Beyond the Menu: Edinburgh Restaurants, Pubs & Dining Experiences Worth Discovering

Edinburgh is a city where dining is part of the adventure. The best restaurants are not just about the food. They are about finding the right fit for your trip: a beautiful setting for a special evening, a lively spot for sharing plates and cocktails, a neighborhood favorite, or a historic pub with a great story.

When I recommend restaurants to clients, I look beyond a list of “top restaurants.” Some are perfect for a milestone celebration, some are ideal for sharing plates and cocktails with friends or family, and others offer the kind of local experience that makes you feel like you discovered a place rather than simply checked it off a list.

Here are some of my favorite Edinburgh recommendations, organized by the experience they offer.

✨Signature Dining Experiences

These are the restaurants where the meal itself becomes a highlight of your Edinburgh visit. They are ideal for a special occasion, a memorable evening, or foodies who enjoy exceptional cuisine and beautiful settings.

The Kitchin

My first recommendation for a truly special Edinburgh dining experience is The Kitchin by Tom Kitchin. Located in Leith near the harbor, about a 15 to 20 minute taxi ride from the Royal Mile, this restaurant is built around exceptional Scottish ingredients and a strong connection to local producers.

What makes The Kitchin unique is the care and thought that goes into every detail, from the relationships with local producers to the beautifully presented tasting menu. Seafood, game, and seasonal Scottish ingredients are carefully selected and prepared to highlight the flavors of the region. This is a wonderful choice for discerning diners who appreciate the luxury of an unhurried, thoughtfully created fine dining experience.

One note for clients: some reviews mention that the dining room can be lively, so it is better suited for those who enjoy an energetic atmosphere rather than a quiet, intimate setting.

Heron

Also located in Leith, Heron showcases modern Scottish cuisine with exceptional local ingredients in a warm and welcoming setting.

What stands out about Heron is the balance between sophistication and comfort. The food is creative and refined, but the atmosphere feels relaxed and enjoyable, making it a wonderful choice for a memorable dinner with family or friends.

For visitors who want to explore beyond Edinburgh’s Old Town and experience the city’s evolving food scene, Heron is a fantastic choice.

Restaurant Martin Wishart

Restaurant Martin Wishart offers an elegant dining experience that combines the finest Scottish ingredients with French-inspired technique.

Located in Leith, it has long been one of Edinburgh’s respected dining destinations. The appeal is its combination of classic elegance, beautiful presentation, and a menu that highlights the quality of Scotland’s ingredients.

This is a wonderful choice for those who appreciate a refined dining experience in a welcoming setting.

LYLA

LYLA offers a more intimate and contemporary dining experience. Located in an elegant Georgian townhouse in New Town, it is best suited for couples or travelers who are passionate about food.

The restaurant focuses on Scotland’s outstanding seafood and seasonal ingredients through an elegant tasting menu. The setting is intimate and sophisticated, making it a wonderful choice for a couple who would like a very special evening.

Number One at The Balmoral

Set within Edinburgh’s iconic Balmoral Hotel, just steps from Waverley Station, the Number One Restaurant combines refined cuisine with the timeless elegance of one of the city’s most celebrated hotels.

Their speciality is refined Scottish cuisine with a classic fine dining approach, combining exceptional ingredients with elegant presentation and impeccable service. The setting is intimate and sophisticated within the historic Balmoral Hotel, making it a wonderful choice for couples, celebrations, or anyone wanting an elegant Edinburgh dining experience.

🥩Local Favorite Edinburgh Restaurants

These restaurants are wonderful choices when you want a memorable Edinburgh meal without necessarily choosing a formal fine dining experience. They each have their own personality, from a relaxed gastropub in a charming neighborhood to lively sharing plates and creative cocktails.

The Scran & Scallie

Created by the team behind The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart, The Scran & Scallie is a relaxed gastropub that celebrates Scottish ingredients in a warm and welcoming setting.

Located in Stockbridge, a charming village-like neighborhood just north of Edinburgh’s New Town, it is a wonderful choice for travelers who want excellent food without the formality of fine dining.

The menu focuses on classic Scottish favorites with a modern twist, making it a great option for couples, families, and anyone wanting a great meal and relaxed evening in a neighborhood that feels a little removed from the busy city center.

Timberyard

Timberyard is one of Edinburgh’s most distinctive restaurants, built around seasonal ingredients, local producers, foraged foods, and a strong connection to Scotland’s landscape.

Set in a converted warehouse near the Grassmarket area, the atmosphere is understated and cozy. The food, however, is creative and thoughtful, with a focus on letting the quality of the ingredients shine.

This is a great choice for foodies who appreciate a restaurant with a strong sense of place and a menu that changes with the seasons.

