We struggled to find a reasonably priced lunch menu including salad on a cool sunny afternoon following a morning visit to Edinburgh Castle and its Military Museum. This was a good find. We both had the same salad with warm goat cheese, balsamic vinaigrette house dressing and brown grain bread with soft, wrapped butter patties. That and cappuccino were perfect for the light lunch we sought. Relaxed, pleasant cafe ambience and service. We were also fortunate to find a corner deuce near the window with the warming sun. Finally, we enjoyed the music piped in from, e.g., Steely Dan, Fleetwood Mac and Jackson Browne. read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Menu - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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This cafe has so much of the spirit of Edinburg. Everyone has been friendly and accommodating with my food allergies. read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Grabbing a cuppa... - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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The service was very attentive and quick, relatively small space - I'd definitely call beforehand if you're a big group or know that you're more likely going to end up eating outside. I had the tomato basil soup & a coffee! The ladies beside me ordered sandwiches and quiche which looked amazing as well! Would've appreciated toasted bread with my soup rather than sliced, aside from that it was great!! Would go back :) read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I stopped here to grab a quick coffee while walking around on a misty mild day visiting Edinburgh. The staff were friendly and spoke multiple languages while I was there. They were quick with their service and some place I would rec for anyone. read more

We needed a quick bite to eat. This cafe is in a perfect location and provides quick, efficient, and friendly service. read more

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I have been here a number of times. Always leave with the thought not quite as good as I would have liked but perhaps I will try again. Unfortunately it never seems to change. Whilst the ambiance is quite good the food always fails to inspire. I am afraid I will not be going again read more

We spent an hour walking around Edinburgh and it's West Port area looking for a particular cafe-bakery which had been recommended, but couldn't find it. Tired and weary we headed back to Royal Mile and decided to stop anywhere for a rest and coffee. Thus we stumbled upon St Giles Cafe Bar. What a find! It's such a warm, welcoming place to go on a cold, winters day. Decorated in mellow yellow/gold and soft-hue wood St Giles has a continental vibe. There's table service so you can take a seat, browse the menu and order from a waitress which is great for weary legs. I got a glass of Tempranillo and shared a slice of delicious carrot cake with one of my group. It was sublime and I'm pretty sure the bakery-cafe we couldn't find wouldn't serve cake any better than this. We noticed some hot toddies advertised on a chalkboard so followed our cake with a round of Hot Apple Drambuies. Such warming, delectable drinks which I can only describe as tasting like Christmas! Lots of other customers appeared to be ordering soups, sandwiches and filled croissants which looked extremely good. The menu is filled with platters, lunch items, baked goods, specialty coffees and an extensive drinks selection. Service was spot on and we only left as we had a tour to attend otherwise we would have stayed and ordered some sharing platters and bottles of wine. read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Tempranillo and carrot cake - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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What a cute wee joint! I first noticed the Saint Giles Cafe Bar--not to be confused with the Saint Giles Bar nor the Saint Giles Cafe, of which at least one is lurking nearby--because of its cheery yellow sunflower sign while dragging my American folks all over Edinburgh. It proved a small godsend as my mom had a cold and dragging her up and down the Royal Mile isn't a cold-suffering-mom's idea of the best time (who knew?!). Needless to say, the sunflower caught my eye and we decided a sit-down was in order. My approval was sealed when we spotted my mom's favorite cold-appeaser on the drinks menu: hot toddies! My dad and I settled for a dram (when in Rome, after all) and we split a cheese board to go along with. Needless to say, everything was just peachy and service was relaxed but prompt. Honestly, I feel that the SGCB (what a mouthful!) is a nice little joint with a perfect location, just tucked off the well-worn path of the tourists along the Royal Mile--an excellent way for residents like myself to not only avoid the hubbub but also the more outrageous tourist traps. It's reasonably priced, comfortably furnished, and doesn't blow its top off trying to lure in all the wayfaring folk with kitschy this and that. Food offerings are simple yet good, some solid supplies of Scotch are readily on hand, and if you're feeling fatigued, there's loads of room inside to pop in for some caffeine. I'd actually quite like to stop in again in the future just to give it another gander--a difficult thing since I so rarely head up that way myself! I do know that if I have friends and family in the area who are flagging from too much touristing along the Royal Mile, I'll definitely be back! read more

