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Whether it is a first date or your 50th anniversary, one of the most favourite ways to celebrate is to eat out.
So, how do you guarantee that where you book will be that cosy, low-lit place perfect for couples?
This guide will give you pointers to the best romantic restaurants in Edinburgh, taking the headache out of your itinerary planning.
As far as romantic things to do in Edinburgh go, eating out is always at the top of my list.
Never mind Munro bagging; my husband and I are restaurant baggers.
For me, it’s all about this ambience, how restaurants showcase Scottish fare, and most of all, value for money. So let’s tuck in…
Note: I have identified which restaurants offer delivery.
You may also like our guide to dreamy hotels for couples and date ideas.
Romantic Restaurants Edinburgh City Centre
1. Six by Nico Edinburgh
Looking for a romantic dinner in Edinburgh that won’t break the bank while still impressing the other half?
Six by Nico (97 Hanover St) has your back six times over.
Situated on Hanover Street in the heart of the city centre, this basement restaurant is dark – ideal for dates looking to hide in the shadows.
The innovative restaurant offers a six-course tasting menu based around a theme such as Thai street food, ‘The Chippie’ or ‘Willy Wonka’.
Creative chefs must be living their best lives at Six by Nico.
There’s plenty of conversation with every round, which fits the brand’s slogan nicely – A Story Every Six Weeks.
You may have guessed from the slogan that the menu changes every six weeks, so there’s a reason to return for your one-month anniversary!
It is a set menu, but you can advise the team about any allergies or dislikes beforehand.
Gemma, Everything Edinburgh hates coriander, and they were kind to her when she visited during the Thai street food theme.
Since Six by Nico is one of the best date night restaurants in Edinburgh you have to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Delivery is available. Check out the website for more.
2. Cafe Andaluz
Cafe Andaluz (77B George St and 10-11 George IV Bridge) is a popular Scottish-run Spanish tapas business with restaurants in Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Edinburgh.
The interior features tiles and decor you’d expect to see in Spain, and its George Street location has a large outdoor seating area.
The menu consists of small plates of tapa favourites like tortilla española, patatas brava, and croquets or bigger plates of paella.
Cafe Andaluz is more of a relaxed, romantic option for a casual date night.
3. Tattu
Dine on Chinese food under the cherry blossoms of Tattu (18 W Register St).
This UK chain is a popular choice for a romantic meal in Edinburgh – its low lights, friendly staff, and crazy puddings are all part of the appeal.
Tables consist of booths and round tables for larger groups.
4. Bonnie & Wild at St James Quarter
If you are looking for a casual date night meal in Edinburgh, head to the fourth floor of St James Quarter for the Bonnie & Wild Marketplace.
The space is divided up into sections with different food stalls showcasing food from all over Scotland, so you can order Chinese from Glasgow while your date goes for seafood from the islands.
You don’t have to sit near your preferred food stall, as you are given a buzzer once you have ordered and paid.
Soft and alcoholic drinks are ordered via the app.
A super relaxed dining option that provides a bit of chat around the setup!
5. Edinburgh Street Food
Edinburgh Street Food (ESF) at the Omni Centre is similar to Bonnie & Wild but in a little more edgier and casual setting.
There’s a mix of food options, such as tapas, pizza, Peruvian, and boa buns, as well as a bar selling beers, spirits, and cocktails.
The brightly coloured food hall has indoor and outside seating, and the latter is in a sun trap, which is superb for summer date days in Edinburgh!
6. Howies Restaurant
Howies owns a collection of restaurants in Edinburgh.
Its flagship at Waterloo Place sits under the watch of Calton Hill, just minutes away from The Balmoral Hotel.
The restaurant is located in a Georgian hall, which was made to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo at the East End of Princes Street.
The large windows let in lots of light, which compliments the simple decor. It’s a really pleasant room to dine in.
While the standard of food is high, there is no pretence at Howie’s.
The staff is friendly, the restaurant is welcoming, and the menu has enough variation to cater to any date.
Gemma recommends the salmon for the main and their signature banoffee pie.
Since the menu is seasonal, you will only get the above items if they are fresh.
However, you are guaranteed a Scottish menu and options for vegetarians and vegans.
If you prefer to dine in the Old Town, Howies is also situated on Victoria Street and on Victoria Terrace; you will find Scotts Kitchen for indoor and outdoor dining.
