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 and Outdoor dining
- Revolution
Revolution offers Vodka cocktails to die for! Open till 1am - La Lanterna
Real Italian home-made dishes in a homely dining experience like that of a real Italian family - Maggie Mays
Outstanding contemporary Scottish restaurant, with a bustling bar and all-year entertainment - Valvona & Crolla VinCaffé
Classic Italian cooking using the finest ingredients and a tasting list of over 50 wines by the glass
Angels Bar & Diner
Angels Hotel, 114 Main Street,
Uddingston,
South Lanarkshire,
G71 7HZ
Angels may be the most popular restaurant in Lanarkshire, judging by the amazing speed with which tables fill up - even early week. It's a venture which aims to take what was once straightforward pub food to a more ambitious level. In a smart…
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 Kitchin
78 Commercial Quay,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
A meal at Tom Kitchin’s much-acclaimed restaurant offers a taste of his vivid imagination. Cocooned within a sophisticated, smoky-blue cave, it feels intentionally separated from the outside world. Expectations are high, and generally they’re swiftly…
Chinaski's
239 North Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7DL
Named after a Charles Bukowski alter ego, Chinaski’s maintains its underground roots by eschewing any signage on the exterior in an effort to deter large groups of rowdy drinkers from nearby Sauchiehall Street. During daylight hours the bar is bright…
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 Finnieston
1125 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8ND
As you enter the snug bar decked with rope bannisters, polished wood and boat motifs you could be in a sleepy fishing village pub rather than on the main Finnieston strip. This smarter, more grown up sister to Lebowskis down the road really does looks…
Pivo Pivo
15 Waterloo Street,
Glasgow,
G2 6AY
Pivo Pivo was one of Glasgow's first pubs to serve an extensive range of world beers - from Argentinian Quilmes to Kirin from Japan - and still largely trades on punters' tourism. Located right beside Central Station, its small bar area lies at the foot…
Earthy Canonmills
1–6 Canonmills Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LF
With two popular food markets and a thriving café under their belt already, the Earthy empire is set for further expansion in April 2012 with the arrival of their new Canonmills enterprise. As well as another store, the site (formerly Dionika) will also…
Home
80 Albion Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NY
The decoration at this city centre hang-out is indeed a bit like home – if you happen to live somewhere that’s the ‘before’ part of a makeover. The furniture is a random mixture of leather booths (some with ripped seats), squashy sofas and gaudy chairs…
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…
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…
The Ashoka
108 Elderslie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7AR
A Glasgow fixture since 1982, this Ashoka is not part of the popular Harlequin-owned chain of the same name. Downstairs is the 110-capacity Curryoke restaurant, where you can experience a full banquet plus a spot of singing, while upstairs the…
Divino Enoteca
5 Merchant Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QD
Divino is the charming, seductive brother to fun-loving sister restaurant Vittoria upstairs. Pretty well hidden under George IV Bridge, this wine bar and restaurant combines candle-lit romance with cutting-edge wine gadgetry. In its strictest sense, an…
Ketchup
44 Ashton Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 8SJ
Cynics may muse that Ketchup is Stefan King’s attempt to ‘start them early’ into the G1 mind-set, as the burgers and milkshakes ethos is clearly aimed at both students and children alike. Whatever ethos lies behind it, it is clearly working, as the…
Filling Station
46 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 1HG
With its diner-style booths, a bottle of ketchup on every table and retro road signs for decoration, the Filling Station is aiming for a classic US roadhouse feel. The long menu concentrates on burgers, hot sandwiches, steaks and salads, together with a…
The Roseleaf
23–24 Sandport Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6EW
At Leith’s Roseleaf bar the cocktails are served in teapots in the style of 1920s American speakeasies. Flock wallpaper adorns the walls and the window sills are cluttered with vintage trinkets such as typewriters, old photographs and board games…
Crabshakk
1114 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8TD
All senses are stimulated on entering this lively little enterprise – the effusive rush of ginger, chillis and herbs, the burble of chatty voices and the heartening sizzle of fresh seafood in the pan, creates an explosion of gastric expectation.
