The West End starts where Princes Street ends, under the Caledonian hotel, and runs west through Georgian terraces to Haymarket. It is a short stroll from the Old Town, yet it feels more like a neighbourhood than a tourist strip, and the dining here is some of the most varied in the city centre.
This guide sorts 38 places to eat by street, so you can pick somewhere close to your hotel, the station or the Usher Hall. You will find a starred kitchen, seafood, steak, sushi, Greek and Nepalese cooking, and plenty of cheap eats. Every listing was checked this month, and places that have closed are gone.
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Updated 30 October 2026. Addresses and opening days were checked on each venue’s own website or official social page and on the MICHELIN Guide. Hours and prices change, so confirm when booking.
West End Restaurants at a Glance
| # | Restaurant | Style | Area | Postcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Timberyard | One star, Green Star | Lady Lawson Street | EH3 9DS |
| 2 | 1925 at The Pompadour | Modern British | The Caledonian | EH1 2AB |
| 3 | Dulse | Seafood | Queensferry Street | EH2 4QW |
| 4 | The Palmerston | Modern, bakery | Palmerston Place | EH12 5AF |
| 5 | No. 35 at The Bonham | Hotel restaurant | Drumsheugh Gardens | EH3 7RN |
| 6 | La P’tite Folie | French | Randolph Place | EH3 7TE |
| 7 | Le Di-Vin | Wine bar | Randolph Place | EH3 7TE |
| 8 | Indigo Yard | All-day kitchen | Charlotte Lane | EH2 4QZ |
| 9 | Baba | Levant-inspired | George Street | EH2 4JZ |
| 10 | The Green Room | Independent eatery | William Street | EH3 7NG |
| 11 | Teuchters Bar & Bunker | Freehouse | William Street | EH3 7NH |
| 12 | The West Room | Venetian cicchetti | Melville Place | EH3 7PR |
| 13 | The Painted Rooster | Brunch café | Melville Place | EH3 7PR |
| 14 | Cairngorm Coffee | Coffee | Melville Place | EH3 7PR |
| 15 | Kyloe | Steakhouse | Rutland Street | EH1 2AE |
| 16 | The Huxley | Breakfast to late | Rutland Street | EH1 2AE |
| 17 | Ghillie Dhu | Converted church | Rutland Place | EH1 2AD |
| 18 | The Court | Afternoon tea | The Caledonian | EH1 2AB |
| 19 | Nomad | Coffee, brunch | Haymarket Terrace | EH12 5JZ |
| 20 | Amalfino | Italian | Haymarket Terrace | EH12 5LQ |
| 21 | Hau Han | Chinese | Haymarket Terrace | EH12 5LQ |
| 22 | Patatino | Italian | Grosvenor Street | EH12 5EF |
| 23 | Old Pal Bar & Kitchen | Gastropub | West Maitland Street | EH12 5DX |
| 24 | The Khukuri | Nepalese | West Maitland Street | EH12 5DS |
| 25 | Los Amigos | Argentinian grill | Dalry Road | EH11 2BQ |
| 26 | First Coast | Neighbourhood bistro | Dalry Road | EH11 2AB |
| 27 | Locanda de Gusti | Neapolitan | Dalry Road | EH11 2DW |
| 28 | POMO Pizzeria | Pizza, pasta | Morrison Street | EH3 8DT |
| 29 | Fava | Greek | Morrison Street | EH3 8DT |
| 30 | Rancho Steak House | South American grill | Morrison Street | EH3 8DT |
| 31 | Chizuru Tei | Japanese fusion | Morrison Street | EH3 8DT |
| 32 | Vietnam House | Vietnamese | Grove Street | EH3 8AF |
| 33 | Dine | Brasserie | Cambridge Street | EH1 2ED |
| 34 | Kanpai Sushi | Sushi | Grindlay Street | EH3 9AS |
| 35 | Frizzante Proseccheria | Italian | Lothian Road | EH3 9AW |
| 36 | Topolabamba | Mexican | Lothian Road | EH3 9AW |
| 37 | Ting Thai | Thai street food | Lothian Road | EH1 2DJ |
| 38 | Red Squirrel | Gastropub | Lothian Road | EH1 2DJ |
Postcodes are for maps and sat navs. Opening days are in each listing below.
What Has Changed in 2026
- Timberyard gained a Green Star. The family-run restaurant won its star in 2023 and added the Green Star, for sustainable cooking, in 2026.
- Forage & Chatter has closed. Evergreen Bar & Kitchen, which followed it on Alva Street, is also closed, so both are off this list.
- Castle Terrace has closed permanently. The restaurant near the Usher Hall no longer trades.
- New in this guide: Dulse, 1925 at The Pompadour, Kanpai, Dine, The West Room, Cairngorm Coffee, more Morrison Street restaurants and more places by Haymarket station.
- Removed: Roots and Xiangbala, because we could not confirm on an official source that they still trade, and La Viola, which is in Tollcross, outside this area.
Fine Dining and Special Occasions
If you only have one big night out, these are the places to book. Dulse is the pick for Scottish seafood, and Timberyard for its starred cooking. Reserve well ahead for Friday and Saturday.
