Edinburgh has no shortage of high-end restaurants but not many of them provide the unique setting, high quality, and affordability that Cafe Calton does.
You’re probably aware of Edinburgh’s hot new eatery nestled within one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Perched atop Calton Hill, stunning videos of Cafe Calton at sunset have flooded capital TikTok and Instagram feeds since the eatery opened.
Blessed with a prime location in a tourist hotspot, the restaurant boasts one of the best views you will get in Edinburgh while eating a meal.
The Cafe serves locally sourced, seasonal comfort foods and offers delicious brunch, evening, and cocktail options. We headed down one evening in early October to try out their autumn evening menu and to take a gander at Edinburgh’s skyline from their enviable perch.
The cafe gives diners incredible panoramic views -Credit:Edinburgh Live
The first thing that strikes you upon entering Cafe Calton is the mind-bogglingly perfect location. The inside is fitted with airy, floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of Leith and Old Town.
It was truly breathtaking. As evening fell through the course of our meal, we watched as the clocktown and lights down Princes Street sparkled to life.
For our starter, we ordered the beetroot and goat’s cheese dish, on the menu for £11. It was so good that I forgot to take a photo prior to digging in – you’ll have to settle for this shot of the half-eaten plate (sorry).
The beetroot was tender and earthy and the pumpkin seeds provided a lovely crunch and nutiness. The goat’s cheese -rather than being added in crumbles – was whipped and spread under the veggies, giving each mouthful an airiness and creaminess that I wasn’t expecting.
Beetroot and goat’s cheese sharing plate -Credit:Edinburgh Live
The evening menu is not large, but it did not leave us starved for choice. Sometimes I find an extensive menu is overwhelming rather than enticing. Cafe Calton’s offerings were delightfully manageable.
It was a menu where you felt confident that you couldn’t go wrong with any choice. I also felt like all the choices were exactly something you’d want to order – homey, comforting meals, prepared immaculately.
Homemade tagliatelle -Credit:Edinburgh Live
I ordered the homemade tagliatelle – which was warm, comforting, and filling. I always find that homemade noodles sit less heavily in the stomach. Despite being a rich, cheesy dish, the noodles tasted light and were wonderfully savoury.
The dish – which goes for an extremely reasonable £15 – paired nicely with the porcini mushrooms and the aged parmesan was absolutely delicious.
My partner ordered the sea bream with fregola and lemon butter sauce, at £17. While I’m a vegetarian and didn’t partake in the fish, I can vouch that the fregola pasta was incredible. It was warm, autumnal, and homey.
The sea bream with fregola -Credit:Edinburgh Live
We finished the meal with the homemade chocolate tart (£9). It came with a dollop of clotted cream which cut the sweetness beautifully and made for a really amazing textural combination. My partner enjoyed the caramelised sugar garnish which was a bit too sweet for me.
Homemade chocolate tart -Credit:Edinburgh Live
Overall, the eatery delivered on flavour but also on affordability. It was really refreshing to find that a restaurant located at one of Edinburgh’s most-visited sites was not merely a tourist trap with mediocre meals and exorbitant prices. It felt geared towards visitors and locals alike, offering delicious, high-end meals that didn’t bust the wallet.
Also, the views are genuienly incredible and very special. The restaurant is perfect for a romantic evening or special occasion. I recommend reserving a table as it was a cosy fit inside.
If you’re looking for a solid, affordable but high-end meal with unmatched views, look no further.
The floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views -Credit:Edinburgh Live
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