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This family-run burger joint has gained a nationwide reputation for its unusual toppings such as beef brisket, pastrami, kimchi, and gochujang mayo. Take a seat inside the chic, reclaimed-wood interior and choose from a menu packed with amped-up burgers as well as chicken, veggie, and halal options.
92 Lothian Rd., Edinburgh, EH3 9BE, Scotland
Known For
- The signature Wolf Burger
- Delicious garlic and Parmesan fries
- Smart and modern interior
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$$$ | |
The name refers to one of the most delightful quirks of Edinburgh's Old Town—the cannonball embedded in the wall outside, said to have been fired at the castle while Bonnie Prince Charlie was in residence (not true, but a good story). The atmosphere in this three-story restaurant and whisky bar is casual and relaxed, despite the gorgeous art deco dining room with views of the castle esplanade. Victor and Carina Contini, whose unique brand of Italian-Scottish cuisine has been drawing crowds for more than a decade, preside over all. The inventive menus change seasonally, but perennial favorites include the bread-crumbed haggis "cannonballs" and the lobster thermidor macaroni and cheese.
356 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF, Scotland
Known For
- Scrumptious Italian-Scottish cuisine
- Great views of the castle
- Bread-crumbed haggis cannonballs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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Amid an ordinary row of shops, the facade of this vegan and vegetarian Indian restaurant may be unremarkable, but the food is exceptional and great value, too. You'll find south- and west-Indian specialties, including dum aloo kashmiri (a medium-spicy potato dish with a sauce made from honey, ginger, and almonds) and baingan achari (red-hot marinated eggplants). Consider the affordable lunchtime buffet for £8.99.
2–3 St. Patrick Sq., Edinburgh, EH8 9EZ, Scotland
Known For
- Authentic veggie Indian fare
- Lively interior with exotic mosaics
- Great lunchtime buffet
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Leith's premier dining experience, this high-end restaurant combines imaginative cuisine, luxuriously understated decor, and a lovely waterfront location. Renowned Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart woos diners with his inspired menu of artistically presented, French-influenced dishes. To get a flavor of everything the restaurant has to offer, choose the ever-changing, multicourse tasting menu (£110); there's also a mouthwatering vegetarian tasting menu, and you can mix and match to tailor your perfect meal. To experience Martin Wishart's creations on more of a budget, visit for lunch from Wednesday to Friday, when the set menu is £42.50. Reservations are advised midweek and essential on weekends.
54 The Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6RA, Scotland
Known For
- Impeccable cuisine
- Beautiful location and setting
- Exceptional vegetarian options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
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$$$ | |
A charming concoction of sandstone walls, raftered roofs, and roaring fireplaces, as well as a lovely garden area, this upmarket inn is the ideal spot for a pub lunch. Owned by star Edinburgh chef Tom Kitchin, the menu at first appears to be fairly by-the-numbers British pub fare—think fish-and-chips, steak pie, and sausage and mash—but with superior local produce and a dash of culinary imagination, classic dishes are transformed into something special. If you're feeling energized after your meal, there's a free pool table in a side room, as well as Gullane golf course just down the road; if you're feeling lazy, there are beautifully appointed bedrooms upstairs.
Main St., Gullane, East Lothian, EH31 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Pigs' ears as a pre-meal snack
- Delicious desserts
- Beautiful garden
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | New Town |
Run by Edinburgh restaurant grandee Martin Wishart, the Honours is a more relaxed (though almost as pricey) alternative to his eponymous flagship in Leith. Inside its gorgeous black-and-white, art deco interior, diners can enjoy a range of excellent Scottish seafood dishes; but those in the know order the meat, with extraordinary rare-breed sirloin and fillet beef steaks as well as delicious game like roe deer, guinea fowl, and rabbit. Desserts are rich and indulgent, and service is impeccable.
58a North Castle St., Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH2 3LU, Scotland
Known For
- Mouthwatering meat dishes
- Beautiful art deco decor
- Impeccable service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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For fine dining with a touch of theater, it's hard to beat this superb open-kitchen restaurant, where you can sit at the bar and watch the skilled chefs prepare and assemble each course. The à la carte menu is small—there's a choice of just three starters, three mains, and three desserts—but it's filled with innovative and exciting dishes, such as dressed crab with curry and smoked almonds or spatchcock partridge with haggis and celeriac. A three-course meal with set you back around £50 without drinks.
