Tasting menuChef Mark Donald£££££105new-townThu-Mon 18:00-21:30; Tue-Wed closedBook 2 weeks ahead
Mark Donald's basement dining room at The Balmoral on Princes Street, Michelin-starred from 2003 to 2024 and still running fine-dining service.
Order: The seasonal tasting menu; the chef's table takes six guests by 14-day request.
Tip: Lunch sittings include a four-course at £55, half the dinner price. The Bollinger Bar upstairs takes walk-ins.
ScottishChef Douglas Roberts£££££95old-townDaily 12:00-22:30Book 3 weeks ahead
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.
Order: The Witchery Theatre menu of three courses at £50 before 18:30 or after 22:00, the only value play.
Tip: Ask for The Secret Garden, the second dining room down the stairs; the candlelit version of the experience.
Tasting menuChef Rodney Wages£££££149stockbridgeTue-Sat 17:00-20:00; Sun-Mon closedBook 4 weeks ahead
Rodney Wages's basement tasting room on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge Edinburgh, opened 2024 after he relocated his San Francisco Avery to Scotland.
Order: The set tasting runs around twelve courses; trust the kitchen and take the full pairing.
Tip: Tuesday to Saturday only, one seating from 5pm; book via Tock four weeks ahead for weekend tables.
Tasting menuChef Stuart Ralston£££££95new-townBook 3 weeks ahead
Stuart Ralston's Garden Room kitchen inside the Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh, opened 2014 and relocated in 2020, a no-choice market-driven tasting.
Order: The six-course harvest tasting menu changed weekly; lunch is £45 for four courses.
Tip: The hotel terrace takes walk-ins for a glass of fizz before service; smart casual.
Tasting menuChef Paul Gunning£££££65stockbridgeBook 2 weeks ahead
Paul Gunning's Stockbridge basement dining room on St Stephen Street in Edinburgh, opened 2014, a 20-cover tasting kitchen running monthly-changing.
Order: The six-course evening tasting menu; lunch runs a slimmer four-course at £40.
Tip: BYO Tuesday with a £7 corkage is a cheap way to bring a bottle from the wine merchant down the street.
ScottishChef Paul Wedgwood£££££75old-townMon 12:00-15:00, Mon 18:00-21:00, Tue 12:00-15:00, Tue 18:00-21:00, Wed 12:00-15:00, Wed 18:00-21:00, Thu 12:00-15:00, Thu 18:00-21:00, Fri 12:00-15:00, Fri 18:00-21:00, Sat 12:00-15:00, Sat 18:00-21:00, Sun 12:30-15:00, Sun 18:00-21:00Book 2 weeks ahead
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.
Order: The chef's table in the kitchen takes four for a six-course tasting with kitchen commentary.
Tip: The supper-club Sunday is half the price of weekday dinner and runs a slimmer four-course menu.