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Small but OHO! I found the place not so long ago whilst waiting for a friend to turn up. Thought I could do with a coffee. This time I went back and ordered 1. Coffee (of course :-) ) 2. Humus with Pita bread and olives. My friend ordered peppermint tea and a cheese platter with Stilton and other cheese. They also serve Tomato soup and lots of pastries and waffles. In the evening (or during the day) you might also go there for a glass of vino or other stuff. It's such a small place, such you need to be very quick to get a seat. People were queuing to get seated. There was a couple who waited for 15 min outside. Brhhh. It was cold! I call this determination. The interior looks rustically. Everything fits and blends in with the very old original stone walls. Brilliant! read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Saint Giles brunch - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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This is a fantastic coffee shop/cafe, it has a really nice relaxed atmosphere, there's a great selection hot and cold beverages and they have an excellent selection of cakes too. I'm always partial to a cake and on my visit here I found it rather difficult when it came to deciding what one I wanted. If you get a seat near the window, it's a prime people watching spot and for it's location, the prices are very reasonable indeed. In addition to cakes, tea and coffees you can also order food and although I've never tasted the food here myself I've noticed other diners orders and the food looks top notch. read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This is a lovely little cafe I stumbled upon off the Royal Mile. We wanted to something warm to drink and a bite to eat for a late breakfast and our needs were met. They had a special with yogurt, granola and a pastry or toast (I can't seem to recall exactly, but I think it was a croissant), plus a juice and tea or coffee. The food was good and my coffee was fresh and smooth, my boyfriend's tea was also nice, light and crisp. The orange juice was fresh and yummy. read more

My time here was short but I enjoyed a lot!! Cosy, veryyy friendly and quite cheap. I had breakfast: cappuccino and very good croissant with butter and jelly, and I recommend as a basic good for any occasion. Also hot chocolate is good! I'll come back for sure and I visit Edinburgh again :) read more

This is a great little coffee shop, just off the bustle and sometimes chaos of the Royal Mile, and near St. Giles Cathedral, so if you forget where you're supposed to be going, just retain in your mind that the cafe is across the road from the cathedral, and you can't go wrong. This is one of the few cafes/bars that I really feel completely comfortable in sitting by myself, whether reading, chilling, or doing some work. I just think some places automatically have that atmosphere about them, where you feel instantly relaxed, Despite having such a central location, it's definitely a place to hide away and get a bit of peace. I'm a fan of cafes that suit both daytime and night time banter, and Cafe Saint Giles certainly does that, with its spacious and attractive premises on two floors being ideal for a cheeky glass of wine of an evening, with the added advantange of just the right level of candlelit, flattering lighting. I'm definitely a fan of the non full beam lighting scheme in any establishment. They also serve decent food throughout the day, from light bites, salads and sandwiches, to cakes and pastries. read more

I have to confess--I've only eaten one course here on two different occasions--dessert! Saint Giles has wonderful desserts--their chocolate torte is decadent, but my personal favorite is the Nutella Waffle, which is amazing beyond belief. They have good coffee and the dinners, cheese plates, and salads we've seen other patrons ordering look scrumptious. We like their fare so much that we went back a second evening. And best of all, they're open until well after midnight, which is terrific when you'd like a late night snack & a cup of tea or a glass of wine to go with it. The inside is dimly romantic, with cool modern, yet warm decor. It's a perfect place for a romantic dinner for two or late night philosophical discussions over a cup of coffee. The staff is attentive--I had no complaints. Located on the Royal Mile, the neighborhood is a delight to wander through, especially during the mad cap days of the Fringe Festival. All in all, we'll be returning to Saint Giles Cafe and Bar next time we're in town. read more

Myself and Jenny had made several plans where we had aimed on going here. Third time is a charm, we finally made it, on a crisp December morning. I did arrive a little early, but the staff were not in any rush to make me order which is always nice. We both decided to have an americano. I also had not had any breakfast so went for what was named on the menu as a chocolate croissant. It did in fact turn out to be a pain au chocolat, not that I have a problem with that!? But just name it what it is. The coffee was fine, no better or worse than an average cup. My pastry was very nice, lovely and warm. The surroundings here are lovely, spacious. The furniture is all wooden, but it still feels cosy inside. They also had some brilliant artwork on the walls - a king kong - esque scene with the city in the background being Edinburgh, quite fancied one myself. Overall, it was fine. But I would be reluctant to return purely based on the fact that because it is placed just off the royal mile the prices are a little on the steep side. My Pain au chocolat was priced at £2.50. The usual places I would pick one up from are usually half this. read more

