Edinburgh’s distinctive air of elegance and sharp innovative streak extend to its high-calibre restaurants. Think worldly fare with a firm focus on local produce. Whether Michelin-Starred bites or masterful menus, the place is a playground for those with a discerning palate. Delight in our foodie guide and indulge in the capital’s unrivaled culinary scene.
A luminary in the British Michelin-Star scene, Edinburgh-born chef Martin Wishart cooks up a perfect storm time after time. As a pilgrimage site for food enthusiasts, his flagship eatery Restaurant Martin Wishart never fails to deliver imaginative dishes using finely-tuned French cooking techniques. Each taste, a testament to his complete mastery of craft, is humbled by the quality of the local ingredients. It’s this mastery that led superchef Wishart to place Scotland on the map as a foodie destination.
Perhaps Scotland’s most famous restaurant, The Witchery by the Castle boasts a spellbinding dining experience marinated in plenty of atmospheric charm. Adorned with oak-panelling, historic tapestries and a sea of candles, the original baroque dining room is both lavish and decadent, serving as the perfect setting for an unforgettable meal as delicious as the décor. Dining in the Secret Garden mirrors a fairytale. To quote Andrew Lloyd Webber: ‘Is this the prettiest restaurant ever?’.
A restaurant with a story, Rhubarb operates out of the esteemed 17th-century manor hotel Prestonfield House. This romantic pick comes with all the bells and whistles, from the dramatic decor to the ultra-gourmet dishes. A rustic name for an opulent experience, Prestonfield was the first Scottish estate to breed rhubarb back in the 18th century. From clever cocktails amidst the grounds to the intimate meals, Rhubarb is better than any dessert.
Lamb Shank Peas Wild Garlic At The Kitchin In Edinburgh
Never one to miss a culinary beat, The Kitchin redefines the nature to plate trend, rendering it less of a fad and more of a mentality. Tom Kitchin’s deep respect for seasonal produce when paired with his honed French cooking style, results in a desirable Michelin-starred menu overflowing with flavour. The garnish, of course, is the knock-out ambience and attention to detail. Like a fine wine or artisanal cheese, The Kitchin gets even better with age.
Fine Dining, Michelin-Starred, Gourmet, Stylish, Modern
The Honours
Brasserie, Restaurant, British, Contemporary, French, European
Gnocchi with tomato | Courtesy of Rosetta Restuarant
Found on the ever-so-fashionable Castle Street, The Honours is an illustrious jewel in Martin Wishart’s restaurant crown. Styled with playful pops of black and gold, this brasserie-style eatery showcases a refined passion for French-Scottish cuisine, in true Wishart style. Although named after the Scottish Crown Jewels, The Honours is a national treasure in its own right.
Hotel Restaurant, Restaurant, Contemporary, British, $$$
Aptly named, Number One honours modern Scottish cuisine with its flawless melding of flavours and cunning menu filled with the finest local ingredients. With executive chef Jeff Bland at the helm and the sharp Sommelier with a penchant for perfect pairings, this Michelin-starred dining experience is one to write home about. Laden with art and classy contemporary furnishings, Number One has the flavours, the charm, the reputation and the ambience. Edible alchemy at its finest.
View Of Edinburgh Castle From Castle Terrace Restaurant
Strategically situated below Edinburgh Castle, chef patron Dominic Jack certainly does his city justice with Castle Terrace Restaurant. The team’s clean, fresh approach surrounding nature to table food goes down a treat, only to be elevated by Jack’s vast skill base acquired from his training under numerous renowned Michelin Chefs in France. Here you’ll find meticulously-balanced seasonal dishes in trendy contemporary surrounds.
21212 serves up nothing less than culinary genius | Courtesy of 21212
Between the ever-evolving weekly menu, swanky furnishings and informed wine list, 21212 is one to watch out for. Pinned as Edinburgh’s only Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, Paul Kitching’s masterpiece is housed in a striking Georgian Townhouse. The chameleon menu sports three choices per course and pays tribute to his contemporary French cooking flair.
Ondine lives up to its description as a ‘proper seafood restaurant’, multiplied by ten. With food as desirable as the ambience, eating here is faultless, thanks to the prowess of chef patron Roy Brett. From scallops and razor clams to lobsters, mussels and all the good stuff in between, the sustainable seafood and shellfish are locally sourced from the finest fisherman around the East coast of Scotland and afar. This is a wonderfully stylish oyster bar brimming with expertly cooked ocean fruits.
The Pompadou offers one of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms | Courtesy of The Pompadour
The Pompadour by Galvin at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh Caledonian is suited to those with a fancy for the full fine dining experience, white tablecloths and all. This pukka restaurant possesses a palatial Victorian railway hotel feel and sublime Castle views. The French haute cuisine food is second to none, with no expenses spared.
A failsafe staple in Edinburgh’s fine dining scene, The Dome is adored by locals and visitors alike. Towering Corinthian pillars dance up its Graeco-Roman façade, but what awaits inside is a feast for the eyes — think flowers aplenty and grand décor. Menu wise, the traditional Scottish food stimulates the senses and the cocktails are expertly concocted.
