached below

L. W.

Want to enjoy real ales and delicious whisky in a museum-quality setting? Go here! The Victorian painted tiles alone are enough reason but they also have an extensive whisky list...which as an American, I found to be incredibly reasonably priced. Didn't have any food as we were in a hurry but the menu looked beckoning indeed. A glorious island bar and prompt professional service top this pub off as a must-stop on any crawl.

T. w. W.

Love this gem in Edinburgh and every time I visit annually I stop here to have a pint and some fish n’chips - great service, Wonderful stain glass with brown antique wood - order at the bar after you decide from the menu. The menu is pretty big with lots to choose from but definitely the FnChips are my favorite.

P. S.

Beautiful looking bar and once the teething troubles are ironed out I'm sure it'll be great. As it stands, we had long waits for our drinks on both occasions. In fact it was a long time before anybody took our order even though there were lots of servers around. It felt like lots of people seemed to be rushing about not doing very much. Having said that, the place is brand new and the staff were all super friendly. The live music (piano and double bass) added to the jazz age charm of the place. Nice but service needs to sharpen up a wee bit.

A. C.

The best oysters in the world! Have been coming here for years and it never disappoints. The creme brulee is stunning!

R. D.

Love food, love drink, love atmosphere, my table too much corner but warm at the end as it near heater, at first staff not so nice as I come alone and may not look rich and may spend not much money but at the end staff nice to me but when I tips I heard some comment with other staff not sure is it about me or not. But love food very much indeed.

R. G.

This place popped up constantly when researching about my holiday in Scotland. Cafe Royal is located a short walk away from The Royal Mile, the interior is unique and well worth a visit. The menu is very exclusive and not very long, which I like, with wines from around the world and great variety of beers. The staff were very professionally dressed, welcoming and attentive. It is difficult to park around the area, public transport is better, I just walked around, perfect!!

A. W.

Food is not typical pub grub but excellent quality and presentation- now my place of choice for lunch prior to international rugby matches. Good choice of beers but a liittle pricey. Also has an oyster bar. Decor is superb, particularly the tiled wall panels depicting the old trades or guilds, which I suspect may be subject to a preservation order. Worth buying a meal or drink just to enjoy the interior.

D. H.

Popped in for a celebratory drink only, so no food review. Packed. Great atmosphere. Huge range of gin and whisky, at least by my standards. Some staff in a bit of a hurry to get us moving on, which we were able to oblige.

B. N.

What can I say great venue, excellent beer and courteous service, weel worth a visit.

B. L.

Great atmosphere, service was fast at the beginning then became very slow. The Snitzel was too salty and the whitebait a litlle bit soggy. I really like the music selection.

S. C.

Proper old fashioned drinking establishment, great atmosphere, no TV's, extensive selection of Beers on tap and a well stocked bar. Highly recommended.

D. L.

Busy as usual pleasant polite door staff. Getting served is still done efficiently even with a post match Calcutta Cup crowd.

T. A.

Very high quality Scottish breakfast. We come every time we are in Edinburgh. The best!

D. C.

Beautiful setting, delicious food and delicious wine list. Classic venue close to station and visitors to Edinburgh love it.

P. H.

Nice pub a little off the main area. Nice surroundings and I'm led to believe its one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh?

J. S.

Amazing! Wonderful food, great service. If I was in Edinburgh again, I would definitely return. Have the seabass or the scallops. Both fantastic!

P. S.

Fantastic real ale, amazing decor and history. A good ambience and top quality food. Thoroughly recommend.

R. H.

Lovely bar and restaurant, responsive staff, good food. A nice place to while away the time between trains at nearby Edinburgh Waverley station.

A. W.

Hidden gem of a bar in the back streets behind Princes Street near the railway station, a traditional bar but with a plush, rich feel, think antique not second hand and not actually a bar more a lounge . However the best feature has to be the actual bar which I would describe as a horseshoe and is a fine example of the bars of yesteryear and I hope it has achieved listed status.

A. P.

Beautiful building. Wonderful food. Attentive waiters. Great wine. But dress warmly as it's chilly, being as its an ancient building, it can be draughty.

X. G.

The most beautiful place and most friendly STAFF! Highly recommended for solo female travellers to dine and drink and treated like a Queen! 🎈

S. R.

Famous bar and restaurant just a few minutes walk from Waverley Station Steps across Princes St which is also home to the Oyster Bar Walls adorned with many beautiful tiles and pictures An extensive food and drinks menu and very helpful and friendly staff A place for special occasions or regular patronage Nearby to dozens of shops and cafes of all kinds ans a few minutes walk from the Balmoral Hotel with its 5 star facilities

G. R.

Excellent service. Good ambience. Good food. Good range of real ale

B. G.

No football colors! Really nice bar, good food. Sandwiches was great, Victorian style, very nice staff, takes cards, full service food around bar area

A. H.

Waited an age to be served despite not being particularly busy on a Tuesday night.Beautiful pub with stunning tiled scenes.However prices were on the high side with a beer and wine in excess of 12 gbp

D. R.

This was the best restaurant I visited when I was in Edinburgh for a week on business. I saved it for my birthday. The food was very good albeit slightly pricey. The interior decor was astonishing and worth paying extra to dine in true Victorian magnificence.

V. D.

Normally it's our first choice,this time so very cold,some people sitting eating with their coats on! We left after one VERY EXPENSIVE drink each for a cosier place

j. h.

Excellent choice of drinks. We didn't try the oysters. Friendly staff. Lovely to sit in booths

j. c.

Busy pub on a Friday afternoon, on a home rugby weekend, but service still great. Thanks to staff for making it so.

D. W.

Great evening, nice food, nice ales, good service. Definitely be back next time I’m in town 👍

G. W.

Best bar in Edinburgh!!! Super gin menu, excellent service and so much fun. Beware of the Chilli Gin.

C. W.

Great range of beers and friendly & welcoming staff.

K. M.

Lovely bar. Well worth popping in.

