Looking for the best restaurants in Leith? Let’s take a look at what’s on offer for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner in Leith, Leith Walk and Newhaven.
Updated September 2026
Leith was Edinburgh’s working port long before it became the city’s food quarter, and that heritage still shapes what you find on its streets today. The old warehouses around The Shore now house some of the most interesting kitchens in Scotland, from Michelin-starred fine dining to third-wave coffee shops. You can spend a week here and not eat in the same place twice – fine dining and family dinners, seafood and Italian, casual cafes and neighbourhood bistros, all within a fifteen-minute walk. Below you’ll find our curated picks across every price point, from three Michelin-starred venues to the best pies in EH6.
Have we missed your favourite local? Tell us in the comments below.
| Venue | Area | Cuisine | Price | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Kitchin | Commercial Quay | Scottish fine dining | ££££ | EH6 6LX |
| Restaurant Martin Wishart | The Shore | French-Scottish | ££££ | EH6 6RA |
| Heron | Henderson Street | Scottish tasting | ££££ | EH6 6ED |
| Dogstar | Portland Place | Modern British | ££ | EH6 6LA |
| The Little Chartroom | Bonnington Road | Modern European | £££ | EH6 5JD |
| Nami | The Shore | Japanese-Asian | ££ | EH6 6RA |
| Ardfern | Bonnington Road | Cafe/bar/bottle shop | ££ | EH6 5JD |
| Eleanore | Leith Walk | Neighbourhood bistro | ££ | EH7 5HN |
| Fishers | The Shore | Seafood | ££ | EH6 6RA |
| The Ship On The Shore | The Shore | Shellfish/champagne | ££ | EH6 6QS |
| Toast | The Shore | Modern cafe/wine | ££ | EH6 6LL |
| Roseleaf | The Shore | Cocktails/bar menu | ££ | EH6 6LL |
| Chums | Constitution Street | Pies | £ | EH6 6BG |
| Paloma | The Shore | Mexican/tacos | ££ | EH6 6LL |
| Domenico’s | Leith Street | Italian | ££ | EH6 6HX |
| Vittoria On The Walk | Leith Walk | Italian | ££ | EH6 5HL |
| Woodland Creatures | Leith Walk | British/bar food | ££ | EH6 5HT |
| Fingal | Alexandra Docks | Fine dining (hotel) | ££££ | EH6 6NF |
| Nobles by Bellfield | Constitution Street | Pub/taproom | £ | EH6 6RS |
| Norah | Newhaven | Cafe/restaurant | ££ | EH6 4LP |
Fine Dining & Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Leith
Leith holds three Michelin-starred restaurants – more per square mile than anywhere else in Scotland. All three are walkable from The Shore and each offers a very different experience.
- The Kitchin – 78 Commercial Quay, EH6 6LX. Michelin star since 2007, 5 AA Rosettes. Tom Kitchin’s flagship warehouse restaurant serves seasonal Scottish cuisine with French technique. Set lunch £69, tasting menu £165. Tue–Sat. Book weeks ahead.
- Restaurant Martin Wishart – 54 The Shore, EH6 6RA. One Michelin star. Modern French-Scottish cooking in an intimate Shore-front room. Lunch from £41. Wed–Sat only.
- Heron – 87–91a Henderson Street, EH6 6ED. One Michelin star (Sam Yorke, youngest chef to receive one in Scotland). Modern Scottish tasting menu £125, à la carte £95. Just 24 covers. Wed–Sun.
Modern Favourites
These are the restaurants that have turned Leith into one of the most exciting food neighbourhoods in the UK – buzzy, seasonal, and surprisingly affordable for the quality on offer.
- Dogstar – 17 Portland Place, EH6 6LA. Modern British with a daily-changing menu. Dishes suited to sharing, prime produce sometimes cooked over coals. ££. Thu–Sun.
- The Little Chartroom – 14 Bonnington Road, EH6 5JD. Elegant modern European in a former chartroom. Seasonal menus, great wine list. £££. Mon, Thu–Sun.
- Nami – 63 The Shore, EH6 6RA. Japanese-Asian cuisine on the waterfront. Fresh sushi, ramen, and creative cocktails. ££. Thu–Sun.
- Ardfern – 10–12 Bonnington Road, EH6 5JD. All-day cafe, bar and bottle shop. Over 100 wines, brunch, snacks and cocktails. ££. Daily 9am–11pm.
- Eleanore – 30–31 Albert Place, Leith Walk, EH7 5HN. Neighbourhood bistro reopened in 2026. Relaxed dining and natural wines. ££. Mon–Sat.
- Norah – 3 Pier Place, Newhaven, EH6 4LP. Bright cafe-restaurant in the harbour. Great brunch, seasonal dinners. ££. Thu–Mon.
