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, Budget and "Edinburgh"
Sorted by place / most viewed. Showing 25, 50, 100 per page.
- El Bar
Edinburgh's only dedicated flamenco Spanish tapas bar! - The Canon's Gait
Impeccable gastro pub food, Royal Mile’s best real ale, with cellar bar available for hire - Gandhis
Edinburgh's very best Indian cuisine. Don't miss out. - The Standard
Fantastic food, an unbeatable atmosphere, staff and big-screen live sport
The Abbotsford
3 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PR
Many of Edinburgh’s traditional, independent pubs have disappeared in recent years, replaced by heavily branded chains. So, when a perennial favourite remains untouched, it must be doing something right. The Abbotsford continues to offer amicable…
Absolute Thai
22 Valleyfield Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LR
Tucked behind the King's Theatre, Absolute Thai is a hidden gem. Admittedly, first impressions may be a little less generous – the aesthetic is certainly skewed more towards unpretentious café than exclusive dining. However, this friendly, family-run…
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…
Amore Dogs
104 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
The first sight that greets diners is a huge picture of Botticelli’s Birth of Venus with the goddess replaced by a giant dog's head. It’s one of many homages to the owner David Ramsden’s beloved pets that inspired his dog-themed restaurants. Blond-wood…
Ann Purna
45 St Patrick's Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9ET
Having undergone a makeover in 2008, the white tablecloths, lace curtains and doilies that once gave Ann Purna the air of a 1950s living room have been replaced by an unfussy but smart, contemporary décor. The cosy St Patrick’s Square restaurant still…
Appetite Direct
42 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TH
Most of Appetite Direct’s business is outside catering, from small private dinners to weddings and gallery openings. So it follows that their shop is no run-of-the mill deli. It’s a wonder what they produce from the small kitchen every day: several…
Aspen Bar and Grill
66–67 South Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1LS
Since the previous owner left to concentrate on his political career, John Watt has taken on this established business as chef-proprietor, and changes are still in the offing. Attracting and students – who enjoy discounts – and city centre workers…
The Auld Hoose
23–25 St Leonards Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QN
If the key to a successful pub is being different, the Auld Hoose is guaranteed to thrive. The bare wooden floors, neutral walls and central bar all point to an atmosphere that is repeated across the city – but, on closer inspection, this place differs…
Avoca Bar & Grill
4-6 Dean Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LW
Just a few steps from the hurly burly of Stockbridge, Avoca attracts more drinkers than diners during the week but normally sees that trend reversed at weekends. A traditional wooden bar is the centrepiece, with stools, settees and a couple of window…
The Baked Potato Shop
56 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PB
The Baked Potato Shop has gained legendary status for keeping the crowds on the Royal Mile well-fed during the month of August. But it isn’t just during the summer that they’re busy. Crisp-skinned and fluffy inside, the potatoes are served in small…
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…
Bar Roma
39a Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4RA
Set among a clutch of West End style bars, Bar Roma has packed its bright, roomy interior for three decades – seemingly without too much effort. The large, kitsch, plastic tree helps set a vibe that's low in pretension and high in conviviality; often…
Barioja
15-19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
The older establishment of the burgeoning Edinburgh tapas bar scene, Barioja remains a popular and central destination for diners looking for quick snacks or an evening meal. Its red-hued interior is fresh and modern, and makes a centre-piece of a…
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.
Beirut
24 Nicolson Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BX
Welcome to Edinburgh’s first Lebanese restaurant, which has a sleek modern interior, scenic views adorning the walls and the cream of Beirut’s music scene on the plasma screen. Sourcing Lebanese ingredients from suppliers in London, all dishes are…
Bell's Diner
7 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AN
If you're looking for proper quality fast food; plump and juicy burgers that sing with sweetness and steaming piles of chips, if you’re looking for a cosy restaurant with battered wooden furniture and soft lighting that exudes warmth and friendliness…
Bennets Bar
8 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LG
Established in 1875, Bennets feels reassuringly as if little has changed in over a century. This is not the place to come looking for lattes, cocktails or wi-fi. It is most definitely somewhere to come and see the original Victorian fittings of the…
Bennets of Morningside
1 Maxwell Street,
Edinburgh,
EH10 5FT
Not to be confused with the establishment of the same name located on Leven Street, this Bennets Bar is to be found on Maxwell Street in Morningside. With the same owners as The Cumberland Bar, Bennets is another very traditional pub specialising in…
B'est
16 Drummond Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9TX
Tucked around the corner from the Festival Theatre, B’est is one of those 'you know it or you don’t' type places. Unsurprisingly, due to its location and set-menu pricing structure it’s been discovered and nurtured by university students and staff. Due…
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…
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…
Black Bo's (Restaurant)
57–61 Blackfriars Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1NB
Black Bo’s is another restaurant which has graced the Edinburgh vegetarian scene for over 20 years. If this were to draw you to the conclusion that they must be doing something right you’d be spot on. The shabby chic bistro-style interior is…
Blackcherry Café
29 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HS
If it’s a hangover breakfast, pre-lecture fuel-up or lunch-hour pitstop that’s required, Black Cherry in the Grassmarket is there to satisfy. A tiny but cheery café serving breakfast rolls, sandwiches, wraps and bagels, coffee and cakes to students…
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.
