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, Scottish and "Edinburgh"
- McKirdy's Steakhouse
Edinburgh's only Steakhouse owned & supplied by Award Winning butchers - Forth Floor Restaurant
Spectacular views with the best food, wines and service to match! - Angels With Bagpipes
Angels with Bagpipes articulates the natural union of Scottish and Italian sourcing and gastronomy - The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
At the Magnum we combine Scotland's best local ingredients with traditional flavours
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
‘Pink fur potatoes’ is probably a typo, but with a wine list that describes a South African chenin as ‘like falling from a white-water raft whilst passing through a peach grove’, all bets are off. The Outsider buzzes. A suspended mezzanine hovers over a…
Monteiths
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.
Number One
1 Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EQ
Nestled below the Balmoral Hotel, Number One is a little world of luxury. Blood-red lacquer walls are studded with a vibrant array of artworks, and all is softened by plush, mushroom-coloured furnishings. Bland hotel homogeneity is eschewed in favour of…
Plumed Horse
50–54 Henderson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6DE
Chef Tony Borthwick’s passion and pride have drawn much notice to his small Leith restaurant. A potentially tricky street-corner space derives personality from Wedgwood blue and darkest green paintwork, while clever lighting draws the eye to period…
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…
Restaurant Martin Wishart
54 The Shore,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6RA
With a Cook School, a second Michelin star restaurant at Cameron House and a recently opened Edinburgh brasserie Martin Wishart could be forgiven for taking his eye off the ball at his signature Leith restaurant. Far from it. If anything Wishart is…
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…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town claims to be the place that ‘started it all’. ‘It’ is using quality Scottish produce to produce excellent eating at reasonable prices. Oh, and in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere too. Nearly 15 years on, this Room is still bang on…
Iglu
2b Jamaica Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6HH
For all that it is tucked at the far end of a side-street, Iglu has established an enviable profile, priding itself on serving seasonal, locally-sourced, organic and wild foods in the cosy upstairs restaurant and downstairs bar area. Proving high…
Steak
12 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
Steak is one of a new wave of Edinburgh steakhouses influenced by the likes of London’s much-lauded Hawksmoor. It’s aiming for hi-octane glamour that would be more at home in the Meatpacking district in New York City, but Edinburgh could do with a dose…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
A cheery atmosphere awaits in a Room in the West End in the basement under Teuchters pub in William Street. With its red walls, chunky furniture and three wee booths at the back if you want a bit of privacy, the style is informal. Here you’ll find…
The Dining Room
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JX
While a fantastic selection of spirits is the focus in the Scotch Malt Whisky Society Scotland’s famous members’ bar, the food is definitely the star in the Dining Room, its upscale restaurant. A handful of tables in a light Georgian drawing room with…
Hellers Kitchen
15 Salisbury Place,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1SL
Richard and Michelle Heller have moved on from the popular New Bell in Causewayside, and Hellers Kitchen (previously their second string) is now basking in the full focus of their attention. It’s your typical friendly wee neighbourhood bistro, but…
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…
Sweet Melindas
11 Roseneath Street,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1JH
Sweet Melindas is the very definition of cosy neighbourhood hangout. The one-room Marchmont restaurant’s white-painted wooden panelling, found black-and-white photographs and shelves of assorted bric-a-brac lend it a quaint but pleasant ambience, and…
Wedgwood the Restaurant
267 Canongate,
Edinburgh,
EH8 8BQ
If you like your dining Scottish, but with international influences, the occasional cheffy twist, and a decent wine list, then Wedgwood will entertain. Paul Wedgwood’s creations are served in a relaxed atmosphere, in the bright street-level room or…
Café St Honoré
34 North West Thistle Street Lane,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EA
Romantic Café St Honoré feels ideally placed tucked away in its cobbled New Town lane, but quiet locations can be deceiving. Inside, its charming, old-fashioned mirrored rooms are often bustling with exuberant diners. At nearly twenty years old, it is a…
The Dogs
110 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DR
A dark wooden staircase flanked by statues of the owner’s dogs takes you up to two atmospheric Georgian dining rooms. Low lit by candles, the restaurant is simply furnished with old-school wooden tables and chairs, and of course pictures of those dogs.
Home Bistro
41 West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DB
Quite why owners Richard Logan and Rowland Thomson chose to homage the seventies with their charming bistro isn’t clear, though the wallpaper, trio of flying ducks and elongated wooden antelopes are endearingly quirky. But the nostalgia ends right where…
Iggs
15 Jeffrey Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1DR
Iggs, Edinburgh’s grand old dame of Spanish fine dining, has gone through some changes of late. A recent visit from Channel 5’s Restaurant Inspectors has done away with some of its more individual aspects and given it a bit more mass-market appeal. The…
The Stockbridge Restaurant
54 St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AL
Tucked into a two-room basement on St Stephen Street, the Stockbridge Restaurant is a quirky establishment. With its chic black walls, heavy golden drapes and luxurious table settings you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve entered a private boudoir.