14 Bonnington Rd., Edinburgh, EH6 5JD, Scotland
Known For
- Cozy kitchenside seating
- Small but varied menu
- Unique creations like sweetcorn custard
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs. and Fri., Reservations essential
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$$$$ | New Town |
Sophisticated surroundings, spectacular views, and sumptuous cuisine make this restaurant, originally opened in 1925, one of Edinburgh's best spots for fine dining. Head chef Dan Ashmore uses his expertise in great Scottish produce, from venison to sea trout, to serve up a stunning, "mystery" seven-course tasting menu (it comes in a sealed envelope; it's up to you when, or if, you want to take a peek). The paired wines compliment each course perfectly. For lesser appetites, there's also a £55 three-course menu available for dinner or a £35 three-course Sunday lunch.
Princes St., Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Beautiful pastel-floral dining room
- Subtly sumptuous flavors
- Gorgeous presentation
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential
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There are few restaurants that feel so wonderfully, well, Edinburgh as this one. The freshest seasonal ingredients, mostly sourced from small local producers, go into creating delicious, inventive fare. The menu is constantly changing, but with pairings like scallop with unripe gooseberry and fig leaf ice cream, you can be sure of some surprises. The dining room, a former Victorian warehouse that's enjoyed a stripped-back, hipster refurbishment, is hugely atmospheric, and the young professional crowds are always lively.
10 Lady Lawson St., Edinburgh, EH3 9DS, Scotland
Known For
- Exciting dishes
- Hip interior
- Pricey multicourse menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs., Reservations essential
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Rejecting the idea that fine dining should be a stuffy affair, owners Paul Wedgwood and Lisa Channon are in charge at this Royal Mile gem. Local produce and some unusual foraged fronds enliven the taste buds on menus that radically change with the seasons; expect deliciously quirky pairings like scallops in a cauliflower korma or roe deer with buttermilk. The dining space is smart but informal, and the professional staff have mastered the tricky task of giving guests space to relax while always remaining attentive. Consider the three-course lunch deal for £25; that's less than most mains in the evening.
267 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BQ, Scotland
Known For
- Unfussy fine dining
- Delicious sticky toffee pudding
- Great value lunch deals
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Set within the upmarket Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Baba serves tasty Middle Eastern—specifically Levantine—fare in a colorful, shabby-chic setting. Dishes are designed for sharing so take your pick from the mezze and grills menu, where highlights include the baba ghanoush (with pomegranate seed and mint) and the beef and bone marrow kofte. It's tempting to fill up on warm pita bread, but try to save space for a cardamom panna cotta dessert. Individual dishes aren't extravagant, but it's surprisingly easy to rack up a sizeable bill.
130 George St., Edinburgh, EH2 4JZ, Scotland
Known For
- Costs that quickly add up
- Delicious hummus with a zhug (Yemeni hot sauce) kick
- Inventive takes on Middle Eastern staples
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$ | Old Town |
With its primary color interiors, blaring 1980s hip-hop soundtrack, and brightly dressed waitstaff, this pizza diner may be Edinburgh's most upbeat dining option yet. Luckily, the food is equally joyful: take your pick from a dozen delicious pizza pies, from meaty feasts to vegan delights, or opt for a tasty pasta or salad instead. The clientele skews young and hip, but the quality of the food means it'll appeal to everyone.
5 Hunter Sq., Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 1QW, Scotland
Known For
- Edinburgh's best pizza pies
- Mood-liftingly bright decor
- Bingeable garlic crust bites
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$$$ | |
Set within a grand former banking hall on George Street, this superb restaurant serves light but satisfying Italian favorites divided into primi, secondi, and dolci, all within an airy setting of grand Corinthian columns, an open marble-topped bar, intricate wall hangings, and soft gray banquettes. The food choices are strictly seasonal, but regularly appearing favorites include the Scotch beef carpaccio and the homemade ravioli with ricotta and spinach. Come for a light lunch or, with the help of the extensive wine list, a long and indulgent dinner.
103 George St., Edinburgh, EH2 3ES, Scotland
Known For
- Deliciously light Italian cuisine
- Grand but relaxed setting
- Tasty Scotch beef carpaccio
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This hip eatery, situated just off the Royal Mile, serves exclusively vegetarian and vegan favorites, and its inventive dishes and modern interior make it a popular place with young locals. The menu changes constantly, but the invariably creative, flavorful dishes often leave carnivores forgetting they're eating vegetarian. The food is very affordable, and there's free water with mint and strawberries. You may need to book in advance during the summer.