The Holyrood 9A
9a Holyrood Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8AE
If you can’t remember your last really great burger, head to Holyrood Road to have your faith in the patty renewed. Savouries are split between ‘one’ and ‘two handers’ – the former being edible with a fork while chatting, the latter needing both hands…
30 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
This Grassmarket stalwart seems to exert a gravitational pull on small to medium sized groups of both locals and tourists looking for an impromptu food stop. Starters like sweet potato fries and macho nachos are decent enough, but their function is to…
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
With its Coronation Street-aping sign, its dual-aspect floor to ceiling windows and the big iron ramp which stretches almost the length of the bar and back, the Street is a landmark pub in the Broughton/Picardy Place area. Its main business is a more…
The Treehouse
44 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LJ
Its enviable location on the corner of Bruntsfield Links makes the Treehouse a perfect impromptu picnic provider on a summery day, although eating in is no bad choice either. The interior has a slightly offbeat, kooky charm about it – from the vintage…
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…
Cafezique
66 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5PT
Fun, unpretentious, quality, value and, tasty are the adjectives which apply to cafezique. Service is informal, but friendly and attentive in this quirky laid back bar/restauraunt. Nibbly things include great olives and delicious cheese fondue…
Hanam's
3 Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
Hanam’s is rightly revered for its Kurdish cooking. The restaurant is spread over two floors of a characterful period building, including a terrace that’s – unsurprisingly – in demand on summer days and a separate dining room that's ideal for private…
OKO Express
78 Queen Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3DN
Now under new ownership OKO has raised its game, with all dishes being fresher and better presented than ever, and when it comes to Japanese food that is imperative. The setting is typical for a sushi bar with cafeteria style bench seating that is good…
The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café
Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BT
First set up to ease the burden of daylight fasting during Ramadan on the congregation of Edinburgh's Central Mosque, this outdoor cafeteria-style restaurant has undergone several upgrades and upheavals down the years. Most recently the founders…
Big Slope
36a Kelvingrove Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7SA
It would be interesting to know how many folk come into Big Slope for a drink, but end up having something to eat. That's what makes a good bar food menu: perched on the table, teasing and appetising. Here we have pub favourites with lovely twists…
Cruz Bar and Restaurant
14 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
A First World War minesweeper boat anchored right at the heart of Leith’s bustling Shore district, Cruz has to be among the most distinctive drinking venues in Edinburgh. A popular watering hole with the area’s young party crowd, Cruz serves up an…
Jolly Ristorante & Pizzeria
9 Elm Row, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
A bright red sign pronouncing the restaurant's whereabouts cheerfully stands out amid Elm Row's other established businesses, beckoning in passers-by from the bustle of the town centre. The interior is dark and slightly worn by contrast, but incoming…
Angels With Bagpipes
343 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PW
Don’t let the High Street buskers put you off. Through the back in the restaurant you won’t hear them. Instead, the smart sophisticated décor and modern tableware sets off an approach to Scottish ingredients that acknowledges centuries of continental…
Centotre
103 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3ES
Centotre manages to pull off a neat trick. Despite the austere, ex-bank interior, from those lost days when financial edifices were akin to cathedrals, it still manages to maintain a feeling of warmth and intimacy in the evenings or bright and breezy…
Sideways
141 Elderslie Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7AW
This café-bistro may be in an area short on dining options – unless you fancy a curry – but that is to its great credit, offering an attractive, laid-back and really rather cool neighbourhood eatery for a bite and a drink. The menu blends brunch…
Tinderbox
118 Ingram Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1EJ
Tinderbox’s original Byres Road coffeshop café opened in 1998 but the interior still feels contemporary and enticing. No food is prepared on the premises though, with savoury options being either pre-prepared sandwiches or salad/noodle bowls. It’s an…