S. L.

Slightly older crowd in this pub but not as pretentious as some others. Didn't eat but the food looked amazing. Decent drinks selection.

H. L.

Such a special place with a unique, elegant, cozy environment where you can spend hours just enjoying the surroundings and get yourself lost in the whisky menu

J. G.

Great place where to find friendly service in a livley and warm ambience, try their local draught beer accompanied by their extraordinary scottish cuisine, fresh mussels selection is a most, round up your meal with a malt whisky of their fine selection. Enjoy!

r. n.

Beautiful bar! Really friendly staff!

E. M.

I love this place, only ever been in for drinks, but I definitely will come for food at some point, the reviews look great Lovely! Lovely place to sit with wine. Staff are great too. (Previous share was one star, which was a complete mistake on my part, well my useless phone!🤪)

L. P.

Been a while since I was last here. Really enjoyed the atmosphere. Staff really good, friendly and helpful.

C. F.

Great city centre pub. Good choices for beer and wine. Lovely atmosphere and decor. Didn't eat here as we had booked a meal elsewhere so only popped in for a drink. Staff were welcoming and very professional.

G. R.

It may be an Edinburgh Institution, don't expect a fast and coordinated service. It requires strong personable staff that own amazing customer service. With a vast bar area the staff need to have their eyes on stalks, not scared of catching your eye. A haven for tourists (without kids) it delivers competent bar meals. An historic and comfortable interior.

W. M.

Good Afternoon I gave 2 stars and probably that was unfair of me. My Steak wasn't to my liking and asked if the can give it a few more minutes to make it medium rare They gave me a whole new meal cooked to perfection and didn't charge me also the order for the coffees were wrong but the rectified that and also took that off the bill. So in hindsight I was harsh and I now give them 4 stars . The staff were excellent and extremely professional and I would recommend this cafe.

D. C.

Fabulous oldie pub just off the main street. Came recommended for food. Opted for haggis neeps and tatties. Absolutely superb. Exceptional tiled paintings on wall.

S. D.

Lovely food and service, s bit pricey.

J. M.

Love this pub. Friendly helpful staff.

M. B.

As ever we had a superb visit to The Cafe Royal. Staff very attentive and accommodating. We had lunch which was delicious too. One of our very favourite pubs to visit when in town.

M. S.

Extraordinary place, something you have to visit in Edinburgh. Always full, price are e little bit higher, but is worth it...

R. M.

Always good with wonderful atmosphere, great selection of beers, wines and spirits!

P. M.

Crowded historic oyster bar. Had sadly run out of Champagne when we visited so could not try the cocktails. Bloody Mary looked epic also

E. C.

Beautifully decorated pub and the best Bloody Mary I've had.

R. C.

Legitimately good service, good food, good atmosphere. Zero complaints.

S. L.

Beautiful building with a decent enough bar, serving drinks at the price your expect from central Edinburgh. Was there on a Friday night, 830 and they'd run out of Guinness, which is a bit weak. Edit: Up to five stars from four, hadn't realised the shortage was industry wide when I wrote my original review, apologies.

T. S.

In the bar. Never changed this place. Love it. Great sevice

K. C.

Beautiful bar, with a great selection of beers and lagers.

D. B.

Loved it, a properly lovely Victorian pub, great food, a lovely slice of Edinburgh.

N. A.

Love this place ! Always visit when in Edinburgh one of my happy places ....and the bloody Mary's fab

B. B. H.

A must for anyone visiting Edinburgh. Absolutely stunning bar

T. W. L.

Great ambience. A very lively pub filled with locals and tourists enjoying their food and drinks. Food is decent but slightly pricey. Staff is very friendly and efficient. Not a bad place to escape the tourists crowd.

D. M.

Very busy...as usual friendly atmosphere...possible Covid19 hot spot.

J. D.

Delicious fruits de mer. Stunning period pub/ restaurant.

M. D.

Very nice pub, large choice of beers, friendly staff

P. R.

One of the best Heritage pubs in the UK. Just a beautiful place. Lots of history. A real Royal pub. Beer4 quality 👌excellent. Highly Highly recommended.❤😇

T. M.

I enjoyed my beer & the decor is fantastic, beautiful tiles, stained glass and a wonderful wooden, horseshoe bar. Very cheerful customers too.

M. D.

I didn't get much of a chance to look around but the venue was full of character and worth another look given the chance

D. B.

Lovely very old pub with all larger and beers

A. M.

Get rid of the triple cooked chips and stick to simple beer battered fish.Suffering from acid reflux still at 8:30pm after lunch.

G. P.

Please don't ever change! Great ales and spirits, food is heavenly.

R. R.

We arrived late with no booking on a Saturday with covid restrictions being a problem at other places. A young man Michael( he asked us to review him as the smaller Mike as there are 2 Michael's!) made us very welcome and eventhough the kitchen was closed he was able to have them make a bowl of mussels with champagne . He also made us feel very comfortable as did Bruno the waiter. Great atmosphere. Thanks again. We will be back.

N. C.

A great beer selection and busy little pub! I’ve yet to try the food but it’s always busy! Great atmosphere

M. B.

Love this place. Great ambiance

C. R.

Excellent service Excellent Drinks Bloody Mary Shots and oysters absolutely Amazballs

L. H.

Beautiful pub with a warm and calm atmosphere, perfect to escape Christmas market crowds. Drinks priced as expected, quite high but normal for centre of Edinburgh

p. f.

Wow. Must go place, filled with ambience. Fish pie is the best I have had!

J. S.

Bit expensive but great whiskey selection and service was good and friendly.

P. B.

Lovely pub, great decor and wonderful atmosphere

D. K.

Always exceptional. This is an outstanding bar serving excellent real ales well. Staff are friendly, helpful and polite

K. M.

Best flatiron chicken schnitzel I've ever tasted!

k. g.

Good beer, good service. Great pub.

