Edinburgh Restaurant Guide

“Super fish and seafood” are served in considerable style within the “glorious surroundings” of a beautifully preserved Victorian interior at this atmospheric city-centre venue.

“Melt-in-the-mouth meat the whole way” wins ongoing support for the Scottish outpost of this famous, zeitgeisty steakhouse chain – a big, 185-cover operation housed in the imposing former HQ of the Bank of Scotland. That said, it inspired less feedback than we expected this year.

Launched in July 2021, Scotland’s largest food hall (and Edinburgh’s first) features a range of chef-led food stalls and restaurants. These include The Gannet East, Creel Caught, Erpingham House, El Perro Negro, east PIZZAS, Broken Clock, Joelato, Salt & Chilli Oriental and CHIX. Also houses Inverarity Morton’s boutique bottleshop.

“The only chain restaurant that is truly interesting” – so say local fans of this hit venture, now with eight branches nationally, which draws inspiration from the vintage Parsi cafés of Mumbai; for those who haven't yet succumbed, their bacon naan in particular can prove “a revelation”.

“Tasty Mexican street food” at this “buzzing” chain still wins over plenty of supporters, who swear by its “fresh, wholesome, family-friendly” grub (ideal for “when you’re on the hoof”). Others, though, complain that “the menu is getting a bit tired” and the “flavours can be a bit hit and miss outside the standard dishes”. Financial losses during the pandemic forced the chain to close nearly half its branches and sell a majority stake to South African billionaire Dick Enthoven, owner of Nandos. Founded in 2007 by former MasterChef winner Thomasina Miers and Mark Selby, it now has 10 remaining branches in London as well as venues in Brighton, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

As per its siblings, this Ivy spinoff combines a “lovely”, art-filled location (in this case overlooking St Andrew's Square), some “very good” if slightly ordinary food, and prices “on the expensive side” – but, like its siblings, no one seems to mind too much.

Due to open in 2021 (or possibly 2022), the UK's third branch of glossy and lovely (and expensive) Sushisamba at the second ever W hotel. This one will be part of the vast St James’s Quarter redevelopment. The restaurant will be on the rooftop of the distinctive 'ribboned' building.

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.

MasterChef: The Professionals winner Gary Maclean opened his first restaurant in summer 2021 on the fourth floor of the Bonnie & Wild Marketplace: Edinburgh's first food hall in St James Quarter. The menu champions sustainable Scottish seafood, with the ‘award-winning Arbroath Smokies’ a signature dish.

2021 Review: David Howie Scott’s flagship venue at the foot of Calton Hill celebrates its 30th anniversary last year as a purveyor of inexpensive Scottish classics. The odd reporter feels that it’s “nice enough, but not the stand-out it could be”, but that’s within the context of pretty solid ratings overall. There are two spinoffs in Edinburgh and one in Aberdeen.

“Excellent cooking and a beautiful spot” in Edinburgh’s Old Town make Jean-Michel Gauffre’s stalwart, which celebrates its 21st anniversary this year, “well worth a visit for the rich food and wines of the Languedoc”. (The proprietor – and his kitchen – put in a particularly impressive lockdown performance, with “superb” home deliveries and a “truly interesting and readable newsletter”: so “now we’re allowed back into restaurants with a glass of wine, I’ll be back at La Garrigue with a considerable new respect”.)

2021 Review: Owned by the Crolla family (who started Valvona & Crolla, Scotland’s oldest deli and Italian wine merchant – see also), this sixteenth century fine dining spot is a beacon on the otherwise touristy Royal Mile owing to its “well-cooked and well-seasoned” Scottish fare and “good value Sunday lunch”; for a truly intimate dining experience, try ‘Halo’, upstairs, which seats just four.

“Spectacular views over Edinburgh” and “subtly flavoured” modern bistro fare are twin incentives to visit this eye-catching cantilevered structure, partially suspended over Carlton Hill – “a must for any visitor to this beautiful city!”.

2021 Review: The oldest trad boozer on the Royal Mile (est 1742) has now been reincarnated as an oyster and seafood bar – the name switching connotation from the equine to the maritime. It has won immediate high ratings for its “outstanding” crustacea.