56–58 St. Mary's St., Edinburgh, EH1 1SX, Scotland
Known For
- Superb vegetarian and vegan cuisine
- Very affordable
- Lovely setting
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The city's most inventive Indian restaurant, Dishoom serves up an all-sensory experience, from the smells that greet you (delicious whiffs of incense mixed with aromatic spices) to the sight and sounds of the interior (the decor is all distressed-wood panels and chandeliers, inspired by Bombay's 1920 Iranian cafés) to the taste of the food itself. A tapas-style menu of deliciously tender meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes welcomes you, along with delicious desserts. Wash down your meal with your pick from the extensive beer and cocktail menu, or come early for breakfast (the sausage and bacon naan rolls are to die for).
3a St. Andrew Sq., Edinburgh, EH2 2BD, Scotland
Known For
- Incredible lamb salli boti
- Great cocktail and mocktail menu
- Unique Indian breakfast rolls
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Tucked down narrow Thistle Street, Dusit doesn't register on most travelers' radars, but it has been a local favorite since 2002. An authentic, contemporary Thai restaurant run by Bangkok-born Pom, the menu here delights with deliciously creamy curries, spicy stir-fries, and fragrant seafood specialties, all of which use a mix of fresh local produce and imported Thai vegetables. If you're dining as a duo, opt for the banquet menu (£29.50 per person) to try a little of everything.
49A Thistle St., Edinburgh, EH2 1DY, Scotland
Known For
- Award-winning Thai food
- Local haunt
- Good value lunch menu
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Owner and chef Scott Smith, who previously ran the award-winning Norn, serves seasonal, Scandinavian-inspired fare here with rare Scottish ingredients, from beremeal (an ancient form of barley) bread to sea buckthorn. Choose from seven to 10 courses for dinner (£65 to £90), with menus arriving sealed in envelopes; you're encouraged to trust the chef and leave them unopened until after dessert. There's no à la carte here, but the lunch option is a four-course menu—and something of a steal at £35 a head. The decor is similarly Scandi-minimalist (almost austere), with plenty of plain white walls and wood veneer.
36 Broughton St., Edinburgh, EH1 3SB, Scotland
Known For
- Modernist decor
- Old-school Scottish dishes with a Scandinavian flair
- Multicourse menu options chosen by the chef
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
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This laid-back bistro, just a few minutes from Haymarket Station, has a loyal following—and for good reason. Its multicultural menu combines Scottish classics with everything from Thai sweep potato soup to Italian affogato. Hardwood floors, stone walls, soft-blue hues, and seaside paintings set a coastal theme. The international wine list is as varied as the daily specials. Lunch and early-evening menus offer good value, with three courses for £16.
97–101 Dalry Rd., Edinburgh, EH11 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Great international fare with vegetarian options
- Big on flavor
- Relaxing interiors
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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Despite the name and the smattering of shared plates on offer, Grazing is mostly about traditional, hearty bistro fare done brilliantly. Set within a lavish yet unstuffy dining room, the restaurant's menu of seasonal dishes with inventive twists adds a real sense of fun to this consistently excellent dining experience. The menu is always changing, but a typical three-course meal might consist of barbecued shitake mushrooms on toast, hake with black-and-white-striped cannelloni, and sticky toffee pudding soufflé.
Rutland St., Edinburgh, EH1 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Fun and inventive dishes
- Attentive service
- Prices that can add up
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch
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Kurdish food may not be as well known as other Middle Eastern cuisines, but dishes like bayengaan surocrau (marinated slow-roasted eggplant) and lamb tashreeb (a flavorful casserole) are worth checking out. Hanam's proudly promotes Kurdish cuisine, but also serves more familiar and equally delicious Middle Eastern fare, from shish kebabs to falafel. The deep-red interiors have a relaxed vibe, and you can bring your own alcohol. It's also possible to smoke a hookah pipe on the heated terrace.
3 Johnston Terr., Edinburgh, EH1 2PW, Scotland
Known For
- Traditional Kurdish cooking
- BYOB policy
- Hookah on heated terrace