Wellington Coffee
33a George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2HN
After a recent refurb, the focus at the Wellington Café is even more firmly on the best coffee they can coax from a bean. Panini and bacon rolls have gone; the food now consists simply of excellent daily delivered brownies, sizeable scones and tray…
Barioja
15-19 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
Barioja has been dishing out its albondigas for over a decade, so could be considered a pioneer of the still relatively youthful Edinburgh tapas scene. Sitting alongside its big sister restaurant, Iggs, it’s seen competition come and go over the years…
The Espy
62–64 Bath Street, Portobello,
Edinburgh,
EH15 1HF
It might officially be the Esplanade, but ‘The Espy’ – ideally delivered with an Antipodean twang – as it's better known, suits this laid-back beach bar better. With friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere it proves there’s more to Portobello than…
The Lee On
3–5 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HN
This year marks the 40th anniversary of this family-run Bruntsfield institution and it shows no signs of slowing down. Unusually, the main dining area is situated in a downstairs warren of intersecting rooms, while upstairs absorbs the overspill and…
The Living Room
150 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5NE
Weekends at this popular bar and diner feature live music and even a regular magician – helping to create a lively infectious buzz that is easy to get caught up in. Couples and groups are seated in leather booths, helping to break up the restaurant…
Nobles Bar
44a Constitution Street, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RS
Nobles is fast becoming one of the most popular bars in Leith. With its large, colourful stained-glass windows and original Victorian features lovingly restored this is a classic pub of the highest quality. This attention to detail extends to the food…
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…
China Buffet King
53–55 Bath Street,
Glasgow,
G2 2DH
These bustling, bright eateries hit the spot with families, students and office workers looking to fill up on a budget. On offer is a wide range of familiar favourites, salads, fruit and delightfully childish desserts. Some options survive the buffet…
The Gateway Restaurant
John Hope Gateway Centre, Royal Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5LR
Although lacking the panoramic views of its sister venue, the Terrace Café, the restaurant in the Botanics’ gleaming new John Hope Gateway enjoys a pleasant outlook over the Biodiversity Garden, especially from the lovely al fresco tables on its…
Glass & Thompson
2 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HZ
Ask proprietor Russell Glass nicely and he might show you the copy of Alexander McCall Smith’s novel The Forgotten Affairs of Youth he keeps behind the counter, the one in which he and his café make a cameo appearance on page 173. It’s not an unlikely…
The Grill Room at the Square
29 Royal Exchange Square,
Glasgow,
G1 3AJ
Part of private members club ‘29’ this restaurant thinks of itself as a place to see and be seen. Slick black interior dotted with white linen table cloths, chandeliers and sparkling glassware give a city chic look to the long rectangular space. If you…
Howies at Waterloo
29 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BQ
While things below the waterline have been a bit frantic since the original owners bought back Edinburgh’s two remaining Howies in late 2011, above the surface everything is typically calm. The Waterloo Place restaurant is a stylishly decorated, well…
Joseph Pearce’s
23 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AA
Pearce's huge popularity is testament to the warm and genuine welcome it extends to a diverse clientele. During the day a raised area to the back is a family-friendly haven, stocked with all the toys, highchairs and feeding paraphernalia that junior…
The Kilderkin
67 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BT
With a name like this (it’s a unit of measuring ale equivalent to two firkins or half a barrel) it’s no surprise to find that Kilderkin is serious about its alcohol. Under the co-ownership of James Nisbet, also of Leith Walk’s Windsor Buffet and…
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…
Village Curry House
129 Nelson Street, Tradeston,
Glasgow,
G5 8DZ
Once one of the best kept secrets in the Glasgow curry sphere, the Village is now established as one of the places for inexpensive, real Indian dishes (albeit necessitating a trip to slightly grim Tradeston). The café/takeaway on the ground floor is…
Beirut
