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.
Updated September 2026
This list is forever growing, much like our waistlines, so bookmark it and come back. Start by browsing the cuisines and dining styles below.
Italian
CentralNeighbourhood trattorias and prosecco bars, from Morningside to Lothian Road.
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Thai
Budget-friendlyGrand dining at Chaophraya to fast street food at Ting Thai Caravan.
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Japanese & Sushi
CentralTop sushi at Kanpai plus ramen and homestyle plates across the centre.
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Scottish
Top pickHaggis, seafood and game, from Royal Mile dining to the gothic Witchery.
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Child-Friendly
FamilyRelaxed spots with kids’ menus, from Vittoria to the Scran & Scallie.
View picks →| Category | Price | Best Areas | Good For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scottish | ££-£££ | Old Town & Stockbridge | Local produce & tradition |
| Fine Dining | £££-££££ | Leith & Old Town | Special occasions |
| Romantic | ££-£££ | Old Town & City Centre | Couples |
| Afternoon Tea | ££-£££ | City Centre & Leith | Celebrations & treats |
| Italian | ££ | City Centre & Morningside | Date night & family |
| Japanese & Sushi | ££ | City Centre & Old Town | Sushi & ramen |
| Thai | £-££ | City Centre & Stockbridge | Groups & casual |
| Indian | £-££ | Old Town, Leith & Centre | Curry nights |
| Vegan | £-££ | City Centre & Dalry | Plant-based diners |
| With a View | ££ | Grassmarket & Queensferry | Special views |
| Child-Friendly | £-££ | Old Town & Stockbridge | Menus & high chairs |
| Cheap Eats | £ | Old Town & Centre | Students & budgets |
Top Restaurant Picks in Edinburgh
Looking for specific restaurants? These are the venues food writers and locals rave about right now – from Michelin-starred tasting menus to neighbourhood gems worth booking ahead for.
Lyla
3 Royal Terrace, EH7 5AB – Chef Stuart Ralston’s seafood-focused tasting menu restaurant earned its Michelin star in 2025. Set on Royal Terrace in the former 21212 space, Lyla serves an elegant multi-course menu that showcases the best of Scottish coastal produce. Book well ahead.
Heron
87–91a Henderson Street, Leith, EH6 6ED – Sam Yorke became the youngest chef to win a Michelin star in Scotland when Heron received its star in 2023. The farm-to-table menu changes every few weeks, drawing on organic veg from The Free Company, wild seafood from Belhaven and heritage-breed meat from the Lothians. A la carte and tasting menus available.
Avery
54 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, EH3 5AL – Arrived in Edinburgh from San Francisco in 2024 and picked up a Michelin star shortly after. Creative cuisine in an intimate Stockbridge setting. Dinner only, Tue–Sat.
The Palmerston
1 Palmerston Place, West End, EH12 5AF – A neighbourhood institution since 2016. The ground-floor wine bar is brilliant for light plates and an exceptional drinks list; upstairs, chef Moray Lamb’s four-course set menu (~£80) showcases seasonal Scottish produce. Set lunch Fri–Sun £25 for three courses. Cashless.
Montrose
1 Montrose Terrace, EH7 5DJ – Split-level venue: the downstairs wine bar offers light plates and a magnificent drinks list, while the upstairs dining room serves a weekly-changing a la carte menu. Set lunch Fri–Sun, 3 courses £25. Vegan and vegetarian menus available.
Mirin
9 Albert Place, Leith, EH7 5HN – Independent casual restaurant serving Asian fusion small plates, dumplings and noodle soups. Laid-back atmosphere, generous portions, and some of the best dumplings in the city. Dinner Wed–Mon, lunch Sat–Sun.
Dogstar
17 Portland Place, Leith, EH6 6LA – Daily-changing menus in a tiny Leith space. Open only Thursday dinner through Sunday (lunch and dinner), which means everything is cooked fresh and the ingredients are peak-season. Sample menus change weekly.
eòrna
68 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge, EH3 5AZ – Fine dining in an intimate Stockbridge townhouse. Evening service only, Tuesday through Saturday. The tasting menu showcases Scottish produce with European technique. One of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants.
Little Capo
18 Howe Street, New Town, EH3 6TG – Tiny Italian-ish restaurant centred around a beautiful Aperitivo Bar and dining counter. Open daily for lunch and dinner. The pasta is exceptional and the wine list punches well above its weight. Book ahead.
The Scran & Scallie
1 Comely Bank Road, Stockbridge, EH4 1DR – Tom Kitchin’s Michelin-recognised gastropub in the heart of Stockbridge. Hearty Scottish pub food with refined touches, a great wine list and a relaxed atmosphere. One of Edinburgh’s most popular neighbourhood restaurants.
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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Edinburgh’s most famous restaurant?
The Witchery by the Castle is probably the most famous, thanks to its gothic, candlelit dining rooms beside Edinburgh Castle. For food accolades, the Michelin-starred Kitchin and Martin Wishart in Leith lead the way.
Where do locals eat in Edinburgh?
Locals favour neighbourhoods like Stockbridge, Leith and Bruntsfield over the tourist strip. Spots such as the Scran & Scallie, Harajuku Kitchen and the Leith seafood restaurants are perennial local favourites.
Do you need to book restaurants in Edinburgh?
For weekends, special-occasion dining and the Festival period in August, yes – book ahead. Casual and street-food spots are more walk-in friendly, though popular ones like Ting Thai Caravan still get busy.
What food is Edinburgh known for?
Scottish classics like haggis, fresh seafood, game and hearty comfort food, alongside a strong international scene spanning Thai, Japanese, Indian and Italian. The city also does a famously good afternoon tea.
What are the best fine dining restaurants in Edinburgh?
Edinburgh currently has several Michelin-starred restaurants: Lyla (seafood tasting menu, Royal Terrace), Heron (farm-to-table, Leith), Avery (creative cuisine, Stockbridge), plus The Kitchin and Martin Wishart, both in Leith. For a splurge without a star, The Witchery and eòrna are outstanding.
Where can I get the best Sunday roast in Edinburgh?
Top picks for Sunday lunch include The Palmerston (West End, set lunch from £25), Montrose (weekly-changing menu), The Scran & Scallie (Stockbridge gastropub), and The Dogs in Newington. Most neighbourhood pubs also serve a solid roast – ask locally for the day’s special.
How much does it cost to eat out in Edinburgh?
A main course at a mid-range restaurant costs around £15–£25; a three-course meal for two with wine runs £80–£120. Fine dining tasting menus range from £80 (Montrose lunch) to £150+ per person. Budget eats in the Old Town start at £5–£8 for a filling meal. See our Edinburgh prices guide for more.