Cafe 52
Quick info
About Cafe 52
Cafe 52 sits on The Grn in Aberdeen, serving light bites and tapas at lunchtime and Modern British dishes in the evening. The menu changes regularly, with Cullen skink, Far Breton and tiramisu recurring among the rotating options. Artwork lines the walls of the dining room. Dogs are welcome at the tables, with room left around them for a dog to settle. The kitchen's approach favours fresh ingredients over a fixed, unchanging card, so returning visitors may find the lineup shifted since their last meal.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingUsually difficult to find a space
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, seating
- Good for kidsHigh chairs
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ever changing menu, cullen skink, tiramisu and three course meal deal.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention ever changing menu, cullen skink, tiramisu and three course meal deal.
Customer Review Summary
The creative, ever-changing menu is what reviewers return to most, with several singling out standout plates like the black pudding and pear starter, fried halloumi with apricot and marmalade, Normandy chicken, and the Far Breton dessert, alongside praise for the tiramisu on a date-night visit. Value comes up repeatedly too, with diners citing three-course dinners around £25 and lunches at £20 as generous and reasonably priced. Staff are consistently described as friendly and attentive, with one reviewer noting a salty fish dish swapped without issue for a chorizo option. The dog-friendly setup and relaxed, informal atmosphere also draw repeat mentions. One dissenting review found a chicken stew tasty but complained about paying extra for chips, a £10 ice cream charge, and a tatty entrance with hanging wires and a broken toilet. Another visitor noted ongoing renovations to the space. Several reviewers say they plan to return, and one recalls being handed a newly printed menu still warm from the printer.
Customer Review Summary
The creative, ever-changing menu is what reviewers return to most, with several singling out standout plates like the black pudding and pear starter, fried halloumi with apricot and marmalade, Normandy chicken, and the Far Breton dessert, alongside praise for the tiramisu on a date-night visit. Value comes up repeatedly too, with diners citing three-course dinners around £25 and lunches at £20 as generous and reasonably priced. Staff are consistently described as friendly and attentive, with one reviewer noting a salty fish dish swapped without issue for a chorizo option. The dog-friendly setup and relaxed, informal atmosphere also draw repeat mentions. One dissenting review found a chicken stew tasty but complained about paying extra for chips, a £10 ice cream charge, and a tatty entrance with hanging wires and a broken toilet. Another visitor noted ongoing renovations to the space. Several reviewers say they plan to return, and one recalls being handed a newly printed menu still warm from the printer.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Fantastic food! The menu was newly printed and was handed to us still warm from the printer. Everything we tried was genuinely remarkable. The prices were much more reasonable than we anticipated for how nice the food was. As for the space itself, it seemed like maybe renovations were being done.”
- Google user
“Lovely but unusual chicken stew but had to pay extra for chips. Disappointing we had to pay £10 for ice cream, the same as a desert. The place was a bit tatty with a lot of mess at the entrance and some wires hanging down, one toilet not working. Overall tasty enough food but expensive. Could be much cleaner and tidier.”
- Google user
“Lovely cosy fun restaurant with an ever changing menu so that the ingredients are fresh. We had a black pudding and pear starter and fried halloumi and apricot and marmalade starter both of which were unusual and tasty. Mains of smoked haddock with pesto and tomato and chicken with salted leeks was comfort food at its best and it was reasonably priced at £100 for the both of us including two drinks each. My husband described the good as a warm hug on a plate! Would definitely visit again if we were in Aberdeen and would be regular visitors if we lived there.”
- Google user
“Lovely lunch today. Excellent value for money at three courses for £20.00. Quirky place, great staff and owner who is dedicated to his job. 10/10 will be returning soon.”
- Google user
“Top restaurant! Food was amazing, generous serving sizes, great value for money (3 course dinner was £25). Tasty creative dishes, really loved Cullen skink, Normandy chicken and Far Breton (the dessert, mmm, try it!!!). Ambience was sensational; interesting artwork on the walls; music was eclectic and not too loud; servers were very sweet and attentive. Thank you Cafe 52!”
Highlights
“Rustic cafe with outdoor tables, for lunchtime light bites, tapas and Modern British evening meals.”
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dine-in
- Vegan options
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Late-night food
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Pet-friendly· 1
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dining options· 6
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Parking· 1
- Usually difficult to find a space
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 3
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Great wine list
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Romantic
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Family-friendly· 1
- High chairs
Location
Restaurants near Cafe 52
- Books and Beans4.38150.1 miWheelchair accessible
afternoon tea, scones, second hand books
- Wild Goose4.62890.1 mi£20–30Reservations
cocktails, hummus, langoustines
- Vovem Meat & Liquor4.35380.4 miWheelchair accessibleReservations
truffle mash, steaks, live music
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cafe 52Outdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.5645 | — | £20–30 | ever changing menu, cullen skink, tiramisu |
| Books and BeansWheelchair accessible | 4.3815 | 0.1 mi | — | afternoon tea, scones, second hand books |
| Wild GooseReservations | 4.6289 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | cocktails, hummus, langoustines |
| Vovem Meat & LiquorWheelchair accessible · Reservations | 4.3538 | 0.4 mi | — | truffle mash, steaks, live music |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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