logo
Cafes in iconic Scottish museums named among UK's best

Cafes in iconic Scottish museums named among UK's best

If you're looking to enjoy a nice cuppa while exploring some of the best exhibitions around, here are some of the best museum cafes in Scotland.
See the museum cafes in Scotland named among the best in the UK
These are the museum cafes in Scotland that have been named among the top 50 in the UK by The Guardian.
The Scottish Cafe and Restaurant, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh
Scottish National Gallery and Edinburgh Castle (Image: Getty Images) This beloved "Edinburgh institution," which is "tucked beneath" the Scottish National Gallery, enjoys views of the Old Town and the Scott Monument.
Here, traditional Scottish dishes can be found, including deep bowls of creamy cullen skink soup, Aberdeen butteries (bread rolls) with haggis and "superb" scones.
Inside the café, with its "vibrant" interiors, celebrates Scottish designers like Mairi Helena.
The Burrell Collection restaurant, Glasgow
According to the newspaper, this space "feels somewhere between a summer house and a church" thanks to its open look, which "skillfully" blurs the line between Pollok Park and the museum interior.
A £68 million revamp of the museum and gallery created this bright extension, allowing visitors to relax while checking out the "diverse collection" donated to Glasgow by Sir William Burrell.
All sorts of meals can be found here, including toasted sourdough sandwiches and Angus steak burgers.
Fruitmarket Cafe, the Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
In recent years, the Fruitmarket Cafe has "flourished into a real haven for both art and food lovers," according to the publication.
The location serves all sorts of "brunch favourites" like baked eggs with top ingredients like chorizo, tomato and flaked almonds or aubergine, feta and pickled onion.
On a cold day, visitors can enjoy the kala chana, a black chickpea curry with roast cauliflower and spinach.
Recommended Reading:
Why this 'spectacular' beach in Scotland is the third best in the world
Scotland's best whale, porpoise and dolphin watching spots to see this season
National Geographic names historic Scottish town among best places to visit
'Alternative' Scottish region named one of the UK's best dog-friendly holidays
Stone Cafe, Perth Museum
The newspaper writes that "a few Perthshire eyebrows were raised" when Dutch architecture firm Mecanoo was awarded the contract to transform the dilapidated Perth city hall into a museum.
Now, the location is fondly looked upon as a "dynamic reimagining" of the Renaissance-style structure, which holds the Stone of Destiny.
The associated Stone Cafe has also become a well-liked eatery with its vaulted windows creating a "light welcoming" space with views of St John's Kirk.
Scottish comfort food is apparently the highlight of the menu here, with bowls of haggis, neeps and tatties and stovies being offered.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Scotland flights ambitions of Edinburgh Airport chief
Scotland flights ambitions of Edinburgh Airport chief

The Herald Scotland

timean hour ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Scotland flights ambitions of Edinburgh Airport chief

