Cafe Royal

Unfortunately, our experience at this restaurant was ruined by the service, particularly by a waiter named Daniel. He was incredibly rude—the most unfriendly waiter I’ve ever dealt with. He dropped a dirty spoon on my grandfather and didn’t say a word. No apology, no attempt to pick it up—just completely ignored it. He also brought the wrong dish and again, no apology. When we asked for help with the menu, he was arrogant and unhelpful, acting as if our questions were a nuisance. To be fair, the food was good, and the special we tried was actually very enjoyable. It’s a shame the service didn’t reflect the same quality. A great meal shouldn’t be overshadowed by bad hospitality.

One of Edinburgh’s great institutions so a must for locals and visitors alike. It’s an amazing space inside with such great architecture and one pub that should never change. Friday night was busy but still the odd seat was free. Drinks are good but at £11.10 for a glass of house wine a bit pricey. Staff could do with smiling and might sell more drinks if there was some interaction with customers.

Been there and have amazing lunch. The place is amazing and food is wonderful. But staff Ruined it all. Horrible services no smile and still added £27 service charges on the bill. !!!! Had clean up the table myself before I get served!!! Staff seem like forced to do the job instead of enjoy what they do. Shouldn’t added service charge if they don’t do service..

Absolutely stunning decor. It's simply beautiful. Service should be improved. You walk through the doors and staff does their best to ignore each and everyone of you. I get that you might be busy but come one. A smile goes a long way. Even with a reservation it wasn't a nice experience. The Italian gentleman at the restaurant never smiled in his life, he won't make an exception for you. Luckily the waitress at the restaurant was nicer. Food was beautiful though. I would comeback but would know that the decor and the food makes the place. Not the staff

Really good food, very friendly and knowledgeable staff, interesting building, great selection of drinks. The lamb wellington was particularly good!

Cafe Royal is just set back from Princes Street, it has stunning ornate decor inside and you're immediately impressed. I had the Speyside lager and it went down well. It was quite busy but the bar staff coped well. I would definitely recommend a visit when in Edinburgh.

Fantastic place in a very friendly atmosphere, professional and mega smiling service! Thank you for the opportunity to try every beer and I will come back! A wonderful place in a classic style!

We went for dinner and it was great. Unfortunately we were all jet-lagged from 18+ hours of travel and couldn't finish the wonderful food.

Came here just for a quick serving of oysters when visiting Edinburgh. Had good feedback online and was located very central and easy to find. Inside it's really pretty. A classic setting. Like a classic french upscale brasserie. Really cozy. Had half a dozen of scottish oysters with chili, lime and gin dip sauce. And some extra Tabasco. A glass of white wine with that. 19£ for six oysters is really reasonable. The oysters were fresh and of high quality. Scottish oysters are just really good. Matched only maybe by oysters from the Normandy. An overall very nice experience. The menu looked really good. Surely a place to come back to one day to try some more and other items from the menu.

My wife and I along with my Son and Son in Law stopped in for drinks. The place is beautiful and has a great Scottish vibe. The bartender's took excellent care of us. My only regret was not getting contact info from David who bought all of us a round. He was so nice to us and tolerated our American accent. A great friendship missed. Slanjevah

Absolutely delicious dinner! Service was superb. Our waiter was friendly and helpful with ordering. Our gin and tonics were perfect. Local fresh oysters were amazing. I really enjoyed the Cullen skink, so delicious. Their sticky toffee pudding was divine. We had toured all day on foot, covering 9 plus miles of beautiful Edinburgh and we were treated to a delicious and relaxing, no rush dining experience in traditional setting. Just perfect to get to know this beautiful City.

Very nice ambiance and kind staff. Small but efficiently ran. LGBTQ+ friendly. I ordered the red sauce pasta and was not a fan, but everyone else's food looked delicious! Good choice.

The chicken was over cooked and the peas were hard. Nice atmosphere. It took us asking a waiter to serve us. We waited 20 minutes. There were four of them standing right next to us chatting away.