The Blue Blazer
2 Spittal Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9DX
The Blue Blazer moniker may only have been in place since 1975 but there has been a pub on this site since 1889. This may account for how comfortably it sits among the books and bosoms of West Port, drawing a crowd as diverse as the surrounding art…
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 Blue Parrot Cantina
49 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AH
With 17 years of producing spicy delights from under its bejewelled wings the Parrot can lay claim to status as a Stockbridge institution and it’s easy to see why it has survived so long in locals' affections. The menu may not stray too far from…
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…
Bond No. 9
84 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
With an upmarket focus on champagnes and cocktails, Bond No. 9 seeks to provide Leith’s residents and visitors with something different to other watering holes in the area, and succeeds in attracting a stylish and diverse clientele. Classic cocktails…
Bonoful
13–17 Brighton Place,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1LH
Situated in Portobello, Bonoful has successfully built a reputation among regulars, and as word spreads is attracting custom from further afield. With a pristine modern minimalist interior, the menu specialises in Bangladeshi food but also includes…
Bonsai Bar Bistro
46 West Richmond St,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DZ
Pruning. An under-rated skill, but in the world of tiny trees – as in Japanese restaurants – a vital one. Luckily they have it in spades at Bonsai, with a commendably focused menu that doesn’t try to cover too many bases. And, where they do go in for…
Brazilian Sensation
117–119 Buccleuch Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9NG
From the outside, Brazilian Sensation looks unprepossessing, even puzzling, with its life-size bikini-clad model perched in the window. Inside, this restaurant – unique in Scotland – serves hot and cold snacks including the typically Brazilian pão de…
BrewDog Edinburgh
143–145 Cowgate,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JS
Love or hate the aggressive branding aesthetic of young Fraserburgh-based brewery BrewDog, it’s impossible to deny that their brash signature beers like Trashy Blonde, Punk IPA and 5AM Saint have blown a whole nest of cobwebs from the national real ale…
Britannia Spice
150 Commercial Street, Ocean Drive,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LB
Britannia Spice is located in a rather austere converted whisky bond. Behind the stony façade, however, is a bright and open space containing long tables for large parties as well as a mezzanine and corner booths for intimate dining. The restaurant is…
Broughton Delicatessen
7 Barony Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6PD
Recently voted among the top 50 delis in the UK, this little deli/café champions the relaxed, community-based ethos of Broughton Street. There’ll be no pursed lips if you sit all day over your coffee and a book, there’s no BYOB corkage, and regular…
Café Domenico
30 Sandport Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6EP
Café Domenico may be a stone’s throw from Leith shore’s Michelin-studded gastro corner but it's a million miles from its swish neighbours in style. The interior is mostly narrow and hall-like, covered in space-enhancing mirrors, and there’s little else…
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 Lucia
Edinburgh Festival Theatre, 13/29 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9FT
The Festival Theatre’s spacious ground-floor bar has long been a place to gather for a pre-concert drink, catch-up with friends or spot of people watching through the giant windows. It might not be the first place in the area that springs to mind for a…
Café Nom de Plume
60 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SA
Café Nom de Plume is a welcome addition to a street already lined with bars, cafés and restaurants setting the standard high. Both LGBT and straight-friendly, it’s a haven of chilled-out homeliness from the moment you step through the door. The décor…
Café Royal Circle Bar
19 West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
The Café Royal Circle Bar has been in business since the latter part of the 19th century and its timeless appeal still brings throngs through the door. Stained-glass windows, huge mirrors and Victorian plasterwork surround the enormous wooden bar…
The Caley Sample Room
42–58 Angle Park Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2JR
Proximity to Tynecastle and Murrayfield stadiums has long made this bar a busy watering den but recent years have seen a more serious food offering emerge, making this a very worthwhile venue all week and not just on match days. The bare brick wall and…
The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JB
The Cambridge Bar has long been known for its fine ales, and continues to offer more than 30 from around the world, together with guest beers from Scottish micro breweries. Tucked away in a cobbled thoroughfare running parallel to George Street and…
The Canon's Gait
232 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8DQ