Asked in an exclusive interview with The Herald about new routes, taking into account how demand from travellers was developing, Gordon Dewar said: 'We think the Chinese and the Indian markets and other Asian markets are clearly things we should be working on, and we are.' While he said he was 'not going to speculate' on what would happen on this front, Mr Dewar added: 'The growth there demonstrates the opportunity. 'We just work quietly and we celebrate them [new routes] when they arrive.' He highlighted a major uplift in travel to destinations to which new, direct long-haul routes were launched. Mr Dewar said 'longer-haul new destinations add 30% to 50% to travel', noting direct routes meant journeys were 'less time-consuming". He highlighted Edinburgh Airport's success in winning direct flights between the Scottish capital and Beijing operated by Hainan Airlines, which revealed recently it was extending this service to year-round. Mr Dewar said: 'Hainan were one of many Chinese airlines we talked to. They were the one that responded first to really compelling data about why Chinese airlines will be very successful flying to Edinburgh." He flagged 'tens of thousands of Scots travelling between Scotland and Beijing…having to do it through other destinations' previously. Read more It was announced in late April that Hainan's direct service to Beijing would be increasing from seasonal to year-round. Edinburgh Airport has also enjoyed significant success in recent times in winning and building direct flights to North America, serving various key destinations in the US and Canada. It was announced in the spring that United Airlines is extending its service between Edinburgh and Washington DC to what the airport characterised as 'almost year-round'. In March, it was confirmed that Air Canada would launch a new direct route between Edinburgh and Montreal this summer. Mr Dewar said: 'We got a new Montreal route that was probably at least in part motivated by the reduction in traffic between Canada and America. We would have got Montreal at some point. I am not sure we would have got it this year if it hadn't been for that disruption.' Edinburgh Airport chief executive Gordon Dewar (Image: Edinburgh Airport) He highlighted his confidence that Edinburgh Airport will handle more than 16 million passengers this year, setting another all-time high to exceed the record of 15.78 million it achieved in 2024. In 2012, the year in which Mr Dewar took up the chief executive post at the airport, the passenger total was 9.19 million. Asked about the airport's capacity, in the context of its rapid increase in passenger numbers in recent years and the further expansion of flights projected, Mr Dewar replied: 'We have to build quickly…but we are not at the stage of being full yet. That has been true since 2012 where, apart from Covid, we have been in a constant build programme to keep up with that demand. 'We have got the space. We have got the funding. It is just a matter of getting it all lined up and making sure it lands the day before it is needed.' Mr Dewar highlighted the scale of the growth in the long-haul segment at Edinburgh Airport, and the general reduction in domestic traffic as things he did not foresee when he became chief executive. He underlined the extent to which overall passenger growth at Edinburgh Airport had been driven by international flights. Mr Dewar said: 'The ratio of international [traffic] we have is higher. All the growth is international. We have increased our proportion of inbound [passenger traffic]. The American routes – they tend to be stronger inbound demand.' Asked if he would in 2012 have envisaged passenger numbers being where they are now, Mr Dewar replied: 'We had a five-year plan [in 2012] which we slightly bettered.' 'Thirteen years later, the mix is slightly different from what I expected. No one would have seen the reduction in domestic and during Covid.' He declared that 'no one would have seen the growth in long haul'.

Scottish city that is 'dream for food lovers' crowned top foodie destination
Scottish city that is 'dream for food lovers' crowned top foodie destination

Daily Record

timean hour ago

  • Daily Record

Scottish city that is 'dream for food lovers' crowned top foodie destination

It is home to countless popular and acclaimed restaurants. Scottish city has been named the best in the country for foodies. It has even been described as a "dream for food lovers". Scotland is known far and wide for its top-quality food. The country's cities, towns, and villages are home to countless restaurants and cafés that serve up world-class cuisine. ‌ On Wednesday, June 11, LNER shared its "ultimate UK destination guide". As part of the guide, Edinburgh was named "the best city for foodies" in Scotland. ‌ The Scottish capital was praised for its "highly diverse and vibrant food scene". It was found to have the most food and drink experiences per capita, with a total of 1,882 restaurants to choose from. Food culture is "embraced by both locals and visitors" according to LNER. The experts revealed that there are almost 200,000 Instagram posts using food-related hashtags, while there are 165,000 average monthly searches for terms such as 'food hall', 'food market', and 'restaurants'. The experts state that the Scottish capital features the highest number of Michelin Guide recommended restaurants per capita in Scotland, with 26 in total. As reported by the Daily Record, Michelin-starred restaurant Lyla was recently named the best in the country. In total, there are seven Michelin-starred restaurants in Edinburgh. Timberyard, Avery, Condita, Heron, Martin Wishart, and The Kitchin have also all been recognised with a star. Elsewhere, there are many other popular and acclaimed restaurants in the city. Indian restaurant Dishoom, neighbourhood bistro The Little Chartroom, and vegetarian eatery Hendersons are among the many options. ‌ Edinburgh is also home to plenty of more budget-friendly alternatives when it comes to food. The city is renowned for its popular takeaways and lower-cost eateries. Affordable restaurants in Edinburgh include Chez Jules and Civerinos. The former is a French bistro that serves up dishes such as classic coq au vin and chargrilled skirt steak au poivre with pommes frites, while Civerinos is a local pizzeria chain with various venues around the city. ‌ There is also an abundance of gastropubs dotted around Edinburgh serving up pub classics and Sunday roasts. These include The Scran and Scallie in the stylish Stockbridge neighbourhood and The Queens Arms a short walk from the iconic Princes Street. LNER stated: "Edinburgh isn't just a feast for the eyes—it's a dream for food lovers too. With the highest number of MICHELIN Guide-star restaurants in Scotland and an ever-growing list of top-rated food and drink experiences, it's no surprise the city was named the Good Food Guide's Most Exciting Food Destination of 2025. ‌ "From local bakeries and street food trucks, to restaurants with serious flair, there's something to please every palate." Elsewhere, LNER named Brighton the top foodie destination in England. The seaside resort was singled out for its 17 Michelin Guide recommended restaurants per capita, as well as its high volume of Instagram buzz from food lovers.

