The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

A Delightful Experience of Art, Conversation, and Exceptional Service at Contini Restaurant, National Scottish Gallery.

I had the pleasure of visiting the National Scottish Gallery and I chose to enjoy my breakfast at Contini Restaurant this morning. I must say it was an experience to remember! From the moment I stepped foot into the restaurant, I was captivated by the delightful atmosphere and impeccable service provided by the staff.

First and foremost, the inviting ambiance of the restaurant made me feel right at home. The contemporary yet cozy decor perfectly complemented the artistic surroundings of the gallery. It was a treat for both my eyes and taste buds.

One aspect that truly set this place apart was the memorable conversation I had with the waiter, Aitch.

Despite my initial uncertainty about the correct spelling of his name, Aitch was incredibly friendly, engaging, and knowledgeable.

His warm personality added an extra layer of charm and made the dining experience even more enjoyable.

Aitch's exceptional service throughout the meal demonstrated his attentiveness to the needs of each customer.

He effortlessly guided me through the menu, offering insightful recommendations tailored to my preferences. Such personalized attention is a rarity and deserves special acknowledgment.

Let's talk about the food - it was simply outstanding! From the moment the dishes were presented, it was evident that great care had been taken in their preparation. The flavors were exquisite, with a perfect balance of textures and well-crafted combinations of ingredients.

Each bite was a symphony of taste that left me wanting more.

The menu offered a diverse range of choices, catering to various dietary preferences and desires.

Whether you prefer traditional Scottish cuisine or innovative modern dishes, there is something to satisfy every palate.

The use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients elevated the quality of each dish, emphasizing the restaurant's commitment to both taste and sustainability.

Overall, my experience at Contini Restaurant in the National Scottish Gallery was truly remarkable.

The combination of the beautiful atmosphere, delightful conversation with Aitch, and the outstanding food made it an unforgettable visit. I would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a memorable dining experience fused with art and...

Avoid this authoritarian cafe & restaurant at the Scottish National Gallery.

I visited The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at 1600 hours this afternoon. When I was shown to my table, I was told that to place an order, I would have to scan a QXR code on the table and place the order with my mobile phone on line.

I explained that I did not like Technology and there was no legitimate reason for expecting me to place an order in this way. I was told,

"We APPRECIATE it if customers order in this way."

I expect any business in which I choose to spend my money to APPRECIATE the privilege of my custom and not to require me to jump through hoops in order to put money in the till. It was made clear that if I did not order in this way I would not be served. I could not be bothered to explain that I had forgotten my phone and did not have my glasses because the woman to whom I was speaking was so unremitting.

I asked to speak to the manager and was told, "I am the manager"

I requested the address of the Company's Registered Office and was handed a slip of paper with the manager's email address. It was only when I pressed her that I discovered that the email address was her email address. I told her that she had been sneaky and left. The couple at the next table fully agreed with me and told me that they were annoyed. As I was leaving the manager offered to take an order. As I refuse to spend money in circumstances where the edge has been taken off the experience, I left the cafe and went to Mark's and Spencer's for my refreshments.

All of this lets the Scottish hospitality sector down. The hospitality sector is in the doldrums as a result of Covid 19. The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant needs to be in the forefront of promoting Scottish service at the Scottish...

When I went there for lunch on a Monday afternoon, the place was positively booming! I highly recommend booking in advance because the place is clearly very popular!

The staff there were very warm, friendly and helpful. Despite how busy the place clearly was, the lady who was serving me, Rachel N, was cool as anything and was chatting to me as if the lunch rush wasn't affecting her negatively at all! She was attentive and helped me to feel at ease and to enjoy my experience there.

To drink, water was being given out from the waiters freely amongst the diners although if you wanted bottled water, that was an option too. I felt like I wanted to treat myself so I ordered a virgin mojito which was both fresh and zesty in equal measure! Perfect!

I ordered the butternut squash soup with toasted pumpkin seeds and chilli oil that came with a slice of sourdough bread as my main, which was delicious. The chilli oil that was added was not overpowering at all which I personally liked because I'm not great with super spicy things anyway!

For dessert I had a slice of apple tart, topped with a generous dollop of creme fraiche and a latte to accompany it. There was also a ridiculously cute little shortbread accompanying the coffee that was perfectly sized and melt in the mouth which was a nice bonus! I will admit I wasn't as enamoured with the apple tart as the rest of my meal. I'm kinda sensitive to some sensory things so the choice of the peels being left on the apples wasn't a pleasant tactile experience but that is just my personal preference and not at all indicative of the quality of the dish!

All in all I would wholeheartedly recommend dining there and, if I go to Edinburgh again, would love...