Edinburgh
Chop Chop serves dishes popular in China rather than Britain – as its slogan says, 'Can a billion people be wrong?' No sweet-and-sour pork here, but a…
Must-see restaurants in Edinburgh
New Town
Mismatched cafe tables and chairs in a bright back room behind the deli counter provide an attractive setting for brunch just off the main drag of the New…
New Town
Owned by west-coast shellfish farmers, the Mussel Inn provides a direct outlet for fresh Scottish seafood. The busy restaurant, decorated indoors with…
Old Town
Eateries don't come much simpler. Order some bowls of barbecued chicken wings (six wings per portion) with the sauce of your choice (there are a couple of…
New Town
With candlelight glowing against old polished wood and reflected from antique mirrors, this intimate French restaurant is the ideal place for a romantic…
New Town
All weathered wood and candlelit tables, Café Marlayne is a romantic nook offering French and Mediterranean cooking – the likes of sea-bass fillet served…
Edinburgh
Housed in an unusual, Tudor-lookalike building, the upstairs dining room in this French-style bistro has a pleasantly clubbish feel, with candlelight,…
Old Town
With a Mexican-born owner and lots of Latin American and Spanish staff, it's not surprising that this colourful and lively restaurant is one of the most…
Edinburgh
Expect shared tables and disposable plates, but this is the place to go for cheap, authentic and delicious homemade curries, kebabs, pakoras and naan…
Leith
A snug retreat just a block away from Leith Links park, the Hideout serves superb coffee (with some outstanding latte art) and a choice of breakfasts,…
Old Town
Like the name says, this is a little piece of Paris, complete with checked tablecloths, friendly waiters and good-value grub – the moules-frîtes (mussels…
Old Town
The delicious aroma of garlic bread wafting into the street will guide you into this snug haven of wisecracking waiters and hearty Italian comfort food…
New Town
Stylish modern decor, smartly dressed staff and designer tableware put this place a cut above your average Thai restaurant. The menu matches the elegance…
New Town
The first Scottish outpost of London's famous celebrity haunt, the Ivy in Covent Garden, this classy but informal brasserie serves up traditional British…
Leith
The atmospheric dining room in the popular Shore pub is a haven of wood-panelled peace, with old photographs, nautical knick-knacks, fresh flowers and an…
Edinburgh
The Buffalo Grill is cramped, noisy, fun and always busy, so book ahead. An American-style menu offers burgers, steaks and side orders of fries and onion…
Old Town
The restaurant in the stone-vaulted basement of the Victorian part of the National Museum of Scotland serves tasty light lunches, including Scottish-beef…
Leith
The Royal Yacht Britannia’s sun deck (now enclosed in glass) makes a stunning setting for the Royal Deck Tea Room, where you can enjoy coffee and cake, a…
New Town
A bright and airy Georgian corner house provides the elegant setting for this hugely popular restaurant. The recipe for success includes fresh Scottish…
Edinburgh
A long-standing Edinburgh favourite, Kalpna is one of the best Indian restaurants in the country, vegetarian or otherwise. The cuisine is mostly Gujarati,…
Edinburgh
A chilled-out, colourful and comfortably scuffed-around-the-edges antidote to squeaky-clean espresso bars, this volunteer-run, not-for-profit art space…
Leith
A firm favourite with local Leithers, Truva combines a standard cafe menu of breakfast fry-ups, coffee, soups and sandwiches with a tempting array of…
New Town
The cafe in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has something of the feel of a busy university refectory. The excellent soups and sandwiches make it a…
Edinburgh
Nok's dishes up a menu of authentic and beautifully presented Thai food in the romantic atmosphere of a 17th-century town house, decorated with Thai…
Edinburgh
The restaurant in the John Hope Gateway visitor centre of the Royal Botanic Garden serves hot breakfast and lunch dishes, including a two-course kids'…
Holyrood & Arthur’s Seat
This cafe in the courtyard of the Queen’s Gallery serves soup and snacks, including baked potatoes with haggis, and a sumptuous afternoon tea.
Leith
Taking over Dock Place every Saturday, this small but bustling market is beloved by Leith locals selling everything from gourmet dog treats to fine…
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s oldest Chinese restaurant, dating from 1956, is a no-frills, no-nonsense place, offering an extensive menu of Cantonese and Peking dishes with…
Old Town
A hall beneath the Highland Tolbooth Kirk – now home to the Edinburgh Festival offices – has been transformed into this genial cafe, with artwork lit by…
Old Town
This is the cafe where JK Rowling famously wrote in the days before the Harry Potter series was published, and boy, is it cashing in on the connection –…
Edinburgh
The Terrace Cafe, in the middle of the Royal Botanic Garden, has outdoor tables with a superb view of the city skyline.
Old Town
The cafe in Edinburgh Castle serves good lunches made with fresh Scottish produce, and a range of Scottish craft beers.