P. R.

One of the best places in Edinburgh to go for a drink... if not the best! 👌👌

L. R.

Quint little pub in a fabulous little corner in Edinburgh! Fabulous drinks and oysters!!

J. C.

Excellent food and you must order the oysters and cheese platter. The service was excellent as well.

W. R.

Beautiful atmosphere, great staff, excellent selection of drinks.

J. T.

Had the best bloody Mary, I've ever had. Delicious oysters and friendly staff. Each course took quite a long time but we were in no rush.

L. J. B.

Fantastic venue with a cosy feel. Wine matching with sea food was top class and wonderful service.

R. P.

Enjoyable visit to this beautiful old iconic pub. Very good selection of real ales and single malts.

H. P.

Food, atmosphere and service were all great! Loved by locals and those in the know.

S. A.

Interior is like taking step back in time and well worth visit. Attentive staff and service in keeping with impressive surroundings. Made to feel welcome and will visit again.

D. B.

An honour to cross the threshold! Excellent cask ale, top quality bar food at for a very reasonable price, plus friendly table and bar service.

C. C.

Classy place, love the décor and atmosphere.

D.

An excellent bar where you can relax and enjoy a beer or a wine with a snack, or eat a meal in the restaurant.

O. S.

Amazing place with excellent service, food and decor.

N. K.

Delicious food, great service.

V. L. (. C.

Wonderful team and food. A great experience!

L. L.

Walked in after a local friend recommended the bar if we were looking for a nice place to just have a beer,. She already warned us that the food is quite expensive so we didn't even look at the menu. We looked for a beer. and got a beer. The ambiance was very nice, the old pub vibe just perfect as the interior of this place is filled with nice seats, a beautiful bar, but also surrounded by very large windows making sure it doesn't feel "too dark" inside. A clean establishment as well. It was a bit hard to find as to road works just outside, but I assume that they can't do anything about that and aren't too happy with those either. Our beer was served cold and the glasses (filled at the tap) were about as full as they could get without spilling. So you really have the feeling you get your money's worth. The staff was friendly and quick although we didn't see much of them as we were sitting in quite a far corner.

D. I.

Fabulous! Always go there for lunch every time we are in Edinburgh.

K. M.

Me and my family were here on Friday last week for a quiet family meal after a funeral. This was my 2nd time visiting and again was not disappointed. When I booked I booked for 2.30pm and explained the circumstances the reservation was under. To my surprise and out of respect the staff had very kindly arranged for us to be seated in the restaurant and kept it private for us to the best of their ability by seating any walk in's... in the bar 1st. Just wanted to say a special thank you guys..you are all fabulous :-) see you again soon. I can not recommend this place enough.

A. H.

Delicious food! The mussels, steak and potato leek soup are highly recommended. Make sure you call in to book a table. Friendly staff. Love the ornate interior. Great value for the highest quality food.

K. D.

Very old listed bar/restaurant in West register St Edinburgh, great for a quiet drink and bar and restaurant menu looks good

T. a. l. i. F.

Very quiet on a Monday lunchtime. Good seafood options. Impressive tiling on the wall.

S. H.

Excellent fish & chips and cranachan (sp?).

a. c. s.

Always busy but that's a good sign

A. D.

Excellent service and delicious food.

S. H.

The oysters were some of the best we've ever had and they had some really interesting ways of serving them (like Asian style). We sat and ate at the bar, the wine was lovely. It was busy and died down after a bit... However I can't blame a place for being busy and popular! The staff were pleasant and quick to serve and we could eat at the bar so we were more than happy. The building is stunning and feels like you're stepping back in time in a good way!

G. “. S.

Lovely pub.... With great food

c. p.

Good food , but was out of the ox cheek pie .Also out of the sticky toffee pudding. Apart from that great service and amazing setting . Bit pricey

Y.

Nice place, good beer, reasonable prices. Very atmospheric place. No annoying music, visitors are mostly middle-aged.

g. R.

A real gem of a pub well worth visiting

A. M.

Terrific place for great food and drinks. Staff were friendly and welcoming. When visiting Edinburgh Castle Royal is always our 1st stop. 😊 🍷🥃

C. M.

Great pub with a splash of decadence.

S. K.

Ordered the venison and I was excellent, loved it! Service to was great but again the food was lovely I completely recommend

m. p.

Wow what a pub..decor is fab..wow factor ..no wonder its busy

D. M.

Trendy bar, fun drinks and great value

C. P.

Great atmosphere. Beautiful ceramics on the walls depicting important historical discoveries. Wide selection of beers and ales. Excellent service. A very safe pub with an excellent restaurant. Would highly recommend. Very welcoming place for young and old.

D. M.

Just off Princes St...its an upmarket pub serving food

D. P.

Great atmosphere, great bar staff

S. L.

Good bar with wide selection of beer, real ale and other drinks. Excellent high quality food. Down a side street / alley so you don't get many tourists. Most accents you will hear are Scottish. Not the cheapest pub but good quality all around.

R. W.

I just love this place. Staff make you feel like a regular which is no easy thing in city centre Edinburgh

S. H.

Lovely find

S. M.

Great bar, great food. Historic charm with a nice energy about it.

I. A.

Great food and drinks, awesome service by classy looking staff. Nice interior! Great seafood and steps away from the Waverlee station

G. D.

Tremendous bar and restaurant in central Edinburgh. Great place to meet people for a drink or meal. Great atmosphere in a lovely room with fascinating decor and lots of interesting pictures on the wall. Obviously been there for a long time. Top class drinks and food and efficient service even when busy, which it seems to be a lot. Highly recommended.

J. S.

Great pub, excellent service food and drink are excellent, but take your time to look at the PRICES, BE WORNED, WAY TO EXPENSIVE,

L. R.

We only stopped for a pint but it was nice

A. D.

Beautiful ornate interior, attentive service. Awesome range of whisky. The bill quickly mounts up!

A. Q.

Lovely bar but staff a bit stuffy. No personal touch.

P. S.

Wide choice of drinks available and nicely presented seating area's bit expensive but well worth a visit.

