The Scottish Cafe

& Restaurant

Award winning cafe and restaurant at the Gardens Entrance of the Scottish National Gallery

Award winning cafe and restaurant at the Gardens Entrance of the National Gallery.

Open 7 days from 10am - 5pm

Our food

Celebrating over 70 Artisan Scottish suppliers.

We love cooking traditional dishes and presenting them beautifully. Fish and chips, Cullen Skink, butteries, afternoon tea are just some of the classics that will always be on our menu. New seasonal dishes will always feature that reflect the seasons.

We look forward to sharing them with you and your family, friends and guests.

Menus

Absolutely fantastic food, high-quality ingredients cooked with a real love for food

Lunch here was an absolute delight. Highly recommend the smoked salmon starter, the venison main and the Edinburgh mess. Immaculate service.

Irina

Opening Times

Breakfast: 10am - 11.45am
Lunch: 12noon - 4pm
Afternoon tea: 12noon - 4pm

Please note the gallery closes at 5pm and all guests are asked to have left the venue by then.

Coffee and Cake served in Espresso (at the entrance to the Scottish National Gallery) from 10am to 4.45pm daily, note we don't take bookings into this space.

Call 0131 225 1550

Book a Table

Scottish
food

There is no doubt that Scotland has one of the very best larders in the world.

Our fish and shellfish, beef, game, fruit and vegetables not to mention our wonderful cheese, whisky and beer producers. The produce available throughout the different seasons is strikingly different.

From summer raspberries to winter shellfish we have a variety and range of flavours to excite our cooking, plates and our pallets. We are committed to only using fresh Scottish produce in our cooking.

We supplement with dried fruits and spices to add flavour and character, particularly in the winter months. Natural butter forms a large part of the base of much of our cooking and our baking.

We accommodate NGCI and vegan dishes but stay true to our heritage and won’t substitute “fake” meat or “cheese” in our dishes.

View our menus

Hearty and Seasonal

Breakfast is hearty with our full Scottish showcasing all of the best classic breakfast items on one plate. Our Butteries, made especially for us by Au Gourmand Bakery provide the perfect starting point for our Eggs Benedict, Royal and Florentine. Lighter dishes include porridge or a classic country roll with unsalted butter and Ramsay of Carluke bacon can’t be beaten.

Our lunch menu changes with the seasons introducing fresh local seasonal ingredients from Sea Buckthorn to fresh chanterelle mushrooms. Our classic fish and chips, Cullen Skink and all-day Brunch are always on the menu.

Lighter plates, soups and sandwiches are always available.

Vegan and NGCI menus are available

Our Afternoon Tea is traditional and always very popular. Finger sandwiches, warm scones and beautiful petit fours made fresh for you. Classic or vegetarian available.

View our menus

View our gallery

About
The Scottish Cafe

Our stunning venue overlooking East Princes Street Gardens is fresh, relaxing and airy and will always make you feel welcome.

Our signature Mairi Helena velvet wall at the back of the restaurant creates an inviting and soothing surround for you to enjoy a special dining space in every part of the restaurant.

Our sustainable values and commitment to heritage are as stomping today as they were when we opened 13 years ago. Our wooden Anta furniture was specially commissioned for us, Bute or Timorous beasties fabric is used on all our chairs to create a contemporary and refreshing space to relax and enjoy great food.

Find out more

In Princes
Street Gardens

Our outside terrace is open all year round but is best enjoyed from April to September when our weather is slightly warmer.

Enjoy our restaurant experience in one of the city's most iconic settings overlooking East Princes Street Gardens, The Scotsman Building, Waverley Bridge and the Balmoral Hotel.