21 editor picks in Edinburgh.
21 scottish places in Edinburgh we have eaten in, sorted by editor score. All cuisines in Edinburgh | Scottish across every city.
Scottish cooking in Edinburgh runs from suckling-pig rolls to Michelin tasting menus, all built on the country's larder of seafood, game and root vegetables. The Kitchin set the modern benchmark from its Leith dining room on Commercial Quay, where Tom Kitchin championed Scottish provenance, and Timberyard carries the foraged-and-fermented approach in Tollcross. At the heritage end The Witchery by the Castle holds the top of the Royal Mile, while Oink's Old Town hog-roast counter on Victoria Street shows the same produce at its simplest.
Tom Kitchin's Commercial Quay dining room in Leith, Edinburgh, opened in 2006 and held a Michelin star within seven months, the kitchen that brought Scottish.
OrderThe seasonal Rock Pool starter and whatever lands fresh from the Anstruther day-boats that morning.
TipLunch is half the dinner price and runs the same kitchen. The Tom's Sunday lunch (the chef's table) gets cancelled less than the evening tasting if you book it.
The Radford family's foraged-and-fermented kitchen on Lady Lawson Street in Edinburgh, opened in 2012 and Michelin-starred since 2024, a courtyard dining.
OrderThe full tasting menu at dinner; let the kitchen send what is best that day from the garden.
TipThe summer terrace under the oak in the courtyard is the best dining seat in the city when the weather permits.
Stuart Ralston's Shoreside Leith fine-dining room in Edinburgh, opened in 2024 and Michelin-starred within twelve months, a 14-seat tasting counter.
OrderThe full chef's tasting menu; this is a counter-only kitchen designed for the set sequence.
TipCounter seats numbers 1 and 14 face the open pass directly. Tasting menus only; no a la carte.
Stuart Ralston's Garden Room kitchen inside the Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, opened 2014 (relocated 2020), a no-choice market-driven tasting menu.
OrderThe six-course set menu changes weekly; whatever appears on the harvest board that month.
TipThe hotel terrace is open to walk-ups for a glass of fizz before service. Lunch is half the dinner price and runs the same menu.
James Thomson's medieval-tavern dining room at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opened 1979 inside Boswell's Court, the city's heritage-cuisine.
OrderThe Scotch beef Wellington for two and the haggis with whisky-cream sauce as a starter.
TipAsk for The Secret Garden, the second dining room down the stairs; the candlelit version of the experience.
Peter Adshead's restaurant in the 1836 William Playfair stone cottage at Royal Terrace Gardens in Edinburgh, opened May 2026 on the former Gardener's Cottage.
OrderThe seven-course tasting in the evening.
TipThursday to Sunday only; the £25 two-course lunch from 12:30 is the value entry, evening tasting climbs to £85.
Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack's Stockbridge gastropub in Edinburgh, opened 2013, the casual-counterpart to The Kitchin running British classics in a Comely.
OrderThe fish and chips with mushy peas, plus a starter of Cullen skink to share.
TipThe kids' menu is not patronising; the meatballs and mash is a proper plate. Sunday roast books out a week ahead.
Howies on Victoria Street in Edinburgh, the Old Town flagship of David Howie Scott's Scottish-bistro mini-chain opened in 1990, the city's everyday Scottish.
OrderHaggis bonbons with whisky cream as a starter and the Aberdeen Angus steak with peppercorn sauce.
TipPre-theatre two-course menu from 17:30-19:00 is the value play. The Waterloo Place branch is the second-best room.
The Dome on George Street in Edinburgh's New Town, opened in 1996 inside the former Commercial Bank building, a glass-domed grand brasserie room running.
OrderSmoked salmon platter at lunch and the roast beef Wellington at dinner under the central dome.
TipThe Georgian Tea Room at the back is a quieter alternative if the main hall feels too touristy at peak hours.
Mark Donald's basement dining room inside The Balmoral hotel on Princes Street in Edinburgh, Michelin-starred from 2003 to 2024 and still running fine-dining.
OrderThe seasonal tasting menu; lunch sittings include a four-course at half dinner price.
TipThe Bollinger Bar upstairs (also at the Balmoral) takes walk-ins for a glass of fizz before service. Smart-casual dress code enforced.
Paul and Lisa Wedgwood's Canongate dining room on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opened in 2007, a family-run fine-dining kitchen with a focus on Scottish.