There are few places in Edinburgh that I'll travel to, but this place is something special. The cure yellow themes and old-fashioned decorations has to be seen to be believed. I always come here with my mum to have a hot chocolate and carrot cake....it's to DIE for!! The presentation of their cakes is amazing, they put their heart and soul into making sure everything is just right. The cafe itself is really lovely and quaint. They sometimes have live music, which is wonderful to sit and listen to - i feel like I'm in sex and the city sometimes. The best thing of all is it's really cheap! Bargain! This place is really special read more

Located just across St Giles church, this bright yellow coloured cafe is hard to miss. Divided over two floors it offers a nice coffee and food break from trailing up and down Old Town. It does make excellent cappuccino and I am a fan of the tea selection, the apple pie and the fact that they do table service. What I'm not that keen on is the attempt for something "old fashioned" decoration, what with the fake candlelight along the beautiful stone walls. But of course design is a matter of taste and this is sure a nicer stop for a breather and a caffeine kick from the Royal Mile craziness. read more

Saint Giles really stands out because of its gorgeous yellow exterior- which is handy because its located slightly off the main street so it has to have some gimmick in order for people to see it! I had a lonely lunch here one day and I felt so uncomfortable! It could have just been my weirdo ways, but I kind of felt like all eyes were on me as I munched my tomato and French Brie toastie. Which was lovely, by the way. It didn't deter me from having some of their famous deserts! I had a slice of caramel apple toffee cake, and oh my bejeezus it was amazing! I almost forgot all eyes were on me as I almost licked the plate clean, the animal that I am. I recommend the food highly, and maybe I was just being paranoid but I felt pretty uncomfortable. Next time,I'll take a chum! read more

Saint Giles Cafe Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This cafe is the former Cafe Florentin. I tend to go there for one of two things: coffee or hot chocolate. They serve it in a classy way, too: in a tall glass. Though the menu isn't spectacular it has a really comforting design and is located smack in the middle of loads of Edinburgh's touristic attractions: i.e. St Giles Cathedral, just off the Royal Mile. It's a great relief away from the bustle of Royal Mile tourists and is possibly the warmest feeling (not temperature-like) cafe in Edinburgh. They have great soup and good baked potatos alongside a light-lunch affair. The space is comfortable, with high ceilings and wooden floors. It has an upstairs that isn't often used. One of the problems I have with this cafe is that it's full of suits, but that's what happens whenever somewhere looks kinda cosy. read more

The Cafe Bar is conveniently located and cozy enough, but the quality of the food doesn't stand up to the Royal Mile price markups. Each main plate was about £7+. We had the veg quiche, the Scottish salmon bagel, a fruit scone, and pot of breakfast tea. The fruit scone was decent - though they sliced and toasted it which could disguise any sub-par scone with fragrant warmth. The jam was a smuckers-type plastic pack. The bagel and quiche both came with a pile of greens on the side. The produce was pretty low quality compared to what else I've had all over Scotland. read more

It was my birthday and we took the train over to Edinburgh for some touristy bits and nice drinks. Popped in here to a) escape the rain b) get our bearings and c) see what all these flyers being thrust at us were for. This was a nice little find, a table free and a decent menu for both alcohol and brunch options. I went for an apple juice (mmm cloudy) and some soup whilst the boy went for a brew and a ham & cheese croissant. My soup was a very reasonable £3.50 and was lovely. The boys croissant was also yum but a slightly hefty £7. Service good if not a little slow when coming to pay. Bet its a lovely spot for an evening bottle of wine. read more

Having just finished exploring the Edinburgh Castle and were walking along the Royal Mile, we stumbled upon Saint Giles Cafe down the street near Saint Giles Cathedral. We each had a lovely heated croissant sandwich and side salad. My caprese was pipping hot and deliciously cheesy. The menu is a little limited for lunch and for vegetarians, but it was a nice place to stop in before further exploring along the Royal Mile. read more

The interior is cosy and dimly lit, and I absolutely love the fact it's a cafe and a bar, and it successfully straddles both. There is a lot of seating, upstairs and downstairs, the staff were friendly and the locations is superb. It's a bit expensive for some of the food items I would say, at almost £7 for a ciabatta and £4.70 for carrot cake... Ok so maybe they are awesome and therefore justify the price, I hope so! I will have to try them. Coffee is reasonably priced for this area and I had a croissant with it, tasty. Nice independent cafe. read more

