The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is privately owned and part of the multi-award-winning Victor & Carina Contini group of Edinburgh city-centre venues.
Set against the iconic Princes Street Gardens in the heart of Edinburgh and situated within the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish cafe offers a modern twist to any celebration, creating a sophisticated and unique setting for your celebration.
Having gone through various transformations since we started running the cafe and restaurant in 2009 and after a seven month refurbishment we relaunched in August 2019 with an even more beautiful interior and offer.
Our back feature wall is the work of Scottish textile designer, Mairi Helena and we’re absolutely delighted to showcase this work as her first commercial commission.
Fire Thistle by Mairi Helena takes inspiration from the vibrant, textural Scottish landscapes and abundant flora. Created from multiple layers, placed together in an abstract fashion.
From the rustic sea walls found along the East Neuk coastline to the tangle of fishing nets in Pittenweem harbour, intricate lichens and a splash of wild gorse. With a nod to tartan plaid and the iconic teasel head making for a flare of Scottish contemporary style! Mairi Helena loves to keep it colourfully wild!
In addition, with the aim of being as sustainable as possible, we are delighted to have been able to upcycle our original ANTA dressers, tables and chairs with the wonderful addition of some beautiful fabrics from Bute Fabrics and from Timorous Beasties.
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant now offers a gorgeous contemporary entertainment space in the very heart of Edinburgh and we could not be prouder.
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant sources only the best produce from Scottish artisan suppliers for its seasonal menus.
Our award-winning combination of talented event managers, fabulous executive chefs, dedicated team of hospitality champions and our Scotch Whisky Ambassadors together with the very best produce we can source, means the possibilities are endless in making your party a roaring success.
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is available for lunches for up to 70 guests, dinners for 50-180 guests, drinks receptions for up to 200 guests.
At The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, we take great pride in the warmth and hospitality of our welcome and the quality of your experience with us. We expect our guests to feel like friends, and to leave us happier than when they arrived.
So sit back and relax in the knowledge that we are here to look after you.
Team Contini
Princes Street Gardens are two adjacent public parks in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, lying in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens were created in two phases in the 1770s and 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town.
The loch, situated on the north side of the town, was originally an artificial creation forming part of its medieval defences and made expansion northwards difficult. The water was habitually polluted from sewage draining downhill from the Old Town.
In 1846 the railway was built in the valley to connect the Edinburgh-Glasgow line at Haymarket with the new northern terminus of the North British line from Berwick-upon-Tweed at Waverley Station.
The gardens run along the south side of Princes Street and are divided by The Mound, on which the National Gallery of Scotland and the Royal Scottish Academy are located.
The Gardens are the best-known parks in Edinburgh, having the highest awareness and visitor figures for both residents and visitors to the city
Life’s too short.
It’s important to celebrate the little things in life but to more importantly to celebrate the special things! In our book, a birthday is very special.
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant lends itself well to parties as small as 50 guests and would have ample space for arrival drinks and post-dinner dancing.
If you’d like a birthday cake for the whole party our pastry team are very skilled at preparing a fantastic cake for you and your guests.
Choose a set menu for you and your guests from our seasonally changing menus. Go classic with three courses and coffee or why not switch it up and treat your guests to our popular tasting stations.
Spoil your guests by offering fantastic Scottish produce stations manned by our talented chefs. A great option for an interactive networking event for guests to sample the very best of what Scotland has to offer.
Choose from a list of small independent growers and producers showing seasonal dishes such as Scottish salmon and oysters, beef, cheeses and homemade truffles to name a few. Add a whisky and gin tasting together with our homemade ice cream station and you’re onto a winner!
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is perfect for larger parties with a capacity of up to 200 guests. Choose to have arrival drinks on our terrace and finish the evening with post-dinner entertainment.
Our talented team will expertly look after your every need. Being a handy walking distance to all major hotels and modes of transport will ensure a hassle-free journey home.
"On behalf of myself and the team we would like to thank you and your team and especially Chef for all the help with our event on Sunday. It was a huge success and the feedback from the group has been excellent and very complimentary.
It’s been a pleasure meeting you and working with you on this event and I hope we have the opportunity to work together in the future."
"Thanks so much for your attention and great hospitality.
We really really enjoyed the food, some of the best we’ve had at our Christmas do. Esp the fantastic gravy!!! And moist tender turkey. So, huge compliments to the chef. It was busy, full of atmosphere, but we had plenty of space at the same time."