Timberyard
A family-run restaurant that opened in 2012. It won a Michelin star in 2023 and added the Green Star, given for sustainable cooking, in 2026. The kitchen cooks with wild meat.
It sits on Lady Lawson Street, a few minutes from the Usher Hall, so it pairs well with a concert.
Where & when: 10 Lady Lawson Street, EH3 9DS. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
1925 at The Pompadour
Chef Dean Banks runs this dining room in the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian. Expect refined Scottish cuisine with views of the castle. The guide lists it under Modern British.
Where & when: The Caledonian, 4 Lothian Road, EH1 2AB. Confirm days when booking.
Dulse
Also from Dean Banks, Dulse has a wine bar on the ground floor and a seafood room upstairs. Michelin’s inspectors single out Shetland mussels and Skye langoustines.
Where & when: 17 Queensferry Street, EH2 4QW. Confirm hours when booking.
The Palmerston
A restaurant and bakery on Palmerston Place, also included in the guide. It is cashless, so bring a card.
Where & when: 1 Palmerston Place, EH12 5AF. Evenings Tuesday to Saturday; daytime Tuesday to Sunday.
No. 35 at The Bonham
The dining room of The Bonham, a townhouse hotel on Drumsheugh Gardens. It suits a quiet weekend meal.
Where & when: 35 Drumsheugh Gardens, EH3 7RN. Friday to Sunday 12.30–2.30pm; à la carte Thursday to Saturday from 6pm. Tel 0131 226 6050.
West End Village: Randolph Place, William Street and Melville Place
The streets between Charlotte Square and Melville Street hold the area’s independent cafés, bistros and places for a glass of wine.
La P’tite Folie
A contemporary French restaurant on Randolph Place, a small lane off Charlotte Square.
Where & when: 9 Randolph Place, EH3 7TE.
Le Di-Vin
The wine bar beside La P’tite Folie, at the same address, for a glass before or after a meal.
Where & when: 9 Randolph Place, EH3 7TE.
Indigo Yard
Open since 1996 on a lane behind Charlotte Square, Indigo Yard is a bar and kitchen for drinks, a meal or brunch.
Where & when: 7 Charlotte Lane, EH2 4QZ.
Baba
Levant-inspired dining in the Kimpton Charlotte Square hotel, where George Street meets the square.
Where & when: 130 George Street, EH2 4JZ.
The Green Room
An independent wine bar and eatery on cobbled William Street, with an extensive list and regular tastings and events.
Where & when: 19–25 William Street, EH3 7NG.
Teuchters Bar & Bunker
A traditional freehouse with 23 beer taps, around 140 single malts and Scottish food. Its sister venue is in Leith.
Where & when: 26 William Street, EH3 7NH. Tel 0131 225 2973.
The West Room
Venetian cicchetti, the small plates served in bars across Venice. It has no children’s licence at present, so it is for adults only.
Where & when: 3 Melville Place, EH3 7PR.
The Painted Rooster
A café on Melville Place for breakfast, a midday bite, coffee and cakes.
Where & when: 10 Melville Place.
Cairngorm Coffee
The local café of an Edinburgh speciality coffee roaster. It opens at 7am, handy before an early train.
Where & when: 1 Melville Place, EH3 7PR.
Rutland Street and the Caledonian
Where Princes Street ends, a cluster of hotels and bars sits around the Caledonian. It is the easiest corner to reach from the tram, and handy for cocktails before a meal.
Kyloe
Kyloe calls itself a gourmet steak restaurant and holds an AA Rosette. Saturdays bring Unlimited Steak Frites, and there is an award-winning Sunday roast.
Where & when: 1–3 Rutland Street, EH1 2AE.
The Huxley
A relaxed spot on the same corner that serves breakfast from 8am, then food through the afternoon and evening.
Where & when: 1 Rutland Street, EH1 2AE.
Ghillie Dhu
A converted church that is now a traditional Scottish bar and restaurant, with an auditorium for events.
Where & when: 2 Rutland Place, EH1 2AD.
The Court at The Caledonian
The hotel’s all-day space for light bites, patisserie, afternoon tea and evening meals.
Where & when: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, Princes Street, EH1 2AB.
Restaurants Near Haymarket Station
If you arrive by train or stay nearby, there is good-value food within five minutes’ walk. Haymarket Terrace and West Maitland Street sit either side of the station.
Nomad
A coffee, breakfast and brunch spot by Haymarket station, handy before a train or a match at Murrayfield.
Where & when: 2 Haymarket Terrace, EH12 5JZ.
Amalfino
An Italian restaurant inside the Four Points hotel, inspired by the Amalfi Coast.
Where & when: 90 Haymarket Terrace, EH12 5LQ.
Hau Han
British-style Chinese food inspired by the dishes of Hong Kong.
Where & when: 88 Haymarket Terrace, EH12 5LQ. Confirm hours on its Facebook page.
Patatino
Patatino means “little potato”. This modern trattoria in The Hoxton hotel takes its cue from Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.
