Food and drink
Savour the Garden and stay a while - enjoy fresh Kitchen Garden produce, light bites, or a quick coffee from our café venues.
Early closures - Friday 14 August
Please note, the Gateway Cafe and Garden View Deck & Bar will close at 3.30pm on Friday 14 August ahead of our Botanics Lates event. Last orders will be at 3pm.
Our dining spaces
The Kitchen Garden
We grow seasonal produce, using organic methods, to ensure a steady supply of fresh ingredients for our menus.
Kitchen Garden-
The Gateway Café
Bright, spacious, and welcoming, the Gateway Café offers a vibrant setting to refuel and recharge. Discover hearty hot dishes, seasonal salads, soups, and sandwiches, freshly prepared using ingredients sourced from the onsite organic Kitchen Garden. Simply order at the counter, collect your food, and then find a seat, for a dining experience designed to fit around your visit.
Visitor information
- Open daily from 10am – 5pm (last orders 4:30pm)
- Lunch is served 11.30am - 3:00pm
- The Gateway Coffee Cart, our ground-floor pop-up is open Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4:30pm
- Counter service
- No table reservations
- Outdoor seating available
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The Garden View Deck & Bar
The Botanics' Garden View Deck & Bar is the ideal way to relax and soak up the summertime atmosphere with friends and family. Situated at the John Hope Gateway, West Gate Entrance.
Visitor information
- Open Friday and Saturday 12pm – 8pm (last orders 7:30pm) and Sunday 12pm - 5pm (last orders 4:30pm
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Terrace Café
Slow, relaxed moments with a garden view. Set above Inverleith House Lawn with views across the Edinburgh skyline, the Terrace Café features a seasonal menu of botanical scones, open sandwiches, light seasonal salads, and homemade desserts, ideal for a morning coffee, a light lunch, or an indulgent cream tea.
Simply find a table, browse the counter at your own pace, then order at the till. We’ll bring everything to you, so you can sit back, unwind and enjoy the surroundings. A calm, considered space made for lingering, connecting, and discovering the Garden at your own pace.
Visitor information
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Open daily 10am – 5pm (last orders 4:15pm)
- Counter order with to-table service
- No table reservations
Cream Teas
Indulge in a delightful Cream Tea experience at The Terrace Café, infused with the flavours of botanicals, herbs, and edible flowers carefully harvested from our Kitchen Garden.
Price: £19 (Cream Tea only)
Book a Cream TeaTo enhance your experience, perfectly pair your Cream Tea with a guided tour of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and enjoy seasonal highlights of the garden. Click here for more information.
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The East Gate Shop & Café
Located at the Inverleith Row entrance, the East Gate Shop & Café is the ideal stop for artisanal sweet and savoury pastries, specialty tea and coffee, and to browse a selection of retail items. Enjoy your treats on picnic benches or take it with you as you explore the Garden.
Opening hours
- Monday - Sunday: 10am–4:30pm
Outdoor seating available. Grab‑and‑go options offered.
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Conifer Corner
Nothing says British summer quite like berries and cream. Inspired by the season's most iconic courtside treat, Conifer Corner is serving fresh berries and cream, alongside artisan coffees and teas to enjoy on the go. Whether you're enjoying a stroll through the Garden or taking a moment to soak up the summer atmosphere, it's the perfect seasonal treat. Located along Conifer Walk, near the Willow Pond.
Opening hours
- Friday - Sunday: 10am - 4pm
May be closed in inclement weather. Takeaway only.
10% off for Members
Become a Member of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and enjoy 10% discount in our cafés, shops, and short courses.
Become a member