Leith Restaurants
- Chums – fun pie shop with cool decor
- Paloma – tacos and margs, and can accommodate “sin cilantro” no cilantro/coriander, yay!
- Teuchters Landing – dockside pub with beer garden, Scottish food served
- Relish – artisan deli lunch spot
- Cafe Truva – Turkish/Mediterranean cafe, friendly staff, small interior and outdoor seats
- The Carriers Quarters – fireplace, dog friendly, pub grub, live music calendar
- The Kings Wark – great for breakfast
- Victor Hugo Deli – this Edinburgh institution does the most mouthwatering sandwiches
- Dirty Frites – loaded chips (fries)
- Shore Deli Co – understated, reliable, pulled pork house slaw wraps
- Toast – modern cafe and wine/cocktail menu
- Mimi’s Bakehouse – popular afternoon tea and cake spot
- Roseleaf – cocktails in teapots, bar menu
- The Clock Cafe – Greek gyros
- The Granary – old favourite bar in Leith
- The Ship On The Shore – shellfish and champagne, sun trap!
- Fingal – ship converted to 5-star lux hotel with Lighthouse Restaurant and deck, stunning
- Domenico’s – small, authentic Italian serving fresh food
- Fishers – seafood served in a 17th-century watchtower
- Leith Farmers Market – Saturday 10am-4pm
- Nobles by Bellfield – historic Constitution Street pub, now run by Bellfield Brewery. Great craft beer, Victorian character, food Wed–Sun. EH6 6RS. Features in our Edinburgh brunch guide
- Pierinos – popular fish and chip shop
- Cafe Marmalade – tasty sandwiches and soups
- The Old Spence – relaxed cafe with unique decor
- Cutting Chai – try the secret balls
- The Lioness of Lieth – pub grub served in a cool bar
Restaurants on Leith Walk
- Valvona & Crolla – deli dating back to the 1930s
- The Joker and the Thief – relaxed bar with a pizza menu
- Vittoria On The Walk – popular Italian, family-friendly
- Word of Mouth – nice cafe selling sandwiches
- Sicilian Pastry Shop – a hidden gem and local secret, honestly people go wild for here
- Brass Monkey Leith Walk – burgers and dirty fries, drinks, games and movies
- Storries – legendary takeout bakers
- Woodland Creatures – award-winning Sunday roast, dog-friendly, trendy bar
- Artisan Coffee – Edinburgh chain serving coffees and pastries
- Leith Depot – modern bar with vegan options on menu
- Bandit Burgers – Leith Arches food truck run by a father/daughter duo
- Hobz Bakery – artisan bakery with a few window seats and outdoor dining
- Krema – omg cakes to take away
- Punjabi Junction – Punjabi menu
- Twelve Triangles – takeout pastries, pricey but lush (Walk & Duke St)
→ You may also like | Edinburgh’s best restaurants by cuisine
Restaurants in Newhaven
- Rishi’s Indian Aroma – huge portions, friendly staff, big seating area
- The Harbour Inn – local pub with cheap toasties
- The Haven – popular cafe
- Milk At Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop – trendy cafe
- Loch Fyne Restaurant & Bar – British fish and seafood
- The Fishmarket – sustainable and modern seafood restaurant
- Porto & Fi – popular deli and cafe
- Starbank Inn – nachos, burgers, local pub next to park
- The Oldchain Pier – lovely views, bar, food menu
- Sabzi – Cracking Indian restaurant that does breakfast
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best restaurant in Leith?
For a special occasion, The Kitchin (78 Commercial Quay) holds the Michelin star and 5 AA Rosettes. For something more relaxed but still outstanding, Dogstar on Portland Place and The Little Chartroom on Bonnington Road are local favourites.
Are there Michelin-starred restaurants in Leith?
Yes – Leith has three. The Kitchin (star since 2007), Restaurant Martin Wishart on The Shore, and Heron on Henderson Street, where Sam Yorke became the youngest chef in Scotland to receive a star.
Where is the best seafood in Leith?
Fishers has been serving seafood from a 17th-century watchtower on The Shore since 1991. The Ship On The Shore specialises in shellfish and champagne. Nami on The Shore offers Japanese-Asian seafood dishes.
What are the best cheap eats in Leith?
Chums on Constitution Street serves outstanding pies from just a few pounds. Storries on Leith Walk is a legendary bakery for pastries. Sicilian Pastry Shop is a hidden gem for cannoli and arancini. Bandit Burgers operates from the Leith Arches food truck.
Do I need to book restaurants in Leith in advance?
For the Michelin-starred venues (The Kitchin, Martin Wishart, Heron), book weeks ahead. Dogstar and The Little Chartroom also fill quickly at weekends. Most casual spots on The Shore and Leith Walk accept walk-ins, especially on weekdays.