National Library of Scotland Cafe in Edinburgh, City of

Cheap tea - bitter and horrible Carrot cake had very little carrot in it and was absolutely full of sugar! Far tooooo sweet! Yuk. Left a horrific after taste in my mouth.

Not my first visit and won't be my last. I love the National Library and the cafe is a wee gem! (also bought a book when I was there).

Great service, the fastest I have seen in the UK to be honest by two lovely ladies. The lemon cake and the chocolate orange brownie are a must try!

I'm often at the library doing family history research and I ALWAYS stop for an Empire biscuit and a decaf latté! Friendly staff, coffee nice and hot, biscuits - scrummy! I've occasionally had their soup which was also good. But, the main reason for writing this is that tourists are returning and if you want a quiet space, good coffee and a snack ... this is a gem.

I was sitting at a table for a few minutes in the cafe area, and the majority of tables were unoccupied, when a male staff member approached me. He insisted that I vacate the table as I had not bought anything. This I duly did and left the building. I have been visiting and spending money in this cafe for many years and never encountered an attitude like this. Indeed, I visited the cafe earlier this week and there was only one other customer in the hour I was there. No wonder the cafe is virtually empty if this is the attitude. I went next door to the cafe in the French Institute where I was made most welcome and received a superior coffee and at a lower price too. I won't be back!

We are regular visitors of National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh and from time to time we purchase bowls of soups there for lunch. The soups they serve are outstanding and, definitely, taste like homemade ones. Plus, they are even better during the cold winter. The only drawback is that the bowls are not that large and, hence, not very filling. However, in terms of the taste, the quality is superior. It's served with two slices of bread and butter. The photo displays one of my favourite soups of theirs, the lentil soup. The staff has always been helpful and polite and never encountered any issue there. Highly recommended

A small but very well organised café offering coffees, teas, cold drinks, sandwiches, cakes and pastries. Good prices for the heart of Edinburgh.

There are lots of seats dotted about and hidden away - we initially thought it was full as we couldn’t see a space! Coffee and cake were tasty and reasonably priced. Pleasant environment to sit.

The staff are always friendly & welcoming. The teapots are always loose leaf. They can even toast sandwiches. There is plentiful, comfortable, well-spaced out seating and clean tables. Free Wi-Fi is also available. Hot food available each lunchtime. A clever place to enjoy refreshments during busy times like the Edinburgh Fringe each August.

A super facility within the historic library building. Internet cafe that has great coffee, quiet, studious atmosphere and strong wifi. It’s not the sort of place where you spread out and set up a home away from home. Have a break and make room for someone else to take a turn. Tables very close together but guests are so courteous you don’t feel squashed. A much-appreciated shelter.

One of my favourite places to have a coffee and meet friends, but prices have been creeping up, with the most recent being a 20 pence increase on most items. I hope the staff have had their wages increased as they are always extremely polite, helpful and friendly.

We were allowed to enter the library with our ID. After going around the large collection of books and periodicals, we went to this café and enjoyed nice coffee with snacks. A book in hand and coffee in front of you allows to read and relax. Come here mainly to enjoy intellectual atmosphere and very reasonable price for the eats.

Cheap lunch within this incredible building that has more floors going down than up. Exhibitions and shop add to the interest.

Having skipped breakfast I decided I needed some sustenance before tackling the Muriel Spark exhibition. My jacket potato, scone and good coffee did just the job. It was a bit of a wait before my bus, so I enjoyed a post-exhibition pot of tea, too - and knew just when to leave thanks to the handy live bus screens!

Dropped in for a latte and scone after visiting the Muriel Spark exhibition . Friendly staff and nice to relax in the cafe .Nice selection of food in the cafe

Tengo un punto débil para este lugar. Me gusta que el área de asientos del café sea básicamente la tienda de planta abierta de la Biblioteca. Me gusta cómo los televisores siempre están sintonizados para mostrar los horarios de los autobuses y las noticias de la BBC (puedes ver los subtítulos en vivo para que puedas ver si hay errores de ortografía vergonzosos mientras el debate de la Cámara de los Lores se silencia). El ambiente es bueno y, sí, está totalmente abierto al público y no solo a los usuarios de la Biblioteca. No es amigable para perros, pero, honestamente, si yo fuera el dueño de la tienda, preferiría que Fido no se metiera en la librería.La cafetería ha hecho grandes avances para mejorar su café y su té en los últimos años. De hecho, la calidad de las bebidas es muy buena. El servicio es variable, pero puede ser muy bueno en su mejor forma. También son bastante rápidos para servirlo.Sin embargo, hay un gran problema. La comida. Es demasiado caro seguro. Pero a veces, en el medio de Edimburgo, sabes que vas a pagar por la nariz para comer algo. Si solo la comida era buena, entonces. Desafortunadamente, a menudo no lo es. Los panini son elásticos y, en el optimista titulado "el milanés", el relleno es absolutamente repelente y nunca debe ser servido para nada vivo. La sopa a veces es bastante buena (y es la opción más barata en el menú). La nevera con los sándwiches, etc. es una postal de una masa abrumadora de sosiego. Parece una unidad de almacenamiento rechazada por Gregg.Ven aquí por una buena taza de té o una buena taza de café. Los pasteles y los horneados de bandeja a menudo son deliciosos. Me gusta la galleta shortbread que te dan con tu bebida (estoy seguro de que con un rumor que se niega a irse se dan dos personas interesantes). Por mucho que me gusta este lugar, la comida sabrosa debe incluirse en el archivo.