Located further down the Royal Mile than the plethora of bars and restaurants surrounding St Giles, the Canon’s Gait is a stone’s throw away from the Palace of Holyrood at the bottom. The gilt lettering and rich red exterior are difficult to miss, and…
Celadon
49–51 Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QF
Celadon’s façade may well be unassuming to the point of anonymity, but to walk on by is to miss a treat. Inside is a gloriously unfussy and welcoming restaurant that manages to combine simplicity and style without ever making a big deal of it. Sit on a…
Chang Thai
29 Cockburn Street, 1 Craig's Close,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BN
Chang Thai is the sort of place you stumble across by happy chance. Quite literally, if you aren’t careful – it’s hidden in a wynd down a sharp flight of stone steps between Cockburn and Market Streets. It’s worth the risk of a sprained ankle though…
Channings Restaurant
12–16 South Learmonth Gardens, Comely Bank,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1EZ
This townhouse hotel, part of which was formerly the home of explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, is located a mile or so west of the city centre in a quiet residential street in Comely Bank. The restaurant and bars are in the basement and there’s a small…
Chop Chop
76 Commercial Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
With a hugely successful restaurant, a wholesale operation and TV appearances with Gordon Ramsay under her belt, Jian Wang’s Chop Chop is already a success story. It stands to reason that expansion was on the cards, and as such the Leith branch has…
Chop Chop
248 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
Be sure to phone up in advance of heading to Chop Chop, not least because the well-lit, no-frills canteen is busy at the quietest of times. The newer Commercial Street incarnation, with its classical Chinese prints and more clinical décor, generates a…
City Café
19 Blair Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QR
Things have been a-changing at the City Café in the last year or so. Glittery, red laminated tables, leather booths and a jukebox evoke the kitschy glamour of a classic American diner, and the food at City Café is made to match. Starters big enough to…
Classic's
10 Windsor Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5JR
Classics restaurant is hidden away in the basement of the Cairn Hotel, but don’t let the unprepossessing location put you off. And don’t be distracted by the incongruous piped muzak that plays on a loop while you study the menu. The food is of prime…
The Clay Oven
86 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4BY
A steady stream of business flocks to this neighbourhood restaurant, and passing trade is not the secret. Loyal Morningside residents provide the mainstay for success in an establishment where pristine white linen tablecloths and handsomely uniformed…
The Cloisters
26 Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JH
Situated in an old church in Tollcross, Cloisters is a dependable, straight down the line pub. Here you will find an open fire, large solid wooden tables and a bunch of friendly locals enjoying a pint of ale from the well stocked bar. There isn’t a…
Cruz Bar and Restaurant
14 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
It tries to do lots of things with varying degrees of success, but no one can deny that Cruz is among the most distinctive drinking and dining venues to be found in Edinburgh. A First World War minesweeper boat permanently moored on the Water of Leith…
The Cumberland Bar
1-3 Cumberland Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6RT
Famed for its sunny beer garden and rightly so, The Cumberland is very much a New Town pub. Located slap bang in the centre of the heritage district, it specialises in cask ales and has eight fonts to choose from including Taylor’s Landlord and…
David Bann
56–58 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SX
They say that once you reach the top the only way is down, but this is far from the case for David Bann who, for almost ten years, has been at the forefront of vegetarian dining in Edinburgh. There are no vegetarian clichés to be found here, only…
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…
Divino Enoteca
5 Merchant Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QD
The enoteca wine bar is one of the great joys of visiting Italy, and since June 2010 Edinburgh has had its own slice of Milan hidden below George IV Bridge. Nestled in a stripped-down basement in the Old Town, Divino is stylishly fitted out in chrome…
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…
Dragon Way
74–78 South Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PT
Dragon Way is certainly not your run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant. Yes, the friendly staff serve up generous portions of shredded duck rolls and sesame prawn toast, spicy Lar Chee beef and slightly-less-spicy Cheung Bau chicken. And yes, you can get…
Earl of Marchmont
22 Marchmont Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1HG
A biannual facelift due in April 2011 may see the décor spruced up but otherwise it is business as usual as the Earl continues to serve as both child-friendly café and student watering hole. In its café guise it offers freshly squeezed orange juice…
Ecco Vino
19 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BP
