Edinburgh's restaurant scene has exploded. With four Michelin stars in the city, world-class Scottish produce, and everything from legendary curry canteens to cutting-edge tasting menus, you'll eat extraordinarily well here.
Fine Dining & Michelin Stars
The Kitchin
Modern Scottish • Leith
Tom Kitchin's flagship. 'From Nature to Plate' philosophy showcasing Scotland's finest ingredients with French technique. Book weeks ahead.
Must try: Tasting menu, seasonal Scottish produce
Restaurant Martin Wishart
French-Scottish • Leith
Elegant French-Scottish fine dining in an intimate waterfront setting. Impeccable service and extraordinary tasting menus.
Must try: Tasting menu with wine pairing
Number One
Modern British • The Balmoral
Luxurious hotel restaurant with contemporary Scottish cuisine. Opulent setting in one of Edinburgh's finest hotels.
Must try: Pre-theatre menu for value
Condita
Modern Scottish • Thistle Street
Intimate 20-seat restaurant serving creative tasting menus. Outstanding cooking in a relaxed setting.
Must try: Surprise tasting menu
Modern Scottish
Timberyard
££££Seasonal Scottish • Lady Lawson Street
Converted warehouse with seasonal tasting menus. Foraged ingredients, Scottish produce, and industrial-chic atmosphere.
The Little Chartroom
£££Modern Scottish • Bonnington Road
Small plates and natural wines showcasing seasonal Scottish ingredients. Relaxed but excellent.
Aizle
££££Seasonal Scottish • St Leonard's Street
Mystery tasting menus based on seasonal Scottish ingredients. You don't know what you're eating until it arrives.
Fhior
££££Hyper-local Scottish • Broughton Street
Passionate about provenance. Every ingredient is Scottish, many foraged. Intimate and genuinely exciting.
Noto
£££Modern Scottish • Thistle Street
Creative Scottish cuisine in a stylish New Town setting. Great value lunch menu.
Seafood
Ondine
George IV Bridge
Sustainable Scottish seafood done brilliantly. The oyster bar is exceptional. Smart but not stuffy.
Must try: Oysters, fish of the day
The Shore Bar & Restaurant
Leith
Cosy waterfront spot with excellent seafood and Scottish dishes. Atmospheric and authentic.
Must try: Cullen skink, fresh fish
Fishers Leith
The Shore, Leith
Long-standing seafood restaurant in a 17th-century watchtower. Fresh fish, great location.
Must try: Seafood platter
The Fishmarket
Newhaven
Right on Newhaven harbour. Ultra-fresh seafood from the boats. Simple but superb.
Must try: Whatever's just come in
Traditional Scottish
The Witchery by the Castle
Royal Mile
Gothic opulence meets Scottish tradition. Candlelit dining in a 16th-century building at the castle gates.
Must try: Haggis, Scottish beef
Whiski Rooms
Royal Mile
Scottish food paired with 300+ whiskies. Great atmosphere and excellent haggis.
Must try: Haggis bon bons, whisky flight
The Dogs
Hanover Street
Honest Scottish cooking in a relaxed setting. Great value, local ingredients, no pretension.
Must try: Black pudding, seasonal game
Dubh Prais
High Street
Traditional Scottish restaurant in an atmospheric basement. Classic dishes done well.
Must try: Venison, salmon
Casual & Budget-Friendly
The Pantry
££Stockbridge • Brunch
Edinburgh's best brunch. Queue at weekends but worth it. Scottish ingredients, excellent coffee.
Bross Bagels
£Multiple locations • Quick lunch
New York style bagels that rival Manhattan. Queue moves fast, bagels are incredible.
Mums Great Comfort Food
££Forrest Road • Comfort food
Hearty Scottish comfort food. Bangers and mash, macaroni cheese, sticky toffee pudding.
Ting Thai Caravan
££Multiple locations • Thai food
Authentic Thai street food. Consistently excellent and affordable.
Civerinos
££Multiple locations • Pizza
Neapolitan pizza that's consistently voted Edinburgh's best. Sourdough bases, great toppings.
Mosque Kitchen
£Nicolson Square • Curry
Legendary curry canteen. Massive portions, incredible value, authentic Pakistani food.
Where to Eat by Area
Leith
Edinburgh's foodie destination. Two Michelin stars, waterfront dining, trendy bistros.
Highlights: The Kitchin, Martin Wishart, The Shore
Old Town
Tourist-friendly but quality varies. Stick to recommended spots, avoid Royal Mile chains.
Highlights: The Witchery, Ondine, Whiski Rooms
New Town
Upscale dining and cocktail bars. George Street glamour, hidden gems on side streets.
Highlights: Condita, Noto, The Honours
Stockbridge
Village feel with excellent brunch spots, delis, and gastropubs.
Highlights: The Pantry, Scran & Scallie, Purslane
Bruntsfield
Local neighbourhood restaurants, family-friendly, excellent value.
Highlights: Victor & Carina's, Project Pizza, Barley House
Dining Tips
- *Book Michelin restaurants weeks (sometimes months) ahead
- *Lunch menus at fine dining restaurants offer better value
- *Leith is worth the trip for serious food
- *Many restaurants are closed Mondays - check before you go
- *The Royal Mile has great restaurants but also many tourist traps
- *Ask locals for recommendations - Edinburgh folk love their food
- *Tipping is typically 10-15% if service isn't included
- *Pre-theatre menus offer excellent value at top restaurants