M. B.

Love this pub...steeped in history so beautiful and cosy inside

P. O. (.

Lovely people, stunning interior. I had to edit my review. I thought I had given this venue a 5 star. Must find my reading glasses.

A.

Great food and friendly staff. But staff uniform was pretty dirty.

M. H.

Lovely bar but Friday night at 5pm not a great time to visit! Extremely busy n people drinking at bar so blocking others being served. Because it was busy service not great. Asked for gin without ice - served with ice to the top of glass. Returned it to bar and staff very reluctantly removed ice. Guinness not terrific either - very watery. Would revisit just to see more of the lovely building - not necessarily for a drink.

M. P.

Great atmosphere, cask and keg beer and a wide range of wines. The food is excellent, we had oysters and cullen skink. Always busy but we managed to find a table. The staff are friendly and very good. We always come here when we're in Edinburgh.

S. S.

What a great bar, wonderful surroundings to sit and chat without the world at you door, just very relaxing 😌. Enjoyed it very much. 😁

H. C. &. D.

Great craic, brilliant food and fantastic atmosphere.

M. H.

It's a gorgeous building, and a historic one to boot, and yes, their oysters are top notch, but unfortunately it just gets far too busy, particularly during the festival. If you're looking for a place to sit, move on. If you're happy shucking half a dozen amazing oysters at the bar whilst people bump past you, then knock yourself out.

J. W.

One of the best bars in Edinburgh. Not a tourist destination, just a great bar with great food in the attached restaurant. Well kept beer and usually light easy listening music that doesn't stop you conversing with people.

L. H.

Wonderfully busy bar and restaurant with fabulous decor .... Like stepping back in time

N. A.

One of my Edinburgh favourites. The decor is amazing. Food not bad. Good selection of beer and wine. Efficient staff. Mixed clientele with city types and tourists. Highly recommended.

Z. C.

Lovely food and service. Stayed there for hours working our way through which felt like nearly all of the menu. 😁

T. F.

Great place to get some traditional food such as Haggis and Fish & Chips. The decoration is nice but the place can be quite noisy and since there are no reservations, getting a place is always a matter of luck .The also have an oyster bar but we did not try it. Would definitely go back for the food

A. G.

Beautifully decorated pub and restaurant in the middle of Edinburgh - I recently had a family reunion there. Unfortunately the pub has a no under 18s in the bar and under 16s in the restaurant policy of which no one told us until we had purchase drinks. There was also a major cockup with the food but eventually had a nice meal.

M. K.

Really nice place but that's not enough for more stars. Starters were OK, however burgers well below par. Cold, falling apart buns, 'locally sourced best beef' only served well done due to pub policy 🤔. Greens and toppings on it nearly non existing. I think you can do better.

A. B.

Lovely old unique bar and restaurant, well worth a visit.

N. M.

Classic old Edinburgh pub. Food in the bar is very very good and the service is quick and gracious. Lots of fine proper beers. Can't go wrong if you take your friends here. Busy but fun after work.

S.

Had a thoroughly wonderful afternoon with friends in this historic atmospheric bar. They have good covid system in operation so it feels safe and still enjoyable. Staff were helpful, informative and made you fee relaxed. Thank you 👍

S.

Great building, good choice of drinks, staff and service good

d. w.

Great service delish food and drink

R. k.

Excellent food and the best unique ambiance of pub and hotel. Duck meat.

W. I.

Service always a bit random and slow but a great place for a pint or two!

E. L.

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.

S. W.

Haven't been here since my student days. Wow, what a selection of beers on tap! Could have stayed longer, but we were booked for a meal elsewhere. Might become my fave Edinburgh pub.

H. W.

Traditional, slightly quirky, amazingly popular ... well, all of these descriptions, which I had received before going to the Cafe Royal for the first time, turned out to be true. From lunchtime onwards, there seems to be barely a moment when the Cafe Royal isn't busy, and when early comes, you will be lucky to find a standing space. We enjoyed the bar menu - simple but delicious - although the restaurant menu looked great (if slightly pricey). The bar staff were far from hassled and clearly knew their stuff - all in all, a very good experience.

b. p.

Superb pub, it's like stepping back in time. Great service too.

T. W.

One of my favourite Edinburgh pubs. Central location and always a great selection of beer. Had a bad experience recently though where it took over 30 mins for us to get the bill and pay up. When we asked to split, this involved them having to go back three times and print an individual bill for each of us!

N. P.

One of Edinburgh classiest boozers. Lovely interior and the the staff provide a great selection of drinks. Lovely restaurant too if you fancy a sophisticated dining experience.

I. W.

An Edinburgh institution. Fantastic ceramics surrounding an epic island bar with lovely benched booths and lectern tables around the walls. Very trendy these days, maybe lost its way (for me) in the last decade? Too many bar staff seeking to make their service an experience? For whom? What happened to the lunchtime carvery?

P. B.

Excellent oysters and attentive service

D. B.

Reasonably priced and easily some of the best food I've ever had. Their venison is amazing and I'm salivating thinking of it even weeks later. The decor is also all original and stunning with huge painted tile work, plasters, and stained glass.

J. B.

Great decor if you appreciate that sort of thing.

D. M.

My favourite pub in Edinburgh. Great decor. Great atmosphere. Great selection of beers and ales. The food is top-notch. Oysters on the half-shell! Short of being my local- it has everything.

D. M.

155 year old bar, beautiful decoration and tile panels. Good real ale selection. The best Bloody Mary cocktail in Edinburgh. Good for light meals and seafood. More extensive menu available in adjoining restaurant.

A. M.

Delicious food and very nice service 🙂

L. M.

Superb seafood platter and the kitchen was happy to make garlic free on request for one of our party.

I. K.

You must visit this place if you come to Edinburgh. The food was delicious and at a very reasonable price. The service was amazing, very polite and eager to help us and recommend dishes. The atmosphere was exactly what we expected, making us feel like we were having an authentic Scottish experience!

