La Garrigue has been named as the Scottish regional winner of the Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year. Featured on Ramsey's Best Restaurants Gordon described La Garrigue as an "amazing little bistro". Come along and sample the flavours of the Languedoc at either in Edinburgh's New Town or City Centre.
Restaurants, Bistros & brasseries and "Edinburgh"
Sorted by place / most viewed. Showing 25, 50, 100 per page.
- Spoon
Spoon brilliantly fills the gap between the casualness of a cafe and the formality of a restaurant - Urban Angel
Urban Angel use local, organic and fairly traded produce in a cool environment - The Boat House
Fresh local seafood with world class views! - The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
At the Magnum we combine Scotland's best local ingredients with traditional flavours
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
If you pitch up here late or without booking, it may be wise to have a plan B. On sunny days, the waterside tables outside fill up fast with people enjoying a platter of mussels and a well chosen glass, while for chillier occasions, there’s candle…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town resembles the well known and colourful mural lining its main wall more often than one suspects. High jinks and merriment co-exist alongside locals having a casual meal in the simply furnished and softly lit, long dining room. Staff…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
The 'Room in the…' chain has won considerable popularity in Edinburgh thanks to unpretentious surroundings, fulsome food and that rare beauty, a BYO policy. The West End branch, a snug basement beneath the frequently rowdy Teuchter’s pub on William…
Agenda
92/98 Corstorphine Road,
Edinburgh,
EH12 8AT
Glass-fronted and set back from St John's Road on the main Corstorphine drag, Agenda is a bar, restaurant and hotel. In the comfy bar area, which contains scattered leather sofas, you'll find a younger crowd drinking and listening to the latest tunes.
Agua
Apex City Hotel, 61 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JF
The leading restaurant in the set of three Apex Hotels in Edinburgh, Agua, as the name implies, offers some piscine-influenced dining. The loss of the fresh crustacean menu is a bitter blow, but the canny owners of Agua have racked up the ambition of…
Amicus Apple
17 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EY
For five years now, Amicus Apple has been the preferred venue of many for after-work cocktails. The bar, which also has outdoor seating, is decked out with comfortable sofas and bright lighting to help overcome its subterranean feel without detracting…
The Apartment Bistro
7–13 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
The Apartment Bistro, older sibling to the Outsider restaurant, has completed its first year since a radical overhaul of both interior and menu. Deep red walls, low hanging pendant lamps and mismatched canteen chairs create a stylish and intimate vibe.
Bar 50
50 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1NE
Edinburgh's Smart City Hostel is in the heart of the Old Town and offers budget accommodation for visitors and students. Bar 50 is their popular restaurant and drinking den sited in an expansive basement that opens out onto the Cowgate (with some…
The Basement Bar and Restaurant
10–12a Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RH
While the bustle of city life proceeds at street level, down below, and largely hidden from view, drinkers in this traditional bar sip beers from around the world, whether it’s the local Innis & Gunn or far-travelled favourites Corona and Tiger.
Bia Bistrot
19 Colinton Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 5DP
Bia Bistrot is the brainchild of Franco-Irish couple Matthias and Roisin Llorente, who bring their experience of cooking in top flight (including Michelin-starred) kitchens around the world to this cosy but classic Edinburgh bistro. Their passion and…
Bigos
277 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8PD
There is a home-spun image created by the rough hewn wooden word 'Bigos' nailed on to the front of this tiny restaurant. And despite the dangerous looking agricultural implements and animal skins hanging on the walls, Bigos does without doubt have a…
Bijou
2 Restalrig Road,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8BN
If not quite a diamond in the rough, Bijou is certainly a lovely find in an unlikely locale. This low-key café/bistro by Leith Links is frequented by locals and intrepid visitors for breakfast, lunch, dinner and take-away. The tiny kitchen dishes up…
Bisque Bar & Brasserie
Bruntsfield Hotel, 69 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HH
Nestled in the basement of the Bruntsfield Hotel, Bisque offers a busy bar and separate restaurant frequented by a mix of hotel guests, locals and families from both camps. The contemporary boutique-style interior feels a little dated and hard-edged…
Blonde
75 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QR
Sunlit by summer’s day and candle-lit by winter’s night, Blonde’s stylish-but-plain premises can feel a little harsh with its hard surfaces and basic wooden chairs. However, this lack of luxury is quickly overshadowed when the comfort food arrives.