Tower Restaurant
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JF
For the best view in the Southside, try the roof terrace of the Tower, looking over to the Castle. Inside, the National Museum’s restaurant has dark, glossy tables and a modern take on food. Like the crisp fish finger which really tastes of crab.
Castle Terrace
33/35 Castle Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2EL
It’s no mean feat to collect a Michelin star just over a year after opening. Nor is it Castle Terrace's only accolade. It’s hard to quibble with any of them. At every level, this relative newcomer excels. Chef Dominic Jack has a dexterity with flavours…
The Scottish Café
National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
Run by the acclaimed team from Centotre – Victor and Carina Contini – the Scottish Café and Restaurant has been a stylish addition to arts venues in Edinburgh since 2009. There is a Garden Café within the gallery reception, but the main operation is a…
Stac Polly Bistro
38 St Mary's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1SX
More casual than her New Town sister, the Bistro is bright and airy, with 1790s caricatures of Edinburgh worthies as well as some architectural black and white photos of Edinburgh decorating the walls. The rear dining room has a high shelf of elegant…
Vermilion
The Scotsman Hotel, 20 North Bridge, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1YT
The glamorous descent down Vermilion's candle-lit marble staircase may lure you into thinking 'huge menu and starchy service', but the only starchy thing about this intimate basement restaurant in The Scotsman Hotel is the white tablecloths. An…
Maxies Bistro and Wine Bar
5b Johnston Terrace,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2PW
An up-to-date review of Maxies will appear here shortly …
One Square
1 Festival Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9SR
The Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa may struggle to call itself the loveliest looking hotel in Edinburgh, but it does have an outlook to rival its fellow big hitters. You can make the most of it at the rooftop Spa or, now, the revamped bar and brasserie…
EH15
Jewel and Esk College, 24 Milton Road East,
Edinburgh,
EH15 2PP
Jewel & Esk College's the Club offers a variety of recreational facilities, open to the general public, which provide students with an opportunity for real-life work experience. EH15 Restaurant & Bar is the hospitality arm of this set-up and…
The Gardener's Cottage
Royal Terrace Gardens,
Edinburgh,
EH7 5DX
Housed in a B-listed building (designed by William Playfair) in Royal Terrace Gardens, the Gardener’s Cottage has the potential to be a stirring new addition to Edinburgh’s dining scene. The design means the kitchen will be placed in the centre of the…
Howies (Victoria Street)
10–14 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HG
Long time favourite on the Edinburgh dining scene, the Howies Restaurants group has waxed and waned over the years. Now operating from two locations, their Victoria Street operation, close by the Royal Mile, is well placed for tourists and locals alike.
McKirdy's Steakhouse
151 Morrison Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8AG
While certain steakhouses have moved elegantly into more upmarket pastures, McKirdy's continues with its proven formula unchanged. In a modest setting on Morrison Street, it’s all about the meat, not the décor. Delivering consistent quality beef…
Rhubarb
Prestonfield House, Priestfield Road,
Edinburgh,
EH16 5UT
A restaurant that transforms any visit into a special occasion, Rhubarb is one of Edinburgh’s most dramatic dining experiences. From a smiling, kilted welcome at the entrance to historic Prestonfield House (now a boutique hotel within which Rhubarb is a…
The Witchery by the Castle
Castlehill, Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NF
From its grand seat atop the Royal Mile, The Witchery’s lavishly designed suites and busy restaurant have been drawing a mix of locals and visitors for over 30 years. This medieval merchant’s house is graced with bespoke panelled ceiling, sumptuous…
Café Royal Oyster Bar
19a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
Restaurants come and go in the capital, but few have thrived under the same banner for 150 years. Dining in the Café Royal Oyster Bar you do feel as though you’re travelling back in time, being surrounded by immaculate murals, low-hanging lamps and…
Ghillie Dhu
2 Rutland Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2AD
You might have misgivings about visiting a Scottish theme pub, but Ghillie Dhu manages to pull off the shtick without resorting to the expected tartan twee. Instead, the interior is reminiscent of a simple Highland shooting lodge, with exposed…
Kyloe Restaurant & Grill
The Rutland Hotel, 1–3 Rutland Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2AE
Kyloe, previously the Restaurant at the Rutland, has been reborn as a place for all things beef. Occupying a grand, first floor space, it’s decked out with cowhide booths and other bovine-themed furnishings. The playful interior, however, belies a…
Purslane
33a St Stephen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5AH
Purslane might well have a claim to be Edinburgh’s smallest restaurant, but that’s hardly cramping this newcomer’s style. Into a very cosy basement in Stockbridge – formerly Redwood – chef Paul Gunning is bringing the influences gathered from cooking as…
The Scottish Café and Restaurant
National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2EL
From its contemporary, light-filled space in the underbelly of Scotland’s National Galleries, the Scottish Café & Restaurant looks out serenely over the green and bustle of Princes Street Gardens. Created and run by the team behind Centotre, the…
The Sizzling Scot Steakhouse & Grill
103–105 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AB
Tucked away on Dalry Road, the Sizzling Scot Steakhouse & Grill serves exceptional cuts of beef in subtle tartan surroundings. Scottish folk music plays merrily in the background while energetic servers scribble orders. Though the menu is laden with…
The Skerries
Dunstane House Hotel, 4 West Coates,
Edinburgh,
EH12 5JQ
A recent refurbishment has given the Skerries a fresh lease of life. It’s all very Downton Abbey with ornate gilt mirrors, chandeliers, and rich fabrics. An impressive new bar and lounge has added to this elegant space, boasting a fine wall of malts.