M. O.

Great pub, incredible decor, good food, good service.

G. B.

A lovely historic building and very atmospheric bar. They have nice leather seated booths and stools along the side. A good selection of wines and sprits with friendly service. A great place to bring friends and family from our of town and a good meeting spot at this end of town.

N. L.

Fantastic traditional Edinburgh pub with historic tiled murals and stained glass. Close to Princess street and Waverly station. Friendly, quick and professional service from staff at bar. Range of cask ales including their own house special that went down well. Food served bith in bar and fancier dining room at back. Well worth a visit for quick pint or lazy afternoon.

R. C.

It's a great city centre boozer which stands the test of time, with good choice of beers and an old fashioned friendly service. You can eat too but can't book, so it's a case of turn up and wait for a table in the pub. It's easy to forget it's there as it's tucked away and Edinburgh is swimming with bars but worth the trip.

D. H.

Superb victorian bar. Amazing original decor and ceilings. Seems to be a very popular place, especially early evening. Food looks good, but slightly steep, but you are in Edinburgh!

S. A.

Great place. Quite fancy for my taste but, great service (Our waiter was Bruno, I think was very professional), delicious traditional Scottish sea food... Definitely worth a visit 👌👌👌👌

M. A.

Beautiful place and food very good. A bit frustrated by the slow service and the one way system that a lot of people just ignored. Still one of my favourite places though. 4.5 stars really!

g. m.

This is a beautifully ornate tiled bar and adjacent restaurant without the pretentious you might expect from somewhere so grand. The bar serves a great selection of beers, wines and whiskies amongst the more usual choices and the bar food is excellent. Take a booth or a high table or sit at the bar and join in with locals, businessmen and tourists alike.

W. G.

Great pub lovely atmosphere

J. H.

Such a beautiful room, a very traditional lay out for a pub, decorated in a light and airy classic style with chandeliers and candles. It is also right in the center of town. Therefore it is a great place for tourists and has the price tag to match. I still very much like it and would always try and go here, often it is too crammed.

W. S.

More than pleased! We were told to try this place but we didn't set high expectations. Nice selection of drinks, food was really good, but had a few exceptional surprises, and we discovered a new favorite whiskey. Win!

L. H.

Had the seafood sharer platter - Fabulous. Will be back some time soon for the full £55 Monty!! Cheese and biscuits good too. Hopefully we will be able to book a table in the restaurant proper next time. One of Edinburgh's hidden gems.

C. S.

On of the best pub that you can visit in town. Usually busy but don't let that put you off. Mussels are great to order if you are able to a table. Good selection of Malts and beer on tap. You won't be disappointed.

S. B.

Gorgeous decor and lovely atmosphere

B. K.

Unfortunately we only stumbled on the last day of our vacation for lunch. Man what a gem was this. The oysters wrapped in bacon were superb, the fish, the duck all were cooked to perfection. Also the place had a great interior. We where a bit in a hurry and after us mentioning that to the staff they made sure to speed everything up. Would really recommend this place

G. C.

First thing you see when you come in the East door is a sign saying "No service" - people come in and walk out. What they should have is a sign saying “Welcome - this way for service areas”. I suggested that to a staff member - not interested. One of the best pubs in Edinburgh despite this uninspiring notice.

R. T.

Very nice indeed. Ordered a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich. And a steak sandwich. That's how good it was. Highly recommended by my friend Mr Underhill, and I am now in agreement. Marvellous!

F. K.

Truly brilliant establishment this and has been a favourite of mine for over 30 years. Very well located just off the east end of Princes Street and close to Waverley Station so getting home shouldn't be a problem The old pub had a decorous gantry running around the bar which was removed in the 90s I think and it would have been nice to keep that. The ale is varied and drawn from a number of Scottish breweries as well as further South. Cellarman keeps the beer extremely well and I have always had a good pint in the place. Counts for a lot. Décor and ambiance make this bar unique in Edinburgh as it has a sturdy yet ornate Victorian look to it and feels as solid as the city around it. Great place. Look forward to seeing you again when I next travel East. Aye. Fraser, Isle of Cumbrae.

f. r.

Fabulous place such atmosphere serving excellent wine

S. H.

A real experience. What a stunning venue. Friendly. Great food.

C. D.

Not a normal coffee machine just like a Nespresso so had to have a drink instead. So many Whiskeys to choose from. It has so much character. Amazing ceiling and artworks.

D. A.

One of my favourite local Edinburgh pubs

R. W.

Really like this pub. One of the old favourites in Edinburgh. It has got slightly more touristy over the years but it's still a great place to meet friends/family and enjoy a relaxd drink. the decor is fab, with 'old fashioned' brass and wood and cosy booth style seating on one side, with tall tables and bar stools on the other. Staff have always been very polite and friendly. The adjoined restaurant is nice but absolutely overpriced and the food lacking. My Cullen skink was pretty awful tbh, with about 3 pieces of fish, and LOTS of bones. I complained at the time but only got an apology, nothing was done and no refund. Sadly there's no disabled toilet (would make a huge difference if you had one!!) and it's a trek down windy narrow stairs to get to them.

M. G.

Great traditional pub. Decor is marvellous with great ceilings and unusual tiled pictures depicting events. Good variety of ales and many varieties of malts , gins etc.

M. T.

a very well know establishment reeks of history good range of beers wines etc

D. M.

Cafe Royal is what it is - an Edinburgh institution. The decor is breathtaking, the sense of history never fails to excite no matter how often you visit and the sheer oozing of class which always prevails is wonderful. The food is superb - oysters a speciality - and the range of drinks and prices great. You can't say you've done the Edinburgh pubs unless you've been to the Cafe. 10/10!

D. M.

Fabulous interior with very professional and friendly staff.

S. H.

Classic calm cafe. Very nice atmosphere. Recommended.

