12 editor picks in Edinburgh.
12 restaurants in Edinburgh, editor-picked for restaurants open monday. Open on monday, the day most kitchens go dark. All restaurants in Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh outpost of London's Bombay-Irani cafe chain on St Andrew Square, opened in 2016, a 200-cover all-day room in the old Bank of Scotland HQ.
OrderThe bacon naan roll for breakfast and the 24-hour house black daal at any other meal.
TipNo dinner bookings under six; walk in from 17:30 and the wait is 30 to 60 minutes. Drinks at the basement bar while you wait.
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.
OrderThe pigs head croquettes with smoked paprika and whatever the kitchen is pouring by the glass.
TipCocktail bar Vivien sits one flight below, run by the same team; an aperitif there then a table upstairs is the move.
Stuart Ralston's Thistle Street dining room in New Town Edinburgh, opened in 2019, a Japanese-inflected small-plates kitchen in a former townhouse basement.
OrderThe wagyu tataki with truffle and the miso-glazed octopus that anchor the menu.
TipBar seats look directly onto the sushi pass. Stuart's other rooms, Aizle and Tipo, sit within a four-minute walk.
White Horse Oyster and Seafood Bar at 266 Canongate on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh Old Town, opened in November 2017 inside what is reckoned the oldest inn.
OrderA half-dozen native oysters off the chalk board, then the lobster linguine for the table.
TipThe narrow room books out for dinner; lunch from noon and the late-night kitchen until midnight take walk-ins at the counter.
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.
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.
The Café Royal on West Register Street in Edinburgh New Town, a Victorian pub and oyster bar serving fresh seafood, classic dishes and continental lagers.
OrderOysters and a seafood platter to share, taken at the bar under the Victorian interiors.
TipThe 09:00 opening and the brunch menu run Thursday to Saturday only. Under 18s are not allowed in the bar, though children aged five and over are welcome in the restaurant.
Fishers in Leith on The Shore in Edinburgh, open since 1991 in a seventeenth-century watchtower, a seafood kitchen running East Coast fish and shellfish.
OrderThe whole East Coast lobster with chips and salad, or the roast monkfish with peas.
TipWalk-ins are welcome. Ask for the cosy round room by the bar rather than the main restaurant, or a table outside by the water when it is dry.
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.
The New Town offshoot of the Leith Fishers seafood mini-chain in Edinburgh, on Thistle Street since 2001, a brasserie-style room running East Coast fish.
OrderCullen skink for starters and the whole grilled lemon sole with brown butter.
TipThe original Fishers Bistro on the Shore in Leith is the smaller, more ambient sibling if you want the Old Port version.
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.
Guided tour · 3 hours
Explore Edinburgh’s Georgian 200 year-old New Town on a food walking tour. Enjoy a Scottish gin cocktail, smoked salmon canapes, port and chocolate, haggis, ice cream ...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Explore Edinburgh’s rich history through its iconic cuisine! Taste, learn, and feel the soul of Scotland on our unforgettable Secret Food Tour through the heart of the...
Guided tour · 50 - 75 minutes
Enjoy a guided tour and tasting in the vault of world's most famous Scotch whisky collection. Discover the art of blending and the secrets of single malt whisky across...