Port of Siam
- Food served: Mon–Wed 6–10pm; Thu/Fri noon–2pm, 6–10pm; Sat noon–10pm; Sun 12.30–10pm.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 3
- Also offers: Children's portions, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Mixed Contemporary
- Capacity: 28
- Largest group: 30
Tell us more about this place.
- Average price:
£18 (lunch)
£18 (evening meal) - House wine: £11.90 per bottle
The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.
Given its position on Newhaven Waterfront and the proximity of Edinburgh fish market, it’s no surprise that Port of Siam’s menu has a distinct focus on fresh seafood. What does surprise however is the exciting fusion of Scottish and Thai ingredients. A starter of marinated quail is served with water chestnuts, cashew nuts and a game sauce while seared scallops on black pudding are ‘made Thai’ through the inclusion of chilli oil and crispy sweet basil. Mains are divided into traditional and contemporary, with many of the combinations managing to be both simple and yet imaginative. Pad king sees Scottish beef stir-fried with young ginger, wild mushrooms and confit garlic, while koong phao is giant prawns marinated in red wine, grilled and served with a spicy sauce on the side. The short dessert menu includes home-made pandanus leaf and cinnamon ice-creams, which are fun yet grown-up. With limited seating spread between booths and a central ‘bar’ table (used for Thai tapas nights), this cosy eatery is popular and busy so booking ahead is a must.
- High point: An unusual and exciting marriage of the best of Thailand and Scotland
- Low point: Some of the seats are more comfortable than others, so book ahead
Edinburgh's Port of Siam restaurant makes most of Newhaven harbourside location
Restaurant review
8 Oct 2010
Reviews of Port of Siam (3 Pier Place, Edinburgh)
- 2. A.J., Edinburgh – 1 October 2011, 12:33pm
Port of SiamReport -
This really is a restaurant which pushes for innovation. All the Thai staples sit on one side of the menu and those moving in a more modern direction sit opposite. They aren't ridiculous fusion for the sake of it. They are well thought out modern Thai styled cooking. The succulent, rare duck is a delight and the uber prawns are chunky and tasty. Spice is prevalent as it should be. What really stands out is the quality of produce and the care put into dishes. Pork belly can be so right or abysmally wrong. It's the former here with melt in the mouth consistency. The Thai ice cream (can't remember the spce/herb name) is a delight.
This is a tiny slace which packs you in and serves you with a smile. It's not particularly cheap for a local restaurant but any money parted here is well spent in my opinion.
- 1. A fine bromance, Edinburgh – 20 May 2011, 11:24am
Port of SiamReport -
This restaurant in excellent. It's small, it's miles away from the city centre...and I love it. I go all the time and they always answer the phone when I call. The tapas starters all brilliant…one is never enough but then I never just order one. Thai Baa Baa is Lamb cutlet heaven while Som Tum delivers exactly what a Thai salad should be…a perfect balance of sweet, sour and heat. Whether you order a main course from relatively succinct traditional or contemporary menus, you will find dishes delivered with more presentational flair, thought and innovation than your average local Thai restaurant. Even the ubiquitous green curry is elevated to a higher plane. Above all, this place feels like a real restaurant…not just a distant outpost of a far flung cuisine, with a menu set in stone, delivered predictability with an assumption of ignorance.
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