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, Hitlisted and "Edinburgh"
Sorted by place / most viewed. Showing 25, 50, 100 per page.
- Café St Honoré
Local, seasonal, intimate. Fantastic food, friendly service, French bistro atmosphere. - Hanam's
This is the home of truly authentic Kurdish & Middle Eastern Cuisine, set right in the heart of Edinburgh - Wedgwood the Restaurant
fulfils its promise of hosting the perfect night out. - L'escargot Bleu
French cuisine with a Scottish twist
Al Dente
139 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5QA
Al Dente’s low ceilings, tiled floors and wooden tables give the feel of a traditional trattoria. The small space is enlivened by numerous photos, including some of owner Graziano Spano’s home of Bari in southern Italy. Quality ingredients and…
Always Sunday
170 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1QS
This blueprint for a successful café is as easy as a Sunday morning. The clear glass frontage provides space, light and the perfect vantage point from which to spy on tourists photographing the Royal Mile. A fresh and very friendly tearoom, Always…
Anteaques
17 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9JH
If Alice in Wonderland had a local, it would be Anteaques. For a start, co-owner and antiques dealer Cedric is a small, very friendly, quick man who wears a waistcoat and pocket watch. He’s also brave: this is a tightly packed antiques shop, bursting…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 Fish
15 North West Circus Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6SX
Note: in July 2011 Café Fish moved to a new location in Stockbridge. This review, first published in April 2011, refers to its previous venue in Leith.
It is a brave restaurant that opens a few doors along from the Michelin-starred Plumed Horse, but…
Café Modern One
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art One, 75 Belford Road,
Edinburgh,
EH4 3DR
A stalwart in Edinburgh’s arts-venue dining scene, the gallery café has become synonymous with quality food. A recent refurb has brought a more modern, streamlined feel to the operation, although the overall approach remains the same. Operating a…
Café St Honoré
34 North West Thistle Street Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EA
With its wood-panelled and mirrored interior, black and white chequered floors and spindly tables with white cloths, Café St Honoré certainly has the power to make you feel like you’re in 1940s Paris. Fortunately for Edinburgh diners, 2011 Scottish…
Castle Terrace
33/35 Castle Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2EL
The opening of Castle Terrace in July 2010 saw its Edinburgh-born chef-patron Dominic Jack thrust into the spotlight. Having shone at iconic Paris restaurant Taillevent among others, hopes were high and Castle Terrace was quickly awarded a Michelin…
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 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…
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…
The Dining Room
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JX
The Dining Room sits in the ground floor of a restored Georgian townhouse inhabited by the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The interior is surprisingly contemporary, cosy and light, and the restaurant is open all week to non-members. A mega-meaty starter…
Dusit
49a Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DY
A perfect tempura prawn sums up the expertise on display here: a prawn of unparalleled creaminess, the panko breadcrumbs brittle and crisp in contrast. It’s the benchmark of almost a decade of lauded cooking that fills seats on a wet Monday evening as…
Earthy Market Café
33–41 Ratcliffe Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SX
Earthy Food Market is the kind of speciality food store where you can buy an organic, slow-cooked lamb hotpot – for your dog. Yum café goers now have more space on the expanded ground floor, which is rather Good Life with moss-green paintwork, battered…
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…
L'escargot Bleu
56 Broughton Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3SA
Broughton Street is full of trendy cafés and bistros but L’escargot Bleu stands out from the crowd with its French menu, chic bric-a-brac interior and superior sourcing policy highlighted through its own delicatessen in the basement. Owner Frederick…
La Favorita (Takeaway)
325–331 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8SA
Not for nothing does owner Tony Crolla boast that La Favorita offers 'the best pizza in Edinburgh'. His tasty, log-fired pizzas have become his calling card, arriving at your door with as much flavour and zing as you'd expect from its restaurant…
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…
La Garrigue
