Café Marlayne is an independent, family run French bistro at 76 Thistle Street in Edinburgh’s New Town. Its small, understated dining room creates a warm setting for lunch, dinner and special occasions. Service and presentation are polished, but the restaurant retains the personal feel of a neighbourhood business rather than becoming overly formal.
Menus change regularly with the seasons and combine classic French technique with a contemporary approach. Chicken may be paired with mushroom fricassee and Jerusalem artichoke, braised beef with red wine and horseradish mash, or fish with fennel, capers and beurre blanc. Each plate is built around carefully cooked produce and balanced sauces rather than unnecessary decoration.
Vegetable dishes and adaptable courses allow the kitchen to serve a range of dietary preferences, although the compact preparation space handles dairy, gluten and other allergens. Guests with specific needs should provide details when booking so the team can confirm suitable choices. Lunch and dinner menus give the same ingredients room to appear at different levels of richness.
A focused list of French wines is selected to complement the seasonal food, and staff can recommend pairings across the courses. Homemade desserts carry the bistro style through to the end of the meal. Café Marlayne offers an appealing balance of honest cooking, quiet intimacy and the precise flavours associated with a thoughtful modern French restaurant.
Address: 76 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1EN, United Kingdom
Cafe Marlayne Menu
Lunch
2 courses £21.90. Main courses served with sautéed potatoes. Discretionary 10% service added to the final bill. Please inform staff about any allergies.
Vichyssoise
with crab crème fraiche & chives
Melon
marinated in white port, nectarines compote & Parma ham
Mussels marinière
with onion, white wine, garlic, parleys and cream
Courgette fritters
Courgette, feta and potatoes fritters, romesco sauce
Le Poulet
Corn fed chicken supreme, pancetta, summer vegetables, herb and cashews nut pesto
Boeuf
Bavette steak, horseradish sauce and watercress salad
Le Poisson du Jour
Sea bass with whipped avocado served with fennel, green peppers, chillie,lime and coriander slaw
Le végétarien
Butter puff pastry tomato tart, whipped ricotta and tapenade
Dinner
2 courses £35.50. All main courses served with vegetables. Discretionary 10% service added to the final bill. Please inform staff about any allergies.
Vichyssoise
with crab crème fraiche & chives
Melon
marinated in white port, nectarines compote & Parma ham
Mussels marinière
with onion, white wine, garlic, parleys and cream
Courgette fritters
Courgette, feta and potatoes fritters, romesco sauce
Porc
Pork belly, black pudding and apple sauce, croutons and curly endive
Smoked Salmon
Gribiche sauce, rocket and pickled cucumber, olive oil chrisps
Steak
Ribeye steak, horseradish sauce, radish and watercress salad
Le Canard
Duck breast, five spice, cherries, spring onion, duck cream, carrots
Le Saumon
Salmon filet, Piperade sauce
Le Poulet
Corn fed chicken Kiev, green beans and roasted almonds, tomato and anchovies mayo
Le végétarien
Butter puff pastry tomato tart, whipped ricotta and tapenade
Desserts
Homemade desserts £8.50. Selection of cheese £9.50. Dessert wine 75ml £6.50. Taylor’s Tawny Port £6.50.
Chocolate gateau
with juicy prunes
Almond Frangipane
with rhubarb
Crème Carmel
made with whiskey and orange
Fizzy mess
meringue, summer berries, cream and Prosecco
Selection of cheese
Wine List
Bubbles available in 200ml or bottle. White, rosé and red wines available in 175ml or bottle unless otherwise noted. Alcohol-free wine available by bottle only.
Prosecco DOC Treviso Extra Dry Serena 1881
VENETO, ITALY. The classic Venetian aperitif which will make you feel like you are sitting at a Café in the Piazza San Marco.
Cuvée Léonie Brut, Canard-Duchêne
CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE. Aromas of fruity notes and toasty, spiced vanilla tones – a truly great champagnes.
Terre des Olivettes Blanc
IGP PAYS D’OC, FRANCE. A blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Ugni and Terret – attractive and refreshing.
Muscadet de Sèvre-et-Maine sur Lie Haute Carizière, Daniel Bideau
LOIRE, FRANCE. Lovely floral and almond notes, matched with well balanced acidity.
Sauvignon Blanc, Casa de Flores
VALLE DEL MAULE, CHILE. Aromas of white, exotic and citrus fruits. Fresh with a refreshing finish.
Viognier, Olivier Coste
LANGUEDOC, FRANCE. Family owned – rich, apricot, pear and white blossom – carbon neutral winery.
Chardonnay, Domaine Canet
LANGUEDOC, FRANCE. Subtle aromas of white flowers – a well-balanced palate of fleshy stone fruit and bright acidity.
Coteaux du Lyonnais Les Moraines, Domaine de la Petite Gallée
RHONE, FRANCE. Aromas of pears and fresh hay – great balance and freshness – precise, easy-going.
Eins Zwei Zero Rosé, Leitz
RHEINHESSEN, GERMANY. Delicate with clean and fresh notes of pale strawberries, raspberry and grapefruit.
Fleur de Charlotte Rosé
IGP PAYS D’OC, FRANCE. A refreshing rosé – notes of red fruits and orange blossom – dry.
Merlot, Terres d’Azur
VDF, FRANCE. Juicy and easy drinking – plums and raspberries with hints of pepper and chocolate.
Gamay Pinot Noir de Touraine Domaine de la Rochette
LOIRE, FRANCE. Light cherry and bitter strawberry notes, with floral hint – a nearly tannin-free finish.
Terre des Olivettes Rouge
LANGUEDOC, FRANCE. Medium bodied and juicy with light tannins and hints of spice.
Malbec, Domaine Canet
LANGUEDOC, FRANCE. A fresher style of Malbec, focussing on fresh fruit qualities rather than savoury notes.
Nero d’Avola, Feudo Arancio
SICILY, ITALY. Lush notes of blackcurrant and wild strawberry and crunchy pomegranate – soft, round and velvety.
Château Mayne Graves
BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR, FRANCE. Made predominantly from Merlot – 10 months in oak – plum jam and chewy black fruit flavours.