Restaurants, Bistros & brasseries

374 places

Sorted by popularity

The Outsider

15/16 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EE

This split-level space is an exercise in sleek, functional mid-century modernism – a combination of whitewashed walls, wood, glass and metal proving perennially popular with Edinburgh’s trendier denizens. A prime Old Town location draws in a steady…

The Bon Vivant

55 Thistle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DY

Whether it’s a three-course meal you’re after, or just a quick cocktail, the Bon Vivant, with its elegant yet relaxed atmosphere, provides a fitting venue for most occasions. Although the current cocktail list is only a glimpse of what is to come, the…

Epicures of Hyndland

159 Hyndland Road, Glasgow, G12 9JA

In the heart of chic Hyndland's shopping area, once an area devoid of a good restaurant or café, Epicures is fill a gap. It's the kind of place that changes through the day, with different menus for different times; from breakfast, morning coffee…

Restaurant Mark Greenaway

69 North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LJ

Famed for his television appearances on the Great British Menu, in 2012 Mark Greenaway relocated his restaurant to a new city-centre venue. There are grand plans afoot but for now the stylish and muted interior plays second fiddle to the main star here…

The Breakfast Club

45–47 Lothian Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1HB
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Chinaski's

239 North Street, Glasgow, G3 7DL

Patrons here live it up while the bar’s inspiration Charles Bukowski looks disdainfully down from a portrait on the wall. Mind you, even the hedonistic Buk would have struggled to work his way through the extensive range of quality rums and bourbons.

Two Fat Ladies

88 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G11 6NX

The original Two Fat Ladies balances restaurant details with less formal, bistro-esque qualities. The dark interior with its ornate golden border looks towards the former; an open plan kitchen and chatty ambience nudge things the other way – a classy…

Urban Angel

1 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3JX

Over the past few years Urban Angel has established itself as an essential part of the vibrant dining scene around Broughton Street. The uncluttered and inviting main room is well run by simultaneously enthusiastic, relaxed and efficient staff. The…

Blackfriars

57–61 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1NB

Chef Andrew Macdonald is an example of a notable movement in Edinburgh's food and drink scene. With experience in progressive establishments around town including First Coast and Urban Angel, he worked in Australia and returned to a spell as sous chef…

Central Market

51 Bell Street, Glasgow, G1 1PA

As the revival for quality, local produce roars on, Central Market rocks up to the scene with its oh-so-fresh ingredients and understatedly chic, shiny venue, ready to take the challenge. Every ingredient down to the delicate leaves of fresh oregano…

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The Grill on the Corner

21–25 Bothwell Street, Glasgow, G2 6NL

With a wall covered in 1930s mirrors, low-hung chandeliers over tables, plush wallpaper and dark leather seating, there's a feeling of metropolitan luxury here. Staff are smart – not just in dress but also in their knowledge of the fare on offer. Being…

Distill

1102–1106 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8TD

Until recently called the Ivy, Distill's new name hasn't changed it from being a haunt for the hip, with a young cool crowd attracted to a fashionable part of the city. The range of rums is the widest in Scotland and the house rum is the excellent…

Monteiths

57–61 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SR

From the moment you step under the twinkling canopy of the narrow close, the small, charming details set Monteiths apart. The relaxed setting embraces its historic Royal Mile setting, where the rough hewn stone walls are subtly lit and gentle tartan…

Mother India

28 Westminster Terrace, Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7RU

Mother India's original restaurant, opened in 1990, has a reputation that keeps the place filled most days. This Glasgow favourite has played a major part in pushing the boundaries of Indian cuisine in the city in those intervening years. It has…

Three Birds Restaurant

3-5 Viewforth, Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, EH10 4JD

Cosily tucked away in Bruntsfield, Three Birds is a popular local bistro with aspirations to bring inventive dining to the neighbourhood. The owners’ creative spirit engages from the moment you enter the dining room, so although tables may be a bit…

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The Basement Bar and Restaurant

10–12a Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3RH

Given its neon signage and the staff’s long-standing penchant for Hawaiian shirts, the Basement has never been a byword for subtlety and sophistication, but instead is a slightly ironic slice of Miami teleported into a Scottish cellar. It’s clearly a…

Café Gandolfi

64 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1NY

With its handsome interior, chunky Tim Stead furniture and globe lights, Café Gandolfi is the granddaddy of Merchant City bohemianism. Serving a mix of clientele from shoppers to concert-goers, it’s been dishing out high-end bistro food for more than 30…

Hellers Kitchen

15 Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SL

Don’t be fooled by the modest frontage: Heller’s is bigger on the inside. Like the surprisingly open and spacious interior, the menu expands from lighter daytime café options to a full evening’s culinary revelry, and the daily changing specials board…

No. Sixteen

16 Byres Road, Glasgow, G11 5JY

Small proves to be beautiful in this cosy bistro at the bottom of Byres Road where a restrained number of covers allows the chef to concentrate on detail, style and flavour. Personal touches like tiny fresh flowers, homemade rolls, and soft lighting…

Timberyard

10 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DS

Formerly of the well-regarded Atrium, the Radford family has converted a cavernous old timber yard into a warm, beautifully designed space, the industrial edges softened by clever use of wood, natural fabrics and light. A short, simply written menu…

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The Jam House

5 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JE

1901

1534 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G43 1RF

Though a little removed from the main Shawlands dining strip the value of the food along with the decidedly relaxed and jovial atmosphere at this unassuming corner pub and bistro make it worth the venture. New owner Graham Sutherland, who also has the…

Brutti Compadres

3 Virginia Court, Glasgow, G1 1TS

With the odd Italian name Brutti Compadres, which translates into ugly friends or company, you should be careful to take only beautiful chums. The name may be Italian but food is Mediterranean in inspiration and mainly Spanish tapas in style. Tucked…

Maggie May's

60 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5EP

Located in the heart of the Trongate, Maggie May’s is known predominantly as a lively music spot and bar. The restaurant at the back of the venue offers ‘a wide variety of dishes with a twist of Scottish influence’, and is a good option if you are after…

Saint Judes

190 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4HG

This ivy-clad basement townhouse on the Bath St social hub is an interesting and attractive mix of bar/bistro and hotel with a dark and dangerous (especially when you trip on the way to the toliet) interior and a public yet surprisingly intimate…