Stac Polly (Dublin Street)
29–33 Dublin Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6NL
The steep slope of Dublin Street allows Stac Polly a double basement with windows to the front on both levels. Inside, there’s a comfy seating area with a private dining room on one side. On the other are stairs to the lower level warren of dining areas…
Whiski Rooms
4, 6 & 7 North Bank Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LP
Despite sitting in the heart of tourist territory, Whiski Rooms attracts a mixture of diners including professionals, locals of all ages and students, as well as the expected flow of visitors. Created in 2011 from a former bank and bookshop, the Whiski…
The Atholl Dining Room
The Howard Hotel, 34 Great King Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QH
If the address wasn’t in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, it would be easy to feel spirited away to the Highlands in the Howard Hotel’s Atholl Dining Room. Hushed conversations punctuated by clinking cutlery and sotto voce Elgar seeping through the…
Blonde
75 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QR
Relaxed neighbourhood bistro Blonde occupies a quiet spot on St Leonard's, not far from the hustle and bustle of student-filled South Clerk Street. Its two unassuming dining spaces are clean, minimal and simply furnished, with blonde wood and large…
The Grain Store
30 Victoria Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JW
If you fancy trying your hand as a restaurant critic, the Grain Store is the place to go. Feedback on dishes – especially those new to the menu – is positively encouraged. So, what to say about pithivier of hare with a saddle of hare salad? It is…
Hewat's Restaurant
19–21b Causewayside,
Edinburgh,
EH9 1QF
Hewat’s certainly promises much. This plushly appointed room on Causewayside is all maroon velvet chairs, chandeliers and original artworks – plenty to make eating here feel like a special occasion. Husband and wife team Richard (the chef) and Margaret…
The Magnum Restaurant & Bar
1 Albany Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3PY
A genuinely warm welcome and an impressive côte de boeuf are but two memorable highlights of a visit to the Magnum. Or, there’s the light, thin pastry of crab and Lammermuir smoked cheese tart and its unusual accompanying salad of red peppers and smoked…
Point Hotel
34 Bread Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AF
With the Traverse, Lyceum, Usher Hall and Filmhouse all within a five-minute meander, the Point is ideally placed for those out to enjoy the delights of Edinburgh's cultural quarter. Those deterred by the hotel's minimalist reputation should note that…
Restaurant at the Bonham
35 Drumsheugh Gardens,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7RN
Housed in a smart Victorian townhouse on a quiet residential street, the Bonham Hotel and eponymous restaurant host a mixed clientele of business folk, tourists and locals. The interior has a distinct boutique hotel vibe with giant lampshades and other…
Shapes Restaurant
Bankhead Avenue,
Edinburgh,
EH11 4BY
Note: subsequent to this review Shapes have altered their food and drink offer. The is now open only at lunchtimes, serving soup, salads and daily hot dishes, as well as coffee and afternoon tea.
