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 and "Edinburgh"
- The Cumberland Bar
Tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town this is one of the Capital’s most famous pubs - La Cerise
La Cerise is a fresh and innovative patisserie cake and coffee shop that will leave you hooked on Cafe Culture - Whiski
Whiski is one of Scotland's premier whisky bars, located on Edinburgh's world famous Royal Mile - Revolution
Revolution offers Vodka cocktails to die for! Open till 1am
The Outsider
15/16 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EE
Anyone who can weave references to Kermit, Dorothy Parker and cannibals into their wine list is not going to run a dull restaurant. The Outsider is definitely not a place for a quiet evening meal. It's upbeat and lively, but the menu works hard to…
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…
A Room in the Town
18 Howe Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6TG
A Room in the Town resembles the well known and colourful mural lining its main wall more often than one suspects. High jinks and merriment co-exist alongside locals having a casual meal in the simply furnished and softly lit, long dining room. Staff…
Thai Lemongrass
40–41 Bruntsfield Place,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4HJ
There’s no escaping that Thai Lemongrass is a classy looking place. The décor is a soothing blend of the contemporary and the traditional, with discreet lighting casting a warm glow over the dark wood tables and tastefully golden-brown wallpaper.
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.
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 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…
Nonna's Kitchen
45 Morningside Road,
Edinburgh,
EH10 4AZ
The Stornaiuolo family's latest venture in Morningside scorns old-fashioned italiano gimmicks, despite their long, proud history as Italian restaurateurs. Instead, the interior is modern and crisp, yet warm. If you’re lucky enough to be greeted by…
The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café
Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9BT
Without delving too deeply into some slightly murky internecine politics, we can report that once again there's curry being served in the courtyard beside Edinburgh's Central Mosque. Previous occupants 'Mosque Kitchen' established a new restaurant…
Khushi’s Diner
32b West Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DD
For the last couple of years this has been the locus of the veteran Khushi’s brand, long-time staple of the Edinburgh curry scene. The Newington incarnation is designed with good cheer in mind, with a mix of red banquettes and cosy tables interspersed…
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…
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…
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…
A Room in the West End
26 William Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 7NH
The 'Room in the…' chain has won considerable popularity in Edinburgh thanks to unpretentious surroundings, fulsome food and that rare beauty, a BYO policy. The West End branch, a snug basement beneath the frequently rowdy Teuchter’s pub on William…
Izzi
119 Lothian Road,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AN
Izzi is a restaurant of two halves, with the front dining room clearly visible to the passers-by on busy Lothian Road through a huge plate glass window. The second room is curiously featureless but feels a little more private. Friendly staff greet…
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…
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…
The Albanach
197 High Street, Royal Mile, Old Town,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PE
Right on the Royal Mile, the Albanach tempts tourists with a safe Scottish menu. Its bar, stocking 103 whiskies, leads to a wood and stone dining area out back. One may or may not appreciate the 'modern tartan' walls adorned with patriotic statements…
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…
L'escargot Blanc
17 Queensferry Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4QW
Cosy L'escargot Blanc in the West End is slighter cheaper and more bustling than its Broughton Street sister restaurant but is trying to maintain similar standards – with not always perfect results. It has done this by introducing some quality local…
99 Hanover Street
99 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
Past a burly bouncer, the high doorway of number 99 Hanover Street opens out into a wide, low-lit space with decadent vintage furniture and tables nestled at the edges. This can make for a somewhat gloomy lunch spot unless you get a window seat, but in…
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…
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 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…
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…
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…
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…
Karen's Unicorn
8b Abercromby Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6LB
Owner Danny So is nothing if not ambitious. Both branches of Karen’s Unicorn aspire to be more than just another Chinese restaurant: they aim to be classy establishments that happen to serve Chinese food. The presentation, attention to detail and the…
Mamma's American Pizza Company
30 Grassmarket,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2JU
Once the go-to place for Edinburgh’s pizza guzzlers, Mamma’s still enjoys a lively following on the weekend, given its Grassmarket location. It may lack the bone fide mamma-in-residence of its title, but certainly tries to make up for that with the…
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…
A Room in Leith
1c Dock Place,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LU
If you pitch up here late or without booking, it may be wise to have a plan B. On sunny days, the waterside tables outside fill up fast with people enjoying a platter of mussels and a well chosen glass, while for chillier occasions, there’s candle…
Browns Restaurant and Bar
131–133 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JS
Browns is the only Scottish branch of a well-established chain that installs its popular brasserie template in historic buildings around the UK. Their mission, from conception in the 1970s, was to offer 'classic food, well-delivered in a stylish…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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 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…
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…
Kanpai
8–10 Grindlay Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9AS
Do not dismiss lightly the pleasure to be had in sitting in a beautifully designed restaurant.
