From the moment you walk through the revolving doors of this 180-year-old Edinburgh institution, you can tell you’re in for an ‘expérience gastronomique’. Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh, just off Princes Street, Café Royal has been a hive of eating and drinking since 1826, meeting the city’s appetite for its speciality – oysters. Surrounded by original stained-glass windows, Victorian plasterwork and Doulton ceramic murals, it’s as if nothing has changed in over 100 years.

The menu has a distinctly Scottish feel, focusing on dishes like Cullen Skink and Stornoway black pudding. But as the name implies, oysters (and mussels) are what the Café is renowned for. Oysters are served either naturally, Rockefeller (on spinach with Mornay sauce) or Kilpatrick style (wrapped in bacon, grilled and drizzled with balsamic), while mussels are offered with either white wine, cream and shallots, or chorizo, tomato and basil. The menu also presents a superb selection of homesmoked Scottish venison, lobster and steaks from the chargrill.

An excellent and interesting wine list complements the menu, and with welcoming, knowledgeable staff, Café Royal is a classic example of old Edinburgh – an essential experience for anyone looking for some traditional Scottish food and charm.