24 Nicolson Square,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BX
In the mini Middle Eastern pocket growing around Edinburgh's Mosque, which began with Kebab Mahal and Jordan Valley and continues with the newly added Mosque Kitchen and Nawroz, Beirut adds Lebanese food to the mix. Owner Ahmed Saadi opened in 2010, and…
Earl of Marchmont
22 Marchmont Crescent,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1HG
Much like its Canongate sister the White Horse, the Earl is a grand mixture of classic Edinburgh local and funked-up eclectic touches. The crowd is a hotch-potch of students, cheery thirty-somethings and a clutch of venerable regulars decorating the…
Frankfurter Eck
62 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AQ
German food can suffer from people's unfair preconceptions. Seek out Edinburgh’s first German restaurant, Frankfurter Eck to have these prejudices overturned. Behind a blink-and-you’ll miss it frontage on an unlikely block is a basic interior with…
Garibaldi's
97a Hanover Street, New Town,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
The extensive drinks menu warns of cocktails containing no less than 50ml of spirit per glass, and patrons would be well advised to take note: Garibaldi's sells some of the strongest alcoholic concoctions in town. It's located down a flight of stairs…
November
Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street,
Glasgow,
G1 3JX
Situated right at the top of Princes Square, November is a light, airy cocktail bar and café which offers seating 'outside' on the balcony, looking down to the shops below, or under the interior's cupola. It offers a variety of dishes to tempt wearied…
Oloroso
33 Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3DN
Borne by lift from the bright white office block entrance, you climb the last stairs to emerge in one of the best locations for a restaurant in Edinburgh. Stunning as the roof terrace is for a cocktail in summer, even on dark nights the panorama of…
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…
Victoria
265 Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH6 8PD
Like the other Swedish-run bars in Leith, Victoria is both refreshingly familiar and determined to assert its own individuality. Their drinks range is classy and well-chosen, including beers from at least thirty-five different countries and their…
Amarone
13 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2BH
This vast contemporary Italian themed restaurant complete with pastoral photographs, high domed roof and colourfully lit ceiling art opened in the summer of 2011 and is already bustling. From the restaurant family that includes DiMaggio’s and Café…
Arcaffe
7 North Claremont Street,
Glasgow,
G3 7NR
Tucked into a side street joining nearby offices to Kelvingrove Park, Arcaffe is an unassuming and friendly little Italian bistro, with tables on the pavement outside and large windows for catching the midday sun. Bustling with a mix of young families…
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…
Cargo
Edinburgh Quay, 129 Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QA
Cargo enjoys an attractive easy-to-access location at the beginning of the Union Canal towpath and also is only a five-minute walk from Lothian Road. The two-storey bar/restaurant has sleek dark wood tables, a glass-fronted bar and large picture windows…
China Buffet King
22–24 West Nile Street,
Glasgow,
G1 2PF
These bustling, bright eateries hit the spot with families, students and office workers looking to fill up on a budget. On offer is a wide range of familiar favourites, salads, fruit and delightfully childish desserts. Some options survive the buffet…
Cottier's
93–95 Hyndland Street,
Glasgow,
G11 5PX
Stencils on the walls, fairy lights and candles add plenty of character and atmosphere to proceedings in this converted church. Service is genuinely warm and helpful while suitably informal given the relaxed surroundings. The carpaccio of Inverurie beef…
Epicures of Hyndland
159 Hyndland Road,
Glasgow,
G12 9JA
It was one of the mysteries of the age; why didn’t Hyndland boast a decent restaurant? After all, this fragrant area of Glasgow’s West End was scarcely short of disposable income. Then, like buses, two came along in quick succession, both run by…
The Hidden Lane Tearoom
8 Argyle Court, 1103 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8ND
Tucked down a cobbled lane off Argyle Street, the Hidden Lane Tearoom is one of those rare places where everything comes together seamlessly. The décor is shabby chic – all duck-egg blue highlights, floral bunting, artfully mismatched furniture and…
Kilimanjaro Coffee
104 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9EJ
Bang in the middle of studentville, Kilimanjaro has a laid-back vibe, conducive to whiling away an afternoon reading and nattering or making a start on that essay. The chunky tables, worn wooden chairs and leather sofas are comfy and inviting and the…