Edinburgh’s wine bar scene might be expanding, but this intimate cubby hole on Cockburn Street has a decade on all of them. Ecco Vino is firmly Italian in its menu: generous plates of antipasti share a billing with enticing fish and meat dishes, pastas…
El Bar
6–8 Howden Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9HL
It’s a tapas diner, it’s a friendly local bar and, in an interesting twist, it’s a dance studio on the side. El Bar might be just one part of Alba Flamenca’s Southside corner premises (at one time a more old-fashioned local bar), but this sleek and…
El Quijote
13a Brougham Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JS
The most recent opening on Edinburgh’s Spanish dining scene is also a strong contender for being the best. Although the boxy storefront premises aren’t the most versatile, a full bookshelf sporting the eponymous Don Quixote and a basket of imported…
Elbow
133–135 East Claremont Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4JA
Moving to the New Town just to adopt a local bar might be a tad unrealistic, but those who find themselves cosseted in Elbow’s warm and friendly embrace might just consider it. The sleekly modern décor is jazzed up by a marvellous giant disco ball…
The Elephant House
21 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EN
Perhaps hoping that diners will be distracted by its association with the boy wizard and his chums, the erstwhile haunt of JK Rowling appears to lavish more attention on its Potter-themed loos than it does on its food. While, admittedly, it has…
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…
Empires
24 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SU
Family run and with the emphasis on fresh, simple Turkish dishes, Empires is like another world just off the Royal Mile. With a custom-built and beautifully carved interior on two cosy levels, this magical space is adorned with traditional rugs…
The Espy
62–64 Bath Street, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1HF
This easy-going bar has become a popular Portobello local since opening in 2008. Now serving breakfasts ranging from ‘Builder’s crack’ tea and toast to ‘Eggs Benny’ it is now possible to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this unpretentious bar all day…
Falko (Konditormeister)
185 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4DG
Whether it’s the midweek ladies who lunch or the young professionals who come here for a weekend brunch, Bruntsfield’s Falko enjoys a loyal following. Functioning first as a delicious bread and cake shop, German-born Falko Burkert has shown how humble…
La Favorita
325–331 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
The hectic craft of kneading and folding pizza dough is the first thing you see on entering this busy Leith Walk eatery. Walk past the front counter, through the lively, three-pronged dining area, and you'll notice most diners are working their way…
Filmhouse Café Bar
88 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BZ
The Filmhouse has been Edinburgh’s home of independent and arthouse cinema for many years, and its café-bar has long been a place to meet fellow cinephiles and chew over the plot with a pint. Just as the cinema itself is like an old friend to many, so…
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…
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…
Gandhi's
50 East Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9BH
The lack of an alcohol licence in this intimate restaurant just off Lothian Road means the focus is on the quality of the cooking and the pleasant, laid-back ambience. Take a look over the extensive menu while sipping a smooth, tasty mango lassi or one…
Ghillie Dhu
2 Rutland Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2AD
If walls could talk, this 19th century former church at the West End of Princes Street could probably keep you as well entertained as the bands which now regularly play here. It served as a mess hall during two World Wars and then had a brief…
Golden Bridge
16 Henderson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6BS
If the traffic and unrelenting noise of Leith Walk and Great Junction Street are getting you down, then Golden Bridge is a quiet centre of calm and an ideal place to recharge and raise your spirits. Everything from the classical Chinese music and the…
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…
Gourmet Burger Kitchen
137 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JY
The humble burger certainly gets a decent enough makeover in this popular central eaterie, with a hefty menu boasting everything from a hearty, tasty buffalo burger to GBK’s ever popular and undoubtedly juicy home-made cheeseburger. The more…
Greenmantle
44 West Crosscauseway,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9JP
Ostensibly an ordinary Nicolson Street drinking den complete with national flags hanging in the windows, Greenmantle makes for a pleasant surprise. Starting with one of the main draws – the excellent home-made food – the pub shows that attention to…
Guilty Lily
284 Bonnington Road,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5BE
Guilty Lily certainly can’t be faulted for effort. Its selection of good beers, a comprehensive cocktail list and reasonably priced wines ensure a steady flow of drinkers. And a range of entertainment offerings that include quizzes and music nights…
The Halfway House
