The Best Restaurants in Edinburgh: Where to Eat in 2024
Edinburgh’s food scene has moved past the clichés. While you can still find excellent haggis, the city now competes on a global level with Michelin-starred innovation, high-end seafood, and a street food culture that punches above its weight. The focus here is on local provenance. You are eating beef from the Highlands, langoustines from the Atlantic, and vegetables from East Lothian. Whether you want a twelve-course tasting menu in Leith or a $10 bowl of noodles in the Southside, the quality remains consistent. This guide cuts through the tourist traps to show you the best restaurants in Edinburgh.
Must-try dishes in Edinburgh
- Haggis, Neeps, and Tattles: The national dish. Minced heart, liver, and lungs mixed with oats and spices, served with mashed turnips and potatoes.
- Cullen Skink: A thick, creamy smoked haddock soup. It is the ultimate comfort food for a rainy Scottish day.
- Scottish Seafood: Specifically hand-dived scallops or Langoustines. The cold Atlantic waters produce some of the sweetest shellfish in the world.
- Venison: Lean, iron-rich meat sourced from Highland estates. Look for it roasted with seasonal root vegetables.
- Deep-Fried Mars Bar: A novelty, yes, but a local rite of passage found in traditional fish and chip shops.
- Cranachan: A traditional dessert made of whipped cream, honey, fresh raspberries, toasted oatmeal, and a heavy splash of Scotch whisky.
Best restaurants for a splurge
When you want to spend money on a meal you will remember for years, head to these three institutions.
The Kitchin (Leith)
Tom Kitchin’s flagship occupies a converted whisky warehouse in Leith. The philosophy is "From Nature to Plate," meaning every ingredient is sourced from a local producer he knows by name. The cooking is classic French technique applied to hyper-local Scottish ingredients. It is precise, formal, and consistently earns its Michelin star year after year.
The Witchery by the Castle (Old Town)
Located at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, this is the city’s most atmospheric dining room. It features oak paneling, red leather seating, and candlelight. While the decor is gothic and high-drama, the food is grounded in Scottish tradition. Order the grand seafood platter or the herb-crusted lamb. It is the definitive choice for a romantic or celebratory dinner.
Restaurant Martin Wishart (Leith)
This was the first restaurant in Edinburgh to receive a Michelin star and it remains a benchmark for fine dining. The room is elegant and understated, keeping the focus entirely on the plates. Wishart blends French sophistication with the best of the Scottish larder. The tasting menus are seasonal, creative, and technically flawless.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
These are the spots locals actually frequent. They offer high-quality cooking without the stiff white tablecloths.
The Scran & Scallie (Stockbridge)
This is a "public house" with a Michelin pedigree. Managed by the team behind The Kitchin, it serves elevated pub food in a rustic, wood-heavy setting. The steak and ale pie is legendary. It is family-friendly, loud, and consistently packed, offering a relaxed way to experience top-tier Scottish cooking.
Timberyard (Old Town)
Located in a former 19th-century warehouse, Timberyard feels like a slice of Scandinavia in the heart of Edinburgh. The focus is on foraging, butchery, and smoking. The menu is structured into courses of varying sizes, allowing you to build your own tasting experience. It is raw, industrial, and intensely focused on ingredient integrity.
Dishoom (New Town)
Housed in a beautiful building on St Andrew Square, Dishoom pays homage to the Irani cafes of Bombay. While it is a chain, the Edinburgh location is exceptional. The black daal is famous for a reason, and the bacon naan rolls are a breakfast staple. The service is fast, the cocktails are creative, and the atmosphere is electric.
El Cartel (Thistle Street / Teviot Place)
Edinburgh’s best tacos are found here. Forget the generic Tex-Mex; El Cartel serves authentic, vibrant Mexican street food. The menu is small and focused, featuring homemade corn tortillas and incredible frozen margaritas. It is a no-reservations spot, so show up early or prepare to wait at a nearby bar.
Best cheap eats and street food
Eating well in Edinburgh doesn't require a large budget. These spots offer maximum flavor for minimal spend.
Oink (Grassmarket / Victoria Street)
Oink is simple: they roast a whole hog, shred it, and put it in a roll with your choice of stuffing and sauce (apple or chili). Once the pig is gone, they close for the day. It is the best $8 lunch you will find in the Old Town.
Bonnie & Wild (St James Quarter)
This is a high-end food hall located inside the St James Quarter. It brings together several of Scotland's best independent food businesses under one roof. You can grab fried chicken, fresh seafood, or artisanal gelato. It is the perfect solution for groups who cannot agree on what to eat.
Mosque Kitchen (Southside)
Originally started to feed the local congregation, this institution now serves some of the best-value curry in the city to the general public. It is cafeteria-style, no-frills, and incredibly authentic. The portions are huge and the prices are remarkably low.
Wings (Old Town)
Hidden down an alleyway, Wings does exactly what the name suggests. They offer a massive variety of sauces and dry rubs ranging from mild to dangerously hot. It is a nerd-culture hub filled with memorabilia, offering a fun, cheap, and social dining experience right off the Royal Mile.
Best breakfast and brunch
Edinburgh takes its morning meals seriously. Skip the hotel buffet for these local gems.
Urban Angel (New Town)
This basement cafe is a cornerstone of the Edinburgh brunch scene. They source their coffee locally and focus on sustainable, seasonal ingredients. Whether you want smashed avocado, eggs benedict, or a full Scottish breakfast, the execution is consistently excellent. The vibe is cozy and unmistakably Edinburgh.
The Pantry (Stockbridge)
Famous for their "Sunshine on Stockbridge" (their take on eggs royale), The Pantry is a bright, bustling spot that handles the weekend rush with ease. The portions are generous and the ingredients are fresh. It is the ideal place to fuel up before a walk along the Water of Leith.
Soderberg (Various Locations)
For a lighter, Swedish-style start to the day, head to Soderberg. Their cardamom buns are the best in the city. You can also get open-faced sandwiches (Smörrebröd) and excellent coffee. The Quartermile location is particularly good for people-watching and enjoying a minimalist, modern aesthetic.
Best rooftop or view dining
Edinburgh’s skyline is its best asset. These restaurants allow you to enjoy it while you eat.
Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage (Calton Hill)
Perched on top of Calton Hill, this restaurant is partially suspended over the hillside. The floor-to-ceiling windows offer 360-degree views of the city, the Firth of Forth, and beyond. The food is modern Scottish and reflects the high-end surroundings. It is easily the best view in the city.
Nor’ Loft (Market Street)
Located atop the Market Street Hotel, this champagne lounge and restaurant overlooks the Scott Monument and the Princes Street Gardens. The menu focuses on small plates and an extensive sparkling wine list. It is a sophisticated spot for a light dinner or late-night drinks with a spectacular backdrop.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
If you don't have a plan, start in one of these three districts.
- Leith: Once a gritty port, Leith is now the culinary heart of Edinburgh. The Shore area is packed with Michelin-starred spots and cozy bistros.
- Stockbridge: This affluent neighborhood feels like a village within the city. It has a high density of independent bakeries, cheese shops, and gastropubs. Sunday is the best time to visit for the Stockbridge Market.
- Southside/Newington: This is the student hub, which means it is the best place for international cuisine and budget-friendly finds. You will find excellent Korean, middle-eastern, and vegetarian options here.
Operating hours and reservation policies fluctuate; check official websites before your visit.