Leith is Edinburgh’s old port, a couple of miles north of Princes Street, and it is where I end up whenever friends ask me for a good meal. In one afternoon you can wander from a starred Scottish dining room on the docks to a Sicilian bakery, a riverside café and a chippy by Newhaven harbour.
This guide covers the Leith restaurants worth your time for breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus the cafés and bars that locals actually use. Every place below was checked this month for opening days, prices and closures. If you want to stay nearby, see our guide to hotels and Airbnbs in the area.
Updated 27 October 2026. Opening hours and prices were checked on each venue’s own website and the MICHELIN Guide; menus change with the seasons, so confirm when booking.
Leith Restaurants at a Glance
| # | Restaurant | Style | Area | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Kitchin | Michelin star, Scottish | Commercial Quay | EH6 6LX |
| 2 | Restaurant Martin Wishart | 1 star, modern | Waterfront | EH6 6RA |
| 3 | Heron | 1 star, seasonal | Henderson Street | EH6 6ED |
| 4 | Ardfern | Michelin Bib, all-day café | Bonnington Road | EH6 5JD |
| 5 | The Little Chartroom | Guide-listed, modern | Bonnington Road | EH6 5JD |
| 6 | eleanore | Bistro, set prices | Albert Place | EH7 5HN |
| 7 | Dogstar | Modern British | Portland Place | EH6 6LA |
| 8 | Dùthchas | Six tables, tasting | Great Junction Street | EH6 5LQ |
| 9 | Barry Fish | Modern, walk-ins | Waterfront | EH6 6RA |
| 10 | Fishers in Leith | Fish & shellfish | Signal tower | EH6 |
| 11 | The Ship on the Shore | Platters & champagne | Waterfront | EH6 6QN |
| 12 | The Shore Bar | Historic bar | Waterfront | EH6 6QW |
| 13 | The King’s Wark | Gastropub | Waterfront | EH6 6QU |
| 14 | Teuchters Landing | Bar & pontoon | Dock Place | EH6 |
| 15 | The Granary | Burgers, brunch | Waterfront | EH6 |
| 16 | Fingal’s Lighthouse Restaurant | 2 AA Rosettes | Alexandra Dock | EH6 7DX |
| 17 | Roseleaf | Brunch | Near the river | EH6 |
| 18 | Toast | Wine café | Water of Leith | EH6 |
| 19 | Nobles | Café bar | Constitution Street | EH6 6RS |
| 20 | Shore Deli | Deli | Waterfront | EH6 |
| 21 | The Old Spence Café | Café | Queen Charlotte Street | EH6 6AT |
| 22 | Twelve Triangles | Bakery | Duke Street | EH6 8HR |
| 23 | Cafe Domenico | Italian café | Sandport Street | EH6 6EP |
| 24 | The Sicilian Pastry Shop | Bakery | Albert Street | EH7 |
| 25 | Vittoria on the Walk | Italian, family | Brunswick Street | EH7 5HR |
| 26 | Paloma | Tacos | Henderson Street | EH6 |
| 27 | Cutting Chaii | Street food | Salamander Street | EH6 |
| 28 | Mirin | Asian small plates | Leith | EH6 |
| 29 | The Lioness of Leith | Burgers & cocktails | Duke Street | EH6 8HH |
| 30 | Pierinos | Chippy | Bernard Street | EH6 6PW |
| 31 | Carriers Quarters | Old local | Bernard Street | EH6 |
| 32 | The Fishmarket | Chippy & oysters | Newhaven harbour | EH6 |
| 33 | Porto & Fi | Café-bistro | Newhaven Main Street | EH6 |
| 34 | Old Chain Pier | Gastropub | Trinity Crescent | EH5 3ED |
| 35 | Cafe MILK | Café | Hawthornvale | EH6 4JT |
Postcodes are for maps and sat navs. Where only the district is shown, search the venue name in your map app.
What’s New on the Leith Food Scene in 2026
- Two more inspectors’ picks. Dùthchas and Dogstar are now both listed in the MICHELIN Guide, joining The Little Chartroom and eleanore from the Ardfern team.
- Barry Fish arrived in 2025. Chef Barry Bryson’s place by the river has already been added to the MICHELIN Guide, and it keeps tables free for walk-ins.
- Brown’s of Leith is the new hub to know. The old George Brown & Sons steelworks is now a space for food, drink and the arts, home to Haze, a relaxed restaurant open Thursday to Sunday.
- Some old favourites have gone. Chums, the Mimi’s Bakehouse by the river, Hobz bakery and Punjabi Junction have all closed, so ignore older lists that still recommend them.
Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Leith
The port holds three of Edinburgh’s Michelin stars, all within a 15-minute stroll of each other. These are special occasion restaurants, so book ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday dinner.
The Kitchin
Chef Tom Kitchin’s flagship on Commercial Quay is the place most people mean when they talk about fine dining in Edinburgh. The cooking is built on seasonal Scottish produce, and the dining room manages to feel relaxed rather than stuffy.
Go for the set lunch if you want the experience for less, or the tasting menu for a celebration. Prices change with the seasons, so check them when you reserve.
Where & when: 78 Commercial Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6LX. Reserve through the restaurant’s website or call 0131 555 1755.
Restaurant Martin Wishart
Chef Martin Wishart has been cooking here for over 20 years, which makes this the elder statesman of the city’s starred restaurants. Expect precise modern cooking, polished service and a quiet dining room by the Water of Leith.
The three-course lunch menu costs £68 (four courses £88) and is served Wednesday to Saturday. The full tasting experience is £155 at both lunch and dinner, and a 10% service charge is added.
Where & when: 54 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6RA. Lunch Wed–Sat; tasting at lunch and dinner.
Heron
Heron won its star in 2023 and is the youngest of the three. The cooking follows the seasons closely, and it is confident without being showy, which makes it a good first taste of starred dining.
It is also the easiest of the three to fit into a weekend because it opens for lunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Where & when: 87–91A Henderson Street, Edinburgh EH6 6ED. Dinner Wed–Sun 5.30–9pm; lunch Sat–Sun 12–2pm.
Bib Gourmand and Michelin Guide Picks
Below the stars sits a cluster of smaller, chef-owned restaurants that the inspectors also recommend. For many locals these are the real reason to eat here: cooking of the same quality at a fraction of the price.
Ardfern
Ardfern holds a Bib Gourmand, the award for good food at moderate prices. It is a café, bar and bottle shop from chef Roberta Hall-McCarron, open from early until late, so you can drop in for a pastry, a long brunch or a braised beef pie and a glass of wine in the evening.
Where & when: 10–12 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5JD. Open 7 days from 9am.
The Little Chartroom
The original from the same team is a pared-back, Nordic-style room with an open kitchen and counter seats. The dishes change often, and weekend brunch from 10am is one of the best in the city.
Where & when: 14 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5JD. Wed–Fri 12–2.15pm and 5.30–9.15pm; Sat–Sun from 10am. Closed Mon–Tue.
eleanore
This cosy, French-leaning bistro on Albert Place serves sharing plates that swing between French classics and British comfort food. Lunch is £29 for two courses or £32 for three; dinner is £39 or £45, which is excellent value for this level of cooking.
Where & when: 30–31 Albert Place, Edinburgh EH7 5HN. Lunch Wed–Sun, pre-theatre Wed–Thu 5–5.30pm, dinner Wed–Sat. Closed Mon–Tue. No under-5s.
Dogstar
From chef James Murray and the team behind Nauticus, Dogstar is a relaxed dining room where the dishes change daily. It is a good choice for a grown-up date night, partly because, despite the name, neither dogs nor children are allowed.
Where & when: 17 Portland Place, Edinburgh EH6 6LA. Thu 5.30–9pm; Fri–Sun 12–2pm and 5.30–9pm.
Dùthchas
With only six tables, this chef-run Great Junction Street room is one of the most intimate dining rooms in the city. Choose between a six-course tasting experience and a shorter three-course taster. Note there is no wheelchair access, as the toilet is down a flight of stairs, and no under-6s.
Where & when: 187 Great Junction Street, Edinburgh EH6 5LQ. Reservations essential.
Barry Fish
This modern spot by the river serves dishes such as half lobster with smoked fish agnolotti, and there is a good-value early evening option too. Lunch on Friday and Saturday is £25 for two courses or £33 for three, and walk-ins are welcome.
Where & when: 62 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6RA. Dinner Tue–Sat 5–10pm; lunch Fri–Sat 12–2pm.
Seafood and Historic Bars by the Docks
The old quayside along the Water of Leith is where most visitors start, and for good reason. Historic buildings, outdoor tables and a run of seafood kitchens and old inns line the riverbank.
Fishers in Leith
Fishers has been serving fish here since 1991, inside a 17th-century signal tower. It is family run, unfussy and reliable, and the weekday lunch, Monday to Friday 12–5pm, is £25 for two courses or £30 for three. If you only have time for one seafood restaurant, make it this one.
Where & when: Signal tower at the end of the waterfront, Edinburgh EH6. Open daily; sister venue The Shore Bar is a few steps away.
