Experience rustic, family style cooking at award-winning French restaurant La Garrigue. Sample the tastes of Languedoc at one of the most authentic restaurants in Edinburgh (Hitlisted in The List Eating & Drinking Guide 2012) or visit our fantastic little bistro in Leith.
Restaurants, Bistros & brasseries and "Edinburgh"
- Hellers Kitchen
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Outside Catering - Urban Angel
Urban Angel use local, organic and fairly traded produce in a cool environment - The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
At the Magnum we combine Scotland's best local ingredients with traditional flavours - Whighams Wine Cellars
Whighams is one of Edinburgh's leading wine bars and restaurants
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
‘Pink fur potatoes’ is probably a typo, but with a wine list that describes a South African chenin as ‘like falling from a white-water raft whilst passing through a peach grove’, all bets are off. The Outsider buzzes. A suspended mezzanine hovers over a…
The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
With its Gallic flair for gluttony and enough wine on hand to raise the level of the Loire, this Thistle Street bar is aptly named. Oenophiles will be bowled over by a menu that offers some 42 wines, by the glass alone, and – if you really want to show…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Monteiths’ discreet menu board at the head of one of the Royal Mile’s darker closes is easily missed. But don’t, because this subterranean bar and restaurant’s low-key Scottish style is a welcome antidote to the energetic tartanry to be found nearby.
The Basement Bar and Restaurant
10–12a Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
Situated below street level, this bar looks like the sort of place American sitcom characters would head for after a hard day’s mirth-making, thanks to the obligatory neon sign, mustard-coloured walls and staff dressed in Hawaiian shirts. It could be…
The Apartment Bistro
7–13 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
The Apartment has been going strong since 1999, and its 2010 refurb seems to have rebooted things nicely. Here, ‘modern bistro’ means seasonality and an evolving menu, as evidenced by a neat little daily set menu, plus specials. A starter of pork…
Favorit
19–20 Teviot Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QZ
Favorit is a late night diner for the young and hip and – most importantly – for those with the munchies. Black and white chequered tiles, retro tables and benches and a large, red neon Favorit sign set the scene. All that's missing is Pulp Fiction's…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town claims to be the place that ‘started it all’. ‘It’ is using quality Scottish produce to produce excellent eating at reasonable prices. Oh, and in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere too. Nearly 15 years on, this Room is still bang on…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
For all that it is tucked at the far end of a side-street, Iglu has established an enviable profile, priding itself on serving seasonal, locally-sourced, organic and wild foods in the cosy upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar area. Proving high…
Wildfire Restaurant and Grill
192 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4AZ
There’s nothing wild about Wildfire. That’s an excellent thing. This little gem – nine tables in a cosy space – is worth discovering at the Charlotte Square end of Rose Street for its lack of pretension and gimmick. With a core steak-and-seafood…
The Honours
58a North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3LU
There was little doubt that a brasserie developed under the keen eye of Martin Wishart, Edinburgh's advocate of French cuisine, was going to be something special. Taking over the Castle Street site once home to Tony's Table, Wishart’s team have turned…
Blue Moon Café
1 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
On a corner off Broughton Street this gay-friendly diner serves up simple hearty food at reasonable prices. Lunch is a particularly good deal with main courses all under £6. Daily specials include a couple of soups, which might be a velvety smooth leek…
Restaurant Mark Greenaway at No 12 Picardy Place
12 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
Mark Greenaway’s take on dining is unashamedly modern. With deconstructed creations, foams, smokes and multi-ingredient theatrics aplenty, this is a sophisticated, highly confident offering. A starter of Loch Fyne crab cannelloni is a good introduction…
Spoon Café Bistro
6a Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Home life getting you down? Move here. Seriously. It’s open from 10am till 10pm, serving everything from morning rolls through to a three-course dinner. There’s free wi-fi. People bring you drinks. The furniture is cool kitsch-retro-chic. If only the…
1780
167 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4LS
Formerly known as the Bad Ass Bistro, this Rose Street pub has a dusky but snug interior, with walls peopled with iconic photos of the twentieth century’s good and great, making for a slightly clichéd yet classic pub vibe. Although 1780 seems to be in…
The Doric Tavern
15/16 Market Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DE
The self-proclaimed oldest gastro pub in Edinburgh is due for a refurbishment in 2011 that will hopefully see the currently rather bland décor raised to the same standard as the really rather good food. The menu mixes pub grub staples with some more…
