There is no shortage of fresh, seasonal produce in Scotland thanks to its abundance of rain and gorgeous green landscapes, so it is no surprise then that Edinburgh has such a wonderful array of restaurants from Michelin starred to Sudanese deli, traditional tartan taverns to a Muslim cafeteria.
A culinary adventure and flavours to delight the palate await lucky visitors to this historic city.
PUB
The Sheep Heid Inn 43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston
There can be very few lovelier ways to spend a Sunday afternoon in Edinburgh than by taking a stroll around or even up and over Arthur’s Seat, and then on to The Sheep Heid Inn. Built in 1360 and this claims to be the oldest pub in Scotland. Expect traditional pub grub, in cosy chairs by a roaring fire, while in summer they light up a BBQ in the secluded courtyard. If the weather suddenly turns, never fear, you can always enjoy a game of scrabble or even skittles in the pub's own alley while sampling a few ales and eating scampi from a basket! Perfection.
The Bow Bar 80 West Bow
Situated on the lovely, cobbled Victoria Street with its vibrant one off shops, boutiques and restaurants, the Bow Bar is a relaxing, cosy and warming experience. The classic interior is full of antique mirrors, leather chairs and wooden tables with staff that are friendly and knowledgeable. There is a wide choice of ale on offer as well as international beers that you can sample, alongside a tasty lunchtime pie.
RESTAURANT
Empires 24 St Mary's Street
This tiny Turkish restaurant is just a few minutes' walk from The Pleasance. As you step in through the door you are greeted by the sight of hundreds of colourful lamps hanging from the ceiling, dark wooden furniture, twinkling lights and cushions embroidered with gold thread. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is energetic, often thanks to the presence of live Turkish music on the smallest stage you’re ever likely to see! The food is fantastic meze platters, which you can follow with sticky sweet baklava and a heady Turkish coffee. It is BYOB too which also keeps prices reasonable.
The Mosque Kitchen 50 Potterrow, behind the National Museum of Scotland
As well as catering for the congregation, this cafeteria-style eatery attracts locals and lucky tourists who happen to come across it on their wanderings. There are lamb, chicken and kebab dishes fired up on the barbecue every day but veggies also have a fantastic choice from mixed vegetable curry, dhal, chickpea or spinach and potato curry, with freshly baked naan breads piled high. Dining here is alfresco, under a plastic roof with plastic plates and cutlery which may not be to everyone’s taste, however when given a chance, this is definitely the finest most filling food you can find for under a fiver. This is good home-cooking all the way. The Witchery Castlehill, Royal Mile
Almost as famous as the castle itself, you’ll need to book a few months ahead for a table at the Witchery. Located in a historic sixteenth-century merchant’s house at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, for over a quarter of a century the Witchery restaurant has been the most spectacular it the city. Owner James Thompson has created an atmosphere that is so decadent, luxurious and outrageously lavish that celebrity’s flock in their droves to eat here, as their guest book proves. The food is heavenly, the service impeccable and the Secret Garden dining area, lit only by candle light, is the last word in romance. This has to be seen to be believed and with a £30 three course lunch and dinner option, the finest of dining is available to all.
Chop Chop 248 Morrison Street, Haymarket
Edinburgh is fortunate enough to have two Chop Chop restaurants. One in Leith and the other by Haymarket train station. They have more than ten varieties of their heavenly dumplings to choose from along with soups, lamb, chicken, fish, beef and noodle dishes. The atmosphere is family-friendly and family-run. Take a group of friends and try as many dishes on the menu as you can!
The Kitchin 78 Commercial Quay, Leith
We are now entering Michelin Star territory but don’t panic! The Kitchin is not the usual pretentious affair that one would expect but elegant, sumptuous, honest and open to all. The ingredients sourced for The Kitchin are pristine, from Scotland’s natural larder, while dishes offer up modern interpretations of classic dishes alongside Tom Kitchin’s own innovative creations. Seasonal, locally grown produce delivered daily is the heart, soul and point of this restaurant.