Great pub/restaurant with a lot of history. We ordered drinks and appetizers. We had the Cullen Skink, Haggis Fritters, and the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg - delicious!

This is probably something that isn't ordered often, but get a side of kale with harissa oil. It's heavenly. The vegan risotto is also amazing!

Looking for something not too far from Hotel Indigo -Where we happened to be staying. Atmosphere was lively and fun. It had a Peaky blinders feel to it. Service was slow but they were pretty crowded. Seamed a little understaffed. I got the fish and chips. Food was pretty good. I'd like to try them again on a better staffed night.

This place was recommended to us by our tour guide. We arrived less than 2 hours before closing and it was very crowded however they were very kind and accommodated our group of 4. I honestly could not choose between dishes and was famished so I went for the Seafood Tower and the Venison. Thankfully, although brimming with lots of ocean delicacies, the tower is lots of shell so it didn't fill me up. The Venison was tender and delicious on a bed of red cabbage and red wine jus.

Food, service, and ambiance were all great plus some cask conditioned ale options. We ate from the appetizer menu - and plan to return to try some of the entrees.

We went to the bar for lunch and ate off the bar menu. We liked it so much we came back the next day for lunch again. It can sometimes be busy so you may have to wait for a seat. I had fish and chips both days because it was amazing. The fish was perfectly coated with a tempura batter - so light and yet buttery. The chips were also nice and salted perfectly. They also had a good selection of beer.

So let me give you a background -my boyfriend, his parents, and myself were staying in Edinburgh for 8 days. We went to 4 different restaurants the first 4 days - either ones that we found on Yelp, ones recommended from travel videos, and others recommended from blogs. Some were downright awful. Some were just okay. Some were WAY too overpriced for what they gave. My boyfriend and I came to Cafe Royal one night because it was recommended by our Airbnb host. We ordered haggis, mussels in white wine, mushroom risotto, and pork pate. All tasty dishes and our waiter was awesome. Next day, we went to dinner with his parents to a DIFFERENT restaurant. It was not good. We came here to Cafe Royal for dessert and drinks- cheesecake, cranachan, and crumble of the day were tasty with our lattes. We visited YET AGAIN the next day (yes...3rd in a row)- this time for dinner. Ordered king scallops, salmon fillet, and duck. We were so happy because FINALLY we were getting good food- and not just good, but EXCEPTIONALLY good food. And great service yet again. This time-we ordered creme brûlée for dessert and it was delicious. So what did we do the 4th night? WE WENT BACK TO THIS PLACE YET AGAIN. Yes, ladies and gentleman. We were just so tired those first 4 days of being disappointed by our food at other restaurants. So tired of going to highly recommended places and being let down by the meals and the service. So thoroughly impressed by this place where EACH and every meal did not disappoint us or rob us by overpricing their meal, and so satisfied with the atmosphere and service- that we went to this place...4...out of the 8 nights...we were in Edinburgh! All in all- if you are visiting Edinburgh...you must visit this place at least once. Beautiful stained glass windows accompanied by delicious food. I am aware this restaurant has tons of history behind it too. 5 stars.

This place is an Edinburgh institution not to be missed! Beautiful classic atmosphere, seafood and tap selection whilst retaining the standby haggis, neeps & tatties. An essential experience, no Scotland trip would be complete without it.

I was very excited to come here based on previous reviews and the menu. However I received the worst customer service of my life at The Cafe Royal. We were moved tables and eventually asked to leave the restaurant because not everyone in my group was dining. We had told our waiter one of us would not be eating and he said that there was no problem and we would have the table for an hour. Our server Peter was extremely rude and told us he would not serve us because we were not all ordering food and gave us a check for our water... The situation could have been handled a lot smoother on their end and Peter's tone and comments were not necessary.

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.

