The Best Local Restaurants In Edinburgh

With all the Michelin-stars accumulated by Edinburgh establishments, it’s easy to overlook the revolutions occurring in kitchens around the capital with regards to humble local dishes. Chefs throughout the city are finally coming around to realising the rich potential of Scotland’s larder and waters, and using artistry and panache to transform these ingredients into stunning odes to the national character. We’ve put together a guide to Edinburgh’s 5 best local restaurants.

Stac Polly

Since 1990, Stac Polly Restaurant on Dublin Street has been proudly dishing up exciting interpretations of modern and traditional Scottish cuisine, with each plate prepared using the best local produce. The interior is incredibly atmospheric and indicative of the thought and care put into each meal, with its rustic-feeling cellars, flickering candles, linen table cloths, oil paintings and Bute tweed upholstery. Remarkably, some menu items have proved so popular, they have remained there since Stac Polly’s opening, with special props being given to the punchy cranachan. However, one shouldn’t overlook the bold recent additions to the a la carte menu, such as the salad of home cured spiced venison with tomato, chick pea, spring onion, salsa, vodka, cranberry jelly and spring leaves. Diners sticking to a liquid-based diet will also surely approve of the new upstairs wine and gin bar extension to the main restaurant and the impressive array of malt whiskies and craft beers from Orkney Brewery.

The Tower

The King’s Wark

From its home overlooking the Water of Leith, The King’s Wark continually champions the finest ingredients sourced from Scotland’s diverse larder. Pub staples are to be found on the a la carte menu, but don’t underestimate the ability of The King’s Wark to subvert pub grub preconceptions – prepare to be dazzled by dishes such as pan fried monkfish cheeks and crevettes in bouillabaisse broth with chips and aioli, or boned and rolled Scottish rabbit saddle stuffed with pigeon breast. Weekends prove just as popular among the eclectic list of regulars – families, couples, students and young professionals – with the Wark’s many brunch options such as the Bigger Breakfast fry-up and the Sunday lunch blade of beef acting as the biggest draws.

The Kitchen

It’s become something of a cliché among Edinburgh food and travel writers to include Masterchef and Saturday Kitchen-star Tom Kitchin’s popular Leith restaurant in lists of the capital’s highlights. Yet, nearly ten years after opening, The Kitchin still remains one of the strongest culinary establishments in the city. The winning formula of The Kitchin has always been twofold; firstly, the former whisky bond warehouse setting is one of the most stylish affairs in Edinburgh. Its wooden furnishings and wallpaper from Scottish designers Timorous Beasties are muted yet inviting. Secondly, the a la carte menu is an unabashed celebration of Scotland’s larder and waters; Kitchin operates a serious ‘from nature to plate philosophy’, whereby seasonal Scottish ingredients are worked over by French techniques resulting in beautiful plates of modern British cuisine.

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