Harden's survey result
Summary
“A part of France” with “excellent food and presentation” – and some pretty astonishing prices: where else could you find a two-course lunch of moules marinières followed by haunch of venison in red wine for £14.90? It’s “handy for pre-theatre”, too.
Summary
This “consistently entertaining” and “very French bistro (better than many in France nowadays!)” is a “reliable” source of reasonably priced classic dishes, with “friendly” (if “slightly chaotic) service”. The Antigua Street branch closed down a couple of years ago.
Summary
This “consistently entertaining” and “very French bistro (better than many in France nowadays!)” is a “reliable” source of reasonably priced classic dishes, with “friendly” (if “slightly chaotic) service”. The Antigua Street branch closed down a couple of years ago.
Summary
This “proper French” bistro with an “atmosphere to match” (“very cramped if it’s full”) serves “enjoyable, reliable food at very reasonable prices”. A sister branch in Antigua Street closed down in June 2018.
For 31 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 Café Marlayne?
Restaurant details
Café Marlayne Restaurant Diner Reviews

"Tiny but highly professional in the New Town with a short and interesting menu (two courses for £22.50 for dinner) and a short but varied wine list. The undoubted star of the show was the single waitress who handled our phone booking and who was in total control of the room. She must have been equally well served by the two staff in a tiny kitchen. We must definitely return when next in Edinburgh."
Prices
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Wine per bottle | £22.00 |
Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
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Bread | £0.00 |
Service | 12.50% |
1 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EN
Opening hours
Monday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Saturday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
Sunday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
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