Wondering where to eat in the heart of Edinburgh? With so much choice, finding the best Edinburgh Old Town restaurants can be daunting. This area of the city is where you will find everything from fine dining Scottish cuisine to hanger-curing pub grub!
For evening meals, it is always best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Looking for somewhere to drink as well as dine? We’ve detailed that in our places to eat in Edinburgh Old Town guide, too.
If we’ve missed out your favourite, tell us in the comments below.
Updated September 2026
→ Planning your trip to the Old Town? Start here
Edinburgh’s Old Town Restaurants
| Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Price | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewhemia | Cockburn Street | Pub grub | £ | EH1 |
| Laila’s | Cockburn Street | Brunch | ££ | EH1 |
| Scran | Cockburn Street | Casual | ££ | EH1 |
| Arcade | Cockburn Street | Scottish | ££ | EH1 |
| The Milkman | Cockburn Street | Coffee & light bites | £ | EH1 1BP |
| The Witchery By The Castle | Royal Mile | Scottish fine dining | £££ | EH1 |
| The Devil’s Advocate | Royal Mile | Modern European | ££ | EH1 |
| Deacon Brodies Tavern | Royal Mile | Pub food | £ | EH1 |
| Bubba Q | Royal Mile | BBQ | ££ | EH1 1PE |
| Civerinos | Royal Mile | Pizza | £ | EH1 |
| The Piper’s Rest | Royal Mile | Scottish | £ | EH1 |
| The City Cafe | Royal Mile | Casual | ££ | EH1 |
| Angels With Bagpipes | Royal Mile | Scottish fine dining | ££ | EH1 1PW |
| PIGGS | Royal Mile | Spanish tapas | ££ | EH8 8AA |
| Cannonball Restaurant & Bar | Royal Mile | Scottish seasonal | £££ | EH1 2NE |
| Luckenbooths | Royal Mile | All-day dining | ££ | EH1 1PN |
| The Last Drop | Grassmarket | Pub grub | £ | EH1 |
| Biddy Mulligans | Grassmarket | Irish | £ | EH1 |
| Cold Town House | Grassmarket | Pizza & rooftop bar | ££ | EH1 2JU |
| Mary’s Milk Bar | Grassmarket | Ice cream | £ | EH1 |
| Howies | Victoria Street | Scottish | ££ | EH1 |
| Maxies Bistro | Victoria Street | European | ££ | EH1 |
| Scotts | Victoria Street | Scottish | ££ | EH1 |
| Cafe Hub | Castlehill | Casual | £ | EH1 |
| Southern Cross | Cockburn Street | Brunch | £ | EH1 |
| The Edinburgh Larder | Blackfriars | Cafe & deli | £ | EH1 |
| Hula | West Bow | Smoothie bowls | £ | EH1 |
| Loudons | Blackfriars | Brunch | ££ | EH1 |
| Mòr Bakehouse | Hunter Square | Bakery | £ | EH1 1QW |
| Clarinda’s Tearoom | Canongate | Tearoom | £ | EH8 8BS |
| Nor’ Loft | Market Street | Small plates | ££ | EH1 |
| Canongate Cafe | Canongate | Cafe | £ | EH8 |
| Mimi’s Bakehouse | Royal Mile | Bakery | £ | EH1 |
| Oink | Canongate | Pulled pork | £ | EH8 |
| Tempting Tattie | Jeffrey Street | Baked potatoes | £ | EH1 1DT |
Cockburn Street
- Brewhemia (Market Street) – Pub grub, spacious bars, live music, features in our brunch guide
- Laila’s – Pink decor with banging brunch and lunch menu
- Scran – Casual, nice cocktails and nachos
- Arcade – Trendy eatery dedicated to haggis and whisky
- The Milkman (Cockburn Street, EH1 1BP) – Specialty coffee and light bites in a gorgeous setting
- Arcade has a secret vodka bar. Read about it in our pubs guide
→ Read next Old Town hotels for all budgets
The Royal Mile (Or Close)
- The Witchery By The Castle – Edinburgh’s most famous restaurant
- The Devil’s Advocate – Modern restaurant with outside seating, cocktails
- Deacon Brodies Tavern – Pub food on the Royal Mile
- Bubba Q – Fun BBQ and beer joint (like beer? Here’s our craft guide)
- Civerinos – Cool, lively pizza place that serves drinks, here’s our pizza guide for more
- The Piper’s Rest – Scottish decor and menu, check out the Oor Wullie paper in the loos
- The City Cafe – An Ev Ed favourite for boozy milkshakes and casual food
- Angels With Bagpipes – Scottish fine dining in a 16th-century building
- PIGGS – tapas in an intimate setting, nice window table
- Cannonball Restaurant & Bar (Castlehill, EH1 2NE) – Seasonal Scottish dining in a 17th-century townhouse with views of Edinburgh Castle; oyster happy hour daily
- Luckenbooths (High Street, EH1 1PN) – Multi-level all-day dining on the Royal Mile; open 7am–11pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner
In the Old Town, pubs aren’t just drinking dens they are also haunted watering holes! Find out which Edinburgh pubs are haunted and by whom here.
