Café Royal Oyster Bar - City of Edinburgh

A revered and aristocratic Edinburgh institution on West Register Street, the Café Royal oozes Victorian opulence and the evocative Oyster Bar is one of its most enduring features. Glide through the revolving doors, over black-and-white chequerboard marble flooring and into the dining room – an exquisite period piece dominated by eight huge stained-glass windows depicting sportsmen.

Oysters are – of course – the stars and it would be sinful to order anything else: the revered native bivalves come on beds of crushed ice with lemon and Tabasco and make the perfect opener. After that, the choice could extend to roast sea bass, Dover sole meunière, monkfish wrapped in Parma ham and – for meat fanciers – Gressingham duck breast with black cherry sauce, prime Scotch steaks or rack of lamb. The cheeseboard is a winner, wines are well chosen and there are always plenty of Champagnes on offer.