Café Portrait is the public cafe inside the Scottish National Portrait Gallery at 1 Queen Street in Edinburgh. Open during gallery hours, it provides a convenient place to pause before, during or after viewing the collection, without requiring a separate journey away from the building.
The kitchen prepares its food from scratch and changes the selection with the seasons. Soups, salads and sandwiches form the core of the savoury menu, giving visitors a choice between a quick light lunch and a more complete plate while keeping service practical for a gallery visit.
Vegetarian dishes are part of the regular offering, and gluten free and dairy free choices are also provided. That range makes the cafe useful for groups with different preferences, while the concise format keeps the focus on freshly prepared food rather than an overextended restaurant menu.
Coffee, tea and cold drinks accompany cakes and other sweet treats for visitors who only want a short break. The setting within one of Edinburgh’s major galleries gives Café Portrait a distinctive sense of place and makes it equally suitable for lunch, an afternoon drink or dessert after exploring the exhibitions.
Address: Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, Scotland
Scottish National Portrait Gallery Cafe Menu
From our Kitchen
All prices include VAT. (VE) Vegan, (V) Vegetarian, (NG) Available with non-gluten containing ingredients upon request.
Olives
(ve)(ng)
Homemade Focaccia
Olive oil, balsamic vinegar (ve)
Nook Nibbles
Light Spring Vegetable Broth
Poached egg, crusty roll (v)
Polenta Chips
Chili jam (ve)(ng)
Mixed Leaf Salad
Tomatoes, roast red onion, olives, cucumber, croutons, light dressing (ve)
Tender Stem Broccoli
Toasted Almonds, lemon yogurt drizzle (v)(ng)
Small Plates & Sides
Spiced Courgette Fritters
Spring onion, raita style yoghurt (v)
Scottish Smoked Salmon
Toasted sourdough, watercress & rocket cream cheese, pickled cucumber
Poached Hens Egg
Thick cut cured ham, pea mousse, toasted focaccia (ng)
Brunch Plates
Pan-fried West Coast haddock
New potatoes, seasonal greens, lemon butter (ng)
Roasted Chicken Supreme
Peas, broad beans, light caper butter (ng)
Ricotta & Parmesan Gnudi
Cherry tomato, basil, butter sauce (v)
Lunch Plates
Apple Pie & Custard
Edinburgh Gin, Vanilla Panna Cotta
Fruit coulis, mini shortbread (ng)
Something Sweet
Choice of Sweet Treats
From our cake counter
Fizz
BOTTLE 75cl
Cava Brut Reserva Organic 2022
Bodegas Sumarroca, Catalunya Spain 12% ABV (VG)
Pommery Champagne Brut Royal
12.5% ABV
White Wine
175ml | BOTTLE
2022 Trebbiano, IGT, Terre Allegre
Cielo e Terra, Veneto Italy House Wine 11% ABV
2022 Chardonnay
IGP Haute Vallée de L’Aude, Montsablé, Terres Fidèles, Languedoc & South West, France 12.5% ABV
2022 Sauvignon de Touraine
Domaine Patrick Vauvy Loire, France 12% ABV
2022 Albariño
Adega Ponte da Boga Galicia Spain 13% ABV
Red Wine
175ml | BOTTLE
2022 Sangiovese
IGT, Terre Allegre, Cielo e Terra, Veneto Italy 12% ABV
2023 DOC Barbera
Le Tane, Vinchio Vaglio 2023, Piedmont, Italy 13% ABV
2022 Pinot Noir
IGP Haute Vallée de L’Aude, Montsablé, Terres Fidèles Languedoc & South West France 12.5% ABV
Rosé
175ml | BOTTLE
2022 Rosé, IGP Pays d’Hérault
Pierre et Papa Languedoc & South West 12% ABV
2022 Château L’Escarelle
Château L’ Escarelle, Provence, France 13% ABV
Alcohol Free Wine
175ml | BOTTLE
Blanc De Blancs
Languedoc Roussillon, France, Oddbird Sweden 0% ABV
Spumante
Veneto, Italy, Oddbird No Alcohol Wine Sweden 0% ABV
Hot Drinks
Tea
Chai Latte
Dirty Chai
Americano
Espresso
Double Espresso
Latte
Cocktails
Negroni The Still Life
Edinburgh Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, orange slice
Crown & Thistle
Edinburgh Gin, malt whisky, raspberry cordial, tonic water, rosemary sprig
Baileys Espresso Martini
Vodka, Baileys, Espresso, chocolate curls
Aperol Soda Spritz
Aperol, Cava, soda water, orange slice
Mocktails
White Peach & Mango Daiquiri
A refreshing blend with a botanical twist
Strawberry & Orange Blossom Daiquiri
Berry-rich and vibrant, finished with mint
Negroni Crimson Reflection
Alcohol free Gin, 00 Aperol, tonic water
All Crown no Thistle
Alcohol free Gin, ginger beer, raspberry cordial, tonic water, rosemary sprig
Espresso Chocotini
Espresso, chocolate crema, simple syrup, chocolate sprinkles
Aperol Spritz Zero
Non-alcoholic Aperitivo, soda water, orange slice
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+ Log your visitHow prices compare
Against typical prices in Edinburgh
- Espresso Typical in Edinburgh: £3.00 £2.95
- Latte Typical in Edinburgh: £3.90 £3.95
- Americano Typical in Edinburgh: £3.45 £3.55
- Chai latte Typical in Edinburgh: £4.30 £3.50
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