Best restaurants in Edinburgh

Timberyard

★ Michelin££££regional

A big red door indicates that you have arrived at this rustic warehouse conversion, in which the chefs practise a culinary ethos that centres around the local, the seasonal and letting the produce speak for itself. It takes a lot of skill and no little ability to take just a few prime ingredients and fashion dishes that are so well defined and satisfying, and the kitchen here pulls it off with aplomb. You can warm yourself by the stove in winter or sit in the walled courtyard in the summer. The lovely service team are on the ball and the music’s great too.

AVERY

★ Michelin££££fine_dining

When American chef Rodney Wages visited Edinburgh on holiday, he fell in love with the city so much that he decided to move himself, his family and his restaurant here. And that's how Avery, which once graced the streets of San Francisco, came to be located in a classic Georgian townhouse in Stockbridge. Rodney has wholly embraced his Scottish surroundings, taking the country's bountiful produce and treating it with a Californian lightness, while providing bold, distinct flavours – like Orkney scallop dressed with pineapple jus. The drinks flight combines wine, sake, sherry and, of course, a w

🕐 Tu-Sa 17:00-20:00

LYLA

★ Michelin££££Modern British, Creative

Edinburgh’s finest row of Georgian townhouses is the setting for this elegant seafood restaurant, where only the very best produce will do. Start in the stunning first-floor bar for an aperitif and finely crafted snacks prepared at the island counter, before moving to the understated dining room for a tasting menu based on delicious, sustainably caught fish and shellfish, be it wild halibut or Scottish langoustines. This produce drives the eye-catching dishes, which deliver subtle yet complex blends of flavours and textures. If you’re staying the night, luxurious bedrooms are available.

Condita

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

Just outside the city centre you'll find this smart, understated shop conversion with seasonally changing décor and just six large tables. The cooking takes the form of a surprise menu, with a hand-drawn bookmark picturing some of the ingredients the only hint at what is to come. An interesting and individual streak runs through the cooking, with flavour combinations carefully thought through to enhance one another. The skill of the kitchen is most evident in dishes that extract wonderful flavours from seemingly basic ingredients, like kohlrabi with goat's curd.

Heron

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

There's such a pleasant feel to this neighbourhood restaurant, courtesy of a bright, clean look that’s matched by warm and unstuffy service. The skilful cooking is founded on fine Scottish produce, whether that be excellent sea trout or the finest berries from Fife. The tasting menu will allow you to make the most of the chefs’ talents, and all fits together like a well-crafted jigsaw. Ask for a table by the window if you want to watch the world go by around the Port of Leith, or opt for a seat at the spacious counter.

🕐 We-Fr 17:30-21:30; Sa,Su 12:00-14:30,17:30-21:30

Martin Wishart

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine, Contemporary

For over 20 years, Martin Wishart has been welcoming diners to his eponymous restaurant in the historic and characterful port of Leith. Over the years, he has continually tweaked and reassessed the food and the décor, and the bright, modern style of the dining room is a great match for the current cooking. The kitchen shows great skill in marrying top Scottish produce like grouse and Orkney scallops with classic French technique, resulting in dishes that deliver the flavours they promise, with nothing unnecessary on the plate.

🕐 Tu-Th 12:00-14:00,19:00-21:00; Fr 12:00-14:00,18:30-21:30; Sa 12:00-13:30,18:30-21:30

The Kitchin

★ Michelin££££Modern Cuisine

Housed in the historic Port of Leith, this restaurant has been at the forefront of the Edinburgh dining scene for years. It’s no wonder it’s such a success, given the consistent quality found in the balanced, flavoursome dishes that champion seasonal Scottish produce – come in grouse season and you won’t be disappointed. An array of menus includes a well-priced lunch option and the Prestige surprise menu, which offers the most complete experience. Try to get a table by the kitchen, which lets you in on the action via a large viewing window.

🕐 Tu-Sa 12:00-14:15,18:00-21:30

Noto

Bib Gourmand££Asian Influences, Modern Cuisine

Following the success of aizle, Stuart Ralston took inspiration for his next restaurant from time spent in New York, naming this small plates spot after his NYC roommate, Bob Noto. It’s been a hit ever since, offering well-conceived dishes at sensible prices that are ideal for sharing. The culinary influences span the globe, with a particular focus on a range of Asian cuisines, be that through duck bao buns or a luscious chocolate and miso dessert.