31 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DH
La Garrigue has been described as the most authentic French restaurant in Edinburgh and it certainly stands out. Owner and chef Jean Michel Gauffre is passionate about his home region, the Languedoc, and this is reflected in everything from les…
The Grain Store
30 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JW
The Grain Store has earned the right to be considered an Edinburgh classic. Nestled in the colourful parade of Victoria Street premises, the restaurant's solid stone walls and worn, dark-wood furnishings make it feel like coming home even on a first…
Hanam's
3 Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Now a well-rooted fixture by the top of the Lawnmarket, three-year-old Hanam’s is deservedly popular with locals and tourists alike. Offering an extensive menu from his native Kurdistan, owner Jamal Ahmed is a genial host who takes additional delight…
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…
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…
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…
Indaba
3 Lochrin Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QJ
Indaba has to be the only restaurant in Edinburgh that can boast Venezuelan, Spanish and South African influences all on the same menu. But this is not a fusion restaurant; instead Indaba offers national dishes from each country to great effect. Start…
The Indian Cavalry Club
22 Coates Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7AF
Edinburgh’s West End is admittedly spoilt for choice for superior Indian eateries. Nevertheless, the mannered Georgian façade of the Indian Cavalry Club conceals a restaurant that is truly a breed apart. A genteel mood pervades the stately, low-lit…
Itri
169–173 Gilmore Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9PW
This charming neighbourhood restaurant is the place to come to receive an education in Italian food. The enthusiastic young owners are passionate about bringing authentic dishes of Italy to Edinburgh, happily sharing recipes with customers. A point is…
Joseph Pearce’s
23 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
Joseph Pearce’s provides a glimpse of Scandinavian hospitality in the no-man’s land that exists between Broughton Street and Leith. In its transformation from an old Edinburgh pub, the bar’s split-level layout remained the same, but the atmosphere is…
Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight
28 Clerk Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9HX
Every city has its secrets, those in-the-know places that are easy to miss in the search for better and brighter eating experiences. While it’s hardly off the beaten track, Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight’s unassuming shop front and barely decorated…
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…
The King's Wark
36 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QU
The term ‘gastropub’ does not get a lot of airing north of Hadrian’s Wall, but it is an apt moniker for the King’s Wark. On one hand, this is a solid old Leith pub, all dark wooden nooks and crannies, that serves up ales to a mixed crowd of tourists…
The Kitchin
78 Commercial Quay,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
Much has been written about The Kitchin in recent years, full of praise for the quality of the food, the inventiveness of the menu, the individual style and commitment of the chef, the abundant demonstration of local and creative sourcing, the fluidity…
Leven's
30-32 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LJ
Just remember that faint heart never won fair anything, take a deep breath and plunge headfirst into Leven’s crazy, mixed-up world of fusion. There’s a lot going on, much of it good, and while every plate could do with losing at least one ingredient…
Locanda de Gusti
7–11 East London Street,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4BN
Fans of Locanda de Gusti's previous incarnation as Bella Mbriana will be glad to know that restaurant veteran Rosario Sartore is still at the helm as head chef. The elegant interior includes comfortable leather chairs, wide windows and a gleaming bar.
Loon Fung
2 Warriston Place, Canonmills,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LE
Loon Fung has been dishing up Cantonese dishes to the residents of Canonmills for almost forty years and regulars still count for the majority of the business. And it is clearly the food as opposed to the functional décor that is the lure. Classics…
Loudon's Café & Bakery
Lochrin Square, 94b Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QA
It usually takes a month or two to hit your stride, but this big, bold newcomer seems to be a crowd pleaser right from the off. And what’s not to like? Chris Loudon’s new baby has oodles of space at tables and sofas far and wide for all comers.