The Libertine
45–47 Bell Street,
Glasgow,
G1 1NX
A competition saw this bar named after the decadent 17th-century poet, the 2nd Earl of Rochester, but here’s nothing debauched about this Libertine, which neatly balances daytime bistro and night-time bar. Tall windows line both aspects, allowing diners…
The Partners Italian Bistro
1051 Great Western Road,
Glasgow,
G12 0XP
This classy looking bistro tucked away near Anniesland offers an upmarket experience within a highly stylised, spacious interior. A lovely buttery, rich crab fettucine is a great opener, but though the dolcelatte soufflé is in itself satisfying, the…
Piece
1056 Argyle Street,
Glasgow,
G3 8LY
How enthusiastic is it possible to be about the humble sandwich? A visit to Piece reveals the answer: hugely. From the jokey pavement chalkboard to the quick-fire banter from busy staff and the pumping dub and reggae, the ethos is to get customers…
El Sabor
Merchant Square, 17 Bell Street, Merchant City,
Glasgow,
G1 1RU
One of the original tenants in the redeveloped Fruitmarket, AKA the Merchant Square, El Sabor is a popular place for tapas, wines and jugs of sangria. The name means 'flavour' in Spanish and the menu has some 30 different options. In addition to seating…
113 Brunswick Street, Leith Walk,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5HR
The latest addition to the Vittoria family comes in the shape of a stylish and atmospheric basement wine bar, Divino Enoteca, in the belly of their George IV bridge outlet. Divino is proof positive that the Vittoria formula is a winning one, and the…
Viva Mexico
41 Cockburn Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1BS
In existence for 28 years, Viva Mexico – run by the Gonzalez family – is the grand-daddy of Edinburgh’s Mexican restaurants. Inside, kitsch abounds with pictures of hirsute horsemen and Mexican puppet dolls staring down from the walls. There are plenty…
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…
All Bar One
62–72 St Vincent Street,
Glasgow,
G2 5TS
With floor-to-ceiling windows on the corner of St Vincent and West Nile streets, All Bar One is well placed to watch the world go by over a drink or a bite. Such is its bustling nature, however, it seems as if few people have time to linger at its…
Bibi's Cantina
599 Dumbarton Road,
Glasgow,
G11 6HY
It’s often said that if you venture off the beaten track you’ll find treasures. This is true of Bibi’s – a cosy candlelit bistro offering fresh authentic Mexican-inspired cuisine at the west end of Dumbarton Road, but just a stroll from Partick Station.
Bonsai Bar Bistro
46 West Richmond St,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DZ
What Bonsai Bar Bistro lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere. Bustling and sociable, you’ll have some friendly banter with your waiter, and wind up in conversation with your neighbouring table. The menu, based on small dishes to share, invites a…
Boteco do Brasil
62 Trongate,
Glasgow,
G1 5EP
Inside this lively bohemian hangout the carnival atmosphere hits you. Brazilian flags and bold cultural murals set the scene while large screens ensure you don’t miss any footie action while supping a Brahma beer or caipirinha – Brazil’s national…
The Bothy
11 Ruthven Lane,
Glasgow,
G12 9BG
The Bothy enjoys an unusual location hidden amongst the quirky businesses of Ruthven Lane off Byres Road. That’s about the extent of any Bohemian pretensions though – once inside, it’s a slick, efficient member of the G1 Group and one of five Bothies…
Chukoku
298 Sauchiehall Street, City Centre,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
Chukoku, which means 'China' in Japanese, fuses a Victorian Sauchiehall Street façade with a friendly but functional modern interior that presents one of the more stylish options among the city's entourage of buffet-style Chinese eateries. More than 50…
Crabby Macs Seafood Café
61 Otago Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8PQ
Based in the former Tattie Macs, Crabby’s is the ideal relaxed, friendly destination for those who may be curious but unconfident about delving into the magical world of Scottish seafood. The small shopfront opens into a large warm contemporary setting…
Giuliano's
18–19 Union Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NQ
Situated directly across the road from the Playhouse Theatre, Giuliano’s has achieved Edinburgh institution status due to its popularity with theatre-goers, tourists and large parties – including hen and stag dos. Its cavernous interior is resplendent…
Grand Cru
79 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EE