Where & when: 5–21 Grosvenor Street, EH12 5EF.
Old Pal Bar & Kitchen
A cosy spot for wines, whiskies and cocktails. Small plates, sliders and gastropub classics are served daily.
Where & when: 28 West Maitland Street, EH12 5DX.
The Khukuri
Nepalese cooking, including momo dumplings and dishes from the tandoor.
Where & when: 8 West Maitland Street, EH12 5DS.
Los Amigos
An Argentinian steak house and grill a short walk along Dalry Road.
Where & when: 17 Dalry Road, EH11 2BQ.
First Coast
An independent neighbourhood bistro on Dalry Road.
Where & when: 97–101 Dalry Road, EH11 2AB. Closed Sundays.
Locanda de Gusti
Chef Rosario Sartore cooks Southern Italian and Neapolitan food here, with a focus on fish and shellfish.
Where & when: 102 Dalry Road, EH11 2DW.
Morrison Street
Morrison Street runs from Haymarket towards the Exchange district, with a run of small restaurants side by side.
POMO Pizzeria
Opened in 2019, POMO serves Neapolitan pizza and pasta, with vegan and gluten free options. It opens at noon every day, so it works for a late midday meal as well as an evening out.
Where & when: 250 Morrison Street, EH3 8DT. Daily from noon.
Fava
A Greek kitchen, established in February 2022.
Where & when: 248 Morrison Street, EH3 8DT.
Rancho Steak House
A South American grill a short walk from the station.
Where & when: 244A Morrison Street, EH3 8DT.
Chizuru Tei
Japanese fusion sushi on Morrison Street.
Where & when: 278 Morrison Street. Closed Tuesdays.
Vietnam House
A family-run Vietnamese restaurant just off Morrison Street.
Where & when: 1–3 Grove Street, EH3 8AF.
Lothian Road and the Theatre District
Lothian Road links the area to Tollcross and passes the Usher Hall, the Traverse and the Lyceum, so pre-theatre dining is a big part of life here.
Dine
A brasserie and cocktail lounge above the Traverse Theatre, beside the Usher Hall. The midweek midday menu is £24.50 for two courses or £31.50 for three, and there is a pre-theatre menu.
Where & when: 10 Cambridge Street (first floor, Saltire Court), EH1 2ED.
Kanpai Sushi
Kanpai holds two AA Rosettes for its sushi, sake and tempura.
Where & when: 8–10 Grindlay Street, EH3 9AS.
Frizzante Proseccheria
A family-run Italian with Neapolitan cooking.
Where & when: 95 Lothian Road, EH3 9AW.
Topolabamba
A Mexican restaurant next door to Frizzante.
Where & when: 93 Lothian Road, EH3 9AW. Sunday to Thursday 12–10pm; Friday and Saturday 12–10.30pm.
Ting Thai
South-east Asian street food, served to walk-ins only.
Where & when: 55–57 Lothian Road, EH1 2DJ. Daily 12–11pm.
Red Squirrel
An independent gastropub with craft beer and a brunch menu.
Where & when: 21 Lothian Road, EH1 2DJ. Sunday to Wednesday 10am–11pm; Thursday to Saturday 10am–midnight.
Tips for Eating Out
- Book ahead on show and match days. Concerts at the Usher Hall and rugby at Murrayfield fill Lothian Road and Haymarket fast.
- Eat early for value. Midday and pre-theatre menus, such as those at Dine, usually cost less than evening à la carte.
- Walk-ins welcome: Ting Thai takes no bookings, and the cafés on Melville Place and Haymarket Terrace rarely need one.
- Getting there: trams stop at West End – Princes Street and Haymarket, and both stops are within ten minutes’ walk of every place here.
- Need a hotel? See our guide to where to stay in the area. For cocktails after your meal, try our bars guide.
West End Restaurants: FAQ
Which West End restaurants are in the Michelin Guide?
Timberyard holds one star and a Green Star. Dulse, The Palmerston and 1925 at The Pompadour are also listed by the inspectors.
Where can I eat near Haymarket station?
Nomad, Amalfino and Hau Han are on Haymarket Terrace. The Khukuri and Old Pal are on West Maitland Street, and Morrison Street is two minutes away.
Where can I eat before a show at the Usher Hall?
Dine sits beside the hall and has a pre-theatre menu. Timberyard, Kanpai and Frizzante are all a few minutes’ walk away.
What are the best cheap eats nearby?
Try POMO for pizza, Ting Thai for street food, Hau Han for Chinese, or Cairngorm Coffee and Nomad for breakfast.
Where can I find vegan food?
POMO on Morrison Street has vegan and gluten free options. Menus change often, so tell staff about any allergy or diet when you book, and check the latest menu online before you go.
Where can I eat Scottish food?
Try Teuchters or Ghillie Dhu, or book 1925 at The Pompadour for a special night out.
Where can I get a Sunday roast?
Kyloe serves an award-winning Sunday roast. For a pub setting, try Teuchters or Red Squirrel and confirm their menus.
Any questions or comments?
Let us know below.