Howies also features in our best Christmas dinners in Edinburgh guide.
7. ROLLO
ROLLO is a family-run boutique wine bar.
The menu consists of bites, bowls, plates, and sides, and the food is served by unpretentious yet attentive and informed staff.
ROLLO (14 Broughton St) is owned by a trio, which includes an architect, sculptor, and fashion designer, and it shows in the setup, menu, and marketing.
Broughton Street and Lane are our secret spot for Edinburgh date day drinks, featuring ‘old man’ pubs like Mathers and Barony, casual drinking dens like The Basement and The Outhouse, and upscale bars like The Broughton and L’Escargot Bleu.
Shhh! Don’t tell anyone.
8. Chaophraya
This Thai restaurant (4th Floor, 33 Castle St) is always high on Edinburgh couple date night bucket lists because of its fourth-floor views of Edinburgh Castle.
With ground-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking Princes Street Gardens, this family-owned UK business is one of the best places to see the Castle lit up at night.
Chaophraya’s menu includes classic Thai dishes such as pad Thai and ‘reimagined’ options too.
Request a table with castle views for the perfect date night.
One of the few rooftop bars in Edinburgh.
Love Thai food? Check out our guide to the best Thai restaurants in Edinburgh.
9. Chez Jules
Chez Jules (109 Hanover St), the French restaurant, is perfect for that first date.
The busy yet comfortable atmosphere draws you in, and as you snake your way to the table, your senses are bombarded with the noise, the smells, and the sights of this bistro, so there is plenty of distraction if you need a bit of support in the conversation department.
On the table, you receive water and a basket with bread, charcuterie, olives, and pickles.
This is for you to enjoy as you peruse the menu.
The wine comes in jugs and is served in small glass tumblers.
It is a little bit of genuine France in this Scottish city.
While the A la Carte menu is very affordable, the bargain hunters will appreciate the lunch menu, which is served from 12 noon until 10pm on weekdays and 11pm on weekends.
If you prefer to pay for the first meal, this is a decent choice if you’re not sure about the date 😉
Chez Jules offers delivery. Check the website for more details.
Old Town Romantic Restaurants
10. The Witchery By The Castle
Nestled just below Edinburgh Castle, this is certainly one of the top three romantic places to eat in Edinburgh.
Oozing with history, The Witchery offers a choice between two rooms depending on what kind of atmosphere you are after.
The Secret Garden is one of Edinburgh’s best-kept secrets.
Lit almost completely by candlelight, what better situation is there for a romantic liaison?
As you step down the stairs into the room, your eyes are drawn to the hand-painted ceiling and then towards the French windows that lead onto the terrace.
For a different vibe, The Witchery Room is set in the 16th century Merchant’s house.
Here, you will be seated on red leather chairs, and the walls are wood-panelled.
The reminders of Edinburgh’s past and the ghosts of the building surround you.
If you love somewhere that offers history as well as romance, then The Witchery is for you.
For a budget-friendly option, The Witchery’s lunch menu is served from noon until 6pm.
This means you can still enjoy this restaurant and have money left over to go and explore the romantic activities that Edinburgh has to offer.
For inspiration, read this article.
11. Eve
Eve (18-20 Cowgate) is a stylish restaurant at Cowgate, near the Grassmarket.
Part of the Virgin Hotel Edinburgh, this entertainment spot is known for its packed-out weekend brunches and live music and DJ sets from Thursday to Sunday.
The restaurant offers indoor and outdoor tables, the latter in the most stylish setting.
Romantic Places to Eat Edinburgh‘s Leith Neighbourhood
The hip suburb of Leith is known for its food scene, and every Saturday, there is a farmers’ market selling local produce.
There are three recommended restaurants for date nights in this area.
12. The Kitchin
Tom Kitchin and his wife, Michaela, own the world-renowned restaurant The Kitchin (Commercial Quay).
It is another of our favourites, which we return to when we can.
Kitchin is the youngest winner of a Michelin star, and his fine dining restaurant is situated near Leith’s waterfront, perfect for an after-dinner stroll, pub crawl, and distillery visit to Scotland’s first vertical distillery, the Port of Leith Distillery.
A warm welcome is offered to everyone stepping through the doors by the uninformed, kilted waiters, and as you are taken to your seat, your senses are awakened.