24 Fleshmarket Close,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BX
Boasting the title 'Edinburgh's smallest and friendliest pub', this is, quite literally, halfway up Fleshmarket Close, between the bustle of Cockburn Street and Waverley Station, and is a buzzy little enclave encapsulating all that is right about a…
Hamburger Heaven
36 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SB
While many try to emulate the New York diner, few do so with the charm of relative newbie Hamburger Heaven on Broughton Street. From the folk behind The Blue Moon Café next door, here burgers range from the classic 'Brooklyn burger' (beef with bacon…
Hamiltons Bar and Kitchen
16–18 Hamilton Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AU
Hamiltons tries to be all things to all people, and it pretty much succeeds. It’s a buzzing bar with pop art strewn walls, a music venue, a stopping-off point for coffee or brunch, a meeting place for business people, and a restaurant with an…
Hanedan
41 West Preston Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9PY
From the moment you arrive in the West Preston Street restaurant Hanedan is a delight. It's a cute and cosy space on two levels frequented by regulars and the lucky few passers-by who manage to secure a table. Starters are numerous and it's well worth…
Hay Sushi
15 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
With Dalry Road rapidly becoming a smorgasbord of culinary choices, ex-Londoner Alex Sy has chosen a prime location for his new Edinburgh adventure. Hay Sushi looks great – big windows look out into the hustle of Haymarket, while inside there are clean…
Henderson's Bistro
25 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DX
Younger sibling to the restaurant downstairs, Henderson's Bistro is a more intimate setting with table service and added finesse to the food. A cosy interior of muted oranges with pretty chandeliers and lanterns providing the lighting makes for a…
Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant
94 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
Established in 1962, Henderson’s will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. No mean feat for a restaurant that started life as an outlet for dishes made with produce from Janet Henderson’s kitchen garden at the family's East Lothian farm. From…
Henricks Bar
1 Barclay Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HW
Although Henricks retains its bar features such as the plasma screen and the wall of spirits stacked high, a recent change in ownership has put more of an emphasis on bridging the gap between pub and local bistro. Tables are squeezed into every corner…
Hewat's Restaurant
19–21b Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QF
If you have never been before, Hewat’s is quite a surprise. Located in unprepossessing and busy Causewayside, but only five minutes from the Queen’s Hall, this restaurant is a breath of fresh air. A bright and airy main dining room showcases the…
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AE
The menu at this smart Old Town pub cuts to the chase with its mission statement of ‘Great beers, great burgers’. Six ounces of beef, in a sourdough bun, can be teamed up with toppings including smoky bacon, ‘death sauce’ or rosemary-scented wild…
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…
Hong Fu Noodle
3–7 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BG
After the Ark bar hauled anchor from Waterloo Place, this canteen-style Chinese popped up in its place with minimal fixings. Ikea-style tables may feel rather temporary alongside the old bar and moulded ceilings but if you want a quick, cheap meal…
Hot Hot Chinese
60 Home Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9NA
True, you could mistake Hot Hot’s opaque steamy windows for those of a launderette. And yes, the lighting and décor are only slightly more atmospheric than those of a prison canteen – but that’s not the point. Hot Hot does only one thing – the Hot Pot…
Howies at Waterloo
29 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BQ
Howies has established itself as something of an Edinburgh institution over the past 21 years, so much so that it’s hard to think of a time when it didn’t exist at one site or another. Currently trading from four disparate Edinburgh locations spread…
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…
Ignite
272–274 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8DT
Don’t be misled by the incendiary name of this Haymarket restaurant: Ignite can lay claim to being one of the most relaxed Indian restaurants in the capital. There’s no background music, the décor is smart though muted and simple, and the waiters weave…
Illegal Jack's
113-117 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
Despite the name, Jack’s is no haunt of tequila-fuelled banditos but a bright and simple fast-food joint serving Tex-Mex fare. Although the menu is far from extensive, this doesn't detract from the experience. They prefer to offer a few things, serve…
Iman's
4–6 Lochrin Buildings, Gilmore Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9NB
Located across the road from the King's Theatre at Tollcross, Iman's is the ideal spot for a pre- or post-theatre meal. The very reasonable prices and BYOB mean it's possible to enjoy a two-course meal with wine without compromising your budget. With…