Theatrically chic, Grand Cru is an energising venue for an upbeat evening meal. Though the large bar is devoted to drinkers, a separate dining area is juxtaposed comfortably enough to give you some space to enjoy your food. For a less noisy seat, though…
Jade Garden
303 Sauchiehall Street,
Glasgow,
G2 3HQ
A Sauchiehall Street fixture since 1971, the Jade Garden feels little affected by the passing of time. A well-trod carpeted staircase leads up to its genteel, pastel-tinted dining room where, within minutes of sitting down, a little basket of light…
Palmyra Pizza
22 Nicolson Street, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Situated on Nicolson Street, Palmyra is in a prime spot to corner the student market and, with a 10% discount for scholars, it has succeeded. The pizzas are slightly doughy and greasy, but toppings are generous. The Lebanese-owned outfit really comes…
28–30 Gibson Street,
Glasgow,
G12 8NX
As this place pops up in most Glasgow guides, many a nationality can be found rubbing shoulders with die-hard regulars enjoying interesting Scottish produce given an international twist. Stravaigin’s well-known branding is ‘think local, eat global’. The…
The WestRoom
3 Melville Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7PR
Whether it’s a Bellini or a Bramble, a Martini or a Margarita, the folks at the WestRoom know their mixology. And like any good cocktail, the success of this small, oddly shaped bar is due to getting the blend of ingredients just right. Low lighting…
Boaters Café
Rouken Glen Park,
Glasgow,
G46 7UG
Boaters Café is well known to the residents of Giffnock and Newton Mearns but less so to those outside Glasgow's southern suburbs. Situated by the boating pond at the edge of the rolling green expanses of Rouken Glen Park, it's an especially popular…
Café at the Palace
Palace of Holyroodhouse,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8DX
Situated next door to Holyrood Palace, this café is the obvious place to grab a sandwich or hearty bowl of soup after visiting the Queen’s Gallery and Palace, or after an invigorating trek round Arthur’s Seat or tour of the Scottish Parliament. With…
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 Cramond Inn
30 Cramond Glebe Road, Cramond Village,
Edinburgh,
EH4 6NU
Wherever you travel around Britain, the sight of the village pub is generally a welcome one. It's no different in Cramond, even if the village is a suburb of Edinburgh and just 20 minutes' trundle along Ferry Road from the city centre. It's all there: a…
Earthy Market Café
33–41 Ratcliffe Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SX
With reclaimed wood panelling and rustic hues, this converted warehouse could easily be the set for a new Channel 4 cookery show (you half-expect to see Jamie or Hugh pottering about). Thankfully though, like the food market upstairs, the style doesn’t…
The Granary
32–34 The Shore, Leith,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6QN
This split-level restaurant and bar is well positioned on the Shore with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and views of the Water of Leith. With its seductive brown leather sofas, dark wood floors, rugs and realistic-looking gas-powered fires, you’ll…
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…
Jamie's Italian
Assembly Rooms, 54 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2LR
Edinburgh Council faced criticism for introducing commercial tenants after spending £9 million refurbishing the Assembly Rooms, but no-one could dispute this A-listed edifice was criminally under-used. And given that Edinburgh’s relationship with…
Malone's Irish Bar
14 Forrest Road,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QN
Malone's Irish Bar certainly can’t be accused of misrepresenting itself. Owned and run by natives of the Emerald Isle, the cavernous property oozes Irishness from its street-level entrance area, the large central room with tables for dining and large…
Miro's Cantina Mexicana
184 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4BA
The atmosphere at Miro’s is bright and cheery and the welcome from staff is warm. The decor reflects the colours of the Mexican flag and candles twinkle on brightly clad tables. Those looking for the usual suspects will find enchiladas, fajitas and…
1901
1534 Pollokshaws Road,
Glasgow,
G43 1RF
Though a little removed from the main Shawlands dining strip the value of the food along with the decidedly relaxed and jovial atmosphere at this unassuming corner pub and bistro make it worth the venture. New owner Graham Sutherland, who also has the…
The Pear Tree House
34 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DD
The grande dame of the Southside drinking scene has been standing proud on the spot since 1749, and 2012 sees the thirtieth anniversary of its current incarnation. The Pear Tree’s justifiably famed selling point is the large walled beer garden…