G. B.

The decor is that of a Toulouse Lautrec bar scene. A brass plaque on the wall says that the Oscar winning movie Chariots of Fire was filmed in the restaurant. Food and drink superb. Staff very attentive in the restaurant. Food outstanding and the Pinot Noir very drinkable. Staff in the restaurant were very attentive but didn't rush you.

M. M.

Fantastic Friends 60th and given a complimentary drink.staff very attentive Pleasurable experience. Will be returning on the 26th 🙂

L. W.

A traditional, good looking old bar with an ornate ceiling and carved, wooden, well-stocked bar selection. Here there's no music, allowing you to hear that beautiful burble of conversation and the odd cutlery ting. It's warm, cosy, and feels a bit like stepping out of everyday life. It can be a little difficult to find a seat, though.

A. C.

Very busy for a pandemic but a really nice bar.

K. S.

Enjoyed live music at the pub in the evening. We had to leave at about 11 pm to catch our train back to London the next morning but they go on till 2. The people in the pub seemed to all know each other and were also very warm and welcoming of the tourists. Had some great conversations in the background of Scottish music - which the singer (Ciaran McGhee) was kind enough to translate for our benefit. A lovely way to spend an evening.

R. B.

It's a pub, we spent a few minutes on the circle bar and despite how amazing we'd been told it is, decided to try somewhere else. The menu is pages and pages long and overwhelming to consume. Perhaps it's just not what we expected, but judge for yourselves.

A. F.

Beautiful place. Attentive staff who are well informed on all things pub and also where next related. However you may need to sell your first born to get a round in. A bit, er, prestigious shall we say, in the till department.

J. K.

Lovely old fashioned Gin palace, the painted picture tiles on the wall. Absolutely stunning, nice pint of ale to. Definitely go again on my next visit to Edinburgh...

J. T.

Excellent old fashioned pub. Great selection of beers.

R. P.

Excellent pub. Lovely ornate interior. Fantastic food, great beer and brilliant staff. Highly recommended.

T. W.

Busy city pub with a reputation for good food. I was just in for drinks with friends.

S. J.

Just sitting here and having a drink is enough. You go back in time and feel a little better about yourself. Absolutely glorious place. If you want to eat in the Oyster bar, which I recommend, book a table.

V. H. N.

I was here by chance. It was crowded in the peak hours, difficult to find a table. Anyhow, the staff was such cheerful, polite and helpful to find a place. The oysters were so fresh, delicious and reasonable. I will be back next time I am in Edinburgh.

S. G.

As always, excellent beer, wines and spirits plus delicious food and service. A grand evening out in a lovely historical pub

W. M.

Great bar, fantastic interior, friendly staff, good selection of spirits although their draft beers were a little underwhelming, but then again it's the sort of place for cocktails rather than swilling pints. Always worth a visit if you're at that end of town.

J. M.

Popped in here for a quick drink on the way back to our hotel. Great atmosphere and very old school interior. Felt like l was stepping back into the roaring twenties.

G. D.

Had oysters here for the first time in years - amazing. And then a whole lobster 🦞 - also amazing!

T. W.

This is an awesome bar right in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town. The massive center ceiling is lovely to look at and the place is always buzzing. The only problem is that it's usually so busy you'll struggle to get a seat. Suggest getting in early and trying to snag one of the booths for the night. Then settle back and order some of the solid food, and let the drinks flow.

C. J.

First time in Edinburgh, would recommend this Bar to everyone, Staff so friendly 😀 Well done

R. D.

The Café Royal is one of the longest established pubs in Edinburgh. The middle one in a cluster of three pubs just off St Andrew Square and Princes Street, it has ornate tiling on the wall giving the surroundings a touch of sophistication. On my visit I only went for drinks, however, there is a restaurant just off the main bar serving a selection of Scottish dishes. This is a great watering hole to meet up in before a night out in Edinburgh being close to Waverley Station and just a short walk away from George Street. Highly recommended.

M. C.

We were in the bar. The Bloody Mary Oyster shooters are a MUST HAVE! The oyster Rockefeller was less than to be desired...missing any real flavors. Stick with the natural raw Oysters...they were the best!

S.

We managed to get a table on two occasions (drinks only) without having to book. The service was second to none and the staff were really friendly.

S. D.

Cafe royale has been around for a long time. It just goes to show that despite many pub closing over the years a well run traditional pub can go on and on. I've been visiting it for over 40 years. A jewel of a pub. Never eaten there but I believe the food is great

K. B.

What a classy, elegant spot for a drink. Very friendly and helpful staff. Beautiful building and a stone's throw from Waverley.

A. F. W.

Had my 40th birthday lunch there and also also went there for another celebratory lunch recently. The uniqueness of the Café Royal is that they have turned seafood into comfort food. It is nicely presented but unlike in so many other places it doesn't only look good, it tastes good as well. One of the best-kept secrets is their cullen skink style mussels, some of the best mussels I have ever had. The meat dishes are also excellent but if you don't usually like seafood and always wanted to give it the try this is the place whom you should entrust with your experience. The interior is also a spectacular stained-glass desplay of victorian splendour.

A. M.

I've kind of grown into The Café Royal over the years. Didn't used to like it much but increasingly, I've enjoyed visits there. The beer's good and it looks fabulous. It does get busy at night though so it's not a place for a quiet pint.

J. M.

Edinburgh's oldest Oyster bar featuring an on site restaurant focused on seafood and excellent wine pairings ( including dessert wine). The pub also features some of the most excellent architecture, with Royal Doulton panels, high decorative ceilings and ornamental features throughout the bar.

C. M.

One of Edinburgh's most interesting and grand old public houses, with a fine selection of beers, and excellent food from the adjoining restaurant specialising in sea food. Often crowded out during the tourist hell season.

A. M.

Still a very good selection of beers which are well kept. Service was a little slow which was unusual as it's normally spot on. It was mid afternoon when perhaps a little short staffed and things did improve later on.

S. T. (.

We had a really great evening! The food and the location were great! Special greetings to Ada who did a great job! We were very pleased with her honest and perfect recommendations :) such a nice evening bc of her!!