Blue Moon Café
36 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SB
It's hard to believe, but Broughton Street's Blue Moon Café, located in the heart of Edinburgh’s gay scene, has been a lively social hub for over 30 years. A few things have altered over time. The Broughton Street wing is now a separate diner…
The Boat House
22 High Street,
South Queensferry,
City of Edinburgh,
EH30 9PP
There is much to enjoy in this waterfront South Queensferry gem. Ambitious owner and head chef Paul Steward has conjured up a bijou cocktail bar that tempts at street level. Downstairs, floor to ceiling windows offer views of the dramatic iron sweep of…
The Bon Vivant
55 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
The Bon Vivant is a stylish and well-stocked bar where the innovative cocktails are expertly made and the wine list is huge (44 available by the glass including 12 champagnes). Dark walls and candlelight set the scene, and amid the cosiness are decks…
Browns Restaurant and Bar
131–133 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JS
Browns is the only Scottish branch of a well-established chain that installs its popular brasserie template in historic buildings around the UK. Their mission, from conception in the 1970s, was to offer 'classic food, well-delivered in a stylish…
Café Cassis
Salisbury Hotel, Salisbury Road,
Edinburgh,
EH16 5AA
Newington newcomer Café Cassis is doing its bit to transform the much-maligned image of the hotel dining room. Out go pink tablecloths and warm, sweet wine, in comes laid-back bistro cooking with a strong French accent and one of the best outdoor…
Café Grande
184 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DF
Perhaps it's the red with yellow trim colour scheme, or the asymmetric arrangement of rickety tables, but there is something vaguely down-at-heel Gallic about Café Grande. Edinburgh scenes (for sale) dot the walls of this rough-round-the-edges…
Cafe Hub
Castlehill, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NE
Home of the Edinburgh International Festival, this lofty and imposing former church at the top of the Royal Mile is almost the last stop before Edinburgh Castle. It houses a box office, a rather splendid main hall (which hosts weddings, business events…
Café Rouge
43 Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EP
The name conjures up a cosy bistro on La Rive Gauche. Yet, while the chansons belt forth from the stereo and the menu features a handful of familiar regional specialities such as boeuf bourguignon, there's nothing particularly intimate about Café…
Carrubbers Restaurant
Radisson SAS Hotel, 80 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1TH
Located on the Royal Mile Itchycoo's stylish interior and vivid chandeliers is reflected in its striking sociable "palette" dining concept which provides an array of tantalising platters to mix or share. If you're ravenous this posh tapas notion may…
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…
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…
Diner 7
7 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JA
In the fiercely competitive dining scene around Leith’s Shore, Diner 7 carves a nice little niche offering affordable dining in laid-back surroundings. Freed of any pressure to chase Michelin stars or grandiose gourmet ambitions, the cheery team focus…
The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
It’s no surprise the Dogs is the perfect refuge for diners in austere times. Born amid the credit crunch, its no-frills, back-to-culinary-basics formula is well-honed. Dishes rarely stray above £10, even in the evening. Beyond cost, there’s ample…
The Dome Grill Room
14 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PF
It’s hard to imagine a grander and more elegant venue than The Dome. The Grill Room, with its stunning ceiling, mosaic floor and stained glass windows is ideal for chi-chi lunches while the stylish Club Room makes a fine setting for more low-key…
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…
Double Dutch
27–29 Marshall Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BJ
Under new management since the summer of 2008, but still trading under the same name, any former Dutch influence which this café boasted has long since disappeared. There’s plenty to take its place, although it could be argued that the extensiveness of…
Elliot's Restaurant
Apex Waterloo Place Hotel, 23–27 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BH
Elliot’s – the brasserie of the upmarket Apex Waterloo Hotel – makes a strong first impression, with helpful, smiley service and clean, restrained décor. The restaurant serves a short selection of brassiere classics both à la carte and in a variety of…
E:S:I - Englishman, Scotsman and an Irishman
46 Queen Charlotte Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 7EX
E:S:I’s multi-level dining room in an old Leith building mixes contemporary fittings with a healthy dose of character. The service is a masterclass in easygoing charm, though it can be tricky to catch a waiter’s attention from tables on the mezzanine.
