Harden's says

The all-day restaurant at the the city outpost of the "iconic sporting and country estate" opened in late June 2022.

survey result

Summary

3
Good
4
Very Good
5
Exceptional
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

“A stunning setting in a former banking hall” – the former HQ of the Bank of Scotland, complete with eye-catching cupola – provides a hard-to-beat setting for this year-old spin-off from the world-famous sporting estate: the first-ever extension of the brand (a property with 33 bedrooms). The focus of the (less reviewed) à la carte is on posh brasserie fare – the dedicated brunch menu is the most commented-on feature here (“amazing crab omelette”). Prices could be much worse given the level of grandeur. It’s also tipped for a “good business venue”.

Summary

With 33 bedrooms, the first-ever spin-off from the world famous sporting estate finally opened in June 2022 (it was originally scheduled for 2021) in the former HQ of the Bank of Scotland, complete with an all-day restaurant under the cupola of the former banking hall that’s relatively casual for this grand address. In July 2022, Gaby Soutar of the Scotsman paid it a visit, declaring the food offering as “casual, but with luxurious tweaks. Birthday food”. All seemed generally very satisfactory, although the review stops short of being an out-and-out rave.

Summary

The iconic sporting estate is launching its first ever city spinoff in Autumn 2021, taking over the old Bank of Scotland headquarters in New Town, and offering 33 bedrooms, a private members’ club and an all-day restaurant. This last is located in the former banking hall – from the visuals shared the look will be one of august, traditional beauty but, in a sign of modernism. the food offering is focused more on brunch than it is on afternoon tea, apparently.

For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).

Have you eaten at The Spence at Gleneagles Townhouse?

39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1AF

Restaurant details

No dress code
39 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH2 1AF
Opening hours
Monday7 am‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Tuesday7 am‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Wednesday7 am‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Thursday7 am‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Friday7 am‑3:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Saturday8 am‑5:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm
Sunday8 am‑5:30 pm, 5:30 pm‑10 pm

Best Scottish restaurants nearby

Tipo
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
£53
   ££
3
Good
4
Very Good
3
Good
Fhior
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
£111
£££££
5
Exceptional
4
Very Good
3
Good
The Witchery by the Castle
Scottish restaurant in Edinburgh
£109
£££££
2
Average
2
Average
4
Very Good