OrderThe pigeon with foraged greens, the kitchen's long-running signature plate.
TipThe chef's table in the kitchen takes four guests; book a fortnight ahead for the demo-led version of the tasting menu.
Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack's Stockbridge gastropub in Edinburgh, opened in 2013, the casual sibling to The Kitchin running British classics in a Comely.
OrderFish and chips with mushy peas, or the Sunday roast that books out a week ahead.
TipChildren's menu is taken seriously here; meatballs and mash is a proper plate.
Howies on Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town, the flagship of David Howie Scott's Scottish-bistro mini-chain opened 1990, an everyday Scottish-classics.
OrderHaggis bonbons with whisky cream and the Aberdeen Angus steak with peppercorn sauce.
TipPre-theatre two-course menu 17:30-19:00 is £22, the best value in the Old Town.
Edinburgh Larder bistro on Blackfriars Street in the Old Town of Edinburgh, opened in 2009, an all-day cafe-restaurant serving Scottish-provenance breakfast.
OrderThe Larder breakfast with Stornoway black pudding and the daily soup with sourdough at lunch.
TipCloses by 16:00 most days; the original cafe on Blackfriars Street is the calmer of the two rooms.
Peter Adshead's restaurant in the 1836 William Playfair stone cottage at Royal Terrace Gardens in Edinburgh, opened May 2026 on the former Gardener's Cottage.
OrderThe £25 two-course lunch by the kitchen garden door; available Friday to Sunday from 12:30.
TipLunch sittings 12:30-14:30 Friday to Sunday are the casual entry point; evening flips to a fixed five or seven-course set.
The King's Wark at No.36 Shore in Leith Edinburgh, a bar and restaurant in a building dating to the 1400s, serving gastropub food, cask ales and cocktails.
OrderGrilled smoked haddock with haggis and streaky bacon, or the pan-fried Scottish salmon fillet with king prawn.
TipTables for up to six book through the ResDiary panel on the pub's contact page. Parties of seven or more have to email the pub, and may be asked for a deposit and a pre-order.
Tom Kitchin's Leith dining room on Commercial Quay in Edinburgh, Michelin-starred since 2007, the kitchen that brought Scottish provenance back to fine.
OrderThe Land and Sea five-course tasting menu, with optional wine pairings from a 400-bottle list.
TipSaturday lunch tastings are the most reliable booking; the chef's table in the open pass accepts two with 30 days notice.
James Thomson's heritage dining room at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, opened in 1979 inside Boswell's Court, the city's grand-occasion fine-dining.
OrderThe Witchery Theatre menu of three courses at £50 before 18:30 or after 22:00, the only value play.
TipAsk for The Secret Garden, the second dining room down the stairs; the candlelit version of the experience.
Paul and Lisa Wedgwood's Royal Mile dining room on Canongate in Edinburgh, opened in 2007, a family-run kitchen with a focus on Scottish foraging and game.
OrderThe chef's table in the kitchen takes four for a six-course tasting with kitchen commentary.
TipThe supper-club Sunday is half the price of weekday dinner and runs a slimmer four-course menu.
L'Alba D'Oro on Henderson Row in Edinburgh New Town, open evening-only since 1975, the city's most decorated chip shop serving fresh-chipped Scottish haddock.
OrderBattered haddock and chips
TipCloses at 21:15 sharp. The post-theatre window is 20:30-21:00; go straight there from the Lyceum or Usher Hall.
Oink hog roast counter on Victoria Street in Edinburgh Old Town, carving a whole suckling pig from 11:00 daily, the city's best £8 lunch in a roll.
OrderHog roast roll with haggis stuffing
TipCloses when the pig runs out, often before 15:00 on busy days. The haggis-stuffed version is the authentic Edinburgh choice.
Day trip · 9 hours
Admire the breathtaking Scottish Highlands while you learn about Scotland's long history of whisky production on this guided tour. Pickup is available from Edinburgh, ...
Private tour · 2.5 - 5 hours
Savor authentic Scottish cuisine in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, rich with medieval charm and local legends. Taste full-course meals, desserts, and drinks.
Private tour · 2 - 5 hours
What makes Scotch whisky Scotland’s national pride? Sip through Edinburgh’s Old Town with a private whisky expert and taste regional blends while learning about distil...
