Restaurants in Edinburgh
Old Town eateries like The Grain Store Restaurant and trendy Outsider serve modern Scottish cuisine. Breathe the sea air in Leith while tucking into fresh fish at Skippers and splash out on Michelin-starred Restaurant Martin Wishart. In the New Town, there's everything from organic to Middle-Eastern and Indian, or opt for the panoramic views at Forth Floor Restaurant. Most restaurants are open for lunch. Tips at 10% of the bill are discretionary.
The Witchery
Medieval splendour
The Witchery, just a few steps from Edinburgh Castle in the Old Town, has a
reputation as one of the city's best restaurants. Dine by candlelight in a
beautifully restored 16th-century building that exudes medieval luxury. The
small but exquisite menu features delights like pistachio-crusted wild sea
bass, Scottish game, and oysters. Come for romantic dinners or opt for
excellent-value lunch menus.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-11.30pm
Address
Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 5613
Transport
Bus 23, 24, 27, 41, 42, 45 or 67 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Restaurant Martin Wishart
Culinary thrills
Inspired Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart creates wonders from fresh
ingredients at his restaurant in Leith. Starched tablecloths create a pure,
minimalist atmosphere where food is the primary feature. Every course is a
surprise, for example scallops and artichoke in hazelnut butter and coffee
sauce. The enormous cheese selection in between courses is recommended.
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Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 12pm-2pm & 7pm-10pm
Address
54, The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 5533 557
Number One
Michelin-starred dining
Nestled snugly inside The Balmoral Hotel in the New Town, Michelin-starred
Number One offers a first-class menu with Franco-Scottish overtones. Red
lacquered walls and gold velvet seats create an atmosphere of restrained
luxury. Young British artists' work decorates the walls. Try the chef's
spectacular seven-course tasting menu which offers wine pairings. It opens
only at night.
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Opening Hours
Daily 6.30pm-10pm
Address
The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 557 6727
Transport
Bus 1, 3, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 33, 34 or 36 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Rhubarb
Opulent boutique-hotel dining
The magnificently plush Rhubarb in South Edinburgh is located in opulent
boutique hotel Prestonfield. Come for the decor but also for the fine food.
Main courses include dishes such as pigeon with Muscat dressing and the
assiette of Rhubarb's desserts is worth waiting for. There are
also some excellent vegetarian and seafood options, like the sea bass and
artichoke ravioli.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-2pm & 6.30pm-10pm
Address
Prestonfield, Priestfield Road, Edinburgh EH16 5UT
Telephone
+44 (0)131 225 1333
The Grain Store Restaurant
Affordable fine dining
Housed in a former 17th-century storehouse, The Grain Store Restaurant has
candle-lit stone walls that create an antique atmosphere perfect for
intimate dinners. Home-made bread and classic recipes using local produce
make it an excellent all-rounder. Loch Fyne oysters, venison and guinea fowl
are all great choices. Lunches are great value and the classic Old Town view
is one of the best.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-1.45pm & 6pm-9.45pm
Address
30, Victoria Street (1st floor), Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2JW
Telephone
+ 44 (0) 131 225 7635
Transport
Bus 23, 24, 27 or 45 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Forth Floor Restaurant
Dinner with a view
Located at Harvey Nichols, the Forth Floor Restaurant boasts superb views
that stretch as far as the Firth of Forth on a clear day. There's also
quality cuisine here, with succulent dishes using fresh Scottish produce.
