Atmospheric Old Town cafe with very friendly staff, tasty sandwiches and cakes, and specialty coffee; prices are mid-range for the Royal Mile, with occasional complaints about value and consistency.
Castle Rock Cafe delivers reliable cafe-quality execution with exceptional setting appeal in its historic courtyard location and strong service attentiveness that keeps things moving smoothly. However, inconsistent food quality—occasional stale pastries and cleanliness lapses—prevents it from reaching higher territory, and the straightforward menu lacks the distinction to elevate it beyond a solid neighborhood favorite in Edinburgh's Old Town.
One caveat: Some guests find prices steep for coffee and cake, especially with alternative milk surcharges