When people think of Edinburgh, a few things might come to mind: festivals, castles, hauntings, classic literature, and whisky. Restaurants? Not really. But that’s not because the dining scene in the “Athens of the North” is mediocre. Quite the opposite. It’s just that this Scottish city of just over a half million denizens has so much going for it.
The last few years have been particularly kind to the Edinburgh dining landscape. The city has been hailed by various international food publications for its flavor-popping restaurants and even Michelin has cast a constellation of stars upon several eateries.
And if you want to build up an appetite—whether you crave hearty Scottish fare, sophisticated Scottish fare, or something entirely different—one of the best ways to do it is to take a long walk. That is, a guided walking Edinburgh day tour. This way you can see all the sites of the city, getting a local’s insider perspective on them, and then discuss it all over dinner at one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh below.
The 8 Best Restaurants in Edinburgh
Aizle
Sit down at Aizle, an elegant but unfussy eatery, and take a look at the large board on the wall. It lists tonight’s ingredients. Eliminate anything you don’t like or just give the thumbs up to your server and what follows will be a five- or seven-course tasting menu with some seriously inspired seasonal and local ingredients.
The Little Chartroom
From chef Roberta Hall, the Little Chartroom serves up Scottish dishes with modern flair. Both lunch and dinner serve a three- or five-course exquisite meal. The menu changes regularly but expect to see something like duck breast paired with apricot chutney, zucchini flower stuffed with goat curd and black olives, and a strawberry and basil tart. Check out Chef Hall’s other acclaimed eater, Eleanore.
LYLA
Fancy some fine dining? Certainly one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh, LYLA is a Michelin-starred spot that focuses on sustainable seafood off the coast of Scotland. As is the case with almost any Michelin-starred restaurant, the LYLA dining experience is a tasting menu, both at dinner and lunch. But if you fancy a long afternoon or evening of grazing on top-notch and creative Scottish-accented fare, you can’t pick a better place.
Mirin
Located on Leith Walk, Mirin is “deliberately inauthentic” Asian cooking. But don’t let that turn your nose up. The cooking here is superb and particularly great for when you need a break from the Haggis and other hearty Scottish fare. The menu is made up mostly of small plates, combining French cooking technique and Asian flavor profiles with Scottish ingredients. Think: barbecued veal sweetbreads with fermented passion fruit, a venison tartare wonton with Cantabrian anchovy and kimchi ketchup, and a steamed milk bun crammed with braised beef and foie gras.
Montrose
Is this the ultimate Edinburgh neighborhood restaurant? It might be. Montrose is set in a 19th-century inn. They have kept the spirit of hospitality alive. The sister restaurant to Michelin-starred Timberyard, Montrose has an a la carte and a tasting menu. Choose your own adventure. But whatever the adventure is, it should be wonderful. Think: Shetland mackerel or an ox heart tomato tart to go with a glass (or bottle) of a low-intervention wine from the nicely curated wine list.
Insider’s tip: Want to tackle Edinburgh on your own? Check out our Walking in Edinburgh Self-Guided Itinerary.
The Palmerston
Set in a former bank building, The Palmerston boasts a sleek interior with an unfussy, unpretentious vibe. The kitchen staff mostly uses ingredients that hail from within Scotland and they also acquire only whole animals and then butcher in house.
The menu changes with the availability of seasonal ingredients, but expect dishes like grilled veal sausage, slow-roasted Shetland lamb, a half grilled lobster with chips, a hearty saffron-kissed fish stew, and, for dessert, elderflower panna cotta.
The Scran & the Scallie
Located in Stockbridge, the Scran & the Scallie might serve the best pub grub in Scotland. This gastropub is more than a pub. It’s one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh. Indulge in Scottish classics here, like fish pie, haggis, and ham terrine with shallot chutney.
Skua
Worth the jaunt to Stockbridge, this diminutive, subterrestrial Edinburgh eatery is casual but elegant. The menu at Skua changes regularly but here’s a hint of what you might find here: a doughnut filled with smoked cheese and guanciale, barbecued leek with hazelnut mole, and grilled sea bass. If the signature fried chicken is on the menu—and it should be—do yourself a favor and order it. The house cocktails here are particularly worth imbibing.
Best Restaurants in Edinburgh FAQs
What are the top dishes to try in the best restaurants in Edinburgh?
In Edinburgh, you’ll find a wide range of traditional Scottish dishes—both in their classic forms and in more modern or refined interpretations. If you really want to try something traditional, go for the Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, a warm plate of haggis, turnips and potatoes.
What are some of traditional dishes to try in Edinburgh?
You might have to brush up on your Scottish vocabulary when ordering, but make sure to try the above-mentioned Haggis, Neeps & Tatties, Cullen Skink (a creamy soup), Scotch Broth (a thick soup with lamb or beef, barley, and root vegetables) and Arbroath Smokies (hot-smoked haddock, often served whole or in fishcakes). One of our favorites is Stovies, a comfort food dish made from leftover roast meat, potatoes, and onions.
What are the must-visit attractions in Edinburgh?
You can walk between most of the big attractions in Edinburgh. And the half-day tour covers most of them, anyway. If you’re doing it DIY, you can cover them in a couple of days, or if you have the luxury of time, three or four days. The highlights include Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Mary King’s Close, St. Giles Cathedral, the National Gallery of Scotland, and the National Museum of Scotland. If you want to venture out of the center, the waterfront neighborhood of Leith is worth a visit.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
It doesn’t get oppressively warm in the summer months in Edinburgh. So, visiting any time between April and October is fine. That said, the shoulder seasons—April-May and September-October—are always optimum. If you come in winter, bring a warm jacket.
After trying the best restaurants in Edinburgh, now its time to see the best landmarks in Edinburgh. Spend a half day with a local expert, touring Edinburgh Castle, strolling the Royal Mile, visiting Holyrood Palace (or doing a whisky tasting), all the while stopping to learn the dirt on Edinburgh—the fun historical anecdotes that will make you get very acquainted with this fine city. Then you have the rest of the day to eat your way through this handsome, brooding Scottish city.