The Manna House
22–24 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5RG
It’s hard to know where to start when stepping into Leith institution the Manna House. Are you here to take home one of the extensive range of cooked-on-the-premises breads and baps, including baguette, sourdough and black olive or feta and mint…
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…
Mother India's Café
3–5 Infirmary Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1LT
The Edinburgh incarnation of this Glaswegian institution has been pulling in punters by the score since it opened in 2008. Notable for its unorthodox 'tapas' format which allows diners to sample three or four dishes each (more for greedies), Mother…
Nargile
73 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EE
For a fresh take on Turkish food, Nargile is the place to go. The contemporary elegance of the setting is seamlessly matched by the food and wine. Born into the business, manager Ruya Iridag makes diners feel immediately at ease in choosing from her…
Nobles Bar
44a Constitution Street, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RS
Nobles is a very real contender for one of the best pubs in Leith. The Victorian building has been revamped just enough so that it feels fresh but mercifully there are no vacuous style-bar trappings to be found here. The large, dark wood bar takes…
Number One
1 Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EQ
Beneath one of Edinburgh's most landmark buildings, Michelin-starred Number One cocoons diners from the outside world within its low-ceilinged, luxurious, deep crimson interior. From start to finish, it’s clear that great care has been taken to ensure…
Oishii
176 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4AB
Pretty little black-lacquered Oishii is far from Rose Street’s tourist traps. The menu ticks all the usual Japanese boxes with noodles, teriyaki and tempura all present, correct and competently executed, but here the sushi is the real star. Sushi…
Ondine
2 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1AD
The aim of Ondine becoming the first 100% MSC-certified restaurant in Scotland is a lofty one, but one that chef-owner Roy Brett is serious about. Brett intimately knows his seafood and his sourcing. Diners in this buzzing, second-floor space find that…
La Partenope
96 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AX
Named after a mythological maiden who died of heartache on the Bay of Naples, La Partenope offers a taste of Napoli on Dalry Road. This family restaurant is operated by a sibling trio: chef Paolo creates magnificent dishes, brother Renato is the…
Passorn
23–23a Brougham Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9JU
When Cindy Srisotorn writes on her website that she does her utmost to provide a wonderful experience for her customers, she means it. Now in its second year, Passorn is distinguished by Srisotorn's inexhaustible enthusiasm for good food as well as the…
Port of Siam
3 Pier Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 4LP
If you ring to book a table at Port of Siam (and booking is essential at this tiny, busy restaurant), be prepared to be greeted by an anonymous answer-phone, but do leave a message or you'll be kicking yourself later – a visit here is a rare treat.
Rafael's
2 Deanhaugh Street,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1LY
Homely, unflashy and resolutely untrendy, chef and owner Rafael Torrubia’s eponymous restaurant has built a strong local following over his near-decade in business. Set in a cosy corner basement premises on the Water of Leith, the restaurant’s ambience…
Restaurant Martin Wishart
54 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RA
A meal at Martin Wishart's is pure theatre, filled with wonder and excitement. From the haggis bonbons with your aperitif through an exquisite little beetroot macaroon amuse bouche that literally dissolves on your tongue to raspberry-chocolate stick…
Rivage
126–130 Easter Road,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5RJ
Away from the city centre on busy Easter Road, Rivage is worth seeking out. Light and airy inside, the tandoori kitchen is open plan so all can see owner and head chef Ryad Meeajane cooking the food from scratch. The menu is relatively short, only two…
Rocksalt Café Deli
46 Constitution Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RS
This converted Georgian printers’ in deepest old Leith is a gem of a find. High ceilings, huge windows and a grand chandelier are offset by comfy sofas and a split-level eating area to create a bright and welcoming space. It’s an ideal place to linger…
The Roseleaf
23–24 Sandport Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6EW
Leith’s drinking and dining renaissance has seen a number of small, quirky ventures pop up in the past few years and one such initiative is Roseleaf. If you ever wondered where rejected furnishings after Ikea’s ‘Chuck out your Chintz’ campaign went…
The Saint
44 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AL
Tucked away in a basement on St Stephen Street, The Saint manages to strike an effortless balance between cosy and cool. A roaring fire provides warmth to the sheepskin-covered barrel chairs in front, while white-washed walls are adorned with…
Santini Ristorante
8 Conference Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8AN
It is easy to miss this restaurant, which is part of the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa hidden at the back of Conference Square. But it's worth wandering through the maze of conference-centre concrete to find, as the modern take on Italian food is…
The Scottish Café and Restaurant
Scottish National Gallery, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
Since taking over the restaurant in the Scottish National Gallery in 2009, Carina and Victor Contini have set about putting their special stamp on the place. As at sister restaurant Centotre, provenance and quality ingredients are of utmost importance.
