Edinburgh restaurants, Scottish Capital eating out reviews, Lothian dining recommendations

Edinburgh Restaurants Guide

Lothian Dining in Contemporary Buildings – East of Scotland Eating Out Information

post updated 30 June 2023

Edinburgh Restaurants Reviews

e-architect are seeking interesting reviews of contemporary restaurants and hotels, with a focus on the interior design but comments re food and service also welcome.

In the past we undertook dining reviews but alas are too busy for that currently!

Edinburgh New Town Building near Charlotte Square – Hudson Hotel:
Edinburgh New Town Building near Charlotte Square

Edinburgh Restaurants

Contact:
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E-mail: info(at)edinburgharchitecture.co.uk
Address: e-architect limited, Scotland, UK

Restaurants + Cafes + Hotels + Bistros + Brasseries + Inns

This Edinburgh restaurant guide lists architect-designed restaurants & cafes. These restaurants are mostly contemporary. The key classics, such as The Balmoral Hotel and Fishers, are inserted to give depth. Most restaurants are reviewed for surroundings, food & service.

Edinburgh restaurant recommendations: [email protected]

Restaurant recommendations: service + interior + food & wine
*** excellent ** good * fair ^ unreviewed

This restaurant page is updated at least monthly

Edinburgh Restaurants listed by area, starting with the best reviews in each area

Latest Edinburgh Restaurant added
Taste Good Restaurant
photo : T Cheung
Taste Good Restaurant – Interior Design : a+j burridge. 8 Feb 2011

Restaurant Reviews

Latest Restaurant Review
Rock’s, Dunbar, East Lothian
Driving along the Dunbar coastal road in the dark The Rocks stands out as a welcoming beacon. The warm glow pulls you in. The friendly staff have all been at The Rocks for the past six and a half years, quite unusual in the fast-moving world of catering.
Rock’s restaurant review. 15 Oct 2010

Latest East Lothian Restaurant Review
Donald’s at Aberlady, East Lothian
“Malcolm Duck’s sprawling whitewashed Inn located on Aberlady High Street is as charming and welcoming as Malcolm himself. A great place to either while away the hours on a rainy afternoon or a dark wintery night – either in the well stocked bar or sampling some of the tasty offerings on the menu.”
Donald’s Aberlady restaurant review. 9 Oct 2010

Latest Edinburgh Restaurant Review
Candle’s restaurant, 21 Candlemakers Row, Old Town, Edinburgh
“The service was overly attentive to the point of being smothering; we were unable to have a conversation over dinner without being interrupted every few minutes. Meals were bland and simple. One meal was different to the menu description. Meals were accompanied by a cheap iceberg lettuce salad and tomato wedges, which looked as if it had come straight out of a bag from the local supermarket. I am unsure if a qualified chef is employed at this restaurant because the meals were so poor in quality. Do yourself a favour and cook a meal at home instead.” 8 Sep 2010

Recent Lothian Restaurant Reviews
Waterside Bistro Haddington. 5 + 7 Aug 2010

National Galleries of Scotland Restaurant review. 1 Aug 2010

Ducks at Aberlady restaurant review. 29 Mar 2010

Linton Hotel, East Linton. 20 Mar 2010

Edinburgh Restaurants Reviews – selection below:

Voodoo Rooms

Goblin Ha’ hotel + Osteria

The Outsider restaurant

Chubara restaurant

Fishers in the City

Centotre RestaurantCentotre Restaurant Review

Zanzero

Sizzling Scot

Edinburgh Restaurant Review – Goblin Ha Hotel, 11 Oct 2009

Edinburgh Restaurant added, 13 Jul 2009:
Cafe Fish
Cafe Fish Edinburgh
photo © Keith Hunter
The Vintage bar transformed from tired traditional pub into sleek Cafe Fish

Old Town Restaurants

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Fruitmarket the Cafeteria
45 Market St., adj. Waverley Station
+44 (0)131 226 1843

Fruitmarket café (bijou Edinburgh art restaurant) attached to Edinburgh’s leading independent modern art gallery and art bookshop, by Richard Murphy Architects.

Edinburgh Cafes

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The Tower Restaurant
Museum of Scotland, Chambers St
+44 (0)131 225 3003

The Tower restaurant has views from the Terrace to the Castle and from the restaurant to the Old Town roofscape. Pricey but great terrace when it’s calm and the sun shines.

