Veteran Edinburgh restaurateurs Victor and Contini extended their mini empire back in 2009 by taking over the franchise for this daytime eatery in the basement of the National Gallery complex. A tasteful, open-plan space with simple decor and picture windows, it serves up a menu with a decidedly Scottish slant plus assorted hybrid dishes reflecting the owners’ Italian roots. That means Dundee cake or gingerbread with your coffee, traditional high teas and lunch dishes ranging from crispy haggis with pickled turnip salad and a tot of Glengoyne whisky to venison stew with rosemary dumplings or pearl barley risotto with Clava brie, mint and peas. Also don’t miss the glorious Aberdeen ‘butterys’ – butter-laden rolls packed with, say, smoked salmon, spinach and cream cheese. Punchy prices and occasionally frazzled service are the only downsides.