Why not hold it in one of Edinburgh’s most iconic spaces – the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.
Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s Princes Street Garden, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is available for hire for exclusive evening events. We are the only restaurant directly in the Gardens and our terrace offers spectacular views of the Gardens and uplit skyline.
Our events team is delighted to work with you to create the most beautiful celebration and we have an array of approved suppliers who will be able to assist with any decorations and entertainment.
We can cater to 50-180 for a seated dinner and up to 200 for a standing drinks reception.
Our locally sourced, seasonal menu showcases the best artisan producers from around Scotland and highlights the fantastic Scottish larder in all seasons.
Our locally sourced, seasonal menu showcases the best artisan producers from around Scotland and highlights the fantastic Scottish larder in all seasons. Our events team will work with you on a bespoke menu for your event or function.
Rest assured your menu will always showcase the very best seasonal produce, sourced on our doorstep using the very best of Scottish Artisan suppliers and growers.
Over the years we have hosted some absolutely fantastic celebrations and our books are full of great ideas to make your party stand out.
We will ensure you have the best band or DJ, flowers…
Experience the very best that Scotland has to offer with our unmissable and time-honoured ceilidh suppers.
Guests are piped in and welcomed with a whisky cocktail followed by a traditional Scottish three course dinner with the spectacular address to the haggis. After supper our ceilidh band are sure to get guests involved, even if you’ve never danced a ceilidh before!
Our large new terrace provides the perfect space for arrival drinks or summer parties with views of Princes Street Gardens. BBQ’s are great for creating a more relaxed feel from gourmet venison burgers to the more humble chicken wings and hot dogs.
Why not WOW your guests by adding an ice cream station?! Don’t worry if it rains – we have large parasols giving you shelter and floor to ceiling panoramic windows for those guests who prefer to enjoy the outside from the inside!
What better venue and view than that overlooking the magnificent Princes Street Gardens.
Choose a traditional canape reception which can be themed to your requirements.
Alternatively, our very popular tray-passed mini bowls are a perfect option if you would like to offer something more substantial and the fish and chip buckets are the talking point of any event!
For the extra wow factor you can add a private view of the current exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery and Royal Scottish Academy.
Life's too short. It’s important to celebrate the little things in life but the special things more importantly. So a birthday in our book is very special.
If there is a special birthday in your party please let us know and we’ll arrange a Birthday Plate and a signed menu from our team for you. We can even sing happy birthday if you wish.
Edinburgh is such a wonderful city to study in. With graduations taking place throughout the year please let us know and we can share our graduation menus packages with you.
Complimentary glass of prosecco for all the party dining on one of our graduation packages and a special graduation plate for the Graduate.
It’s as much fun announcing your wedding day as celebrating your wedding. Parents and inlaws to be, or bridesmaids and grooms, we’ll create the perfect environment for you to get together and start celebrating the big day to come.
With so much planning a wedding and friends and family traveling from all over the country we can organise an informal party at a set price so the party can get started early.
Set in leafy Princes Street Gardens, between the Old and New Towns, The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant occupies a magical location.
Wonderfully natural scenery meets city centre elegance with the majestic Edinburgh Castle towering overhead. For very special wedding photographs in a timeless yet modern location, this is an outstanding choice of venue.
“Thank you so much for helping to arrange Saturday! We and all of our guests had the best time. Everybody complimented on the food, the service was exceptional, and the venue looked beautiful. Everything was entirely perfect!
Thanks again for all your help and for making sure we all had such an amazing time. Rebecca & Patrick 8th September 2018”
Nobody wants a sore head, you want a full Scottish. The Scottish Cafe is the best venue in the city for your post-wedding morning after gathering.
Get together and chat over the fun and frolics. Often this is more fun than the big day itself as you can share the happy memories and make more to keep you going until the next time you all get to meet.
£20 per person for a full Scottish cooked breakfast, unlimited teas and coffees and a bloody mary or glass of prosecco.
What to do with a new baby in the afternoon. Have Afternoon Tea and enjoy an Edinburgh Gin Fizz on us for all your party (baby gets free milk)
If you’ve had your wedding with us please join us for your first anniversary and we’ll have a glass of prosecco and a celebration petit four plate from us.
Do you have disabled access?
The Scottish National Gallery and The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant is fully accessible via the lift located at the Royal Scottish Academy or via one of the new ramps installed in the Princes Street Gardens.
Do you have a bar?