Baba

Baba is a lively and stylish restaurant located in the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, just off Princes Street. The menu combines modern Middle Eastern flavors with charcoal-grilled dishes, creating a fun and social dining experience.

What makes Baba different is the atmosphere. The menu is designed around sharing, making it a great choice for families, friends, or couples who enjoy trying a variety of dishes together. The cocktails are excellent, and the restaurant has a vibrant energy that feels very different from Edinburgh’s more traditional dining rooms.

A note for travelers with allergies: the Kimpton is pet friendly, so those with significant pet allergies may want to keep that in mind.

Angels With Bagpipes

Angels With Bagpipes is a stylish modern Scottish restaurant located right on the Royal Mile, making it an easy choice after exploring Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral, or the historic Old Town closes.

The menu highlights seasonal Scottish ingredients with a modern approach, and the atmosphere is welcoming rather than formal. It is a great option for lunch while sightseeing or dinner after a day exploring Edinburgh’s most historic streets.

Bread Street Kitchen & Bar

Located on St Andrew Square, just a couple of blocks from Princes Street, Bread Street Kitchen & Bar by Gordon Ramsay is a convenient choice for travelers who want a nice location, a lively atmosphere, and a broad menu that works well for groups.

My own group of six enjoyed our meals and drinks here, and I think it works especially well for families traveling with older children or groups who have different tastes. The menu offers a variety of options, making it an easy choice when everyone wants something different.

The Palmerston

The Palmerston is a neighborhood favorite in Edinburgh’s West End, celebrating seasonal ingredients with a focus on seafood, local produce, and beautifully prepared dishes.

Located near Haymarket Station, it is especially convenient for travelers staying in the West End or arriving by tram from Princes Street.

What I like about The Palmerston is that it feels like a restaurant you would discover through a local recommendation rather than a place chosen simply because it appears on every tourist list. It is a lovely option for couples or smaller groups looking for excellent food in a relaxed setting.

🍻Pubs, Seafood & Cocktails

Note: These are very easy to find all over Edinburgh, so I'll just list a couple of unique ones.

Pier House

The same TA who recommended Baba also shared this: "We had a very good casual seafood dinner after our HMS Britannia tour at a restaurant on the waterfront.” The restaurant is now the Pier House, which continues to receive excellent reviews. It is overlooking the harbor near Leith.

Note: I would definitely recommend pairing a visit to The Shore (the historic waterfront area of Leith) or the Royal Yacht Britannia with dinner at one of Leith’s amazing seafood restaurants.  For the energetic, you could stroll the "Leith Walk" to or from dinner.

White Hart Inn

The White Hart Inn is one of Edinburgh’s most historic and atmospheric pubs. Conveniently located in the Grassmarket area (easiest historic pub experience from Old Town touring), it offers a classic Scottish pub experience with traditional food, whisky, ales, and plenty of character, including a reputation for being haunted. (May also have live music.)

Sheep Heid Inn

The Sheep Heid Inn claims a history dating back to 1360. It is often cited as Edinburgh’s oldest surviving pub and has a long connection with royalty, including a visit from Queen Elizabeth II.  Located in the charming village of Duddingston (on the other side of Holyrood Park), it is a destination village pub, offering a glimpse into Scotland’s past with its cozy interiors, traditional food, and drinks.

Note: The Sheep Heid Inn is not just an old pub. The pub also has a modern twist with  non-alcoholic cocktails and highlighting its sustainability efforts through its “Conscious Choice” initiatives.

The Voodoo Rooms

The Voodoo Rooms occupies a beautifully restored historic space that is a restaurant, a cocktail bar, and an entertainment venue. The décor is bold and glamorous, with rich colors, and vintage touches. But it has a modern menu with sharing plates, tapas-style dishes, burgers, and creative cocktails.  Located on the first floor (i.e. one floor up from the ground floor) - you need to enter via the stairs.

The Devil’s Advocate

The Devil’s Advocate is tucked into a beautifully restored 19th-century Victorian pump house.  Located just off of the Royal Mile, it has an impressive collection of more than 300 Scottish and international whiskies, creative cocktails, and better-than-average pub food.

Traditional Music

Sandy Bell’s

Sandy Bell’s is a true institution in Edinburgh’s folk music scene, where musicians often gather for informal sessions that create a lively, spontaneous atmosphere. With a great selection of whisky and traditional pub drinks, it remains a favorite among music lovers visiting the city.  (It is less than a 10 minute walk from St Giles' Cathedral, just past the Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery.)

The Royal Oak

The Royal Oak is a tiny, atmospheric Edinburgh pub famous for its traditional folk music sessions. It has been a fixture of the city’s folk scene for decades and is known for musicians gathering for informal live sessions rather than a formal stage performance. (It is a hidden gem not far off of the Royal Mile.)