Restaurants, Outdoor dining, "edinburgh"

Edinburghers have gathered in the rather impressive Regency-style ‘convening rooms’ at 29 Waterloo Place since the early 19th century. These days, the high-ceilinged, cupola-lit main room attracts diners looking for the Howies brand of Scottish dining…

If you were ever in any doubt that this is a Scottish bar, a warm greeting from a rugged gent in a rugby-style shirt awaits. Surroundings are of a distinctly rustic and wooden nature while a piano sits desperately wanting to be played, all of which…

A decent all-round package should be an upmarket chain’s stock in trade, and Browns Bar and Brasserie in George Street has a slick take on most eating and drinking options. The chandelier wouldn’t disgrace Phantom of the Opera, while smart white-aproned…

Although strictly speaking not in the countryside, the Blue Goose Country Pub, with its large comfy armchairs and roaring stove fireplace, could easily trick diners into thinking their surroundings are more scenic than just off the Lanark Road. However…

The clue is in the name: with 300 or so malt and blended whiskies available it is obvious what the main draw is here. The mix of tartan decor and Scottish memorabilia lining the walls befits the Royal Mile location but manages to stay just the right…

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 by…

Hotel du Vin has always sought to rise above its peers in the often-dubious chain-hotel restaurant business. Here, snuggled between the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh University’s central campus, it succeeds. Upon leaving the hectic churn of…

With sea-blue walls, a giant photograph of Santorini and a heady garlic aroma, you could almost forget that you’re in chilly Tollcross. It’s certainly worth getting into the holiday vibe for an evening at Edinburgh’s only Greek restaurant, where a mix…

If you are a lover of both wine and jazz, then Whighams has pretty much got it covered. Their Sunday-night jams and monthly wine-tasting events are in with the West End bricks, occasions suitably enhanced by the bar’s candlelit cellar atmosphere. The…

Andrew and Fiona MacInnes, the brother and sister duo behind Porto & Fi, have a knack for views: in Newhaven they offer the Firth of Forth, and from this buzzing branch on the Mound all of New Town is laid beneath you. This is partly why booking is…

Ensuring bookworms with a caffeine habit can feed both their addictions, this amiable ‘booktique’ café boasts its own lively literary scene, hosting a stream of reading groups, author events and kids' storytelling sessions amid shelves stuffed with…

Having given up his very popular Gorgie bakery, Jacob Philip has moved more ambitiously upmarket with his spacious new Haymarket cafe. Sited in a freshly decorated corner unit with a high ceiling and lots of classic touches, the new premises were still…

As a young chef you could beaver away in a crowded kitchen being bossed around by someone else, hoping you’ll make it big one day. Or you could just boldly open your own restaurant and strike out alone in the heart of tourist Edinburgh. Which is what…

Montpeliers is the dining equivalent of high street shopping – accessible pricing, visited by many for a quick shot of style, but not the place for a unique or quirky night out. That said, it does what it does pretty well: half bar, half tightly packed…

Bonsai Bar Bistro provides a clear rebuttal to the notion that Japanese cuisine in the UK is expensive and exclusive. The small but perfectly formed restaurant is known for its welcoming atmosphere and has a wide-ranging menu that offers something for…

With its arrangements of thistles and heather, seats covered in tweed and menu full of the foods typically associated with Scotland it is not hard to see why this basement restaurant is popular with well-heeled tourists. The style is country lodge, with…

An up-to-date review of Maxies will appear here shortly …

Kyloe (meaning ‘cattle’) is looking to fill a niche in the Edinburgh restaurant scene, and that niche is meat, meat, meat. Cows are everywhere – the statue outside, the paintings on the wall, the cowhide furniture and the board that displays all the raw…

With cafés sprouting up around the New Town, survival depends on being different, and this establishment with its French-themed décor is working hard on that. An extensive range of teas and coffees is the domain of John Thomson, while his wife Gail…

Despite being opposite Edinburgh University’s main halls of residence, the Salisbury Arms, with its subtle, rustic elegance and light, spacious dining area, is a far cry from the restored Georgian building’s previous incarnation, popular student…

Italian restaurants in Edinburgh can sometimes be a touch uninspiring, but thankfully we have restaurants like Locandi de Gusti who are happy to tread a different, more authentic path. The menu here reflects the Neapolitan origins of the owners, with a…

Floor-shaking stamping, plaintive strains of Spanish guitar and passionate cries of ‘ole!’ might well accompany your meal at La Sal, thanks to regular performances from Alba Flamenca, the dance school next door to the restaurant. Formerly known as El…