This was a very good exhibition of a very talented Author. Very interesting history of her life and a great selection of her records and letters of important events in her life time. Covers of all her books displayed well.

A lovely surprise as you venture into the National Library. A pleasant, quiet, special little cafe. Very reasonable prices. Wonderful.

Durante nuestra visita al festival llegamos aquí casi todos los días para el almuerzo. Apreciamos la relativa paz y tranquilidad, la comida sencilla pero bien preparada y servida, y en un par de ocasiones la posibilidad de enchufar nuestros teléfonos para recargar.

nice place at the library, where you can get into one of the permanent exhibits as you walk up the stairs. They do a range of sandwiches, cakes, soup and a variety of teas.

Después de haber estado en el cafe hace 3 meses, estaba pasando con un amigo y decidimos entrar para almorzar (después de mi anterior experiencia buena). No me decepcionó. Tuvimos una gran sándwiches tostados y tazas de té. El personal era agradable y servicial, y nos las arreglamos para encontrar una mesa de este concurrido una joya, dentro del edificio de la Biblioteca Nacional. Mucha gente comiendo, leyendo, usando sus portátiles, etc. Volveré.

Uma arquitectura muito bonita, mas não me pareceu interessante o suficiente para entrar. de qualquer forma não deixe de apreciar a sua arquitectura exterior

Después de pasar una mañana en la biblioteca, pude tener un buen almuerzo (sopa de brócoli con pan granero). Ambiente relajante, con una variedad de mesas, asientos bajos, taburetes y mesas individuales. Muchos otros también estaban sentados con sus portátiles, enchufado a la electricidad, y con wifi. Un lugar estupendo.

Si estás en esta parte de la ciudad es muy práctico para un café rápido, un almuerzo ligero o una taza de té. Nada de lujos, pero normalmente puedes conseguir una mesa.

Vienen aquí a menudo para el café. Creo que sus refrescos son un poco caros, aunque en 2 libras por botella. Me gusta mucho su fruta scones con mermelada y mantequilla. Son siempre agradables y suaves, como odio cuando son mentir para un bollos mientras y se un poco rancio y duro con ellos, pero este no es el caso

Usar el café cuando estoy en la Biblioteca Nacional y siempre satisfizo mis necesidades para un café o algo de comer, cuando he estado en el centro de la ciudad o utilizando la biblioteca. Precios razonables para un lugar de centro de la ciudad.

Visited for a coffee and cake. Very good coffee and the iced ginger cake very good. Not obvious there is a cafe open to the public so I relied on local knowledge from my companion. Great place to enjoy a coffee in a relaxed environment away from the crowds at other coffee shops on the area.

Inside this public building is a neat cafe, which serves decent soup and rolls, coffee and traybakes. There are free newspapers too. A change from the regular tourist cafes - lots of locals here.

Three of us had a late lunch at a weekend. We went for basic options of soup and sandwiches which looked like the sensible options, but found pretty much everything just failed to hit the mark for simple but tasty food. Soup was thin and over sweetened, sandwiches were weak and messy. The staff were not quite focussed on the job in hand - perhaps poorly managed. A bit of a disappointment for families when the museum is such a great place to be.

I had a baked potato with beans and cheese. It took quite a while to come and when it did arrive the potato was stone cold and hard. I asked whether they could heat it up. They did but came back ten minutes later, by which time they seem to have left it on a counter to cool again. It was an absolute rip off for £5: a small, cold, hard baked potato. Go anywhere else. There are so many great places around. Such a shame because the rest of the Library is so nice to visit and a wonderful work space

After the military tattoo with the tickets we even purchased dinner at this cafe. When we arrived it was not open and had signs whatsoever . When we were back home i emailed the military tattoo and the cafe administrator. Militarily tattoo answered and apologized but eh cafe administration just ignored our complain.

I note that some people are commenting that it is "a bit pricey". It's Edinburgh city centre for goodness' sake. Walk 50 metres in any direction you will pay as much for poorer quality.I have enjoyed coffee and a bit here a couple of time son the way to meetings at venues along KGIV Bridge and always enjoyed the experience. There are newspapers to read - for free! - it is comfortable, relaxing, unhurried. What more can you ask for in a major city centre?