CAFE
Nile Valley 6 Chapel Street
Located almost next to the Mosque Kitchen is the Nile Valley. Obviously, not the one in Egypt, but rather a vivid, rustic little Sudanese restaurant that serves the best falafel in the city. Hummus, baba ganoush and khobz bread are all made by the chef and taste divine with the lunch time wraps a favourite of locals and passing tourists. Downstairs they have a gorgeous little, colourfully painted dining room where you can feast on bean dishes and lamb tagines, couscous and meze. Unpretentious, unassuming and utterly delicious!
Toast 146 Marchmont Road
Toast is a lively café and licensed restaurant, open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nibbles and cakes are available all the time! The shaker style, wood panelled interior is beautiful, intimate and relaxing, but it’s best to book if you are after their out-of-this-world weekend brunch. Their full Scottish breakfast is an essential experience when visiting in the city, and is quite easily the finest in Edinburgh.
The Elephant House 21 George IV Bridge
This gourmet tea and coffee house is famously the place where JK Rowling sat and wrote much of her early Harry Potter books and it’s not hard to see why it would be an inspiration. Indeed, this gorgeous café is frequented by other authors such as Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith. The ambience is relaxed yet vibrant and the homemade food on the menu is imaginative and tasty. The bagels here are some of the best in town. The bright décor, elephant statues and motifs, fairy lights and lush green plants all add to its charm.
TAKE AWAY
Peckham's Deli 49 South Clerk Street
There are a number of these tantalising delis scattered around Edinburgh but this one happens to be close to Arthur’s Seat, which on a sunny day, is the perfect place for a picnic. Peckham’s will provide you with all the amazing finger food you could want from dips to salads, meats, cheeses, quiches and pies to fruits, olives, yogurts and homemade cakes; all of the highest quality. Treat yourself to a bottle of organic cider, a loaf of crusty bread, some flights to Edinburgh and, weather permitting, enjoy your banquet in the Scottish sunshine!
A culinary adventure and flavours to delight the palate await lucky visitors to this historic city.
PUB
The Sheep Heid Inn 43-45 The Causeway, Duddingston
There can be very few lovelier ways to spend a Sunday afternoon in Edinburgh than by taking a stroll around or even up and over Arthur’s Seat, and then on to The Sheep Heid Inn. Built in 1360 and this claims to be the oldest pub in Scotland. Expect traditional pub grub, in cosy chairs by a roaring fire, while in summer they light up a BBQ in the secluded courtyard. If the weather suddenly turns, never fear, you can always enjoy a game of scrabble or even skittles in the pub's own alley while sampling a few ales and eating scampi from a basket! Perfection.
The Bow Bar 80 West Bow
Situated on the lovely, cobbled Victoria Street with its vibrant one off shops, boutiques and restaurants, the Bow Bar is a relaxing, cosy and warming experience. The classic interior is full of antique mirrors, leather chairs and wooden tables with staff that are friendly and knowledgeable. There is a wide choice of ale on offer as well as international beers that you can sample, alongside a tasty lunchtime pie.
RESTAURANT
Empires 24 St Mary's Street
This tiny Turkish restaurant is just a few minutes' walk from The Pleasance. As you step in through the door you are greeted by the sight of hundreds of colourful lamps hanging from the ceiling, dark wooden furniture, twinkling lights and cushions embroidered with gold thread. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is energetic, often thanks to the presence of live Turkish music on the smallest stage you’re ever likely to see! The food is fantastic meze platters, which you can follow with sticky sweet baklava and a heady Turkish coffee. It is BYOB too which also keeps prices reasonable.