🕐 12:00-21:00; Fr,Sa 12:00-22:00

tipo

Bib Gourmand££Italian

Named after the fine Italian '00' flour that’s used for making pasta, this relaxed and comforting restaurant could quickly become your go-to in Edinburgh’s New Town. British, Mediterranean and Italian cuisines all influence the menu, which provides plenty of flavour and value for money. The small plates selection is mightily appealing, but it's the seriously good homemade pastas like bigoli cacio e pepe that most catch the eye.

Skua

Bib Gourmand££Modern British

This tiny basement operation in the suburb of Stockbridge comes with dark, moody décor and impressive cooking from the get-go. The menu of rustic sharing plates pushes flavour-packed British ingredients to the fore and the dishes are pleasingly free of superfluous elements, allowing their central components to shine. A carefully curated list includes a selection of natural wines, with those available by the glass listed on the blackboard. Cheery, well-organised service adds to the experience.

The Scran & Scallie

Bib Gourmand££Scottish, Traditional Cuisine

Comfort food abounds at this relaxed operation from the Tom Kitchin stable, which positions itself as a real neighbourhood pub, but one that also happens to serve great-tasting food. As this is one of the busiest eateries in Edinburgh, you need to make sure to book if you’re to indulge in the hearty joys of haggis, neeps and tatties, or the signature fish pie that packs in plenty of flavour with its generous helping of seafood. Leave room for dessert too, as the sweet-toothed are well looked after with the likes of vanilla rice pudding.

Ardfern

Bib Gourmand££International

Next-door neighbour and sister restaurant to The Little Chartroom, Ardfern is named after a village in Argyll & Bute that brings back fond memories for owner Roberta Hall-McCarron. Describing itself as a café, bar and bottle shop, it has an appealing brunch menu, a relaxed air and a wine list that will delight enthusiasts. You’d be a fool to miss the evening’s small plates, however, which pack in plenty of flavour and have both a heartiness and a pleasing familiarity to them. The hash browns with whipped feta and jalapeño ketchup are a particular treat.

The Spence

£££Modern British

Until 2017 this was the Royal Bank of Scotland, and the restaurant now occupies what was formerly the banking hall. All the grandeur is here, from the granite columns and the exquisite plasterwork to the magnificent cupola which allows natural light to flood in. The Scottish larder is the focus of the accessible menu, with the kitchen showing a keen eye for presentation.

1925 at The Pompadour

£££Modern British

The Pompadour is one of the city’s most famous restaurant names and it sits within one of its best-known hotels, The Caledonian, a historic and eye-catchingly grand property standing proud at one end of Princes Street – if you’re lucky, you may get one of the tables that look up to the castle. The restaurant is run under the auspices of Chef Dean Banks, who has dropped the former tasting menu format for an à la carte focused on showcasing prime Scottish produce in dishes such as champagne-baked market fish.

Little Capo

££italian

With its bold salmon-pink exterior, it’s hard to miss this endearing Italian restaurant and bar on a prime New Town corner site. Inside, there’s a relaxed, on-trend feel with a supreme sense of style to both the décor and your fellow diners – who help to create such a good buzz. The handwritten menu comprises small plates and larger dishes to share, along with homemade pastas; everything is fresh and flavoursome, from the mackerel crostini to the caponata. The polite and caring service team have a charming confidence and will happily chat away if you sit up at the counter.

LUCKY YU

££asian

Follow the neon and you’ll soon find yourself in this buzzing little bistro serving a variety of Asian-inspired sharing plates. Grab a cocktail and take a seat in the window or perhaps up at the counter, then try hard not to order everything on the menu. From the fried chicken karaage to the signature ‘Dirty Rice’, this is unfussy food piled high with flavour. As difficult as it may be to stop ordering, try to save room for the playful apple pie gyozas to finish. The chatty and attentive service is the final piece of a very enjoyable picture.

Vinette

££french

Stuart Ralston, one of Edinburgh’s most successful restaurateurs, has struck gold again with this take on a Parisian wine bar. The cooking is very much in the bistro mould, fusing French classics with Scottish produce and a few Mediterranean touches. The chicken roulade is a great example of what to expect, a simple yet well-crafted dish showcasing high-quality produce. Come at lunchtime for the best value, where the set menu includes wine. The atmosphere is cosy yet lively, while downstairs you’ll find Vivien, the team’s speakeasy-style cocktail bar.

The Broughton

££Modern British

A warm, genial atmosphere prevails as soon as you enter this smart dining pub, which is located within walking distance of Calton Hill and bustling Princes Street. You can just pop in for a pint if you wish, but you’d be a fool to miss the appealing, good value cooking. Flavoursome dishes like duck confit terrine and vanilla panna cotta hit the mark for elevated pub food, with a strong wine list on hand to accompany.

