Saint Giles Cafe Bar

What a cute wee joint! I first noticed the Saint Giles Café Bar – not to be confused with the Saint Giles Bar nor the Saint Giles Café, of which at least one is lurking nearby – because of its cheery yellow sunflower sign while dragging my American folks all over Edinburgh. It proved a small godsend as my mom had a cold and dragging her up and down the Royal Mile isn’t a cold-suffering-mom’s idea of the best time (who knew?!).
Needless to say, the sunflower caught my eye and we decided a sit-​down was in order. My approval was sealed when we spotted my mom’s favorite cold-​appeaser on the drinks menu: hot toddies! My dad and I settled for a dram (when in Rome, after all) and we split a cheese board to go along with. Needless to say, everything was just peachy and service was relaxed but prompt.
Honestly, I feel that the SGCB (what a mouthful!) is a nice little joint with a perfect location, just tucked off the well-​worn path of the tourists along the Royal Mile – an excellent way for residents like myself to not only avoid the hubbub but also the more outrageous tourist traps. It’s reasonably priced, comfortably furnished, and doesn’t blow its top off trying to lure in all the wayfaring folk with kitschy this and that. Food offerings are simple yet good, some solid supplies of Scotch are readily on hand, and if you’re feeling fatigued, there’s loads of room inside to pop in for some caffeine.
I’d actually quite like to stop in again in the future just to give it another gander – a difficult thing since I so rarely head up that way myself! I do know that if I have friends and family in the area who are flagging from too much touristing along the Royal Mile, I’ll definitely be back!

Lo primero que voy a decir de este lugar es que me fajaron heavy con los precios! No pare a ver el menu en la puerta y ese fue mi gran error!
Comí una medialuna con una chocolatada y pague 6 libras. Durísimo!
Lo bueno es que el local es una divinura total, super cute y con varias opciones de comida y bebida, siempre dentro de la temática desayuno, merienda o tragos digamos.
La conexión wifi es muy muy mala muchachos, media pila ahí, en el año 2015 es clave que un bar tiene que tener buen internet.
La atención esta bien, los chicos son copados, aunque lo standard para UK digamos.
Muy bien ubicado, cerca de St Giles, aunque eso no compensa el sobreprecio que uno paga. No vuelvo.

We were looking for another place to go to, but lucky stumbled upon Saint Giles instead. The ambience is very quaint and the staff very helpful and friendly. Unfortunately, we were there on a Sunday morning, so if you’re looking for spirits to warm you on a cold Edinburgh day, you’ll have to wait until after 1230 to get your drink on.

Small but OHO!
I found the place not so long ago whilst waiting for a friend to turn up. Thought I could do with a coffee. This time I went back and ordered 1. Coffee (of course :-)) 2. Humus with Pita bread and olives. My friend ordered peppermint tea and a cheese platter with Stilton and other cheese.
They also serve Tomato soup and lots of pastries and waffles. In the evening (or during the day) you might also go there for a glass of vino or other stuff.
It’s such a small place, such you need to be very quick to get a seat. People were queuing to get seated. There was a couple who waited for 15 min outside. Brhhh. It was cold! I call this determination.
The interior looks rustically. Everything fits and blends in with the very old original stone walls.
Brilliant!

Wunderbares Café&Bar im Herzen der Touriemeile von Edinburgh angesiedelt, liegt es doch etwas abseits, versteckt von dem ganzen Troubel.
Ich war bei meinem Edinburgh Besuch auf der Suche nach einem gemütlichen, kleinen Café ausserhalb der Starbucks Welt und fand dieses Kleinod. Viel ähnliches wird man auf der gesamten High Street nicht finden.
Hier kann man gemütlich einen Kaffee Americano oder auch einen Milchkaffee trinken und dazu leckeren, hausgemachten Käsekuchen oder Apple Pie geniessen.
Ich habe mich hier nach einem Besuch des nahe gelegenen Castles gut aufgewärmt, meinen Kaffee und Kuchen genossen und bin quasi in mein mitgebrachtes Buch versunken.
Das Personal ist sehr freundlich und der Service war klasse obwohl ich ja doch etwas mehr Zeit als normal dort verbracht habe.
Hier darf man also auch als Tourie noch gerne relaxen und verweilen. Gute Snacks zum Mittagessen stehen übrigens ebenso auf der Karte, somit kann man hier Frühstücken, Brunchen und viel Zeit bei Edinburghs Schmuddelwetter verbringen.
Leider muss man auch hier mit einem kräftigen Tourie-​Aufschlag bei den Preisen leben, was zwar zu erwarten ist in der Lage, weswegen ich aber trotzdem einen kleinen Stern abziehen muss.
Trotzdem eine klare Empfehlung!