The Ship on the Shore
24–26 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
If you like to know more than which coast your lobster was landed on, set a course for the Ship on the Shore. North Berwick lobster is served simply with chips or more grandly thermidor style, a fact that neatly sums up a restaurant that seamlessly…
Sonar Gao
191 Great Junction Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 5LQ
A classic Bangladeshi menu, friendly staff, spotlessly clean premises and – perhaps – the free poppadum and chutney with every order keep the phone ringing at Sonar Gao. There’s nothing out of the ordinary about the menu, but a consistently high…
The Spice Pavilion
3a1 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QG
The Spice Pavilion is a restaurant you’ll visit again and again. Although in a basement, the space is light and roomy with exposed brickwork, warm colours and fabulous glass chandeliers. This gives an immediate sense of elegance, perfect for romance…
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 Stockbridge Restaurant
54 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AL
Scratch the surface of boho St Stephen Street, and underneath there’s something quite glossy going on. It’s the same with the Stockbridge Restaurant. Steep steps trailing ivy and fairy lights pitch down from the street to astragalled basement windows.
Sushiya
19 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2BQ
Atmosphere can be something that’s a little lacking in some of Edinburgh’s sushi joints, but with only 22 seats to fill, tiny Sushiya has a head start in creating that elusive quality. Busy and buzzy, there’s a constant stream of customers eating…
Turkish Kitchen
120-122 Rose Street South Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4BB
As you approach Turkish Kitchen throw your first impressions to the wind, look beyond the compact space complete with takeaway counter and settle in to experience an authentic Turkish menu. Chef/owner Seyhmus Aslanalp has a loyal customer base from a…
21212
3 Royal Terrace, Calton Hill,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5AB
In 21212, one dines in a room of understated elegance; tables tucked into comfy, curvy sofa benches, and the kitchen beyond a glass screen. By cooking the best cuts of beef, lamb and fish, and the accompanying vegetables, fruits and nuts very slowly…
Viva Mexico
41 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
Beneath the steely eyes, bristling bandoliers and drooping moustaches of Mexico’s best-loved banditos, you'll be treated to some true national classics. The pork chimichanga stands out in particular, while the heavenly custardy crème caramel-ish…
The Water of Leith Café Bistro
52 Coburg Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6HJ
Voted Newcomer of the Year 2010 by this guide, the Water of Leith has stayed the course from welcome new arrival to neighbourhood favourite. A small, light café-bistro with sunny yellow walls, it’s run by French chef Mickael Mesle and his Scottish wife…
Wedgwood the Restaurant
267 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BQ
Wedgwood the Restaurant is an oasis of tasteful calm on the tartan-lined touristy Canongate. The attraction here is Paul Wedgwood’s imaginative cooking, and the seasonally changing menu is satisfyingly hard to choose from. A starter of king scallops…
Wing Sing Inn
147–149 Dundee Street,
Edinburgh,
EH11 1BP
Often the plainest Chinese restaurants serve the best food. Well, Wing Sing Inn is no beauty queen but it’s what’s inside the kitchen that counts. This is not a first-date place: from the outside it looks like a takeaway joint. Lighting is harsh, the…
Wok and Wine
57a Frederick Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1LH
It’s a relief to find that Wok & Wine takes itself as seriously as any of the Scottish and French restaurants dotted around New Town. Stephanie Lo, the ebullient proprietor, is passionate about her ingredients and making her customers feel welcome…
