Edinburgh is a historic city with a stunning Old Town, many landmarks and plenty of places to eat out. But where should you eat? We reveal some of the best places according to the lsitors can benefit from a local’s knowledge when it comes to wining and dining.
Like the city itself, Edinburgh’s culinary scene is a vibrant mix of tradition, innovation, and global influences. Whether you’re wandering the old cobbled streets or soaking up the Georgian elegance of New Town, Edinburgh offers a rich menu of dining experiences. From hidden gems to celebrated institutions, here’s a locally curated guide to the best restaurants in Edinburgh.
Dine by the Docks
If you plan to dine out on Edinburgh’s royal history, then starting at the docks on Queen Elizabeth’s personal ship, The Royal Yacht Britannia is a great tour, but not great for food. If you want max-out on Scottish whisky and food, the nearby Port of Leith Distillery offers its own grand tour, and a great range of small-plate dining.
From smoked mackerel on Aaran oatcakes to venison salami with green peppercorn or a larger 35-day aged Scottish Rump, green peppercorn sauce, every mouthful is a gorgeous delight.
Head into town down Ferry Road, perhaps grabbing something for later from the delightful Mimi’s Bakehouse on the way, and you can jump out of a taxi onto the Royal Mile and the heart of the city, ready for a fresh dining adventure.
Celebs and Sport in Edinburgh’s Foodie Scene
Gordon Ramsay might have been born near Glasgow – in Johnstone – but he has brought his brand to Edinburgh in the form of the Bread Street Kitchen & Bar in St Andrew Square. It offers British classics made with seasonal Scottish ingredients.
His beef Wellington is a showstopper, and you can learn how to make it at a masterclass. Other delights include slow-cooked pork ribs, steamed sea bream with mussels, and a killer sticky toffee pudding to warm you up on those colder nights.
If you’re in town for the Rugby at Murrayfield or football for a Motherwell game, The Skyline at Tynecastle provides a great view from the top of the stadium and makes for a great match-day experience (open Thu-Sun for dinner). The main menu offers sous vide duck breast, slow-cooked jacob’s ladder beef
or garlic & thyme marinated flat iron steak.
Where the Locals Eat
If you’re visiting as a family, The Huxley on Rutland Street puts on a warm Scottish welcome for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffalo ranch mac and cheese stands out among a menu of steaks and fish, while breakfast cocktails and crolls (croissant rolls) do a roaring trade.
For something of a flavour explosion, Paz Taqueria on Thistle Street brings a Mexican twist to Edinburgh with a new menu (as of July) cramming in colour and vibe into the tiny taco joint. A great place to pick something like the Taco de Atun (Seared sesame tuna, mango, habanero salsa, Mexican
Coleslaw and sesame seeds) and run, you’ll enjoy this pit stop.
And in you want some food on the go, Harkness Pies on Raeburn Place offers a fine selection of freshly made pies with local and free range ingredients to keep you topped up as you head between attractions.
Along with the usual bunch of big names from The Ivy on the Square to Gaucho and Hawksmoor, Edinburgh has something for every type of visitor and budget. The city’s restaurant scene is cosmopolitan, yet firmly Scottish, whether you’re indulging in cheese and wine at The Cheese Lounge or Latin America vibes thanks to the growing number of international flavours.
But if its tradition you want, Edinburgh’s oldest restaurant is the Sheep Heid Inn, a historic pub and restaurant in Duddingston to the south-east of Holyrood Park. It can trace its roots back to around 1360, but offers a modern menu, offering fine dining and Sunday roasts, but while retaining a lot of medieval character. It is recognised as a contender for the world’s oldest continually operating dining venue.
