The City Cafe — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Cosy Cafe with a Charming Vibe!

The City Cafe in Edinburgh is a hidden gem that offers a cosy and charming dining experience. I stumbled upon this cafe while exploring the city, and I'm glad I did. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted with warm smiles and a friendly atmosphere.

The cafe's interior has a retro vibe, with its vintage decor and funky colour scheme. It instantly transported me back in time, creating a unique ambience that sets it apart from other establishments. The cosy seating arrangements and soft lighting added to the overall intimate and inviting feel of the place.

The menu at The City Cafe offers a range of options to satisfy different cravings. From hearty breakfasts to delicious burgers and comforting pasta dishes, there's something for everyone. I opted for their famous Full Scottish Breakfast, which was a filling and flavorful combination of eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, black pudding, and toast. The ingredients were fresh, and the flavours were on point.

The service at The City Cafe was friendly and attentive. The staff members helped recommend food options and accommodate any special requests. Despite the busy periods, they managed to provide efficient service without compromising on quality, ensuring a pleasant dining experience.

The cafe also boasts an impressive selection of drinks, including a variety of coffees, teas, and refreshing soft drinks. Their speciality milkshakes were a delightful treat, offering unique and indulgent flavours. The attention to detail in the presentation of the drinks added an extra touch of charm.

The only reason I am not giving a five-star rating is the slightly limited vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. While they do have some options, it would be great to see more diverse offerings for those with dietary restrictions or preferences. Nonetheless, the quality of the food and the lovely atmosphere make up for it.

In conclusion, The City Cafe is a delightful spot to enjoy a cosy meal or a refreshing beverage in Edinburgh. The friendly staff, charming decor, and delicious comfort food make it a place worth visiting. Whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast or a quick bite, this cafe is sure to leave you satisfied. I will certainly be returning to indulge in their warm hospitality and...

I discovered this place in first year and for someone who has allergies to gluten and dairy, and therefore a very restricted diet, was delighted by their ability to cater and provide a gluten-free menu (something few establishments in the city do)

As such, I have come here a lot over the past year and a half, making it my go-to to take guests.

Today I decided to come alone and treat myself to the HUGEST all-day breakfast imaginable to enjoy with my new books.

I asked for the gf menu, and was very clear about my allergies, as per. When my food arrived I discovered that my plate was missing both sausages and bread, though had not previously been made aware that that would be the case. Upon raising this with my server, I was told that both contained dairy, and could therefore not be served them. I was not advised of this prior, and had to wait for about 10 minutes while they raked over the allergy menu, letting my food get cold.

I was told that the kitchen had added extra of some items to make up, but would have liked to been given the option of choosing what, as is customary with allergy-alternatives, or of choosing a different meal. I felt like all decisions were taken above my head.

Upon telling the server that I had previously had both sausages and bread there, I was informed that they must have been mistakenly served. For someone with allergies that is absolutely unacceptable.

In the end, for something that was supposed to be a really nice treat, I left feeling upset, out of control and stressed. I was given a discount of 3.75 on a meal and coffee that totalled £16. Considering that I was informed of the fact that I was in-consensually (and un-lawfully I might add) fed things I’m allergic to, I don’t think this is enough.

I probably will come back as I still love City Cafe, and generally the service is great, but what happened today is completely...

Should have trusted my gut and left as soon as I entered.

Gf fancied mac and cheese for tea so when looking at nearby places to eat I thought an American diner should be able to do a decent job of that. Upon entering a mardy lass who had too many jobs to do told us abruptly to "just stand there". Couldn't see anyone else working and there were a lot of tables that hadn't been cleaned. Atmosphere wasn't nice and I wish I trusted my instincts and left.

Eventually a second waitress appeared and took us to a seat, gave us a menu and disappeared. Looking through the menu my gf found the mac and cheese she was after, while I struggled to find something that doesn't have milk in. I settled on a steak and onion sandwich as it was the only thing that didn't have cheese.

After a long wait our food appeared, the mac and cheese was out of a packet, and I got ten McCains chunky chips out the oven in one of those mini deep fat fryer baskets, along with steak and onions sitting on a blanket of lettuce and tomatoes.

It turns out the bread contains milk, so instead of asking if I would like an alternative they removed it, then they gave my a butter knife to cut it with as they had no steak knifes. Cheeky buggers still charged us full amount even after they made reductions to my meal.

I'm surprised that they didn't think to talk to me about the meal since they had asked about allergies. But then the communication skills of the staff were a bit lacking and they struggled to keep up with what I was saying (things like "where's my bread, this is meant to be a sandwich").

Mac and cheese made an appearance later that night too, so they couldn't even...