The Ship on the Shore
A classic for Scottish seafood platters and a glass of champagne. Order the Fruits de Mer Royale or the hot shellfish platter to share, and grab an outside table on a sunny day.
Where & when: 24–26 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6QN.
The Shore Bar
Trading since 1888 and now run by the Fishers team, this wood-panelled bar has open fires, local beers and live jazz on Sundays. Its haddock and chips cost £20 and are among the best in town.
Where & when: 3 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6QW. Open daily 12–11pm.
The King’s Wark
Parts of this building date back to the 1400s, making it one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh. The kitchen focuses on game and Scottish seafood, and it is a cosy spot for a long lunch on a cold day.
Where & when: 36 The Shore, Edinburgh EH6 6QU. Tel 0131 554 9260.
Teuchters Landing
This was once the waiting room for the steamboat ferry to Aberdeen. Today it has a beer garden and a floating pontoon on the water. The morning menu runs 10–11.30am, the main kitchen serves food 12–9pm daily, and dogs on a lead are welcome.
Where & when: Dock Place, Leith EH6. Children welcome until 10pm.
The Granary
Open since 2006, The Granary is a friendly local on the waterfront for casual dining: burgers, Scottish classics such as haddock and chips and weekend brunch. Come on Thursday at 7pm for the quiz.
Where & when: Leith waterfront, EH6. Open daily.
Fingal’s Lighthouse Restaurant
Fingal is a former lighthouse ship turned floating hotel, moored in Alexandra Dock near Ocean Terminal. Its dining room holds two AA Rosettes and serves a morning menu, afternoon tea and a dinner menu. The dress code is smart casual.
Where & when: Alexandra Dock, Edinburgh EH6 7DX. Non-residents can reserve too.
Brunch, Coffee and Cafés
The port does brunch better than most of the city. These are the places I go for coffee, pastries and a slow weekend morning. For more ideas, see our Edinburgh brunch guide.
Roseleaf
Roseleaf is a quirky corner bar and café with a big brunch list that runs well into the afternoon. It opens every day from 10am, and the kitchen stays open into the evening.
Where & when: A minute from the river in central Leith, EH6. Kitchen Sun–Thu until 9pm, Fri–Sat until 9.30pm.
Toast
Toast calls itself Edinburgh’s first wine café. It sits in a former art gallery on the Water of Leith and serves good coffee, brunch and a glass of something later on. Its sister bakery is on the Walk.
Where & when: Water of Leith, Edinburgh EH6. Open daily.
Nobles
Nobles is a grand old café bar on Constitution Street, known for good food, weekend brunch and lazy Sunday afternoons. Children and dogs are welcome, which makes it an easy family stop.
Where & when: 44A Constitution Street, Edinburgh EH6 6RS. Food until 9pm Wed–Sat and 6pm on Sunday.
Shore Deli
A tiny deli café for morning rolls, soups, frittatas and sandwiches to take away and eat on a bench by the river.
Where & when: Leith waterfront, EH6.
The Old Spence Café
A neighbourhood café for good food, a proper cooked start to the day and good coffee, a few minutes from the river.
Where & when: 40–42 Queen Charlotte Street, Edinburgh EH6 6AT. Mon–Fri 8am–5pm; Sat–Sun 8.30am–5pm.
Twelve Triangles
One of the best bakeries in Edinburgh for bread and pastries. The Duke Street shop is dog friendly, so it is a handy stop on a morning walk.
Where & when: 148 Duke Street, Edinburgh EH6 8HR.
Cafe Domenico
A small Italian café tucked behind the river, good for a quick lunch and a strong espresso.
Where & when: 30 Sandport Street, Edinburgh EH6 6EP.
The Sicilian Pastry Shop
Open since 1979, this award-winning bakery off the Walk is the place for cannoli, rum babas and arancini.
Where & when: 14–16 Albert Street, Edinburgh.
Leith Walk and World Food
The long road that links the port to the city centre has some of the most varied cooking in the capital. Within a few blocks you will find kitchens from Italy, India, Mexico and East Asia.
Vittoria on the Walk
Alberto Crolla opened this family Italian restaurant in 1970, and his grandsons run it today. It is busy, loud and great with children, with pizza and pasta at fair prices.
Where & when: 113 Brunswick Street (corner of Leith Walk), Edinburgh EH7 5HR.
Paloma
A small Mexican food spot where the corn tortillas are pressed by hand and the whole kitchen is gluten free. On Asada Sundays, 12–6pm, a grill feast costs £32 for two.
Where & when: Henderson Street, Leith EH6.
