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All the United Kingdom Scotland Edinburgh Cafe Royal
Gastro Obscura

Cafe Royal

Come for the oysters, stay for the priceless art honoring inventors across history and Scotland's favorite outdoor sports.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Added By
Sam O'Brien
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The stained glass over the restaurant’s bar.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
The stained glass over the restaurant’s bar.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
William Caxton with his printing press.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
The humble exterior does little to hint at the treasures within.  
The entrance to the restaurant area.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
George Stephenson, inventor of the locomotive engine.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
  Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
James Watts with his partner, Matthew Boulton.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
Benjamin Franklin, also at a printing press.   Sam O'Brien/Atlas Obscura
Exterior, including the Voodoo rooms   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Just a block away from the more touristy Princes Street, in the shadow of the National Records and gleaming Apple Store, lies a stone building that houses one of Scotland’s most beautiful bars.

Originally opened across the street in 1826, Cafe Royal has been in its current home since 1863. Entering the bar, your eye may go straight toward the chandeliers, the gilded trim on the ceiling, or, if you’re thirsty, the list of whiskies and cask ales. But the space's crown jewels are its six Royal Doulton ceramic tile portraits celebrating some of history's greatest innovators. Above happily chatting patrons, murals depict William Caxton examining the work of his printing press (he's credited with bringing the technology to England in the 15th century) and George Stephenson, a pioneer of locomotive engineering and "the Father of Railways," in his workshop.

Rounding out the hall of innovation are homages to Benjamin Franklin, James Watt, Robert Peel, and Michael Faraday. The pieces, based on paintings by John Eyre, were purchased by the bar's owner in 1886 at Edinburgh's International Exhibition of Science, Industry and Art, and are rare examples of remnants from the showcase.

In the adjacent restaurant, a giant 19th-century stained glass window portrays various outdoor sports enjoyed by Scots, including tennis, lawn bowling, archery, hunting, rugby, and cricket. In addition to the feast for the eyes, Cafe Royal also serves up plenty of delightful dishes, ranging from seafood such as oysters, Arbroath smokie (smoked haddock from the town of Arbroath), and Cullen skink (a kind of seafood chowder) to steaks and the requisite haggis.

The restaurant and its precious decor were almost lost in the late 1960s when the owner at the time tried to sell the building to Woolworths. Luckily, the city stepped in and, with the help of 8,700 petition signatures, marked the building as preserved.

Related Tags

Unique Restaurants & Bars Art Bars Oysters Inventors Stained Glass Windows Pub

Know Before You Go

It can get crowded around happy hour, so try to visit earlier in the day.

Atlas Obscura Adventures

Flavors of Scotland: Beyond the Haggis

Smoked seafood, single malt whisky, and warm hospitality.

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Added By

Sam OBrien

Edited By

SEANETTA, rbenn250

  • SEANETTA
  • rbenn250

Published

September 9, 2019

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Sources
  • https://canmore.org.uk/collection/466242
  • http://caferoyal.org.uk/history/
Cafe Royal
19 W Register St
Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 2AA
United Kingdom
55.953792, -3.19051
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Nearby Places

General Register House, National Records of Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dundas House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Altered Traffic Signs

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

Nearby Places

General Register House, National Records of Scotland

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Dundas House

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Altered Traffic Signs

Edinburgh, Scotland

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Edinburgh

Edinburgh

Scotland

Places 184
Stories 7

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