The Mosque Kitchen 50 Potterrow, behind the National Museum of Scotland
As well as catering for the congregation, this cafeteria-style eatery attracts locals and lucky tourists who happen to come across it on their wanderings. There are lamb, chicken and kebab dishes fired up on the barbecue every day but veggies also have a fantastic choice from mixed vegetable curry, dhal, chickpea or spinach and potato curry, with freshly baked naan breads piled high. Dining here is alfresco, under a plastic roof with plastic plates and cutlery which may not be to everyone’s taste, however when given a chance, this is definitely the finest most filling food you can find for under a fiver. This is good home-cooking all the way. The Witchery Castlehill, Royal Mile
Almost as famous as the castle itself, you’ll need to book a few months ahead for a table at the Witchery. Located in a historic sixteenth-century merchant’s house at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, for over a quarter of a century the Witchery restaurant has been the most spectacular it the city. Owner James Thompson has created an atmosphere that is so decadent, luxurious and outrageously lavish that celebrity’s flock in their droves to eat here, as their guest book proves. The food is heavenly, the service impeccable and the Secret Garden dining area, lit only by candle light, is the last word in romance. This has to be seen to be believed and with a £30 three course lunch and dinner option, the finest of dining is available to all.
Chop Chop 248 Morrison Street, Haymarket
Edinburgh is fortunate enough to have two Chop Chop restaurants. One in Leith and the other by Haymarket train station. They have more than ten varieties of their heavenly dumplings to choose from along with soups, lamb, chicken, fish, beef and noodle dishes. The atmosphere is family-friendly and family-run. Take a group of friends and try as many dishes on the menu as you can!
The Kitchin 78 Commercial Quay, Leith
We are now entering Michelin Star territory but don’t panic! The Kitchin is not the usual pretentious affair that one would expect but elegant, sumptuous, honest and open to all. The ingredients sourced for The Kitchin are pristine, from Scotland’s natural larder, while dishes offer up modern interpretations of classic dishes alongside Tom Kitchin’s own innovative creations. Seasonal, locally grown produce delivered daily is the heart, soul and point of this restaurant.
CAFE
Nile Valley 6 Chapel Street
Located almost next to the Mosque Kitchen is the Nile Valley. Obviously, not the one in Egypt, but rather a vivid, rustic little Sudanese restaurant that serves the best falafel in the city. Hummus, baba ganoush and khobz bread are all made by the chef and taste divine with the lunch time wraps a favourite of locals and passing tourists. Downstairs they have a gorgeous little, colourfully painted dining room where you can feast on bean dishes and lamb tagines, couscous and meze. Unpretentious, unassuming and utterly delicious!
Toast 146 Marchmont Road
Toast is a lively café and licensed restaurant, open all day serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Nibbles and cakes are available all the time! The shaker style, wood panelled interior is beautiful, intimate and relaxing, but it’s best to book if you are after their out-of-this-world weekend brunch. Their full Scottish breakfast is an essential experience when visiting in the city, and is quite easily the finest in Edinburgh.
The Elephant House 21 George IV Bridge
This gourmet tea and coffee house is famously the place where JK Rowling sat and wrote much of her early Harry Potter books and it’s not hard to see why it would be an inspiration. Indeed, this gorgeous café is frequented by other authors such as Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith. The ambience is relaxed yet vibrant and the homemade food on the menu is imaginative and tasty. The bagels here are some of the best in town. The bright décor, elephant statues and motifs, fairy lights and lush green plants all add to its charm.
TAKE AWAY
Peckham's Deli 49 South Clerk Street
There are a number of these tantalising delis scattered around Edinburgh but this one happens to be close to Arthur’s Seat, which on a sunny day, is the perfect place for a picnic. Peckham’s will provide you with all the amazing finger food you could want from dips to salads, meats, cheeses, quiches and pies to fruits, olives, yogurts and homemade cakes; all of the highest quality. Treat yourself to a bottle of organic cider, a loaf of crusty bread, some flights to Edinburgh and, weather permitting, enjoy your banquet in the Scottish sunshine!
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