Stopped for tea and cake. Coffee cake and banana bread were lovely. The milk was sour.....disappointing and expensive.

Always like to have a wee break in this wee haven in the heart of Edinbugh. One coffee and a cheese scone was over four pounds. They were both great but expensive.

To tell the truth even if we had an after party tattoo we never got to be there. When the show finished we went straight away to this cafe and there was no sign of this cafe being open . We paid a lot for the ticket which included this party. We circled this building twice but there was no sign whatsoever that something was going on. A security sent us to the THE SCOTTISH MAN HOTEL. We went there and back again to this cafe no sign of this cafe open , no people going in and out! Still wondering what happened. The date was on the 8th of August.

This cafe I found by accident. I always get lost in this building even with a map. It's on the ground floor near the visitors section Ask one of the Guides to direct you, ask for the one with the Windows's . I had delicious soup, my friend just wanted a scone. Very reasonable priced and good service. I prefer this cafe to the Coffee Shop on the balcony and the Tower Restaurant is not always as good as it should be., overpriced and starting to look tired.We were lucky to get a seat it was really busy. You need a break in this building, fascinating but exhausting.

We just happened by the library at lunch time and decided to grab lunch. It was very crowded, but the food was good, decent selection, and not too expensive. A good decision!

Die Suppen sind sehr lecker, die Bedienung auch sehr freundlich. Leider nur wenige Tische und Sitzgelegenheiten.

Un lugar, con una amplia cafeteria, menues, y precios mas o menos accesibles, ideal para ir y no perderselo.

Aproveite o espaço do café para conversar sobre a experiência da visita, observar o espaço e apreciar o café com ciência!

I do not miss visiting this place whenever I am in Edinburgh. What a great location and place to relax while enjoying what I claim to be on the city's secrets.

Good, low key offering with great screens to watch old Edinburgh while enjoying tiptop coffee and snacky food.

A great cafeteria with a large menu selection, busy place but worth a stop for a coffee and a snack if you had just been visiting the galleries!

We enjoyed a quiet break with excellent service ,no rushing on ,great hot Chocolate and delicious scones ...a bargain at £2.95 for 2 scones butter and jamCentral Location and restful for sore feet !

The cafe is situated on the same level as the exhibition area and takes up a good part of the ground floor area at the entrance. The information desk is located here as is the shop. The walls are lined with books for sale and the seating is well organised and adequate. The locker room is conveniently located nearby for those heading up to use the library itself.The food is reasonably priced although limited, with soup and made up rolls being the main choice - more than adequate for the users of a library as opposed to shoppers, tourists, etc.The staff were very polite and efficient. No parking as you would expect, but the library is well located for public transport links.

The cafe in the NLS takes up most of the ground floor and the seating is spread between the shop and the bottom of the stairs. They offer a good range of sandwiches and salad boxes, but the cakes and soups are their forte, well worth while exploring and in comparison to other places around quite competitive. Also they actually do a wide range of tea and coffee in old style sized cups, if required, rather than the buckets from Starbucks

Unable to fault this restaurant. Thank you. The food was superb. We selected from the set lunch menu at £15.90 per head for two courses, both mine and my husbands food was delicious The staff were competent, attentive without been pretentious the decor was beautiful, the view over Edinburgh towards the Castle and skyline was breathtaking. Thank you - a perfect end to a lovely weekend in a great city. The only downside was my failing to order the Newzealand wine with a Gooseberry note - My husband had it and it was very good indeed!

Spacious cafe in entrance foyer of the library. Relaxed atmosphere with people able to work on laptops, read papers, watch TV (but only BBC News with subtitles - no sound, thank goodness!!). Good selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads, traybakes. Only hot dish is soup. Prices reasonable for Edinburgh.

Winds were blawin'up the Royal Mile . Rain wis pour in' doon wur necks so we popped in to the National Library for a seat and a heatHot Roasted Cherry Tomato Soup went straight tae the cockles o' oor hearts. And heated richt doon tae the tips o' wur taesI recommend a visit, Service excellent ,staff smiles galoreTry there if you are near!

Only had a cup of tea and a bun, but was pleased that it was leaf tea served in a proper teapot. The member of staff was extremely friendly, polite, and delightful. fantastic value for money, and totally unpublicised. A nice find.

good olf fashioned scottish cafe fare but done well

I really felt that my meal was poor value for money. I will not visit again on my next trip to Edinburgh.

Unless you knew that the National Library of Scotland (on George IV Bridge) had a cafe you'd probably never know it was there. This clean, modern cafe opening in Autumn 2009 and serves good coffee, soup, sandwiches, etc. Television screens also give news updates. A very imaginative conversion of what was previously an underused space in the National Library's entrance foyer - worth visiting for a quick lunch. There are also often exhibitions, book signings, etc, in the foyer area.