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…
First Coast
97–101 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AB
The board outside describes First Coast as a Scottish restaurant, but a quick glance at the eclectic menu reveals the diversity that, combined with consistently high quality, keeps this friendly neighbourhood bistro perennially popular. A great value…
La Fontana
1 Howard Street, Canonmills, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5JP
The arrival of La Fontana in mid-2006 continues the Mediterranean tradition for this prominent, but ever-changing Canonmills site. The neon 'Ristorante Italiano' sets the tone for a faux-brick bar and rousing Italian pop music. There are more than two…
Forth Floor Brasserie
Harvey Nichols, 30–34 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AD
Press four in Harvey Nicks’ lift and you’ll be elevated to a whole floor dedicated to foodie delights. Among these, the Forth Floor Brasserie is slick and sophisticated, from the voice taking bookings to the delivery of the bill. In-between, there’s a…
Good Seed Bistro
101/102 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2DW
A relative newcomer to Dalry Road’s lively dining scene, the Good Seed Bistro fills its cosy corner site with warm hospitality. An arty ethos is reflected in the paintings adorning the candlelit burgundy walls and occasional music, poetry and…
Hadrian's Brasserie
The Balmoral, 1 Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EQ
With its chartreuse walls, walnut finishes and crisp linens Hadrian’s oozes refined elegance. The service is as slick and professional as you’d expect from the five star setting of the Balmoral Hotel. The menu showcases fine Scottish produce in a…
Hellers Kitchen
15 Salisbury Place,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SL
Richard and Michelle Heller, the husband-and-wife team behind the long-popular New Bell, are well on their way to replicating the success of their original venture. Whether it is office workers perching with coffee and a sandwich, or locals enjoying…
Home Bistro
41 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
Home is both the name and theme of this lovely little bistro close to the University. Tongue gently in cheek, its neat 'front room' is graced with a flight of flying ducks and handsome pair of china dogs. The domestic kitsch concept extends to a…
The Honours
58a North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3LU
In a city packed with restaurants and a respectable array of upmarket and glitzy places to eat, The Honours brings something new to Edinburgh. It is not fine dining, nor fine-dining lite, nor pastiche French. Rather, it's a classic metropolitain…
Hotel du Vin
11 Bristo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EZ
You might be in central Edinburgh, but this is one bistro with a strong French accent. Classic dishes are present and correct: French onion soup, onglet steak, coq au vin, boudin blanc and so on. And the vin, oh the vin…..over 700 choices. The…
The Hudson Hotel
7–11 Hope Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4EL
On first appearance there is very little to lift the Hudson out of that popular subcategory of pub that should perhaps be termed 'elegant Edinburgh bars that also serve food'. Like so many it is a haven of shining dark wood, subtle lighting and…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
The name Iglu suggests a frostiness that couldn’t be further from reality in this warm and welcoming eatery. Iglu’s ethical approach to food and drink is worn large and its daily-changing menu of locally sourced, seasonal and welfare-rich food is…
Indigo Yard
7 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
Tucked away up a cobbled street in the West End, Indigo Yard is a regular haunt for a mixed clientele, whether it’s workers seeking refreshment after a hard day’s graft or diners drawn by its well-earned reputation for a consistently high standard of…
Iris
47a Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
The New Town location naturally lends itself to business lunches and out-of-hours socialising, but a keenly priced lunch offer, imaginative à la carte and new Sunday brunch menu make Iris a genuinely crowd pleasing, mid-range all-rounder. A main course…
Itchycoo Bar & Kitchen
80 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1TH
Midway down the Royal Mile is the Itchycoo Bar and Kitchen, part of the four-star Radisson Blu Hotel. Large chandeliers hang above sleek leather furniture in the spacious dining area. Coffee and pastries are served from 9am daily. A lounge menu is…
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…
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…
Katie's Diner
12 Barclay Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HP
It’s a fine establishment that can pull off relaxed ambience with sophisticated flair, but Katie’s Diner does just that, attracting as many loyal locals as curious passers-by. With a lip-smackingly good menu, husband and wife team Geoff and Kate Ness…
Kyloe Restaurant & Grill
The Rutland Hotel, 1–3 Rutland Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2AE
No, Kyloe is not Edinburgh’s latest culinary temple to all things far eastern. Here, they worship something closer to home. Kyloe is Gaelic for ‘highland cow’ and it’s beef that gets top billing at this self-styled ‘gourmet steak restaurant’ in the…
Leith Lynx
100-102 Constitution Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6AW
Leith Lynx is open once again as of summer 2011 under new ownership.