The romantic low lighting, muted colours, and the smells of the food set your mouth watering.
The ethos of the restaurant is ‘nature to plate.’
What you order will often have been delivered by one of the many local suppliers that very morning.
Showcasing the very best that Scotland and Britain have to offer, you will be smitten – not just with your date but also with this restaurant.
Tasting menus begin at £100 per person.
A la Carte options are a little cheaper, and the set lunch menu is very affordable.
Is fine dining your thing? Here’s our guide to affordable luxury under £30
13. Martin Wishart
Another Michelin-starred restaurant in Leith is Restaurant Martin Wishart (54 Shore).
Situated on The Shore at Leith, this fine dining restaurant offers French-style cooking with the best of Scottish ingredients.
Having stood the test of time, 10 years later, Wishart often sees first dates bloom into return visits.
The bright, airy interior makes the most of the light from the windows and looks out over the Water of Leith.
The tasting menu features eight courses, and there is a cheaper market menu for those on a smaller budget who enjoy investing in good produce.
Once again, there is a lunch menu served on select weekdays.
14. Fingal Edinburgh
Last but by no means least, one restaurant that is firmly on my ‘must-visit list is Fingal (Alexandra Dock).
This unusual restaurant is onboard the Fingal ship.
The ship was originally built to bring parts to various lighthouses around Scotland.
Now docked beside the royal Yacht Britannia, the owners have made the most of this vessel and created a luxurious place for you to dine and stay.
Decked out with copper ceilings in the bar, which cleverly reflects the sea from the floor-to-ceiling windows, the art-deco look creates a romantic feel for Great Gatsby.
If it is a place for a very special moment, then Fingal is where you should book.
There is the option of afternoon tea, from £50 per person.
Stockbridge’s Best Restaurant for Couples
Sure, Stockbridge is known more for its cafe scene and Sunday farmers market, but there is one restaurant that stands out for food presentation, personal touches to decor and its side serving of cheekiness.
15. The Scran and Scallie
If you are looking for a low-key Scottish menu that won’t break a tight Scot’s bank account, consider The Scran and Scallie (1 Comely Bank Rd).
This bright and airy restaurant focuses on farm-to-fork style dishes from Scottish companies with a decent selection of meat and fish dishes.
Its steak pie comes in a fully enclosed.
Puddings include sticky toffee and ice cream or the daily special.
This is one of the few romantic restaurants in Edinburgh that allows kids, so if you can’t find a sitter, bring them along.
Top Recommendation
16. Rhubarb at Prestonfield House
Rhubarb is one of the most romantic restaurants in Edinburgh, and I would know!
Keep reading to find out why.
This fine-dining restaurant is part of Prestonfield House, one of the best hotels for a romantic trip to the city.
The reason I love this place so much is because I got married here, and they served our wedding breakfast to our wedding party in the Garden Room.
As soon as you enter this hotel to be taken through to the restaurant, you are immediately aware of the romance this place has to offer.
The red, black, and gold colours are warm and inviting.
Seated, your eyes wander around the room to the chandeliers setting the mood, the candles on the table, and the many different portraits on the walls.
You are here to enjoy Scottish and local produce at its very best.
If you are on a budget, go for the set lunch menu. There is also a dinner and A la Carte menu.
You do need a designated driver (free parking) or a 10-minute taxi from the Old Town, but it is worth the journey.
Rhubarb made it to the big screen! Fans of 4OD’s Love At First Sight may recognise it as the dinner date for one of the couples who honeymooned in Edinburgh.
The sister restaurant to Rhubarb is The Witchery, as mentioned above.
You may also find our article on food tours in Edinburgh interesting!
Our Romantic Edinburgh Guides
- Best hotels for couples
- Romantic things to do in the city
- Perfect proposal spots around the Old and New Town
- Lovely rooftop bars in Edinburgh with castle views
Final Words
Edinburgh offers romance hunters some of the very best of the most romantic restaurants for you to explore.
You won’t be disappointed with wherever you choose, and the choice and quality will bring you back time and time again.
♡ Tell us, which is your favourite romantic restaurant to dine at?
About the author: Hi, I am Ruth. A Highlander living in Fife longing for the mountains of home but I can’t give up the delights of the big city!