Cafe Royal - Edinburgh

Review summary

1. N

   Neil

   Edinburgh

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 2

   My wife and I finally got away from a sick mother-in-law for a day out. When we entered the restaurant, the waiter greeted us with a scowl and a raised finger to show he was busy. The relationship went downhill from there. After my wife complained about too much salt in the cullen skink, he very properly offered to take it off the bill and then took another order for the starter. But then he inexplicably brought the dessert menu. We said we didn't want any dessert. We sat and waited for our main course order of venison steaks. We waited an hour for them. I went up to the bar to enquire and it turned out he had cancelled the order! I ordered chicken Balmorals on condition they could be done quickly. The waiter said 20 minutes. We waited 30 and then left, hungry. We won't be back.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
2. L

   LAURE

   New York City

   3 reviews

   4.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 1 day ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   Always nice but this time service a little bit longer than usual The restaurant wasn’t full maybe rest after Christmas !
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
3. M

   Mas

   Amsterdam

   2 reviews

   4.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 4
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   Although the overall entourage was good, the food was defiantly decent but the service was really below level for the price you pay.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
4. S

   Steve

   Chicago

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Our first full day in Edinburgh started with a tour of Edinburgh Castle and ended with dinner at Cafe Royal. Both were fabulous! Fish and chips, Balmoral chicken and amazing beef were all enjoyed by my party. Ending with the delightful sticky toffee pudding, the meal was perfect. Couple the amazing food with the warm and inviting surroundings, friendly service and holiday decor, we couldn’t have designed a more wonderful evening.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
5. L

   Lynn

   Edinburgh

   3 reviews

   5.0

   3 reviews

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Wonderful ambience. Staff superb and food delicious
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
6. A

   Allyson

   Edinburgh

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Lovely atmosphere, in a classy, historic cafe bar. Lovely staff and delicious food. It was a very enjoyable meal.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
7. R

   Richard

   Edinburgh

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 18, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 3

   The scallops as a starter were 3 very small offerings. The mains I had was the venison, it was tough and stringy, difficult to cut and eat, the gnocchi were hard and all the food including the plate were cold. Had we not had guests I would have sent it back. The chocolate pudding was excellent. My wife's fish pie ok. My friend had haggis which was fine and his wife has venison but did not comment on it. Overall for me disappointing
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
8. V

   Vicky

   Yorkshire

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on December 18, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   Beautiful atmosphere, some of the best seafood i’ve had.
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
9. D

   David

   Edinburgh

   4 reviews

   5.0

   4 reviews

   Dined on December 17, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   We booked last minute for lunch on 17 December and got a table at Cafe Royal for 1430 hours. We enjoyed sharing the sourdough with crab butter and then my wife had sun blushed tomato sandwich with avocado and rosemary tinged fries. I went for the classic fish and chips. House white wine was delicious. A very pleasant experience and an enjoyable way to spend an hour in the week before Christmas in the oldest oyster bar in Scotland!
   

   Is this helpful?

   Report
10. C

    Colin

    Edinburgh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5

    Recommended. Relatively small restaurant with an intimate feel. Our menu choices were 1st class and service was attentive without being overbearing.
    

    Is this helpful?

    Report