N. S.

A quirky bar with an extensive whiskey menu

D. S.

If you're in Edinburgh, be sure to visit here. Stunning Victorian architecture, Doulton wall tiles, great atmosphere, superb selection of beers, you won't be disappointed.

C. F.

Total Edinburgh classic location. Old world charm combined with tasty modern food and friendly staff. Always a recommendation for family and visitors alike. Edinburgh at its very best.

L. J.

Nice building and surrounding, slightly rude staff. Wouldn't serve food round the bar even though we were in plenty of time. Would probably be nice midday during the week, with few people there so staff could cope

A. B.

Went for a meal this week and the staff could not have been more helpful and down to earth. Mussels with arbroath smokie and monkfish were both excellent!

G. M.

The Cafe Royal is, to me, exactly what an Edinburgh pub should be. Historical surroundings, understated elegance, great food and drinks, and friendly service - what more could you want? The impressive Victorian decor and big circular bar provide the perfect setting for a few pints, and both the bar and restaurant menus are worth checking out too. The Cafe Royal specialises in oysters and mussels, but the rest of their menu is just as good; definitely a cut above your average "pub grub".

S. C.

Spectacular round bar, excellent beer and wine selection with the added attraction of a sea food / oyster bar as part of one of the most iconic bars in Edinburgh, must be enjoyed as any part of a trip to Edinburgh

K. F.

Love the atmosphere but sadly some of the food a bit disappointing. Oysters were very small with almost no eating in them. Lobster was tiny and way overpriced. Service good.

A. H.

Great food and drinks. Had to wait for a table on the bar side as it was busy, but didn't have to wait too long. Glad we found this place away from the tourist heavy area.

G. G.

Visited the Voodoo Rooms. Nice meal beforhand. Lovely service - not quick - but very nice! Great gig (Withered Hand). Strongly recommended!!

N. A.

One of my Edinburgh favourites. The decor is amazing. Food not bad. Good selection of beer and wine. Efficient staff. Mixed clientele with city types and tourists. Highly recommended.

S.

We managed to get a table on two occasions (drinks only) without having to book. The service was second to none and the staff were really friendly.

S. L.

Good bar with wide selection of beer, real ale and other drinks. Excellent high quality food. Down a side street / alley so you don't get many tourists. Most accents you will hear are Scottish. Not the cheapest pub but good quality all around.

P. C.

Beautiful place

N. L.

Fantastic traditional Edinburgh pub with historic tiled murals and stained glass. Close to Princess street and Waverly station. Friendly, quick and professional service from staff at bar. Range of cask ales including their own house special …

S. G.

As always, excellent beer, wines and spirits plus delicious food and service. A grand evening out in a lovely historical pub

R. T.

Very nice indeed. Ordered a Bloody Mary and a steak sandwich. And a steak sandwich. That's how good it was. Highly recommended by my friend Mr Underhill, and I am now in agreement. Marvellous!

D. M.

Not as good quality as on previous visits.

L. W.

Great bloody marys and friendly staff.

D. S.

Nice victoriana bar still with features, service good even when busy. Good selection of drinks although a tad long the dear side but still worth a visit.

D. M.

Stopped by here for a late-night drink after a tour of the Scotch Whiskey Experience. The waiter recommended some single-malt scotch for us to try and we had a wonderful time.

P. F.

Well kept beer, warm and welcoming service after its recent upgrade. Food not cheap but excellent value. Recommended.

j. j.

Been many times when in Edinburgh... worth a visit... A little pricey on last visit...but still good

K. R.

Greart atmosphere - men clubby. Good wine selection at reasonable prices and fantastic mussels! I highly recommend the ones with whisky and garlic!

J. O.

A very interesting and beautiful bar. The staff were knowledgeable and friendly, overall an excellent experience.

M. C.

A gorgeous place for a drink, especially if you like a whisky. Fascinating decor, brilliant staff and top notch drinks for every taste.

F. W.

Doulton Tiles! What can I say that others haven't. Layout not changed, spruced up, modernised but not spoilt. Stairs to toilets steep and two corridors with no signs were ladies or gents where. Very clean when you find them, well the gents were!

G. B.

Good one. Good food.

P. R.

Great place to eat, drink and meet friends in a Covid safe environment.

s. d.

Oldest Oyster pub in Edinburgh great decor, very Victorian. Good selection of gin and scotch.

J. P.

Fab atmosphere and great knowledgeable staff

A. T.

Lovely place to have a relaxed drink and a light bite to eat away from the bustle of the Royal Mile. The place itself is amazing, with huge high ceilings and lots of intricate woodwork and decoration

C. C.

Love the ambience and the great food. Its not too far to walk from Waverly Station too. Adequate choice of lunch menu to choose from. Good service from the only waitress around!

T. C.

Famous Edinburgh pub and restaurant with original features. Great choice of drinks and friendly staff. It can get very busy however.

K. H.

Nice old pub with a great atmosphere. It's always pretty busy. They have a good list of drinks and nice food to choose from.

M. T.

Lovely friendly staff. Good atmosphere. Over 120 malt whiskys on the Whisky menu - need I say more?!

R. M.

Such a gorgeous pub with the sweetest staffand nicest cocktails. Didn't eat but super tempted by the menu, back soon!

D. C.

Gorgeous bar very close to the train station

M. W.

A beautiful bar with great surroundings. Lots of brass fittings and a tiled mosaic wall. They serve good food, specialise in seafood, and have a good beer selection.

A. M.

We popped in to the Cafe Royal after a long day of seeing Edinburgh and enjoyed the beautiful bar, delicious oysters, the perfect Bloody Mary and wonderful service!

R. C.

Traditional surroundings, superb menu, service second to none, and the Oysters! What an experience. Go, and enjoy. Can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

P. C.

Food was good but service frustratingly slow. Also we were given choice of 6.15 or 9.15 when throughout our time there, from 6.15pm, there were empty tables. Wouldn't hurry back.