An industrial estate in Sighthill is an unlikely setting…
Above Abbotsford
3-5 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2PR
The cast of Mad Men might find themselves strangely at home in this room above the bustling Abbotsford Bar at the Jenners End of Rose Street. White table linen, dark wood, big mirrors and red leather chairs give it a classic air. With the old school…
Amber Restaurant
The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2NE
Being practically on Edinburgh Castle’s esplanade and part of a five-star tourist attraction, it’s inevitable that dinner at Amber is geared towards city visitors. Past the £1 million revamped shop, down the stairs from the Scotch Whisky Experience, the…
Bread Street Brasserie
The Point Hotel, 34-36 Bread Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AF
Point Hotel, also home to Monboddo Bar and the monthly top-floor Sky Bar, the Bread Street Brasserie is designed to reflect a classic French bistro, kitted out with smart wooden café chairs and polished floors. It’s a large space, which can seem a bit…
Elliot's
23 Waterloo Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BH
Elliot's combines the traditional listed features of this magnificent historic building with contemporary design. The dining room has a great sense of style with an ornate corniced ceiling, original fireplaces and expansive Georgian windows flooding the…
First Coast
97–101 Dalry Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 2AB
Anyone who believes great food can’t be found west of Haymarket is missing out. First Coast’s marine wainscoting, cream walls and natural wood create a serene blend of smart, bright and comforting. So it is with the food. A menu featuring grain salad…
Forth Floor Restaurant
Harvey Nichols, 30–34 St Andrew Square,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AD
Following its recent makeover, the new softer shades of pinks, browns and muted reds of Harvey Nichols’ Forth Floor Restaurant create a warm glow that sets the scene for exceptionally stylish dining. Priding itself on high quality produce sourced…
Merchants
17 Merchant Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2QD
Having reached a quarter of a century Merchants doesn't want for staying power in Edinburgh's changeable restaurant scene. So the décor is functional rather than flashy, with plain burgundy coloured walls, the occasional framed print and timeless bistro…
The Mulroy
11a–13a William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NG
The Battle of Mulroy between the MacDonalds and the Mackintoshes took place in 1688. The Edinburgh restaurant which takes its name from this Highlands’ clan feud is a much more peaceful affair, thanks in large part to the charmingly impeccable manners…
Parliament House Hotel
15 Calton Hill,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BJ
Situated in the heart of the city, the Parliament House Hotel is the perfect place to explore cosmopolitan Edinburgh. In just a few minutes, you can walk to the world famous Princes Street, and the main business community, shopping and entertainment…
Signature Bar & Restaurant
The Ballantrae Albany Hotel, 39–43 Albany Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3QY
Signature, the restaurant at the Ballantrae Albany Hotel, has its official launch planned for June 2011 when they’ll unveil their patio and beer garden in time for the famous Edinburgh summer weather. In the meantime, diners can enjoy the stylish…
Timberyard
10 Lady Lawson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9DS
A planned opening for June 2012, Timberyard is the ambitious from-scratch new bistro-restaurant from the Radford family, best known from their days steering Atrium and Blue on the floors above the Traverse Theatre. The new venture is nearby, in fact, in…
Channings Restaurant
12–16 South Learmonth Gardens, Comely Bank,
Edinburgh,
EH4 1EZ
Hotel dining rooms doubling as public restaurants face a challenge in being dual-purpose. The terraced basement of Channings doesn’t quite make the transition from residents’ space to dedicated dining, but, on the other hand, has an array and…
Cranston's Restaurant
43 Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2BY
On the corner of Princes Street and South St David Street, across from the Scott Monument, a window table in the Old Waverley Hotel’s first floor dining-room is a great vantage point for watching the world go by. And the world comes to your plate. Take…
Heights
Apex International Hotel, 31–35 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2HS
Rising above the noise and activity of the Grassmarket, Heights, true to its name, takes advantage of one of the best castle views in Edinburgh. Located at the top of the Apex International Hotel, and supported by its business traveller clientele, this…
Malmaison - Edinburgh
1 Tower Place,
Leith,
EH6 7BZ
Sleek and seductive, Malmaison offers a daringly fashionable setting for sampling sumptuous flavours. Committed to using the highest quality ingredients, Malmaison sources honest produce from treasured suppliers, and crafts a cutting-edge reinvention of…
MP's Bistro
Parliament House Hotel, 15 Calton Hill,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3BJ
MP’s Bistro, the restaurant of the Parliament House Hotel, is a contemporary Edinburgh dining spot with a long history. The amalgamation of Jacobean and Georgian properties, the hotel is packed with Scottish charm, close to the many sights of Edinburgh…
The Pompadour
Caledonian Hilton, Princes Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2AB
With stunning views from its first floor vantage point on the corner of Lothian Road and Princes Street, the Pompadour should be destination dining. Currently being re-furbished as part of the Caledonian Hotel’s general make-over and up-grading, the…
Ryan's Cellar Restaurant
2–4 Hope Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4DB
Descend the stairs from the sometimes raucous Ryan’s Bar in the West End and you’re in a cellar restaurant sprawling across a number of rooms of different shapes and sizes. With Provençal-style murals and stacked wine boxes, the menu has a French accent…
Whighams Wine Cellars
13 Hope Street, Charlotte Square,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4EL
For almost 30 years, stressed professionals have uncoiled at Whighams. At 6pm on Fridays the shadowy cellar’s nooks are jammed, the restaurant side is heaving and the bar stools are occupied by smart ladies gratefully cradling one of 40 wines by the…