This place was AWESOME! A bartender from another restaurant recommended this place to us. We were only in Edinburgh for 3 nights but ended up going here twice because it was so good! Food was excellent, Champagne was bubbly and the staff was super friendly! Highly recommend getting the Scottish Beef pie. The 3 oysters and 1 glass of champagne for 15 pounds was a great deal too :)

My guy and I were out in Edinburgh for the day/night and decided to duck in to this pub to escape the rain and have a tasty bevvy. What a great pub! We were only here for one drink, and it was packed elbow to elbow, but just the overall vibe of this place was great. There are loads of tables and table tops to sit down at, but this place was mobbed, it being a saturday evening and all. Everything is decked out just now for the holidays, which made for a festive wee drink here- especially since I ordered a holiday cider they had in bottles (rekorderlig winter cider) which was very tasty! We were able to get a wee spot close to the door to have our drinks and chat about the day before heading off to the next pub. One thing to mention, the toilets are downstairs below the pub, so watch your step coming up, there's a wee lip of a step as you're heading back to the pub area that both me and my guy managed to trip on. I'm very clumsy so it's not very shocking that I did.

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.

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.

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.

Beautiful bar in the center called Circle Bar, which is an experience to drink and eat at, for sure. So ornate and traditional, you film movies in here. The oysters were redic tasty and the cask ales were refreshing. Seems like a dress-to-impress joint, but it really is very chill.

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.

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.

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

My first time in Edinburgh and didn't have any idea where I going to. I saw the pub from the road and I thinking this looks amazing place. It was what I dream about typical Scottish pub with great service and the bar was amazing. It was full today so I had to stay in the bar. I order a fish and chips and I enjoyed every bite. I enjoyed the differences of the Scottish beers I had for my visit. The great thing with this pub it is that you can see differences years and feel that you are a part of the Edinburgh and Scotland when you are there I will get back here to feel the culture of the Scottish pub life

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.

I had to search for The Cafe Royal. Cheryl C is absolutely right: it is "located down a sneaky wee alleyway". My son and I stopped by for a drink (thanks to Ian Rankin's recommendation in a Guardian podcast about Edinburgh). What a beautiful place. It is like walking through a time portal into the 1870s. A lovely gentleman at the bar -- a retired banker in suit and tie -- told us about the Cafe Royal and its clientele. I would have stayed to eat but it was a bit too up-scale for the university student. He felt uncomfortable in the elegant surroundings and was the youngest person in the Cafe Royal by at least 15 years. The famed oysters will have to wait for next time.

As a lover of all things that have a historic significance, the Royal Cafe was a terrific find the other night to have dinner with friends. I had seen it on my travels around town but could only get in on my final night in Edinburgh. This historic pub almost met it's demise back in 1969 as a hotel bought the property that it stood on and they were ready to sell it to Woolworth's to be torn down to make a parking lot. Well thank heaven the city and neighborhood got involved and blocked that sale so that today, people can still enjoy great food and drink in a historic building. Take a close look at what look like paintings on the walls- they are really a collection of Dutch Delft tiles that combine to make a series of large pictures. Really something! They are known for lobster but I chose to have the salmon wellington which was like a deconstructed pot pie and was delicious. My friend had the surf and turf special of the night which was also good. We also enjoyed some of their fresh oysters, on this night they were Scottish Rock, a type I had never heard of but tasted like some of the east coast ones I am able to get in the States. Service was quite good and since it started raining during our visit- they even called a cab for us and we sat comfortably at the table until the cabbie came into the restaurant to get us. Loved the atmosphere, the history, but most importantly the food! And whether you sit on the bar side with the huge round bar or on the restaurant side- you will be sure to have a great night out!

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.

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.

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.

A wonderful, traditional pub tucked off of Edinburgh's Prince's Street. We sat in the restaurant area for an enjoyable, well-prepared and delicious meal. For starters, the Scottish salmon & prawns were tasty. The sweet potato chili soup was also satisfying. For the main course, the Scottish venison and red cabbage was divine. The Cambrian, herb encrusted lamb was also succulent and delicious. Desserts were similarly satisfying. Good beer selection, friendly service and impressive interior details circa 1861. Enjoy a fine meal and a satisfying pour of ale here.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

I ate at the bar, where the servers and bartenders were quite friendly. I ordered the Slow Cooked Beef Pie, which I'd certainly have again.