Opal Lounge
51 George Street, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2HT
This labyrinthine, subterranean bar/restaurant below George Street is a stylish venue for a meal, a quiet drink, or, very late in the day, a spot of clubbing. The mood is funky and très chic, with a motif of hot-pink and 1970s stylised flowers - the…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
A cheery atmosphere awaits in a Room in the West End in the basement under Teuchters pub in William Street. With its red walls, chunky furniture and three wee booths at the back if you want a bit of privacy, the style is informal. Here you’ll find…
Bar 50
50 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1NE
Set inside a shiny modern hostel and marketing itself squarely at its backpacker residents and the students from the halls next door, Bar 50 is the kind of place it’s easy to walk past. While not exactly a hidden gem, its location and focus on cheap…
The Boat House
22 High Street,
South Queensferry,
City of Edinburgh,
EH30 9PP
The undisputed gem in South Queensferry’s culinary crown, The Boat House has great Rail Bridge views, relaxed surrounds and a confident, creative pair of hands in the kitchen. Split into two parts – with a newly renovated seating area upstairs sans…
Hellers Kitchen
15 Salisbury Place,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SL
Richard and Michelle Heller have moved on from the popular New Bell in Causewayside, and Hellers Kitchen (previously their second string) is now basking in the full focus of their attention. It’s your typical friendly wee neighbourhood bistro, but…
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
With its prime waterfront setting, complete with large wooden conservatory, outdoor dining terrace and even a small floating pontoon, the Leith outpost of the 'A Room In …' chain is a busy and buzzing destination. There is more than a little European…
The Jam House
5 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JE
Dusky purple lights cast romantic shadows on the walls of this funky, jazz-centric venue once occupied by BBC Scotland. Guests dine on the balcony above the main stage where soulful musicians entertain throughout the evening. A fixed-price set menu with…
Metropole
33 Newington Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QR
Taken over recently by the folks who make Canonmills’ Circle Café go round so nicely, the improvements at Metropole are clear. Always a pleasant, airy space, the mix and match floral crockery remains, as do the diner-style booths, though they’ve been…
110 Restaurant
Genting Club, 124 Dundee Street, Fountainpark,
Edinburgh,
EH11 1AF
Genting Club Fountainpark was formerly known as Edinburgh Circus Casino.
Situated at Fountainpark in the heart of the Capital, moments from Edinburgh Castle, you will be sure to have a fantastic time.
Whether you are planning to celebrate a night…
Chez Jules
109 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
It's twenty years since the plain but distinctive red-and-yellow colour scheme of Pierre Victoire off-shoot Chez Jules first appeared in Edinburgh. Its comeback over the last couple of years – first on Hanover Street then, towards the end of 2010, a…
The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
A dark wooden staircase flanked by statues of the owner’s dogs takes you up to two atmospheric Georgian dining rooms. Low lit by candles, the restaurant is simply furnished with old-school wooden tables and chairs, and of course pictures of those dogs.
Hotel du Vin
11 Bristo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EZ
Fact: eating out is way nicer than eating in. Or at least it is when the people who bring your food and pour your drinks are really, really lovely. This is well understood in Hotel du Vin, where the service is full of personality and pretty much…
Urban Angel
1 Forth Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JX
Seasonal, local and organic are the buzz words for these bright, informal, modern bistros. A high proportion of the menu is made up of daily specials making the most of what produce is best that day. A nourishing parsnip soup is enlivened with mustard…
Elliot's Restaurant
Apex Hotel, Waterloo Place, 23–27 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BH
Competing with hundreds of bars and eateries, it’s a hard-knock life for hotel restaurants in Edinburgh. Elliot’s, part of the Apex chain’s Waterloo Place hotel, does its best to keep guests in and even tempt the locals along with some smart deals…
Home Bistro
41 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
Quite why owners Richard Logan and Rowland Thomson chose to homage the seventies with their charming bistro isn’t clear, though the wallpaper, trio of flying ducks and elongated wooden antelopes are endearingly quirky. But the nostalgia ends right where…
Le Monde
16 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PF
If you’re an Edinburgh WAG looking for a bite to eat before a night on the town with your footballer boyfriend, Le Monde will be one of your first choices. The world is your oyster in this boutique hotel with international themed bedrooms, dining areas…
North Bridge Brasserie
20 North Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1YT
If you wish a little 19th-century grandeur with your dinner, the North Bridge Brasserie will fit the bill. Now a hotel but originally the home of the Scotsman newspaper, dark wood panelling and marble columns give a period feel, while the adjacent bar…