Edinburgh Restaurant

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The Witchery by the Castle
incl. The Secret Garden
352 Castlehill
+44 (0)131 225 5613

Witchery Edinburgh restaurant review
Edinburgh Restaurants

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Pizza Express Restaurant
23 North Bridge, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 557 6411

Typical quality chain restaurant interior, but with daylight to rear – by Malcolm Fraser Architects.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Café Hub
The Hub, Castlehill (top of Royal Mile)
+44 (0)131 473 2067

The Hub – informal space, but not one of the cosiest restaurants in town
Edinburgh Restaurants

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The Tun Bar & Cafe
Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 557 9297

The Tun restaurant or for general interest Edinburgh old town

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Borough Hotel – Restaurant
72-80 Causewayside
+44 (0)131 668 225

The Borough Hotel is by Ben Kelly Architects, designers of Manchester’s Dry 201 and Hacienda Nightclub: for Callison Eaton, the owner of the trendy City Cafe in Blair Street.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Mills Mount Café
The Castle, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 225 9746

see Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Beluga
30a Chambers St, opposite Museum of Scotland
+44 (0)131 624 4545

Beluga Restaurant
Restaurant Edinburgh

Have you visited one of the above Edinburgh Restaurants?
Please mail your review to: Restaurants Edinburgh

Edinburgh Old Town Restaurants in more detail

Lothian Road Restaurants

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Roti
73 Morrison St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 221 9998

Roti Restaurant in former rogues restaurant premises
– cool interior concealed behind office block exterior, part of Scottish Widows building
Roti

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agua restaurant
Apex City Hotel, 61 Grassmarket, Edinburgh

agua hotel by Ian Springford Architects, as Apex Hotel & Metro above. agua restaurant was created by converting the former Bank of Scotland’s Uberior House office building into a four-star hotel. Above the restaurant are 119 bedrooms including 3 suites, meeting facilities and bar.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Point Hotel Restaurant
Bread St, Edinburgh.
+44 (0)131 221 5555

An Edinburgh restaurant with real atmosphere. Vibrant planes of colour and wonderfully-clean modern lines.
Edinburgh Restaurants

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Monboddo’s Bar
Bread St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 221 5555

Architects’ hang-out at the Point Hotel Edinburgh also by Andy Doolan: strong colours lots of flush black linings and cool oval bar.Point Conference Centre next door.
Edinburgh Restaurants

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Santini
8, Conference Square, off Lothian Road, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 221 7789

This Edinburgh restaurant, by Terry Farrell & Partners, on the ground floor of the Sheraton Health Club, rather pedestrian compared to spa above. Quite expensive, high-quality Italian food but poor views. Includes a cheaper cafe.

Restaruants Edinburgh

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Metro Restaurant
Apex Hotel, 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 474 3466

Metro Edinburgh – triple-height modern white-painted timber-floored basement restaurant with street-level bar by Ian Springford Architects, opened 2000. One of two restaurants at Metro, the other being at the top of the building with good views of the Castle.
Edinburgh Restaurants


Traverse Theatre: Café Bar
10 Cambridge St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 228 5383

The Traverse is reputedly the longest bar in Edinburgh – downstairs, by Nicholas Groves-Raines Architects. More a theatre bar than fine dining.

[email protected]

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The Atrium
10 Cambridge St., Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 228 8882

The Atrium is an expensive, but excellent restaurant. Owner Andrew Radford won The Macallan Taste of Scotland Award 1994.
[email protected]

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blue
10 Cambridge St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 221 1222

blue restaurant is a sedate, restrained contemporary interior with limited cream-coloured palette set-off with blue. blue is by Andrea Faed Architects. Up the stairs on left of the Traverse entrance; unusual views of internal courtyard by others. blue is one of a number of Andrew Radford restaurants, including The Atrium.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Edinburgh City Travel Inn
1 Morrison Link
+44 (0)131 228 9819

Another Doolan product – bar/restaurant. Edinburgh City Travel Inn is a sister hotel of the Point Hotel.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Hilton Caledonian Hotel
Princes St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 222 8888

The Pompadour Restaurant
Exclusiveformer railway terminus hotel with restaurants and bars. The Caledonian Hotel is one half of the Victorian double-act with the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh’s class stalwarts. Edinburgh’s Hilton has four bar / restaurants.
edinburgh restaurants

Have you visited one of the above Edinburgh Restaurants? Please mail your review

Lothian Road Restaurants in more detail

New Town Restaurants

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Oloroso
33 Castle St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 226 7614

Oloroso Restaurant designed by Richard Murphy Architects. Superb restaurant and pleinair terrace with views across to Fife. At the heart of the design is the Cocktail Bar with real flame fire. Lounge with views to Arthurs Seat, Private Dining Room with views to the Castle.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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The Voodoo Rooms
West Register St
+44 (0)131 556 7060

Voodoo Rooms : Restaurant review 25 May 2009
Recommended for an informal evening out rather than sporting diamonds and tiara
Voodoo Rooms

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Harvey Nichols
Forth Floor Restaurant, Brasserie & Bar
11-13 South St Andrew St
+44 (0)131 524 8350

The raison d’ etre of the Harvey Nichols Dining is the view. Just like Oloroso restaurant, the aspect enlivens the space and is the key force in the overall dynamic

