Edinburgh, Fish & Seafood Restaurant Guide

“New to Edinburgh and certainly living up to its reputation”: the “classy” first Scottish outpost of the famous steakhouse chain – housed in the former Bank of Scotland HQ on St Andrew Square – opened in 2018, and it’s hard to imagine feedback that’s much more positive: all locals extol its “perfect steak”; “friendly” and “well-informed service”; and “great wines”.

“Fantastic fresh seafood and fish”, “beautifully and imaginatively cooked”, draw a lively crowd to Roy Brett’s “atmospheric and professional” Old Town venue, where guests are greeted by a spectacular array of oysters. “We return year after year – it’s simply the best fish restaurant we know”.

“Properly fresh fish with no fuss but lots of care” (plus delectable puds) continues to explain the success of this two-decades-old haunt in a historic Leith harbour watchtower. Their sibling venue The Shore, next door, serves British grub, and there’s also a city-centre spin-off, the literally titled ‘Fishers In the City’.

For “great seafood”, “right in the centre of town”, you could do worse than this “easygoing”, well-preserved Victorian emporium with gilt-and-glass interiors – though you’ll find it “quieter and more civilised at lunchtime”.

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.

“Wonderful fresh seafood and fish is imaginatively presented and served unpretentiously at a very reasonable price” at this relaxed bistro, handy for the National Gallery (and a spin-off of a veteran Leith venture).

“Top-notch seafood – down by the Newhaven jetty!” is making a name for this modern chippy and fish restaurant in the docks, where – as well as fish ’n’ chips (including to take away), there’s a wider menu of posher seafood dishes.