Edinburgh’s Café Royal celebrates 200 years of Scottish hospitality
Café Royal is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year with a programme of events and a run of limited-edition menu items.
Open since 1826 and known for its ornate Victorian interiors, the venue still sells more than 1,000 Scottish rock oysters a week, keeping seafood at the centre of its offer along with real ales and Scottish whiskies.
From next week, the kitchen adds a ‘200 Years’ Seafood Platter to the menu and a special ‘200 Years’ drinks list that runs to a Champagne Cobbler, a Vesper Martini and a Knickerbocker rum cocktail.
The venue has also lined up a series of partnerships, including a 200-year Thistly Cross cider, a limited-edition Stewart Brewing lager and bespoke cask, and commemorative whisky glasses sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Michael Eaton, general manager at Café Royal, said, “Reaching 200 years is an extraordinary moment for Café Royal, which has been at the heart of the Edinburgh hospitality scene for generations. As the city’s original oyster bar, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the part we’ve played in championing Scottish cuisine for visitors from all over the world.
“We are delighted to be celebrating the occasion with a jam-packed programme of events throughout 2026, and we welcome both our loyal regulars and first-time visitors to join us and be part of Café Royal’s next chapter.”
Café Royal, part of Greene King’s Metropolitan Pub Company, is also running a series of themed dining events across the year, each inspired by a different period in its history, from a Georgian dinner through to a Scottish Heritage dinner.
Café Royal is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year with a programme of events and a run of limited-edition menu items.
Open since 1826 and known for its ornate Victorian interiors, the venue still sells more than 1,000 Scottish rock oysters a week, keeping seafood at the centre of its offer along with real ales and Scottish whiskies.
From next week, the kitchen adds a ‘200 Years’ Seafood Platter to the menu and a special ‘200 Years’ drinks list that runs to a Champagne Cobbler, a Vesper Martini and a Knickerbocker rum cocktail.
The venue has also lined up a series of partnerships, including a 200-year Thistly Cross cider, a limited-edition Stewart Brewing lager and bespoke cask, and commemorative whisky glasses sold in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
Michael Eaton, general manager at Café Royal, said, “Reaching 200 years is an extraordinary moment for Café Royal, which has been at the heart of the Edinburgh hospitality scene for generations. As the city’s original oyster bar, we are incredibly proud of our heritage and the part we’ve played in championing Scottish cuisine for visitors from all over the world.
“We are delighted to be celebrating the occasion with a jam-packed programme of events throughout 2026, and we welcome both our loyal regulars and first-time visitors to join us and be part of Café Royal’s next chapter.”
Café Royal, part of Greene King’s Metropolitan Pub Company, is also running a series of themed dining events across the year, each inspired by a different period in its history, from a Georgian dinner through to a Scottish Heritage dinner.