Teuchters Landing
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
The pub sister of the A Room In… chain of restaurants, both Teuchters are directly connected to the Leith and West End branches of the restaurant. As if offering a frankly stunning range of alcohol (over 90 single malts in Teuchters; a wealth of…
The Cellar Door
44–46 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
Located on the Old Town's busy George IV Bridge, the Cellar Door dishes up sweet treats and coffee in a small street-level patisserie, while hidden from view downstairs is the restaurant. The unassuming interior has high ceilings, warm beige walls and…
Rick’s
55a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
A stalwart of Edinburgh’s style bar scene for over a decade, Rick’s is gently re-inventing itself with accessible, casual dining at its heart. The space works well, divided by banquettes and wood panels into lots of cosy nooks and crannies, all…
Smoke Stack
53–55 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
A meat-lovers’ mecca since 1996, Smoke Stack reinforces its menu’s focus on beef with its spartan interior, the deep-crimson walls visually echoing the shade of a quiveringly rare fillet steak. While there are salads, fajitas and a few vegetarian…
The Terrace Brasserie
Royal Terrace Hotel, 18–22 Royal Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5AQ
Situated on one of the grandest Georgian streets in Edinburgh is the dining-room of the Royal Terrace Hotel. The concise menu features some interesting ideas that lift it above the usual brasserie fare. For starters the soft sweetness of the scallops is…
Toast
146 Marchmont Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1AQ
Marchmont's residents have been withholding information from the rest of the city: they have jealously guarded the fact that Toast, tucked up at the top of Marchmont Road, is such a delight. It's understandable, given that queues for seats in the small…
E:S:I - Englishman, Scotsman and an Irishman
46 Queen Charlotte Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 7EX
Located just off the Links this modern split-level bistro draws in both Leith professionals and passing visitors. The restaurant’s name is a reference to the nationalities of the guys behind the venture: the Scotsman has since left, the Englishman is…
Indigo Yard
7 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
While not as conspicuously trendy as some of its West End neighbours, Indigo Yard’s exposed walls and unusual shape create a cosy, cave-like feel – although at weekends it can be cramped. It’s a popular spot for a tipple, with 15 beers on tap, another…
Iris
47a Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
It’s hard to leave Thistle Street without eating a great meal somewhere, but Iris easily holds its own in this competitive neighbourhood in which every square foot of restaurant space is put to work. Here, however, soft panelling and carpeting in a…
Ivory Lounge
126–128 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
For an after-work drink and bite to eat the Ivory Lounge is a comfortable option. A flamboyant entrance with patterned mirrors and upholstered seating gives way to a large bar and dining area. Part of a chain of similar bars, the interior is a…
Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar
5b Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
An up-to-date review of Maxies will appear here shortly …
One Square
1 Festival Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9SR
The Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa may struggle to call itself the loveliest looking hotel in Edinburgh, but it does have an outlook to rival its fellow big hitters. You can make the most of it at the rooftop Spa or, now, the revamped bar and brasserie…
Porto & Fi on the Mound
9 North Bank Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LP
Those who cherish Porto and Fi's café in Newhaven will feel right at home in this city centre offshoot. The morning rolls and muffins, gorgeously Bunterish home-made cakes plus dishes adaptable to a light lunch or hearty supper are all here. But while…
The Shore Bar & Restaurant
3 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QW
Down by the water in Leith this dark wood-paneled bar is strong on seafood, served by attentive staff in a pub that has retained is character and friendly informal atmosphere. Loch Fyne oysters taste as fresh as the crest of a wave, sweet and plump and…
Tigerlily
125 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Tigerlily is the flagship venue for the Montpelier Group, a set of well-liked, bold restaurants and bars in the city, centred around this boutique hotel, restaurant and bar on George Street. The restaurant layout is charmingly haphazard, with mismatched…
Urban Angel
121 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
Seasonal, local and organic are the buzz words for these bright, informal, modern bistros. A high proportion of the menu is made up of daily specials making the most of what produce is best that day. A nourishing parsnip soup is enlivened with mustard…
The Voodoo Rooms
19a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
While the food may not claim as much focus as the music, events and super-smashing cocktail list in the sexy, sultry and edgy Voodoo Rooms, it's more than just an afterthought. Tucked beside the main bar, a small, black linen and leather restaurant…
