Looking for Edinburgh Restaurant Recommendations
 

I'm headed to Scotland in a few months and would love some restaurant recommendations for Edinburgh. I'm willing to consider a mix of price points, but I don't like seafood and don't drink alcohol, so anything too focused on either of those won't be of interest. I'll be in the city on a Sunday, so I'm interested in recommendations for where to get a nice Sunday roast (The Queen's Arms is one suggestion I have on my list already - good choice or no?). I'm also considering planning for an afternoon tea, so recommendations for that are welcome.

Thank you in advance!

The Ox does a good Sunday lunch https://www.theoxedinburgh.com/

Also, the Edinburgh larder if you can manage to get in https://www.edinburghlarder.co.uk/

Our favourite afternoon tea venues are Palm Court and the Dome.
Favourite restaurants are the Witchery (nowhere else quite like it!) and Angels with Bagpipes.

sofarsogood and Morgana Thank you so much for your recommendations! It's too far in advance to make reservations, but I just can't help trying to research every aspect of the trip!

The Dome needs to be booked ages in advance to stand any chance of a table - it’s incredibly popular. We absolutely love everything about the place.

@Morgana - thanks for that tip. It looks like The Dome is already accepting reservations for early June, so now I just need to decide which day I want to go. I'm thinking I'll make a reservation for afternoon tea, although lunch at The Grill Room is tempting since that space looks gorgeous!

I'm also trying to decide if I want to make a lunch or dinner reservation at The Witchery. The light lunch menu looks good, and it's less expensive, but there's just something more special about ending the day with a nice dinner. I'll be traveling solo, and dining alone is usually a bit awkward, but I don't let that stop me from going to the restaurants I want to visit.

Any advice about dress code at either restaurant? I've been reading that the convention for tipping is about 10% at sit-down restaurants; does that sound right?

Us too. In late May we have reservations at the Dome, Grain Store, and the Witchery.

My notes from our "before Covid" itinerary indicates that the normal tip is 15%. Can't remember where I got that from.

Stu Dudley

When we go to the restaurants I mention we are always on a day trip by train from Yorkshire to do shopping, museum visiting etc. So we are definitely not dressed up to the nines. I’d say lunch and afternoon tea are pretty much anything goes and slightly smarter for evening.

I’ve only eaten in the upper dining room.
They mix an excellent cocktail by the way!

Thanks Morgana. Got our reservations for May.

We were able to secure reservations for The Grill Room at The Dome, so at the very worst we'll get some nice photos.

OOH - looking for to reading your review - haven't had a chance to eat there yet. Also on my wish list is The Lookout at the top of Calton Hill (but AFAIK they only do full tasting menus which I tend to avoid when dining solo)

We also have reservations for late May at The Dome!!

Stu Dudley

Really hope you enjoy the Dome. It’s exciting from the moment you go up the steps and through the front door! And at Christmas the decorations are jaw dropping.

Just a couple more weeks before I leave for Scotland! I'm praying I'll stay covid-free and nothing will happen to derail the trip (I know several vaccinated people who have recently gotten sick).

A couple more restaurant-related questions:

Are reservations needed for dinner at a pub? I normally wouldn't think so, but several websites have the option to reserve a table. I'm thinking I may do dinner one night at Greyfriars Bobby's Bar...I know it's touristy, but it seems to have good reviews and I like the menu. I do have a reservation set for a Sunday roast at The Queen's Arms.

Any recommendations for a healthy, fresh lunch near the Royal Mile - a good sandwich or salad place? I'd like to stay at or under about the 15-pound price point. I have several nicer and heavier meals planned, but I need lunch ideas for the day I visit Edinburgh Castle and explore the Royal Mile. (Mary's Milk Bar will be closed that day, so that foils my plan of filling up on ice cream!)

I'd book dinner even in pubs (many of which are really 'restaurants') and definitely on Thurs/Fri/Sat nights and Sunday Lunch.

For the lunch -- check out The Grain Store and Howie's - both in Victoria Street just off the top end of the Royal Mile or the Edinburgh Larder in Blackfriars Street

We loved The Devil’s Advocate! You will need a reservation 😊