It is a fairly rare treat these days. Austerity times have seen interior decor schemes abandoned in all but high-end new restaurants, with a lick of paint…
Khushi's
10 Antigua Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3NH
When Khushi's was engulfed in fire just before Christmas 2008, you might have been forgiven for speculating if it had flown just a bit too close to the sun. In a few years the restaurant had shifted from being an old-fashioned curry café on Drummond…
Kweilin
19–21 Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QG
Like the prints of misty mountains on its walls, this Cantonese restaurant remains decidedly traditional – and that’s the way its loyal fans like it. Mostly they come for the seafood, fresh from an Anstruther supplier, and for the crispy roast duck.
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…
Nile Valley
6 Chapel Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9AY
At lunchtime, this Sudanese restaurant ranks high as uni students' fast food of choice with its huge khobz wraps of falafel, hummus, aubergine or grilled chicken salads. After the afternoon lull, it is nice to see the transformation from a takeaway…
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…
Angels With Bagpipes
343 High Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1PW
The Royal Mile has a new charmer in residence. Sleek, modern, understated and calming, Angels with Bagpipes encapsulates many of the characteristics of its owner Marina Crolla, making you feel immediately welcome and at ease. Like Marina, this place is…
Café Marlayne
76 Thistle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1EN
Café Marlayne has established itself firmly on the Edinburgh French restaurant scene, having survived 10 years and a move of its second branch from off the Royal Mile to new premises opposite the Playhouse Theatre. The two venues are markedly…
Centotre
103 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3ES
Like sister establishment The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, Centotre promises to serve only ‘happy food’, their term for food made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. True to their word, Victor and Carina Contini work with a large band of…
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…
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…
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…
Time 4 Thai
45 North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3BG
Whilst the décor in Time 4 Thai reflects the conventions of George Street style-bar chic, and comes off looking more like an airport’s executive lounge, the welcome is pure class – there’s enough warmth here to power a small country. Choose between…
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…
China Town
3 Atholl Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8HP
It’s a difficult balance that owners Thomas and Kattie Chan are trying to strike. The décor, for example, is deliberately refined, the music classical and the atmosphere reserved. The extensive and attractive wine list compounds the feeling that China…
The Honours
58a North Castle Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3LU
In a city packed with restaurants and a respectable array of upmarket and glitzy places to eat, The Honours brings something new to Edinburgh. It is not fine dining, nor fine-dining lite, nor pastiche French. Rather, it's a classic metropolitain…
Pierre Victoire
18 Eyre Place,
Edinburgh,
EH3 5EP
In the course of 2010 Pierre Levicky's return to Edinburgh with a restaurant called Chez Pierre took its almost inevitable course with its conversion into Pierre Victoire. The old green and gold livery returned, and the scribbled menus once again…
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…
The Street
2 Picardy Place,
Edinburgh,
EH1 3JT
Within close proximity to some of Edinburgh’s best LGBT venues, The Street acts as a lively pre-club pit stop. Disco balls reflect off the floor-to-ceiling windows at the front, which allow views of the passing nightlife, and catchy chart tunes are…
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…
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…
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…
Villager
49–50 George IV Bridge,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1EJ
Villager was the bar which started the trend for pared-down cool with its retro stylings, vintage paraphernalia and stencil-graffiti art adorning the walls. These days other places have followed suit so it feels a little less unique and a little more…
Wildfire Restaurant and Grill
192 Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4AZ
Some restaurants promise more than they deliver. Wildfire does it the other way round. The stone frontage with its 'Scottish Steak and Seafood Bistro' signage disappears into the old-style pubs and bars which still define Rose Street, but step through…
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…
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…
Hyde Out
2 Fountainbridge Square,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9QB
Hyde Out is somewhat less demure than its name suggests. Located by the canal terminus at Edinburgh Quay, it took over from the old Embark with a splash of publicity and a blizzard of blingin’ style in the autumn of 2010, providing a reinvigorating if…
The Jam House
5 Queen Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1JE
Dusky purple lights cast romantic shadows on the walls of this funky, jazz-centric venue once occupied by BBC Scotland. Guests dine on the balcony above the main stage where soulful musicians entertain throughout the evening. A fixed-price set menu…
Karen Wong's Chinese Restaurant
107–109 St Leonard's Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9QY
