7 of the best restaurants in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s most food-friendly cities with loads of Michelin-listed restaurants, many cool cafes, and a wide range of cuisines.
To give you a better flavour of the Edinburgh food scene, we’ve avoided the chains and compiled list of places all over the city for varying budgets. These places tie in perfectly with a stay at nearby Seton Sands!
Modern British / Scottish
1. Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
Makars is a low-key hidden gem. Situated off the Royal Mile and near St Giles Cathedral, Makars demonstrates that traditional Scottish home cooking can be delicious and gourmet too.
All their beef is locally sourced, and this is a great place to sample that Scottish classic – haggis, here served with heather honey and turnip puree. There are great vegetarian and vegan alternatives, and make sure you ask to visit the mushroom emporium (Makar’s grow their own lion’s mane in a spooky, high-tech darkroom).
And what about the gourmet mash? Makars have nine varieties ranging from chilli spicy mash to rumble-de-thumps (smoked bacon and spring onion). It’s a small place and they have won multiple awards, so book early or take away. Furry friends are also welcome outside on the terrace.
2. Quinn’s Café
Sometimes all you need is a traditional full Scottish breakfast, and one of the best places for that morning after recovery is Quinn’s at West Port. Rated highly by TripAdvisor visitors, this unpretentious cafe must be doing something right.
The Scottish breakfast terrifically adds black pudding or haggis to the traditional bacon, Lorne sausage, egg, and beans. Visitors also rave about the homemade scones and smoothies. For value, convenience and service, there are few better venues. Dogs are welcome too!
3. Cannonball
Enjoy views of the Castle as you dine at Cannonball, an Italian-owned Scottish cuisine celebrating treat, which is reasonably priced given the location and presentation. A cannonball lodged into the building exterior gives the place its name.
The restaurant offers a variety of meat and vegetarian dishes, with a favourite being the cannonball-shaped haggis served with pickled turnips and whisky cream. The quality extends to the delicious desserts and local cheeses, and the cocktails come highly recommended by visitors too.
4. The Spence
Formerly a Royal Bank of Scotland building, the grand interior of The Spence gives you a preview of what to expect: fine dining in a luxurious setting, with a mid-priced menu which has earned its chef Jonny Wright, his Michelin listing. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the menu is a beautifully presented, unfussy celebration of British surf and turf.
Part of the Gleneagles Townhouse members club, The Spence is worth a visit for a bit of Edinburgh luxury (also visit The Dome, another former bank building on George Street, for an equally luxurious cocktail to finish).
Chinese / Asian
5. Tattu
Tattu combines designer dining and delicious Chinese food. The service comes highly rated, and the food is beautifully presented and very tasty.
The menu is a mix of the traditional and the innovative. There are fantastic sharing options, which are a little pricey but offer the chance to sample a wide range of dishes. If you’re feeling flush, try the Japanese black wagyu, a rare cattle breed.
Vegan and Vegetarian
6. Henderson’s
This vegan and vegetarian restaurant has been in existence since 1962 and was a pioneer of vegetarian dining in the city. A third generation of the Henderson family now run the restaurant, which is most famous for its delicious salads and cakes which achieve the miraculous combination of being tasty AND healthy.
Henderson's sources it's ingredients locally, seasonally and organically as much as possible, living up to their tagline of 'eat better, live better'. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and offers a special lunch deal during the week.
Indian
7. The Prahna Indian Grill
If you’re visiting Edinburgh Zoo in Corstorphine, stop in at the Praha Indian Grill for one of the highest-rated Indian meals in the capital.
The restaurant offers its own unique take on British Indian cuisine, with a menu including such starters as sweet chilli haggis pakora, monk fish tikka and hand-dived king scallop. Main courses include many grilled seafood and meat choices. Spice lovers can opt for a chicken jalfrezi or lamb bhuna, and if you’re hungry in the afternoon, why not try their “Afternoon Chai” and sample a range of tasty bites with a glass of prosecco or cocktail.
Start planning your Great British break
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