Really into the spooky stuff? Here’s our Halloween in Edinburgh guide, most of which can be done all year round!
Grassmarket Restaurants (Pub Grub)
- The Last Drop – Lovely wee pub with food menu and good tunes
- Biddy Mulligans – Irish bar with ‘good mood food’
- Cold Town House – Rooftop bar with castle views, pizza
- Mary’s Milk Bar – It’s ice cream but deserves a mention!
You may also like | Edinburgh’s coolest rooftop bars and beer gardens
Victoria Street Restaurants
- Howies – Scottish produce, try the sticky toffee pudding
- Maxies Bistro – Indoor and al fresco dining on Victoria Terrace
- Scotts – Sister restaurant to Howies
Like venues you can take photos at? Here’s the best city IG spots
By Time of Day
Brunch In Edinburgh Old Town
In this section, we’ll discuss where you fill up for a big day of exploring and where to dine out at your leisure, maybe with a wee Mimosa.
- Cafe Hub (Castlehill) – Casual setting, 1840s building, outside tables
- Southern Cross (Cockburn St) – Busy cafe serving Scottish produce
- Lailas (Cockburn St) – Instagram heaven, it’s pink, you cannot miss it
- Scran (North Bridge Arcade) – Brunch and cocktails
- The Edinburgh Larder (Blackfriars) – Relaxed cafe, deli counter
- Hula (West Bow) – Acai and smoothy bowl delights
- Loudons – Big eggs benny spot tucked behind The Royal Mile
- Mòr Bakehouse (Hunter Square, EH1 1QW) – Artisan bakery with indoor and outdoor seating; open 7.30am–9pm daily
- Clarinda’s Tearoom (Canongate, EH8 8BS) – Vintage-style tearoom serving traditional Scottish cakes and light lunches; closed Mondays
Here’s our full brunch in Edinburgh review.
Lunch In Edinburgh Old Town
Many of the restaurants named in our locations section offer lunch menus. Some at a reduced price!
In this section of our where to eat in Edinburgh’s Old Town guide, we will look at cafes that specialise in lunch as well as some takeout options to save you time.
- Nor’ Loft (Market Street Hotel) – 3 small plates for under £20 and cocktails
- Canongate Cafe (Canongate) – Police box serving coffee and snacks
- Mimi’s Bakehouse (Royal Mile) – Banging avo toast, afternoon tea & cakes
- Oink (Canongate) – Pulled pork specialist
- Tempting Tattie (Jeffrey Street, EH1 1DT) – Edinburgh’s famous baked potato shop; hearty fillings, quick and affordable
Frequently Asked Questions: Old Town Restaurants Edinburgh
What is the best restaurant in Edinburgh Old Town?
For fine dining, The Witchery By The Castle and Angels With Bagpipes top the list. For traditional Scottish fare at mid-range prices, Luckenbooths and Cannonball Restaurant offer excellent food and drink options right on the Royal Mile, with views of Edinburgh Castle.
Are Old Town restaurants in Edinburgh expensive?
Not necessarily. You can eat well on a budget at Tempting Tattie (under £10), Oink for pulled pork, or Civerinos for pizza. Mid-range mains at places like Howies or Arcade run £12–£18. For a special occasion, The Witchery and Cannonball are at the top end.
Do Old Town restaurants in Edinburgh require booking?
For dinner at popular spots like The Witchery, Angels With Bagpipes or Cannonball, booking ahead is essential. Casual cafes and pubs like Brewhemia, Scran, Tempting Tattie and The Milkman accept walk-ins.
Where can I get traditional Scottish food in the Old Town?
Arcade on Cockburn Street specialises in haggis and whisky. The Witchery serves Scottish fine dining. For casual Scottish fare, try Howies on Victoria Street or The Piper’s Rest on the Royal Mile. Clarinda’s Tearoom on the Canongate offers traditional cakes in a vintage setting.
What time do Old Town restaurants close?
Most Old Town restaurants close between 9pm and 10.30pm. Pubs in the Grassmarket area like Cold Town House stay open until midnight or later at weekends. Cafes on Cockburn Street typically close by 5pm.
Our Old Town Edinburgh Guides
- The Ultimate Guide to Edinburgh’s Old Town
- 50 Fun Old Town Activities
- Where to Stay in the Historic Old Town
- Best Old Town Airbnbs incl. Harry Potter
- Our Favourite Old Town Pubs and Bars
- Walking Tours Including History and Harry Potter
- Spooky Ghost Tours Featuring Edinburgh’s Underground
- Every Harry Potter Location Fans Can’t Miss
Any questions or comments?
Let us know below.