🕐 Mo-Su 11:30-23:00

Dulse

£££seafood

In Edinburgh's bustling West End, this unpretentious spot offers an enticing combination of wine bar and seafood restaurant. Start in the ground-floor bar with a glass from the interesting international list, before heading upstairs to enjoy a celebration of Scottish fish and shellfish. The quality of the produce shines through, from Shetland mussels to Skye langoustines, sometimes enhanced by flavours from Jamaican jerk spice to harissa butter. Head to their sister branch in Leith to put your bib on and get stuck in to the 'seafood boil' experience featuring an array of shellfish.

🕐 Tu-We 17:00-24:00; Th-Sa 12:00-24:00

Moss

££££Modern Cuisine

Stockbridge has become a go-to neighbourhood for Edinburgh’s foodies in recent years – and Moss is certainly playing its part in the trend. Key to the ethos here is that the menu only uses Scottish produce and the drinks list is exclusively British; many of the ingredients even come from the owner’s family farm in Angus. These are crafted into pure, natural dishes that chime with the dining room’s pared-back aesthetic. It's the little touches that will put a smile on your face, like the complimentary Irn Bru candyfloss at the end of your meal.

Purslane

£££Modern Cuisine

An affluent area of the city plays host to this cosy, atmospheric basement restaurant which comprises just 9 tables. The experienced chef-owner creates ambitious modern dishes which mix tried-and-tested flavours with contemporary techniques. Service is friendly and the set lunch menu is steal.

🕐 Tu-Su 12:00-14:00,18:00-23:30

Cardinal

£££Modern Cuisine

Dark, intimate and moody, Cardinal makes for an atmospheric place to dine in the smart suburb of Stockbridge, which has become a real destination for Edinburgh's foodies. The set menu takes a modern, sometimes creative approach to produce from both land and sea – be it Carlingford oysters or lamb rump wrapped in kelp – with preservation techniques often playing their part. An international wine list is on hand to accompany the cooking, with a leaning towards natural and low-intervention options.

🕐 We-Sa 17:00-20:30, Fr,Sa 12:00-13:30

Spry

££Modern British

Set on the ground floor of a classic Georgian house by the famous Leith Walk, this wine shop sells a wide selection of naturally produced, organic wines. You can enjoy them in-house alongside some delicious seasonal dishes, where you have the option to choose from the à la carte or go for the 5 course set menu. Owners Matt and Marzena are always on hand to offer advice, and also run a basement coffee shop and in-house bakery selling some delightful sourdough.

eòrna

££££Modern British

There's a plush quality to this smart counter restaurant in the suburb of Stockbridge. Small "chef’s table" operations like this allow for a much greater intimacy to your dining experience and, indeed, there are just two people working here: Brian in the kitchen and Glen looking after service and wines. Following a warm welcome, you can enjoy a highly seasonal tasting menu that has a strong Scottish heart, from the Orkney beef to the fantastic Perthshire strawberries.

🕐 Tu-Sa 18:45-18:00+

Hendersons

££Vegetarian, Vegan

In 1962, Janet Henderson opened one of Scotland's most famous vegetarian restaurants; decades later her grandson Barrie is running the show in a busy premises by Bruntsfield Links. The appealing, skilfully cooked selection of meat-free dishes are mostly vegan, with options like salt-baked celeriac and their take on classic haggis, neeps and tatties. Friendly service creates a lovely neighbourhood feel, while unfussy plant-based puddings are on hand to satisfy the most sweet-toothed of diners.

🕐 Mo-Su 12:00-22:00

Sotto

££italian

This buzzy wine bar and trattoria is set in the heart of bustling Stockbridge, where you can pop in just for a glass of wine with some olives and salumi around the communal, marble-topped island counter – or choose from the full à la carte of appealingly unfussy Italian dishes. Whether you opt for one of the pastas or the fish of the day, it’s all simple, fresh and wholly enjoyable. The top-notch wine list is almost exclusively Italian, with owner and sommelier James on hand to recommend something to suit.

