Herald Café Bar

The iconic library’s bar and café offering staple mains, served in an open, minimalist space ideal for study breaks and lunch meetings.

The 2018 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £7.95 (+p&p).

This big, bright space at the entrance of the Mitchell Library is a cheerful spot to take a break. There are lots of different seating areas – standing at a counter overlooking the street, in booths, at tables or in cosy nooks and, with a lending section adjacent, you need not be short of reading material while you eat. Breakfast is served before midday, offering the full Scottish or just a hearty breakfast roll. There’s a decent range of lunch options comprising sandwiches, omelettes, baked potatoes and daily specials. Fillings include carrot and hummus, goat’s cheese and red onion and chicken with mango. Chilli-laden nachos are a warming, filling pick. The café gets very busy at weekends and lunchtimes but, with patience, you can usually snag a seat before too long. Bar service also reopens in the evening when events are running at the adjacent Mitchell Theatre.