We were looking for another place to go to, but lucky stumbled upon Saint Giles instead. The ambience is very quaint and the staff very helpful and friendly. Unfortunately, we were there on a Sunday morning, so if you're looking for spirits to warm you on a cold Edinburgh day, you'll have to wait until after 1230 to get your drink on. read more

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This was a few months back when I went and completely forgot to check in . My friend was visiting and wanted a bite before we went to see the castle . This cafe looks inviting, warm and not touristy . We both really enjoyed what turned into a early lunch ! I had a lovely chicken sandwich with Brie . My friend had a waffle with Brie , bacon and maple syrup which she really enjoyed. Not bad prices but bit great ... It's right off the royal mile so really it's expected. Cute place would go again . read more

Charming! Bright! Airy! Whimsical! I like it. A bit of something different in the heart of the tourist area of Edinburgh...it's got a touch of Art Nouveau, Paris, art and sunflowers. A great spot to wet your whistle. read more

This is a delightful little cafe just off the Royal Mile. Exhausted after touring the castle and shopping, we stopped in for a respite. We had the tomato soup & bread (excellent!), hummus & pita (okay), tried some Scotch (okay) and a Diet Coke (no surprise here). All in all, a lovely experience. read more

I've always been a fan of this little cafe just opposite st. giles cathedral - and up until now I have never quite been sure why. I think I may have got it though - no matter when you come in here, not only will you recieve a lovely welcome, but its almost as though you are transported away to somwhere far from the hustle and bustle of the royal mile. It's still there, but like you are hearing it through cotton and seeing it through someone elses glasses - the cafe is such a great little escape. Of course thats not the only reason I like this place - its a lovely little place set across two floors that does really nice teas and coffees as well as some splended food. The deserts are a special favourate of mine. So when you need to get off your feet and away from the royal mile, head here. read more

Absolutely love this place (the former Cafe Florentin) and have visited every time I have been in Edinburgh over the past ten years. Fresh, good food, excellent cappuccino and coffee and only steps from the Royal Mile up near the Castle. A must do when in Edinburgh! read more

Beautiful interior that will transport you to yesteryear. And an especially friendly and honest staff; I accidentally left a collection of samples of mature single-malt scotch there and they kept it safe until I came back to claim it. Thank you! read more

Agree with other reviews, small, warm, just off the Mile. Got an excellent salad with delicious blue cheese crumbles--real cheese, not the watered down version one often gets with salads. The espresso, unfortunately, was scalding hot--espresso should NEVER be that hot. It should be very warm, but immediately drinkable, not burned or boiled out of recognition. So great ambience, great salad, perhaps another barista would do better.... read more

People don't think of a cathedral being a great place for food - yet this is. The staff are friendly, the food tastes excellent with homebaked everything, furthermore - good coffee. Off the Royal Mile, and out of the bustle. It is a bit on the pricier side of things, but worth it. read more

found this nice little eatery on a side street off the Royal Mile. Small and not much seating, but it was a great stopping place. Food was delicious, service great. They apparently take reservations as two tables had reserved signs on them. read more

Came across after visiting the Castle. The waffle with bacon was amazing! Friendly service and delicious food. Little pricy, but par for Royal Mile. read more

Popped in here mid evening whilst waiting for the next Fringe show to start down the road, had one of the best quality Mocha's in Edinburgh. thanks I will be back. read more

What a wonderful find! My wife and I "stumbled" on this place while walking around Edinburgh. It only has like 4 tables. However, I'd stand in line for an hour to eat here! For anyone who knows Edinburgh, the restaurants are not a particular bargain and, until we ate here, nothing I'd brag about either. However, Cafe Florentin's prices are like half of every place else, the food excellent, the service great, etc. You can tell that everything is prepared from scratch and actually see the chef working in the kitchen. There's also an abundance of scruptuous desserts include cheesecakes, pies, etc. read more

Wonderful ambiance of a small cafe! Amazing homemade desserts, bread, and tomato soup!! Love!

Good location ,good food and wonderful ambience,slightly pricey as have just moved back from the states bagels are less than half price.

We stopped into the Cafe while waiting for a tour of Mary King's Close, just around the corner. The menu had typical cafe fare, but it was the St. Giles' Waffle that really intrigued me. Belgian waffle, crispy bits of bacon, warm melted brie cheese, and a drizzle of maple syrup. It was amazing. We went back twice more in our short weekend there. read more