Places to eat in Edinburgh

From Michelin star restaurants to trendy hotspots, Edinburgh has established itself as a firm favourite for foodies in the UK.

Away from the food, Scotland's capital city is full of stunning scenery and historic architecture and home to, of course, Edinburgh Castle, which attracts over two million visitors every year.

So, where you should eat with such a beautiful backdrop?

The city has a wide a range of restaurants on offer, each providing a unique culinary experience, no matter the occasion.

Here, we take a look at just some of the best places to eat in Edinburgh.

Fine dining

While there are 12 restaurants in Scotland that have attained coveted Michelin stars, five of them are in Edinburgh.

And arguably, the most well-known of them all is 'The Kitchin', where their tagline is 'from nature to plate'. Based in Leith, you'll experience French cooking techniques blended with famous chef Tom Kitchin's Scottish heritage. Plus, while you eat, you'll be handed a map showing where all the produce has come from.

Moving on to another Michelin star, Heron has a bit of a more relaxed vibe to it. The spectacular Victorian building boasts stunning views of the picturesque Water of Leith and showcases Scotland’s quality seasonal produce.

Restaurant Martin Wishart is one for any fish lovers out there. The Michelin star restaurant focuses on the very best of Scottish and French cuisine, while adding the flair of chef Martin Wishart, who spent his formative years working in the kitchens of some of the industry's biggest names such as Albert Roux and Marco Pierre White.

Chinese

The Chinese Manor House is not far from Edinburgh Airport and has built a strong reputation for always serving high quality and authentic Chinese food, alongside excellent and friendly customer service.

Like the Chinese Manor House, Cool Jade is also in Corstorphine and is very popular due to its tasty and traditional Cantonese dishes. The à la carte menu has all your favourites, plus a few more to try if you're feeling extra adventurous.

Loon Fung is an institution when it comes to Chinese food in Edinburgh. First opened over 50 years ago, they have a fresh seafood selection and are famed for their wide range of dim sum.

Indian

One of the most popular restaurants in Edinburgh, Dishoom is famed for its 'bacon naan rolls' as well as their hearty and warming 'Bombay comfort food'. First opened on St Andrew Square in 2016, the quirky interior makes this the perfect spot to enjoy a romantic meal with a significant other.

One of the top-rated eateries on Tripadvisor, the Pakora Bar specialises in Punjabi street food, focusing on tasty curries, and of course, flavourful pakora.

Mother India began as a café in Glasgow in back in the early nineties but appeared in Edinburgh in 2008. Serving tapas-size portions, they have 50 Indian dishes on offer, including classics and some modern fresh dishes.

Italian

Looking for an authentic Italian family-style cuisine, then Mamma Roma is the place for you. And the best part? A reasonably priced menu paired with huge portions means you won't have to spend a lot to leave feeling satisfied.

Cafe Domenico prides itself on using fresh seafood in its Italian dishes. Based in Leith for over 25 years, it offers a more relaxed dining experience on the shore.

Meanwhile, Rico's Ristorante isn't your usual Italian. Situated in the heart of Edinburgh, it's chic and classy thanks to its stunning food and luxurious decor. Rico's produces contemporary Italian cooking but uses the finest Scottish ingredients. And after dinner, make sure to try one of their classy cocktails.

Vegan

Perfect for lunch, Holy Cow has two locations, one on Elder Street and another on Dundee Street, which is slightly bigger. However, both have a varied menu, which includes everything from tasty burgers to fancy homemade cakes.

Often hailed as the best vegan cafe in Edinburgh, Black Rabbit has a superb number of options for breakfast and lunch as well as pastries and cakes. Unfortunately, this place is only takeaway, with no inside seating, but if it's a nice day, it's worth parking up and finding a nice picnic spot to enjoy your treats.

Sen Viet Vegan may specialise in Vietnamese fare, but you'll still find something to suit everyone’s tastes, thanks to their wide-ranging menu and platters. The completely vegan menu includes classic pho and curries as well as stir-fried tofu and veg.

Back to Latest News