Modern Scottish££old-townThu 11:30-14:30, Sun 17:00-21:15, Sun 11:30-15:00
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.
Signature: Haggis bonbons with whisky cream, Aberdeen Angus steak
Order: Haggis bonbons with whisky cream as a starter and the Aberdeen Angus steak with peppercorn sauce.
Tip: Pre-theatre two-course menu from 17:30-19:00 is the value play. The Waterloo Place branch is the second-best room.
Scottish£££new-townDaily 12:00-00:00
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.
Signature: Scottish smoked salmon platter, Roast beef Wellington
Order: Smoked salmon platter at lunch and the roast beef Wellington at dinner under the central dome.
Tip: The Georgian Tea Room at the back is a quieter alternative if the main hall feels too touristy at peak hours.
Scottish££££new-townThu-Mon 18:00-21:30; Tue-Wed closed
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.
Signature: Loch Duart salmon with caviar, Aged Scotch beef with red wine jus
Order: The seasonal tasting menu; lunch sittings include a four-course at half dinner price.
Tip: The Bollinger Bar upstairs (also at the Balmoral) takes walk-ins for a glass of fizz before service. Smart-casual dress code enforced.
French Bistro£££canonmills-inverleithMon-Thu 17:30-21:00, Fri 12:00-14:30, Fri 17:30-21:00, Sat 12:00-14:30, Sat 17:30-21:00, Sun 12:00-14:30, Sun 17:30-21:00
Stuart Ralston's Parisian bar a vin on Broughton Street in Edinburgh New Town, opened October 2025 on the former Fhior site, a wine-led bistro serving.
Signature: Braised duck hearts on toast with pickled green peppercorns, Grilled Iberico pork chop with cider-braised onions
Order: The pigs head croquettes with smoked paprika and whatever the kitchen is pouring by the glass.
Tip: Cocktail bar Vivien sits one flight below, run by the same team; an aperitif there then a table upstairs is the move.
Modern European£££stockbridge
Paul Gunning's Stockbridge basement dining room on St Stephen Street in Edinburgh, opened 2014, a 20-cover neighbourhood kitchen running set tasting menus.
Signature: Hand-dived scallop with cauliflower, Aged duck with cherry
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 Pantry next door.
Modern Scottish£££old-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 18:00-21:00
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.
Signature: Pigeon with foraged greens, Scallop with chorizo
Order: The pigeon with foraged greens, the kitchen's long-running signature plate.
Tip: The chef's table in the kitchen takes four guests; book a fortnight ahead for the demo-led version of the tasting menu.