The Best Restaurants in Edinburgh: Where to Eat by Cuisine

Wondering where to eat in Edinburgh? We’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Scotland’s capital by cuisine and by occasion, so whether you’re after a cheap curry, a Michelin-starred blow-out or a rooftop table with a Castle view, you can jump straight to the right guide. Each category below links to a full page of our top picks, with areas, prices and booking tips.

This list is forever growing, much like our waistlines, so bookmark it and come back. Start by browsing the cuisines and dining styles below.

More Cuisines & Dining Styles

Beyond the categories above, Edinburgh has plenty more to offer. Here are our go-to spots across other cuisines and styles of dining:

• Pizza: Civerinos (Hunter Square, Forrest Road, Portobello) and Cold Town House (Grassmarket) lead the way for wood-fired and sourdough pizza.
• Burgers: The Cambridge (Young St), Luxford Burgers (St Leonard’s St), Bread Meats Bread (Lothian Rd) and Down the Hatch (Antigua St) for a proper patty.
• Chinese: Tattu (Register Street) for glamour, plus Hau Han (Haymarket), Salt and Chilli Oriental (St James Quarter) and Lucky Yu (Broughton).
• Mexican: Miros Mexican Cantina (Rose Street), El Cartel (Thistle St & Teviot Pl) and Mariachi (Victoria St).
• South American & Latin: Fazenda (George St) for rodizio grill, Tupiniquim Brazilian crepes (Forrest Rd) and Orinoco arepas (Leith Walk).
• Middle Eastern & Turkish: Meze Meze (Rose St) and Ada (Antigua St, Leith) for mezze and grills.
• Seafood: The Ship on the Shore and Fishers, both on the Shore in Leith, for the freshest fish.
• Pub Food: Auld Hundred (Rose St), Brewhemia (Market St) and Ghillie Dhu (Rutland Place) for hearty plates and a pint.
• Sandwiches: Victor Hugo Deli, Fettle (Marshall St) and Alby’s for the city’s best lunchtime rolls.
• Quirky & Experiences: Six by Nico (Hanover St) for its ever-changing themed menus, plus the Edinburgh Food Studio, the Red Bistro Bus and dining aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.
• Buffet: Cosmo and China Red for all-you-can-eat variety.
• Farmers Markets: Grassmarket (Saturdays), Stockbridge (Sundays) and Leith (Saturdays) for local produce and street food.

Looking for something specific? See our dedicated guides to the best brunch in Edinburgh and Harry Potter-themed food and drink.

Edinburgh Restaurants at a Glance

How to Choose Where to Eat in Edinburgh

Start with the occasion. Celebrating something? Book a fine-dining table in Leith or the theatrical Witchery for date night. Sightseeing on a budget? The cheap eats of the Old Town will fill you up for a few pounds. Traveling with kids, going plant-based or after a specific cuisine? Each guide above narrows it down by area and price so you can book with confidence.

A few practical notes: book ahead for weekends and for anything at the smarter end, most kitchens cater well for vegetarians and vegans (just ask), and Leith and Stockbridge reward the short trip out from the centre.