‘Iconic’ is in over-used adjective these days, but Edinburgh’s Café Royal is fully deserving of it, given that this year brings the venue’s 200th anniversary as a cornerstone of the capital’s hospitality scene.
Famed for its ornate Victorian interiors, exceptional seafood, and well-stocked bar, Café Royal has fed and watered many generations of locals and tourists since its establishment in 1826.
Styling itself as ‘the city’s original oyster bar’, locally sourced Scottish Rock Oysters still form a central part of Café Royal’s food offering, with over 1000 of them sold each week.
The actual anniversary of its opening is in December, but in the lead up to that milestone, the venue is organising a programme of celebrations to ‘honour its rich past and raise a glass to its future’.
A special ‘200 Years’ drinks menu has been curated, featuring both classic and contemporary serves including a Champagne Cobbler, Vesper Martini and a Knickerbocker rum cocktail.
Alongside its renowned oyster menu, Café Royal has introduced a selection of limited-edition menu items to celebrate the venue’s long legacy as a culinary institution. Dishes include a ‘200 Years’ Seafood Platter, Langoustine in Burnt Butter Sauce and Smoked Ham Hock and Ox Cheek Stovies.
There is also a range of exclusive collaborations and limited-edition releases, including a 200-year Thistly Cross craft cider, a Stewart Brewing limited-edition lager and bespoke cask, and the sale of commemorative whisky glasses with proceeds donated to Macmillan Cancer Support.
General manager Michael Eaton said: “Reaching 200 years is an extraordinary moment for Café Royal, which has been at the heart of the Edinburgh hospitality scene for generations.
“As the city’s original oyster bar, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the part we’ve played in championing Scottish cuisine for visitors from all over the world.
“We are delighted to be celebrating the occasion with a jam-packed programme of events throughout 2026, and we welcome both our loyal regulars and first-time visitors to join us and be part of Café Royal’s next chapter.”
Bookings are now being invited for a series of themed dining experiences throughout the year, each inspired by a different era in Café Royal’s history – including a Georgian Dinner, a Victorian Dinner, an Edwardian Dinner, a Continental Dinner and a Scottish Heritage Dinner.