St Leonard’s Street on a damp weekday evening can be a dreary experience, but there’s a bright yellow beacon that is Karen Wong’s Chinese Restaurant. Inside, you’ll find the place comforting rather than adventurous, in terms of both food and…
Tower Restaurant
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JF
The Tower Restaurant sits atop the National Museum of Scotland where the long dining room is nicely fitted out with leather seats, heavy fabrics and super-shiny surfaces. Stepping out of the lift, the promised skyline views through the large windows…
The Treehouse
44 Leven Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9LJ
There can be few better-sited spots than this for a café in Edinburgh. A bright and airy corner premises which catches the sun nicely, it has no need of any outdoor seating when the Meadows are just across the road. A collection of students and locals…
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…
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…
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…
Indian Lounge
129a Rose Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 3DT
This traditional family restaurant is a stalwart of the Edinburgh Indian restaurant scene having opened its doors 25 years ago. A neat interior, with clean table wear and a calm, relaxing atmosphere is set off with a beautifully colourful wall painting…
International Starters
82 Commercial Quay,
Edinburgh,
EH6 6LX
International Starters takes you round the world in one stop. The versatility of chef Jamie Coyle means that Thailand could be in front of you one minute and Loch Fyne the next. Ordering starter sized portions of cuisine from Scotland, the…
Pho Vietnam House
3 Grove Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8AF
Operating out of a small shopfront, Pho Vietnam House is tiny with just five tables. This isn’t much of a problem, thanks to owner Jodie Nguyen. Having learned to cook at her parents’ restaurant in Vietnam, she prepares the food before handing over to…
The Radical Road
229 Willowbrae Road,
Edinburgh,
EH8 7ND
Perched on a main road heading out of town towards Duddingston, Radical Road is a bit off the beaten track. This mock Tudor property has gone through a number of reincarnations, and is now billed as a traditional Scottish pub with a separate…
Zizzi
Building 5A, Edinburgh Quay, Fountainbridge,
Edinburgh,
EH3 9RU
Zizzi's three Edinburgh restaurants are located in busy areas of the city, and seem to have been placed to make the most of passing trade from tired shoppers and hungry cinema-goers. As branches of a UK-wide chain of almost 100 restaurants (and…
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…
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 Royal Oyster Bar
17a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
Folklore has it that oysters were once so plentiful in the Forth that Edinburgh used to live on them. The Café Royal Oyster Bar is living proof that the citizens have loved oysters at least as far back as 1863 when its revolving doors first twirled…
Candy Kitchen and Bar
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
This George Street favourite screams class and decadence, with its gleaming wooden floor and tables, smooth leather booths and dinky eggcup-shaped swivel chairs. It also says clearly night-time fun and frolics for the hip and happening. More sedately…
Frankfurter Eck
62 Elm Row,
Edinburgh,
EH7 4AQ
The name might not suggest there’s much more to German cooking than sausages ‘n’ sauerkraut, but Edinburgh’s first Deutsch restaurant possesses a menu that might convince you otherwise. With more the air of a shabby chic grassroots café – the toilets…
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…
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 Living Room
113–115 George Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 4JN
Tucked behind the Living Room’s contemporary piano bar, the restaurant’s dark wood and potted palms create a welcoming, informal ambience, while the vanilla leather booths are ideal for romantic liaisons or conspiratorial office gossip. The lengthy…
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…
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…
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…
Shilla
13b Dundas Street,
Edinburgh,
EH3 6QG
As far as entrances go, it’s far from grand. But persevere – after an uncertain trip down a dodgy staircase, Shilla opens out into a maze of individual dining rooms, all exposed brick, lacquered tables and quirky wall paintings. Korean food is…
Ti Amo
16 Nicolson Street,
Edinburgh,
EH8 9DH
Ti Amo's position opposite the Festival Theatre ensures its enduring success. Amusingly dated décor distracts from perusing menus bearing the brunt of many a thumb and spilled vino: menu-matching, smoke-aged, stencilled walls; pillars, statues, and an…
Urban Angel
121 Hanover Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 1DJ
Despite being a growing empire itself with a recently opened juice bar on Broughton Street, Urban Angel eschews multinational brands in favour of local, organic and fairly traded produce. The Hanover Street branch is a warren of basement rooms with…
The Voodoo Rooms
19a West Register Street,
Edinburgh,
EH2 2AA
Any time is cocktail time in the Voodoo Rooms, with its feel of a cabaret club oozing somewhat faded, slightly sleazy glamour. On evenings when there’s live entertainment, the bar is usually bulging. Gastropub grub is served in a small dining room…
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.
Café Modern Two
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two, 73 Belford Road,
Edinburgh,
EH4 3DS
Housed within the former orphanage that is the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Two (formerly the Dean Gallery), this is the smarter cousin of the counter-service café at Modern One across the road. The café has recently expanded into two rooms…