M. B.

Really busy on the evening so went back the next day at 12pm had oysters and mulled wine and a nice big table. Staff and service great can't wait to go back next year

J. W.

Excellent service; pleasant staff; delicious bar snacks

A. K.

The place to be in Edinburgh. (Especially if you like whiskey and oysthers)

G. S.

Great decor and bar staff.

c. t.

Always a great atmosphere in here, food is amazing and such lovely surroundings! Looking forward to my next visit@!

J. M.

Outstanding Edinburgh Victorian bar with superb wood, glass and tiled interior. Great choice of real ales and food. Can get busy.

L. D.

We only had drinks here but what a lovely place if we hadn't already eaten we would have tried here. Great atmosphere too.

R. B.

Great atmosphere and ales

A. R.

Spotless, great atmosphere, great xhoice

D. B.

Nice selection of ales both local and from further afield. Knowledgeable and attentive staff. Can be noisy because of all the hard surfaces. Usually busy.

D. p.

Had lunch and dinner there, the place was very pleasant, food was good. The waiter was very good to us. We order a potato mash, steak and oyster and it was pretty good campare to the price.

s. b.

Great victorian pub serving good food and great drinks. always seems busy, service then suffers and getting a seat can be very hard, but I always like a visit here.

S. M.

Slightly Pretentious with dubious service. Has a restaurant which has a less extensive to the bar menu . Effectively they charge top dollar to sit in the restaurant because that guarantees a seat but the foods the same and the décor better in the bar

b. p.

Fantastic clean ornate traditional pub with a great selection of fine ales wine and spirits and I do like the fresh oysters sold at the bar

J. F.

Always a great atmosphere in this old bar. Staff are always on the ball and notice a new customer even if it is busy which it was when we were there last.

r. n.

Central Edinburgh pub. Close to train and bus stations. The Cafe Royal has been open as long as I can remember. Nice bar in city centre that serves good food and drinks.

S. K.

Very classy bar scene!

G. S.

First time I'd been in for a while. Still first class service from friendly, helpful staff

M. M.

Beautiful decor amazing food and the most wonderful staff a credit to their establishment. A must for any visit to Edinburgh

M. W.

Classic Edinburgh bar with a great interior. Close to the station. Even if you don't drink go have a go and enjoy the atmosphere.

i.

Really like this bar.. always have a great selection of local Ales and of course the Oysters and Steaks they serve are very good.. I recommend this bar / Gastropub to all our customers.

R. M.

Amazing bar with stunning interior. A great place off the beaten track. Stylish and tastefull without being expensive. Can get a bit crowded.

F. J.

Absolutely stunning surroundings with stained glas and story like tales on the walls. Abit expensive, but worth going for a drink and simply having seen it.

A. B.

Was fabby.. Well looked after !

A. H.

You need to see the interior of this place, fantastic, good food and beer

D. N.

Very traditional bar just off Princes Street. Will be busy at peak hours (lunchtime and early evening). If you want to see and appreciate the decor and murals, call in mid-afternoon when it wil be quieter.

D. M.

A great institution of a bar tucked away at the East End of Princes Street. The place seems to have a certain aura to it and the building and décor inside is amazing. Quite expensive but definitely worth it as there is an amazing atmosphere in the place.

A. B.

Amazing food, slightly slow service, but worth the wait. Sit in the restaurant for a fantastic menu or the bar for more relaxed but equally well cooked food

E. Z.

Local in Edin. Cullen skink the best. Shame no mac cheese, was fab. Last visit did not allow under 18 in bar for lunch. Disappointing. Boys were 14 and 15 from US on hols.

R. S.

Went with family, we were all impressed with the level of service and quality of food and drinks. the decor and atmosphere here are spectacular.

B. H.

Lovely old fashioned bar with a great atmosphere. I've eaten lunch in the bar and it was delicious! Central location and good value.

G. C.

One of the best pubs-cafes in Edinburgh. Great atmosphere, wonderful illustrations on the walls must be seen.

B. M.

Excellent as always. I try to pay a visit here every time I'm in Edinburgh ❤️

M. B.

Really amazing decor with very friendly, welcoming staff.

J. F.

Great choice of beer and whisky.. Will come again..

G. P.

Very nice place, historic environment, great range of drinks. Kind and efficient staff. It is a pleasure to be there from time to time

G. B.

Excellent food and beer. Cullen Skink highly recommended.

D. S.

Classic Edinburgh pub with bags of atmosphere.

K. T.

Rediculously expensive but worth it. Beautiful interior, friendly and extremely helpful and bar staff was not afraid to recommend other places to go that are similar. Recommended

k.

Best steak pie in the world. Triple chips are a must. Beers are good also. A hidden gem of a bar.

E. P.

my favourite pub in Edinburgh gorgeous art deco and beautiful design traditional and a treat

F.

Great bar if you like to sip a broad range of drinks in a listed pub. Could do with more informed bar staff and better ales

S. M.

Fun pub as always but a serious look at ladies toilets needed. 2 out of 3 not working. Would have been a nightmare if really busy

D. D.

Great place to go to toast a magnificent win/be grateful you escaped with your life from Leith. Only downside is that it smells like Grimsby fish Market at low tide.

H. B.

Lovely evening! Chilled local Gastro pub, great local food. Staff were friendly and accommodating when we wanted something off the menu. will be back..

D. S.

Lovely pub, bit pricey though.

T. B.

Favourite pub in Edinburgh

j. e.

It was very busy yesterday as one expect at this time of year but bar staff were excellent.The food was good too though I did hear a complaint from a lady friend of ours who ordered a salmon sandwich which turned out to be a thick doorstep of a sandwich accompanied by chips which she didn't order.

C. H.

Very nice upscale pub. Very good food and drink. Would recommend

C.

Great traditional pub with awesome Scottish food to match. Staff always seem helpful and cheery. Definitely worth a visit.

C. W.

Always a nice atmosphere

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