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Heritage Pub
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Cafe Royal, Edinburgh

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One of the finest Victorian pub interiors in Scotland, dominated by an impressive oval island bar with ornate brass light fittings and magnificent ceramic tiled wall murals of innovators, made by Doulton from pictures by John Eyre. The sporting windows of the adjacent Oyster Bar/Restaurant were made by the same firm that supplied windows for the House of Lords. The real (cask) ales are mainly from Scottish breweries, the Murray's Pale Ale being brewed by Broughton. Meals are served all day in the bar. Children, over five, allowed in restaurant only.

Information for this venue is provided by the Edinburgh & South East Scotland Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Last updated
29/08/2024
Last surveyed
22/01/2024
Pub ID
EDN/585
Asset of Community Value

Three star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic importance

Listed status: A

This famous Edinburgh pub has a truly stunning interior. The building, by architect Robert Paterson, dates from 1861 and opened as a showroom for gas and sanitary fittings, but by 1863 had became the Café Royal Hotel. From the 1890s major alterations took place and much of what we see dates from 1900–1. The main space has six wonderful tiled paintings made by Doultons, designed by John Eyre and painted by Katherine Sturgeon and W. J. W. Nunn: they show six famous inventors; Benjamin Franklin, Michael Faraday, Robert Peel (calico printing), William Caxton, George Stephenson and James Watt (with Matthew Boulton). The counter was replaced in 1979 and a new tall gantry was installed in 2002. The fixed seating takes the form of a series of semi-circular areas against the outside walls. Beyond an ornate screen lies the up-market restaurant with more tiled murals plus eight stained-glass windows of British sportsmen, made by Ballantine & Gardiner of Edinburgh. It has a counter with small tiled panels and a mottled red marble counter: note also a revolving door from the 1920s.

General information about historic pub interiors

This is one of Edinburgh's most famous pubs. Its stunning interior includes nine Doulton's tiled murals, seven are of famous inventors each at their moment of their discovery. Built in 1862 and a pub since 1901, the main Circle Bar has a white marble floor, panelled dado, foliate Rococo-style frieze and delightful compartmented ceiling. The original majestic octagonal island serving counter, which dated from 1901, was replaced in 1979 by an equally ornate one, and a new high gantry was installed in 2002. The original fine marble fireplace with a very elaborate overmantel is still there, as are leather seating areas. The six tiled murals by Doultons of Lambeth, London, and designed by John Eyre feature 'William Caxton, citizen of London who brought printing into England 1476' 'Benjamin Franklin, printer distinguished in science and politics', 'Robert Peel makes his first experiment in calico printing', 'Michael Faraday, discoverer of electro-magnetism', 'George Stephenson', and 'James Watt inventor of the condensing engine & his partner Matthew Bolton'. They were first displayed at the 1886 International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art held on The Meadows in the style of the 1851 Great Exhibition in London.

Other magnificent displays of tiled paintings can be found at Mountain Daisy, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear; General Havelock, Hastings, East Sussex; Central Bar, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland; Rose Villa Tavern, Hockley, Birmingham; St James Tavern, Soho, London W1;Dolphin, Hackney, London E8; andGolden Cross, Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales.

Beyond a 1901 ornately carved walnut screen with a number of bevelled and engraved mirror panels by John Taylor & Son of Princes Street lies the Oyster Bar. Three of the tiled murals are in this upmarket restaurant along with eight superb large stained glass windows of British sportsmen by Ballantine & Gardiner. It still retains the original counter of red marble, and there are small tiled panels on the bar front and behind the bar. Other features of note are the grey and white diamond-shaped marble tiled floor, a rich scrolled frieze, an elaborate ceiling with gilt embellishments, a revolving door installed in the 1920s and fine original fittings in the gents' downstairs, approached by a marble staircase. The three tiled murals in the restaurant are of 'Louis J. M. Daguerre, scene-painter & Joseph Nicephore Niepce joint discoverers of photography', also two designed by Esther Lewis of a Liverpool paddle steamer and the Cunard liner Umbria, which was built in the Govan shipyard on the Clyde.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Opening
Food
Monday
11:00am - 11:00pm
11:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
11:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 11:00pm
11:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday
11:00am - Midnight
11:00am - 9:30pm
Friday
11:00am - 1:00am
11:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday
11:00am - 1:00am
11:00am - 9:30pm
Sunday
11:00am - Midnight
11:00am - 9:30pm
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Current beers

This Pub serves 6 changing beers and 0 regular beers.

Cafe Royal, Edinburgh

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Changing

Murray's Pale Ale is from Broughton.

Changing beers typically include: Belhaven (varies) , Kelburn (varies) , Stewart (varies)

Source: Regional

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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Children over five are permitted, but only in the restaurant
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Newspapers Newspapers
Restaurant Restaurant
12.30-2.30 & 5.30-9.30
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Free
Features
Real Ale Real Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Cask Marque Cask Marque
Quiet Quiet
Member Discount Scheme Member Discount Scheme
10% discount off cask beer for CAMRA members
Transport
Close to bus routes (160m)
Various
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Close to metro (145m)
St Andrew Square
Nearby Station (209m)
Edinburgh
Directions
off E end of Princes St.
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Historic pub interiors
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