The Gateway Café
Art cafe · Inverleith ·

The Gateway Café

Art cafe · Inverleith ·

British & European fare in airy glass building with GF options

expensive
inconsistent food
poor service
coffee
botanic garden location
nice staff
study friendly
soups and sandwiches
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null
The Gateway Café by null

Information

Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NY, United Kingdom Get directions

£10–20

Restroom
Accepts reservations
Popular for lunch
Cozy
Good for groups

Information

Static Map

Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NY, United Kingdom Get directions

rbge.org.uk
@rbgedinburgh
𝕏
@TheBotanics

£10–20

Features

•Restroom
•Accepts reservations
•Popular for lunch
•Cozy
•Good for groups
•Good for solo dining
•Touristy
•Dessert

Last updated

Jan 29, 2026

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HeyItsMay

Google
Our server was very kind and friendly. They had gluten free options (I got a gluten free salted Carmel brownie and if was very good). The drinks were really good, my husband got a latte and I got an iced chai latte. 10/10! I would recommend here! It was also quiet and intimate place with a nice flower gift shop as well!

Jamie M.

Google
I don't usually leave bad reviews, but had to here. This is incredibly overpriced for a very meagre portion of food. I had a Katsu curry, and there was perhaps three bites of chicken. It was almost comical how small the portion was. Such a shame. I feel screwed out of my money. * update: spoke to a server there to complain, they said "ah, when I am serving I usually give two bits of chicken as that is fair". So they do actually know there is a problem!

Josep Antoni R.

Google
Great place to eat and drink something! Sweet portions of scons, and more! All surrounded by the botanic garden makes this place a nice place to be. Feeling relax with the nature! Located in the heart of the botanic garden you will find this place, nice terrace but inside is so cool as well. Downstairs there is a nice shop and part of the museum with expos!

Caroline H.

Google
We live round the corner and go to the Botanics on a weekly basis. We love the gardens, have attended toddler classes, the light shows, events etc. Every so often we go to the Gateway cafe and it kills me how awful the service is. Yesterday I took my mum and she was appalled. I go with a 1&2 year old and am provided with no help, running to the top of the cafe to get high chairs, running back and forth to get trays. There are always 6 or so people behind the counter doing nothing. I’ve emailed to provide feedback when I dropped the tray while carrying a baby and no one offered to help - they just looked on. It is a painful experience. Avoid the cafe but go to the botanics.

J K

Google
My partner says four stars because the burger had a smoked flavor. I enjoyed the Halloumi & smashed avocado salad with chicken and the Pravha house lager. Best to call for a reservation. Would definitely go back.

Jeruva R.

Google
The place is good if you want to take a rest from the walking. It offers a good choice (although it may be limited) of soups and sandwiches. The coffee is fine and you can even do some study while drinking your coffee. It's not the cheapest option but it's more or less what you expect to pay inside a museum or in this case, a garden.

Susan

Google
Poor service ,staff standing chatting,ignoring customers. Then served anyone they like in the queue, absolutely abysmal. Won't be back to this cafe,has to be the most expensive with the worst customer service .

Pam D

Google
Eating here regularly has shown the food to be inconsistent ans expensive , we come for the gardens and love to support it / here’s where it’s inconsistent and expensive , the cauliflower dish at £12/£13 HALVED in size overnight , was a decent if expensive portion , now it’s rhe size of a side dish - for £13 ? No way . Bang bang chicken salad for £11/£12 ranges from having a good mix of ingredients although expensive to having half the ingredients missing - this week no mango , no edamame, no seeds no carrots , tiny piece of chicken and leaves ,no specials no changes in menu , mass confusion for customers at the counter if you’re not familiar with the two queues , nice staff in the most part , don’t think anyone who manages the cafe bothers to read the reviews, but this so a true and valid account