This coastal city break has ancient walls, beaches and flights from Cardiff
This coastal city break has ancient walls, beaches and flights from Cardiff

Wales Online

time10 hours ago

  • Wales Online

This coastal city break has ancient walls, beaches and flights from Cardiff

This coastal city break has ancient walls, beaches and flights from Cardiff This incredible UNESCO World Heritage city has beaches and cobbled streets, and you can fly there from Cardiff The city is also well known as the main filming location in Croatia for King's Landing in HBO's smash series Game of Thrones. (Image: Portia Jones ) Croatia has exploded as a holiday hotspot in recent years, and no trip to this sun-soaked destination is complete without a visit to the historic city of Dubrovnik, affectionately dubbed the City of 1,000 Monuments, and possibly where Richard the Lionheart was cast ashore after a shipwreck in 1192. Dubrovnik draws vast crowds with its distinctive Old Town, where massive stone walls, completed in the 16th century, still encircle the historic city. Visitors can admire its well-preserved architecture, from the baroque St. Blaise Church to the Renaissance Sponza Palace and the Gothic Rector's Palace, which now houses a history museum. The city is also well known as the main filming location in Croatia for King's Landing in HBO's smash series Game of Thrones. This UNESCO World Heritage site is just a three-hour flight from the UK, and you can fly there from Cardiff Airport with TUI. Here's how to make the most of a city break to the "Pearl of the Adriatic" From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Walk the city walls Walking Dubrovnik's city walls is the best way to get a birds-eye view of the old town and learn more about its fascinating history. (Image: Wales Online ) Walking Dubrovnik's city walls is the best way to get a birds-eye view of the old town and learn more about its fascinating history. Article continues below The full circuit of the 24m-high and 6m-thick walls is a 2-kilometre walk. Dubrovnik's city walls walk offers a range of views, including battlements, patchwork red roofs and fortresses. From up here, you'll get a seriously epic view of the coastline. The Adriatic sparkles below, and it's so unspoilt that the scene today isn't all that different from what Franciscan monks, Roman emperors, the Venetian navy, even Napoleon would've seen when they scanned the horizon for approaching enemies. Dubrovnik has a fascinating history; it was a powerful merchant republic that engaged in extensive trade and was a pioneer in the fight against slavery, officially banning it in 1416. A jealous Venice also invaded the city in the 12th century. It became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1815 and then became part of Yugoslavia. Dubrovnik sustained substantial shelling during the 1991-1995 war, and you can still see war damage in Dubrovnik to this day. To gain a deeper insight into the city's history as you traverse the imposing walls, book a Dubrovnik walking tour with a qualified and knowledgeable guide. By booking a Dubrovnik walking tour in advance, you can experience Dubrovnik's old town with a professional local tourist guide licensed by the Croatian Ministry of Tourism. Go on a Game of Thrones tour Fort Lovrijenac in Dubrovnik- the setting for The Red Keep in King's Landing (Image: Thinkstock/Getty ) Several locations in Croatia were used for Thrones filming, but historic Dubrovnik was the main filming location for King's Landing (the Lannister's stronghold in Game of Thrones) and has become synonymous with the franchise. Facing out over the azure blue Adriatic Sea, with imposing stone walls and a mix of Baroque and Renaissance architecture, it certainly evokes a fantasy epic