Harvey Nichols Store opening times

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Zanzero
14-16 North West Circus Place, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 220 0333

Zanzero Restaurant + dining review
Stockbridge Eatery

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rick’s eat:drink:sleep
55a Frederick St, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 622 7800

New Town restaurant & bar – sensitive refurbishment by Malcolm Fraser Architects: ricks edinburgh has a lovely central lightwell, great materials + architect-designed furniture

Restaurants in Edinburgh

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The Bonham
35 Drumsheugh Gdns
+44 (0)131 226 6050

Traditional Edinburgh restaurant: Bonham Hotel

reservations +44 (0)131 623 6060
Restaurants in Edinburgh

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Centotre
103 George Street, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 225 1550

Centotre Restaurant + dining reviews

George Street restaurant

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Dean Gallery: Cafe
73 Belford Rd., Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 624 6200

Compact wee café – Cafe Newton – under towering Paolozzi sculpture on ground floor of the Dean Gallery: the interior of this unusual Edinburgh restaurant was designed by architect Terry Farrell

Edinburgh Restaurants

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No.27 Restaurant
27 Charlotte Sq, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 243 9339
Experience fine Scottish cuisine in original Georgian dining room. Restaurant located at Charlotte Square. Now sold.

Edinburgh Restaurants

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The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant at the National Gallery
Gallery Restaurant & Bar, run by Victor and Carina Contini
+44 (0)131 624 6580

The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant has good views out to Princes Street Gardens. Gallery café opens during gallery hours, serving coffee + snacks
Edinburgh Restaurants

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No.1
downstairs at The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes St
+44 (0)131 556 2414

Expensive quality dining in Balmoral Hotel basement restaurant by chef Jeff Bland

Edinburgh Restaurants

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Hadrian’s
The Balmoral Hotel, 2 North Bridge
+44 (0)131 557 5000

Stylish restaurant from 1999
Edinburgh Restaurants

Have you visited one of the above Edinburgh Restaurants? Please mail your review

Edinburgh New Town Restaurants in more detail

Leith Restaurants

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Fisher’s
1 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh: needs prior booking
+44 (0)131 554 5666

Darkly atmospheric pub with celebrated food – under former 17thC Signal Tower. Fisher’s Restaurant is a Leith institution, one of the famous Edinburgh restaurants. Booking advised
Restaurants in Edinburgh

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Martin Wishart
54 The Shore, Leith: best to book
+44 (0)131 553 3557

Opened in 2000 in small, discreet premises: sumptuous food in calm surroundings, excellent sensitive service: a rare Michelin-starred Edinburgh restaurant

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Skipper’s
1a Dock Pl, Leith: needs prior booking
+44 (0)131 554 1018

Quiettraditional seafood restaurant. Skipper’srestaurantis tucked away near Waterfront Bistro, cosy, good service. Included due to great reputation, but pricey

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Malmaison Hotel
The Shore, Leith
+44 (0)131 468 5000

Former Seaman’s Mission, restoredto formwell known Edinburgh restaurant and hotel: Malmaison Hotel Edinburgh Review + restaurant review

Cafe Bar / Brasserie – bookings
brasserie +44 (0)131 468 5002
restaurant reservations +44 (0)131 468 5003
Malmaison hotel

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Raj Restaurant
87-91 Henderson St, Leith
+44 (0)131 553 3980

Great view down Water of Leith; quality Curry House, adj. Allan Murray Architects’ Coalhill Housing. Ordinary interior, authentic North Indian cuisine
Edinburgh Restaurants

Have you visited one of the above Edinburgh Restaurants? Please mail your review

Leith Restaurants in more detail

Environs: Edinburgh Restaurants in the Suburbs

Rhubarb, Prestonfield House Hotel’s restaurant
Priestfield Rd, Edinburgh
+44 (0)131 225 1333

Rhubarb Restaurant
[email protected]

* * *
Edinburgh Restaurants

Have you visited the above Edinburgh area restaurant? Please mail your review

Edinburgh Area Restaurants : Edinburgh suburbs in more detail

Have you visited one of these Edinburgh Restaurants? Reviews to [email protected]

Glasgow Restaurants

East Lothian Restaurants

West Lothian Restaurants

Midlothian Restaurants

Restaurant Interiors

Hotels Edinburgh

Prestonfield House Hotel

Restaurants Edinburgh: Recommendations welcome

Comments on / Reviews of Edinburgh Restaurants: [email protected]

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Balmoral Hotel
Balmoral Hotel
image © Adrian Welch
Balmoral Hotel

Apex Hotel Edinburgh
Apex Hotel Edinburgh
picture from the hotel
Apex Hotel Edinburgh

Caledonian Hotel
Caledonian Hotel
image © Adrian Welch
Caledonian Hotel

Scottish Parliament entrance:
Scottish Parliament entrance

Comments for the Edinburgh Restaurants page welcome