Dulse is a seafood restaurant in Tollcross West End, Edinburgh.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: The Dean Banks Group is better known for Haar in St Andrews. Dulse slipped into Edinburgh's West End in 2023 without much fanfare despite holding two AA rosettes.
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Address: 17 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh EH2 4QW
Margot wine cafe on Barclay Terrace in Edinburgh Bruntsfield, a neighbourhood wine and small-plates room from the LeftField team, serving seasonal European.
OrderThe weekly-changing small plates with a glass of whatever the owner recommends from the bottle list.
Why locals goBruntsfield is where Edinburgh locals eat. Margot is the wine cafe on the corner of Barclay Terrace with a daily-changing small plates menu, a natural wine list and no social.
TipWalk-in only for brunch; evenings require a booking. The Thursday slot is the least contested.
Roseleaf Bar Cafe on Sandport Place in Leith Edinburgh, an eclectic all-day pub and cafe in a converted Victorian bar, serving brunch until 17:00 and dinner.
OrderPoached eggs with wild mushrooms on sourdough and a pot of loose-leaf tea.
Why locals goSandport Place sits one street from The Shore in Leith and gets missed by everyone who stops at the waterfront pubs. Roseleaf is a converted pub with tea in china teapots.
TipTea comes in full china pots here, not a bag in a mug. Ask for the printed tea menu.
Union of Genius on Forrest Road in Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland's first dedicated soup cafe serving six freshly made soups daily with flavour-matched artisan.
OrderAsk the staff what they made today and take the one they recommend. They are right every time.
Why locals goA soup cafe sounds like a student canteen. It is. It is also Scotland's most consistent value lunch: six soups daily with artisan bread on Forrest Road.
TipCloses at 16:00 weekdays and 15:00 Saturday. No Sunday service. Arrive at 12:00 for first pick.
The Pitt street-food market on West Shore Road in Edinburgh, open Thursday to Sunday, an award-winning indoor market with rotating food trucks and craft bars.
OrderThe food truck list rotates weekly; check the website the day before and plan your order.
Why locals goWest Shore Road in Granton is a bus ride from the city centre that most visitors never take. The Pitt is Edinburgh's largest street food market: a purpose-built indoor venue.
TipFree entry. The sauna books up separately. Best visit is a Thursday or Friday evening before the weekend crowds.
L'Alba D'Oro on Henderson Row in Edinburgh New Town, an evening-only takeaway chippy opened in 1975 and named UK's best by The Times in 2014.
OrderBattered haddock and chips. No gimmicks, no sides. That is the dish.
Why locals goHenderson Row is not a tourist strip. The chippy opens at 16:00, serves until 21:15 and has no indoor seating. Named UK's best chip shop by The Times in 2014.
TipEvening only from 16:00. Take your chips to the Stockbridge Water of Leith path five minutes away.
Margot wine cafe on Barclay Terrace in Edinburgh Bruntsfield, a neighbourhood wine and small-plates room from the LeftField team, serving seasonal European.
OrderThe weekly-changing small plates with a glass of whatever the owner recommends from the bottle list.
Why locals goBruntsfield is where Edinburgh locals eat. Margot is the wine cafe on the corner of Barclay Terrace with a daily-changing small plates menu, a natural wine list and no social.
TipWalk-in only for brunch; evenings require a booking. The Thursday slot is the least contested.
The Fishmarket on Pier Place in Newhaven Edinburgh, a collaboration between Welch Fishmongers and the Ondine team, serving oysters, langoustines and grilled.
OrderA dressed crab with brown toast and a glass of house white on the outdoor deck.
Why locals goNewhaven Pier is a 20-minute bus from the Royal Mile and feels like a different Edinburgh: working harbour, outdoor tables, Ondine-team seafood at takeaway prices. Most.
TipBook the evening deck table in summer. Buses 16 and 32 from Princes Street reach Newhaven in 20 minutes.