vibe. Locations across the city have been used for GOT filming, including The Pile Gate (the entrance to the Old Town), which was featured in Season Two Episode Six, where an angry crowd attacks horrid King Joffrey. The Jesuit Staircase was used as the 'steps of the Great Sept of Baelor' in King's Landing. This is where one of the most famous scenes in season five took place, the 'Walk of Shame'. In this shocking scene, Cersei Lannister is forced to walk naked through the streets of King's Landing. ToursByLocals offers a comprehensive five-hour Game of Thrones Tour Experience for super fans who want to see many of the filming locations. Visit Fort Lovrjenac - the Red Keep, take a ferry to Lokrum island – the City of Qarth and visit the Game of Thrones Museum on this whirlwind tour. Head to the beach For a city, Dubrovnik has a surprising variety of beaches (Image: Getty Images ) ‌ For a city, Dubrovnik has a surprising variety of beaches, ranging from pebble, gravel, stone, and concrete, where you can swim, kayak, and sunbathe near clear waters. Some of the popular options include Banje Beach, renowned for its proximity to the Old Town and impressive views, and Sveti Jakov Beach, which offers a peaceful escape with crystal-clear waters and stunning sunset views. Make sure to watch the sun go down at one of Dubrovnik's many beach bars. The best bar for outdoor drinking in Dubrovnik is the uber-cool Buza bar, located on top of a secluded beach outside the city walls, with tables set among the rocks. ‌ This joint is known affectionately as the 'hole-in-the-wall', as to get to this unique bar, you have to go through a hole in the wall, ('buža' literally means 'hole'). Once you're on the other side, you can grab a drink at their cliffside bar and enjoy beautiful views of the Adriatic as you sink a cold beer or two. Have lunch in Dubrovnik's Restaurant Panorama Dubrovnik's Panorama Restaurant offers unparalleled views of the city's historic walls (Image: Portia Jones ) ‌ Dubrovnik's Panorama Restaurant offers unparalleled views of the city's historic walls. You can dine 415 meters up Mount Srdj at this contemporary restaurant. There are several ways to reach Dubrovnik's Panorama Restaurant. You can arrive on foot, by car or by cable car (the best option). The food is beautifully presented, allowing you to capture amazing #platedpics for your socials. The best time to visit Dubrovnik's Panorama Restaurant is in the winter, as you will have a better chance of securing a window seat. ‌ Fresh seafood and steak feature heavily on the menu. Local and seasonal produce is used where possible. It's pretty pricey, but that's to be expected with a view as magnificent as this. Go wine tasting Wine lovers should endeavour to visit Croatia's famous wine-growing region (Image: Elena Noviello via Getty Images ) Wine lovers should endeavour to visit Croatia's famous wine-growing region, Pelješac Peninsula. The Pelješac Peninsula area is approximately 90 minutes away from Dubrovnik and is home to some truly wonderful vineyards. Article continues below It's a beautiful drive from Dubrovnik with some stunning scenery. The Pelješac Peninsula is famous for its Croatian wines. Croatia is not really known for its wine internationally. The names of Croatian wines are complicated [try pronouncing 'Pošip' after several glasses of vino]. Production is often very small, and Croatian vineyards don't typically export their wines. So you'll get to sip lovely vinos that you wouldn't normally find at home. If you love a glass or two of wine, then it's definitely worth booking a Wine tasting tour of Pelješac. Visit family-owned wineries, chat with the winemakers, and sample a selection of stunning Croatian wines.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store