Harden's says

Taking over the tiny site formerly occupied by Bells Diner, chef Dale Mailley (founder of the Gardener's Cottage, RIP) serves simple but excellent bistro-style dishes at attractive prices. Chitra Ramaswamy of The Times gave it a big thumbs-up in her April 2025 review.

survey result

Summary

£16
    £
3
Good
3
Good
3
Good
* Based on a three course dinner, half a bottle of wine, coffee, cover charge, service and VAT.

Taking over the former site of Bell’s Diner (RIP), an Edinburgh institution that served burgers for more than 50 years, chef Dale Mailley (previously of the highly regarded Gardener’s Cottage) has opened an 18-seater bistro that won a rave April 2025 review from the Scotsman’s Gaby Soutar, who loved its “old school soul food”. It has yet to inspire a huge volume of feedback in our annual diners’ poll, but one early report says it’s “very good all-round”.

For 34 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 Stockbridge Eating House?

7 Saint Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AN

Stockbridge Eating House Restaurant Diner Reviews

Reviews of Stockbridge Eating House Restaurant in EH3, Edinburgh by users of Hardens.com. Also see the editors review of Stockbridge Eating House restaurant.
Charlotte L
We had the excellent value set lunch, but w...
Reviewed 6 months, 11 days ago

"We had the excellent value set lunch, but will definitely return for the dinner offering. Very small space with tables close together (this is the old Bell's Diner) but worth a visit"

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Louisa O
The Crown is our local pub. For the last fe...
Reviewed 9 months, 23 days ago

"The Crown is our local pub. For the last few years it was a great local with good food, although service and ambiance was patchy. After the old landlord moved on, it has been taken over by a team of locals - including people from our street - who have put their expertise towards making it great. It's had a decorating refresh and feels bright and clean inside, and more importantly, the food is great! We will be back more and more often as our young family grows. Well done and keep doing what you're doing!"

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What the Newspaper Critics are saying

The Times

Chitra Ramaswamy sang the praises of her latest discovery in foodie Stockbridge – a “tiny, homespun and honest French-adjacent bistro with just three communal tables (dressed in gingham tablecloths, naturellement)… and a minimalist menu of hearty fare” using hyper-seasonal local produce. 

On the site of Bells Diner, a local institution for half a century, the Eating House is run by “one of Edinburgh’s top chefs” in Dale Mailley (formerly of the Gardener’s Cottage and the Lookout, which both closed before Christmas), and offers a set lunch for just £14.95 – “the definition of a steal” for cooking of this quality.

“Expect no gels, espumas, ferments or Japanese techniques here”, Chitra warned. “This is bold, generous European cuisine from the previous century, and the one before… Everything is swimming in so much butter verdant with the first wild garlic of spring that a spoon is requested to ladle it onto our plates.”

Chitra Ramaswamy - 2025-04-13

Prices

Availability 2 courses 3 courses coffee included service included
Always   £14.95
Drinks  
Wine per bottle £0.00
Filter Coffee £0.00
Extras  
Service 10.00%
7 Saint Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AN
Opening hours
MondayCLOSED
TuesdayCLOSED
Wednesday5 pm‑10 pm
Thursday12 pm‑2 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Friday12 pm‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
Saturday10 am‑2:30 pm, 5 pm‑10 pm
SundayCLOSED

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