🕐 We-Sa 12:00-22:00; Su 12:00-20:30

The Palmerston

££Modern Cuisine

Situated on a prime corner site in Edinburgh's West End, this former bank is now filled with a different kind of gold. Culinary delights ranging from house-baked breads and pastries to a full menu of unfussy, European-influenced dishes will ensure you leave satisfied, whenever you decide to drop in. A beautiful conversion has left the interior with polished bistro tables and the feel of a smart dining pub, helped out by the local beers, impressive whisky selection and carefully curated wine list. Look out for the dishes to share, such as Borders venison, red wine and smoked bacon pie.

Leftfield

££Seafood, Scottish

Honest, intimate and sweet, this is a proper neighbourhood restaurant which focuses on the country's delicious seafood. Kick things off with a choice of fresh oysters or internationally influenced dishes such as squid 'puttanesca' or Thai coconut Shetland mussels. Comforting and flavoursome main dishes pair well with the homely surroundings, where you can relax with some super views of Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows. The concise wine list has a bias towards minimal intervention options.

Argile

££££Modern Cuisine

Inspired by the sticky clay used for making pottery, the naming of this hidden-away neighbourhood restaurant feels rather apt given the wonderful array of china, pottery and earthenware they use. It’s an intimate operation with modern, sometimes technically complex dishes that draw on global influences. Chef-owner Jack Montgomery serves many dishes himself, pouring passion and a personal touch into the experience.

🕐 We-Sa

eleanore

££british

Situated a little outside the city centre, there is a pleasantly relaxed feel to this neighbourhood restaurant from the team behind The Little Chartroom. With its friendly service, bright monochrome décor and high-stool seating, it's the kind of place you could happily pop in for a light lunch or come for a proper evening out. The chefs take plenty of care in preparing a menu of fresh-tasting dishes, with desserts proving a highlight. Dietary requirements are well catered for, with properly thought out vegetarian and vegan menus available on request.

🕐 Mo-Su 12:00-16:30,17:30-23:00; Tu off; We off; Th off; Fr 16:00-23:00

Montrose

£££Modern Cuisine

Located close to The Palace of Holyroodhouse, this 19th-century former inn has been converted into a wine bar and restaurant by the owners of Timberyard. Soft lighting and exposed stonework give the place a rustic, intimate feel, with diners spread across two floors. A seat at the ground-floor bar counter feels like a fitting place to enjoy a glass from the excellent wine list championing lesser-known regions, along with the boldly flavoured dishes that are designed for sharing, whether from the à la carte or the set menu.

🕐 Th 17:00-00:00; Fr-Su 12:00-00:00

The Little Chartroom

£££Modern British

There’s an addictive buzz to this pared-back, Nordic-style restaurant on the outer fringes of Leith. The focus of the chic dining room is on a large open kitchen running across one side, where counter seats are available for those who like to be in on the action. Go for the full tasting menu to experience the breadth of the cooking, which ranges from subtle to bold flavours while always retaining a keen sense of balance. The ingredients are of great quality and frequently Scottish, like the plump, buttery scallops. The service comes with an endearing warmth.

🕐 Th-Fr 17:00-20:30; Sa 12:00-14:00,17:30-20:30;Su 12:00-14:00,18:00-20:30; Mo-We off

Dùthchas

££££scottish

Blink and you could easily miss this diminutive restaurant in an unassuming parade of shops. Given what a lovely restaurant it is, we therefore recommend walking through Leith with your eyes wide open. Inside, it’s a cosy six-table operation where the enthusiastic chefs deliver a set menu of satisfyingly original dishes. Sit back and relax as the team proudly walk you through seasonally changing creations, such as their clever take on prawn toast. Go for the wine pairing, which offers an enlightening selection of lesser-known bottles.

Barry Fish

£££fish

Yet another terrific eatery in the foodie haven of Leith, this instantly likeable restaurant unsurprisingly offers a fabulous feast of fish. From whole sole to the signature sea trout pastrami, the cooking is fuss-free and cleanly executed to show off the natural flavours of the ingredients. At lunch, share plates from the ‘Big Snacks’ selection, which at dinnertime become starters to be enjoyed before larger offerings such as a half lobster with smoked fish agnolotti. The team are one of the most welcoming around, so you’re sure to be well looked after.

Dogstar

£££Modern British

One of the newer restaurants in this Edinburgh enclave, Dogstar occupies a former pub that’s now a buzzy space run by an engaging team whose cheery service will enhance any experience. The seasonal menu can change weekly or even daily, but expect dishes suited to sharing that show off an array of prime produce (sometimes cooked over coals), including stand-outs like fresh, sweet local surf clams with sea laver, rosemary and fino sherry. The carefully curated wine list offers a good range without breaking the bank.

Number One

££££Modern Cuisine

French