survey result

Summary

£76
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

With its imposing facade, stained glass, corniced ceilings, polished wood and brass, we maintain a listing for this busy Victorian institution (est. 1863 and nowadays run by the Metropolitan Pub Company) as much as a cultural experience as it is a culinary one. Seafood dishes and platters are the best choices here.

Summary

£74
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“The finest selection of oysters and mussels”, “exquisite seafood platters”, “Scottish game”, “champagne and whisky”, “a cracking wine selection with some big hitters” – all of it served in the “beautiful setting” of an ornate Victorian bar. No wonder that “it’s a busy place”, so you “need to book ahead”.

Summary

£74
  £££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“Super fish and seafood” are served in considerable style within the “glorious surroundings” of a beautifully preserved Victorian interior at this atmospheric city-centre venue.

Summary

£53
   ££
3
Good
3
Good
4
Very Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

For “great seafood”, “right in the centre of town”, you could do worse than this “easygoing”, well-preserved Victorian emporium with gilt-and-glass interiors – though you’ll find it “quieter and more civilised at lunchtime”.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at The Café Royal Bar?

19 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA

Restaurant details

No dress code
40
5

Prices

Traditional European menu

Starter Main Pudding
£11.00 £34.00 £7.50
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £25.00
Filter Coffee £2.50
Extras  
Service 12.50%
19 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA
Opening hours
Monday11 am‑11 pm
Tuesday11 am‑11 pm
Wednesday11 am‑11 pm
Thursday11 am‑12 am
Friday11 am‑1 am
Saturday11 am‑1 am
Sunday11 am‑11 pm

Best Fish & seafood restaurants nearby

Ondine
Fish & seafood restaurant in Edinburgh
£69
  £££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
Fishers in the City
Fish & seafood restaurant in Edinburgh
£69
  £££
3
Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
Dulse
Fish & seafood restaurant in Edinburgh
£82
 ££££
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good

Best similarly priced restaurants nearby

The Ivy on the Square
British, Traditional restaurant in Edinburgh
£74
  £££
1
Poor
2
Average
3
Good
Wedgwood
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
£75
 ££££
4
Very Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
Scran & Scallie
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
£78
 ££££
4
Very Good
3
Good
3
Good