The menu includes venison, oxtail and vegetarian risotto with lime and
ginger. The ambiance is simple and relaxed.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 12pm-3pm; Sat & Sun 12pm-3.30pm; Tue-Sat 6pm-10pm
Address
Harvey Nichols, 30-34 St Andrew Square, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 2AD
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 5248 350
Transport
Bus 1, 3, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 19, 22, 25, 31, 33, 34 or 36 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Canny Man's
Open sandwiches
Located in the genteel suburb of Morningside, Canny Man's is worth the
journey out of town. A quaint pub with bric-a-brac covering every available
surface, it serves hundreds of varieties of Danish open sandwich made with
top quality ingredients such as topside of beef and lobster.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Wed 11.30am-11pm; Thu-Sat 11.30am-12am; Sun 12.30pm-11pm
Address
239, Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4QU
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 447 1484
Transport
Bus 11, 15 or 15A - tram works may cause disruption
Maison Bleue
Taste of Morocco
The decor in the Old Town's Maison Bleue displays Moroccan influences like
the menu. Downstairs the walls are adorned with retro paintings, while
upstairs the windows look over picturesque Victoria Street. The menu offers
bouchées (bites) and excellent-value set menus. Try haggis balls
in whisky sauce or classic Berber couscous.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 12.30pm-3pm & 5pm-10.30pm; Sat-Sun 12.30pm-11pm
Address
36-38, Victoria Street, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2JW
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 2261 900
Valvona & Crolla Vincaffè
Independent Italian
A spin off of the multi award-winning delicatessen on nearby Elm Row, the
Vincaffè in Edinburgh's city centre holds the same values as its big sister.
Created to mark the 70th anniversary of the deli, great Italian dishes
served in comfortable surroundings make Valvona & Crolla Vincaffè a
great place for a pre-theatre bite.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 8am-late; Sun 12pm-5pm
Address
11, Multrees Walk, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 557 0088
Skippers
Seafood heaven
Veteran Skippers has been presiding over the docks of Leith for 25 years. It
is an upmarket bistro ideal for both lunch and dinner. Revel in the
old-worldly, wood-panelled interior plastered with vintage maps and sailing
mementos. Try the organic Shetland salmon, whole baby plaice or Cullen
skink. The menu changes according to season.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 12pm-2.30pm & 5.30pm-10pm; Sat-Sun 12pm-3.30pm & 5.30pm-10pm
Address
1a, Dock Place, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6LU
Telephone
+44 (0)131 554 1018
Transport
Bus 16, 22, 34 or 35 - tram works may cause disruption
Website
Domenico's
Italian feast
Domenico's is an unfussy, super-cosy neighbourhood bistro and a hit with
Leith residents, so booking is essential. The Italian food is delicious,
plentiful, and served with panache. Just beware, diners that order an
entrée often don't have room for a dessert, as the portions are
huge. The antipasti and the seafood main are both good options.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-10pm (until 10.30pm Fri & Sat)
Address
30, Sandport Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EP
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 4677 266
Nargile
Middle-Eastern banquet
Nargile in the New Town is the only Turkish restaurant in Edinburgh. It has a
warm, simple decor with Byzantine-style motifs, and the service is
excellent. The "banquet meals" for two people are a feast and a bargain, or
try the succulent moussaka-like lamb and Nargile aubergine special. There
are also excellent vegetarian choices.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 12pm-2pm & 5pm-late
Address
73, Hanover Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 1EE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 2255 755
Urban Angel
Organic treats
Urban Angel is a versatile, simple café-bistro in the New Town specialising
in organic and fair-trade food. Its philosophy is to provide outstanding
fare that "won't cost you the earth". It is ideal for a relaxed lunch or
dinner. Try the staple crayfish risotto, or choose from a list of excellent
vegetarian and carnivore options.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 9am-late; Sun 10am-5pm
Address
121, Hanover Street, New Town, Edinburgh EH2 1DJ
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 225 6215
Outsider
Fast and fashionable
The trendy, vibrant and very popular Outsider restaurant in the Old Town
focuses on no-nonsense, simple eating and fresh ingredients. There are no
entrées, but the main courses are ample, the service is fast and
the desserts creative. Try the lemon myrtle cheesecake. The restaurant also
has superb views of the Castle and Old Town.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-11pm
Address
15, George IV Bridge, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 1EE
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 2263 131
Transport
Bus 23, 27 or 45 - tram works may cause disruption
Siam Thani
Thai flavours
The simple but impeccably turned out Siam Thani is a neighbourhood favourite
in Broughton. It serves classic, fresh Thai food at very reasonable prices,
and the service is quick and faultless. The vegetarian menu is very good,
but the cheap set-lunch menus and pre-theatre menus are also
recommended.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 12pm-2.30pm; daily 5pm-11pm
Address
14, Broughton Street, Broughton, New Town, Edinburgh EH1 3RH
Telephone
+44 (0) 131 4772 724
Transport
Bus 8 - tram works may cause disruption