We have a fully stocked bar showcasing Artisan brewers and producers. Let us know what your favourite tipple is as we will work with you to ensure all your top picks are there. Please note that we do not offer BYOB.
Do you cater for Gluten-free, vegan or any dietary requirements?
Yes, we do. Our team will work with you to ensure all guests feel welcome and included.
Do I have to pay a Deposit?
Yes, we take 25% of your pre-ordered items in order to confirm your booking. This is non-refundable.
Is there a Venue hire fee?
Amazingly, no! We are unique in that we do not charge a venue hire. Instead, we ask that you guarantee a minimum spend on food and drink.
That way, you know that all your well-earned money goes toward feeding and watering your guests.
Note, on occasion, we may charge a set up fee if your event involves removal of furniture or a larger set up. This will always be stated on your proposal.
How much will it cost?
Tell us your budget and we will aim to work to that! The spend per head is mostly determined on what time of year your event falls, i.e. we can always be more flexible on price if it’s a Tuesday in January but not on a Friday in December.
How many people can you hold?
We can seat up to 180 guests or standing for up to 200 guests.
What time can I have access?
As much as possible we have to stay open to the day time guests who want to visit the Gallery. So most of our events start from 7pm onwards and finish at midnight. But, a special dispensation can be made so please do state your preferred timings and our team will look into it.
Can you accommodate small dinners?
Yes, we can. Ideally from 50 guests but we have done as low as 20 guests. It just means you have to spend more per head to meet the minimum spend guarantee.
Can we have a band or DJ?
Yes, you can. We have a great list of tried and tested bands and DJ’s that we happy to recommend. However, you are more than welcome to bring your own entertainment. They just have to fill in some forms to comply with Health and safety regulations and National Gallery requirements.
What type of food do you offer?
We pride ourselves on delivering award-winning Scottish dining using over 70 Artisan local suppliers, growers and breeders.
However, with our Heritage we are also “quite brilliant” at Italian food if we say so ourselves. ;-)
We purchase directly from a trusted network of over 70 Scottish artisan suppliers.
We change our menus to reflect the seasons across all our venues to keep them fresh and exciting.
Sourcing too from our own one-acre Kitchen Garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh which provides us with herbs, vegetables and berry fruit.
We are committed to growth through sustainable development, and we respect and care for the environment.
We endeavour to find a secondary use for all our waste materials or recycle where re-use is not possible. This includes the recycling of glass, cardboard and food waste.
Wherever possible we aim to minimise our Energy consumption - water, electricity and gas uses through training, improved practice and controls and measures of monitoring usage.
Our community of our team and our suppliers is at the heart of our business.
We constantly develop and train our team to support their skills to help sustain them within the hospitality industry. Their mental and physical health and wellbeing is integral to this.
Water is one of our most precious resources. From our kitchens to our front of house we apply best practice to minimise water waste.
We are happy to top up your glass at any time and we have an extra supply for you to help yourselves but we do not leave jugs on tables.
You won’t find a plastic straw in your drink! It is our aim to use 100% compostable materials for our packaging.
Our kitchen team are working hard to remove all plastic and cling film from our daily operations.
We are very proud of our restaurants and delighted when they are noticed and praised! We are always trying to improve your dining experience. Here are some of the awards for The Scottish Cafe
We’re extremely excited to reveal our fresh new look and menu in time for the Festival. We very much look forward to sharing the Victor Welcome and delivering a 5 star visitor experience for all our guests in our beautiful new restaurant. Our favourite dishes are as good if not better than ever. Our commitment…
Another Award Success for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant! We are delighted to have won the top ‘Sustainable Business Award’ at the Catering in Scotland (CIS) Excellence Awards 2018. The Sustainable Business Award, which was co-sponsored by Green Tourism and Seafood Scotland, celebrates businesses working within the Scottish catering, tourism or hospitality sectors, which have excelled in reducing…
Another Award for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant The Scottish Cafe was asked to participate as part of a panel discussion with other winners of this very prestigious award introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment. The event was to launch the awards for 2018 – widely accepted as one of Scottish leading multi…
The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant
T: 0131 225 1550
E: thescottishcafe@contini.com
VISIT US!
Monday – Saturday 10am-5pm
Last table for hot food 4pm
Thursday 10am-7pm
Last table for hot food 6pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Last table for hot food 4pm
For large groups and events please contact 0131 225 1550 option 4 or email events@contini.com