The Living Room
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Tucked behind the Living Room’s contemporary piano bar, the restaurant’s dark wood and potted palms create a welcoming, informal ambience, while the vanilla leather booths are ideal for romantic liaisons or conspiratorial office gossip. The lengthy…
The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
1 Albany Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3PY
Over thirty years The Magnum has become a sound New Town institution, providing a warm welcome in a cosy setting. Dark wood, soft fairy lights and simple décor (including some ancient skis), gently wash away the day’s worries alongside a pre-dinner…
Malmaison Brasserie
1 Tower Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 7DB
The Victorian pile that is Malmaison is certainly a statement building and, of a summer evening, the cobbled waterfront is ideal for a sundowner. In less clement weather, the brasserie is more inviting. Dark décor and wood give it an intimacy, and the…
Mansion House Bistro
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstor-phine Road,
Edinburgh,
EH12 6TS
Reappropriated from its previous use as a private members’ club within the last twelve months, this grand old house in the heart of Edinburgh Zoo is being put to work as a somewhat finer dining establishment than the other cafes scattered around the…
Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar
5b Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
An up-to-date review of Maxies will appear here shortly …
Metro Brasserie and Café Bar
Apex International Hotel, 31–35 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HS
Metro Brasserie fills the barn-like ground and basement floors of the Apex City Hotel in buzzing Grassmarket. Ground-floor diners eat at small window tables with views of the castle, while the basement level seems reserved for larger hen or birthday…
Metro West End Brasserie
Apex European Hotel, 90 Haymarket Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5LQ
Smart contemporary décor and the west end location of Metro Brasserie make it an obvious destination for business professionals and tourists alike, just a five-minute walk from Haymarket train station. The same menu applies for lunch and dinner, but…
Metropole
33 Newington Road,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QR
Walk into Metropole and you’re greeted by cheery red walls, bunting made from multi-coloured teabag sachets and if you’re in luck, lots of sun. Metropole is an old bank and a light, airy, comfortable place. There are cosy booths on the outside of the…
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…
Monster Mash
20 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
In April 2010, Monster Mash relocates a grand total of 15m up the road. But fans need not fear: the biggest change will simply be more space to spend your money. As 20 Forrest Road will see restaurant seating for 65, private dining for 25 and outdoor…
Monteiths
57–61 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SR
Leave behind the tartan tat of the High Street and descend into the underground world of Monteiths for a more palatable Scotland. Here, there’s a nod to the old, a wave to the new, a splash of glamour and swirl of hipness. The menu is good friends with…
Montpeliers
159–161 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DG
Bruntsfield institution Montpeliers describes itself as ‘the ideal local’, but this slick, style-conscious bar-brasserie would not be out of place in George Street. A refit has divided the place into distinct bar and brasserie spaces. There is a nod to…
Mums Great Comfort Food
4a Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
If your Mum’s Nigella or Delia, then the food here won’t thrill. Refined, it most definitely ain’t. This unpretentious spot on the edge of studentland is pretty basic. Straight-to-the-point staples such as bangers and mash, mighty pies and burgers are…
Negociants
45–47 Lothian Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1HB
Negociants celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year as one of the most popular bars among Edinburgh’s student population. Year-round the place bustles, particularly at weekends, while the Edinburgh Festival brings a tourist clientele attracted by…
North Bridge Brasserie
20 North Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1YT
Once you have flattened-out the rather fussy rolled-up menu, there is plenty of rewarding reading here for lunch or a night out. This brasserie in the former printing hall of The Scotsman newspaper is ideal for large groups, though there's plenty of…
Ocean Kitchen Bar & Grill
Ocean Terminal, Ocean Drive,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JJ
A shopping mall wouldn’t be everyone’s choice of an ideal dining experience, and slap bang in the middle of the main food court, Ocean Kitchen Bar & Grill isn’t the most atmospheric dining experience. However, if you’re lucky enough to get a seat…
Olive Branch Bistro
91 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RX
This Broughton Street neighbourhood bistro is adept at being most things to most people. From brunch till dinner, there’s a seasonally-influenced menu mixing Scottish ingredients with one or two mostly-Mediterranean influences. So, roast aubergine…
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…
Oscars Bar and Grill
1–2 Moat Place,
Edinburgh,
EH14 1NY
Considering its off-centre, primarily residential location, Oscars is a surprising find. Where perhaps a ‘Queen Vic’ style local is expected, the reality is more of a gastro-experience, with ambient lighting, comfortable seating and impressive…
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
Anyone who can weave references to Kermit, Dorothy Parker and cannibals into their wine list is not going to run a dull restaurant. The Outsider is definitely not a place for a quiet evening meal. It's upbeat and lively, but the menu works hard to…
Pink Olive
55–57 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