Cutting Chaii
Street food from the subcontinent east of the docks, with chaats, curries and cutting chai served in small glasses, as on the streets of Mumbai.
Where & when: 18–20 Salamander Street, Edinburgh EH6.
Mirin
Asian fusion small plates, dumplings and noodles in a tiny room, so reserve a table. Dogs are welcome if you tell them in advance.
Where & when: Leith EH6. Book online.
The Lioness of Leith
Opened in 2013 in a former pub, the Lioness is a lively bar with Burger Mama burgers and a seasonal cocktail list.
Where & when: 21–25 Duke Street, Edinburgh EH6 8HH. Food from 5pm Mon–Thu and from noon Fri–Sun.
Pierinos
Pierino Crolla opened this chippy in 1983 and his sons still run it. Expect haddock suppers, pizzas and an Italian welcome.
Where & when: 11 Bernard Street, Edinburgh EH6 6PW.
Carriers Quarters
The self-styled oldest wee pub in the port is a snug place for a pint and a bite at lunchtime, and it is a few steps from the river.
Where & when: Bernard Street, Leith EH6. Open from noon daily.
Newhaven: Seafood by the Harbour
A short tram ride or a 20-minute stroll west brings you to Newhaven, the old fishing village with a lighthouse and a working fish market. It is the place for a fish supper with a sea view.
The Fishmarket
Fish and chips cooked to order at the takeaway counter, or oysters and langoustines at a table on the deck looking over the harbour.
Where & when: Newhaven harbour, Edinburgh EH6. Takeaway and sit-in.
Porto & Fi
A family-run café-bistro since 2007, with views over the Firth of Forth. The morning menu runs until noon, and all day on Sunday.
Where & when: Corner of Newhaven Main Street, Edinburgh.
Old Chain Pier
A historic gastropub serving fish and shellfish right on the water’s edge, with outdoor dining, between Newhaven and the port, with uninterrupted views across the Firth of Forth.
Where & when: Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh EH5 3ED. Winter hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm, Fri–Sat 12–11pm, Sun 12–10pm.
The Starbank Inn
An inn thought to date back to 1810, with big views over the Forth and hearty Scottish classics on the plate.
Where & when: 64 Laverockbank Road, Edinburgh. Open from noon.
Cafe MILK
A light-filled café at the Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop, just off the cycle path, with seasonal morning and lunch dishes, house cakes and a kids’ menu.
Where & when: 21 Hawthornvale, Edinburgh EH6 4JT. Mon–Thu 9am–2pm; Fri–Sun 9am–4pm.
Leith Dining Tips
- Book ahead for the starred restaurants and for weekend brunch at The Little Chartroom. Barry Fish and many cafés take walk-ins.
- Lunch is the best value. Set lunches at Martin Wishart, eleanore, Fishers and Barry Fish cost far less than dinner.
- Take the tram. Since 2023 trams have run from the city centre to Newhaven, so you do not need a taxi home.
- Visit the Saturday market. Leith Market runs on Dock Place every Saturday, 10am–4pm, with street food, bakers and local producers.
- Pair dinner with a sight. The Royal Yacht Britannia and Ocean Terminal are a short stroll from Fingal and The Kitchin.
- Fancy a pint after? Our guide to Leith pubs has the best bars nearby.
Leith Restaurants: FAQ
Which restaurants in Leith have a Michelin star?
Three: The Kitchin, Restaurant Martin Wishart and Heron. Ardfern holds a Bib Gourmand, and several more, including The Little Chartroom, Dogstar, Dùthchas, eleanore and Barry Fish, are recommended by the inspectors.
Where can I get good seafood in Leith?
Fishers in Leith, The Ship on the Shore and Barry Fish are the top choices by the river. For a fish supper, try The Shore Bar, Pierinos or The Fishmarket in Newhaven.
What is the best place for brunch?
The Little Chartroom serves weekend brunch from 10am, Ardfern opens at 9am daily, and Roseleaf and Nobles are long-standing favourites.
Are there cheap places to eat?
Yes. Try Pierinos for a chippy supper, Paloma for tacos, or the weekday lunch at Fishers.
Is Leith worth visiting for food?
Yes. It has three of Edinburgh’s Michelin stars, a waterfront full of seafood spots and historic bars, and the most varied cooking in the Scottish capital, all a 20-minute tram ride from Princes Street.
Which Leith restaurants are dog friendly?
Teuchters Landing, Nobles and Twelve Triangles welcome dogs, and Mirin does with advance notice. Dogstar, despite the name, does not.
Any questions or comments?
Let us know below.