This neighbourhood bistro comes well recommended, impressing Joanna Blythman and Tam Cowan alike. Its charm is understandable, cooking appealing, prices reasonable. Drawing on a palate of North African and Mediterranean influences with a smattering of…
Porto & Fi
47 Newhaven Main Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 4NQ
That you will find the Newhaven-based Porto & Fi bustling on a rainy Tuesday night is surely testament to the success story it has become – a fact further recognised by their imminent expansion and the opening of another Porto space on The Mound in…
Porto & Fi on the Mound
9 North Bank Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LP
It's a nice spot – for a former mortgage office of the Bank of Scotland. Just off the Royal Mile, with its views over the New Town and beyond, you can imagine over-stretched buyers being given a tantalising vision of Edinburgh below, Last Temptation…
Reds
254 Portobello High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2AT
The sign reading ‘Six buggy limit’ says it all. If you live in Portobello and have small children, chances are you’ll know Reds and its large, soft cage – sorry, play frame – in the back room, where your offspring can slide and scamper while you eat or…
Café Renroc
91 Montgomery Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HZ
Few cafés offer the pleasures of a hot stone massage alongside your latte, but then Café Renroc (’Corner’ spelt backwards) is certainly not short of individuality. From the downstairs pampering spot to the funky furnishings, this is a comfortable home…
Restaurant Mark Greenaway at No 12 Picardy Place
12 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
Time to break out those designer threads. The chic cocktail and whisky bars at No. 12 Picardy Place (formerly known as Hawke and Hunter), the five-storey townhouse at the east end of York Place, have been drawing Edinburgh's glossy set for a while. But…
Rick’s
55a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
Boutique hotel, cocktail bar and restaurant rolled into one, Rick's slots in comfortably amid the upscale drinking venues that populate the George Street vicinity. A few steps below street-level, the low-ceilinged interior has a ‘designer’ vibe with a…
Samphire Seafood Bar and Grill at Orocco Pier
17 High Street,
South Queensferry,
City of Edinburgh,
EH30 9PP
The traditional, whitewashed façade of this former coaching inn in South Queensferry gives little away. Pull back the doors, though, and you'll find polished hardwoods, black-clad staff, funky circular booths, cosy sofas – and a breathtaking view.
Santo's Bistro
23 Canning Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8EG
This cheerful, split-level café is tucked in beside office buildings and buzzes at lunchtime. Family-run, it serves up colourful well seasoned salads and soups at a fast pace and reasonable price. The speed of service means there is plenty of time to…
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 Shore Bar & Restaurant
3 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QW
Dark wood panelling, red brocade banquettes and twinkling candles give a timeless feel to this classic Leith bar and restaurant. The closely-spaced tables and dim lighting can feel either wonderfully romantic or perhaps a little too intimate, depending…
Sky Bar & Grill
Ocean Terminal, Victoria Dock,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6JJ
Shopping malls and exquisite dining experiences don't immediately spring to mind as easy bedfellows. But this hasn't prevented the opening of an ambitious venture on the top floor of Edinburgh's Ocean Terminal. Sky Bar and Grill is a modern diner with…
Smoke Stack
53–55 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3RJ
Smoke Stack on Broughton Street has long been a popular stomping ground for the card carrying carnivore. Amid the simple, red interior and wooden furnishings, steaks and burgers are very much the order of the day, from the succulent rump and 10oz…
Spoon Café Bistro
6a Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Spoon sprawls like a loft apartment, fancifully furnished and decorated in a joyful jamboree of kitsch. Divided by screens into rambling room sets, students slouch over soup or tea, in easy conjecture over tutorial topics. In another corner a child is…
The Suburban Pantry
12 Hillhouse Road, Blackhall,
Edinburgh,
EH4 2AG
A family-run suburban bistro on the main road out of town towards the Forth Bridges and the north, the Suburban Pantry boasts a simple but well-executed menu which could hold its own were it on offer in the centre of the city. Its modern interior – far…
Sygn
15 Charlotte Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QZ
Sygn is Edinburgh’s textbook example of an achingly hip bar straight from a weekend style supplement with white-washed walls and pine furniture. The place bustles, with tables haphazardly jostled together and waistcoated staff attending to impeccably…
Tempus
25 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PB
Get on your gladdest rags and fight your way through the post-work pin-stripes in the bar of the George Hotel to its grandiose dining hall, where tweed-kilted waiters tend to celebratory groups and hotel residents of a certain age. Under a domed…
Ten Hill Place
10 Hill Place,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DS
A new chef and a revised menu could be just what the doctor ordered at this restaurant in the modern hotel owned by the rather more venerable Royal College of Surgeons. This might go some of the way to make it more of a destination for visitors, in…
The Terrace Brasserie
Royal Terrace Hotel, 18–22 Royal Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5AQ
The swirly carpet and rather dated pistachio wallpaper of the Terrace Brasserie come as a surprise after the smart reception area of the four-star Royal Terrace Hotel. The dining room's subdued atmosphere is lifted in the summer months when you can…
The Terrace Restaurant
The Sheraton Grand Hotel, 1 Festival Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9SR
The Terrace Restaurant at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa is closed for a full refurbishment and will reopen with a new restaurant concept in early 2012.
