Three years ago I had the pleasure of leading a school group trip to Edinburgh. I had never been before but I fell in love. I have talked, reminisced, and longed for Scotland ever since and have desperately wanted to share the experience with my husband. So, jump to now, we are planning an anniversary trip to…you guessed it…Scotland!
As I’m planning for this trip, I have gone back into my journals and found my notes of all the restaurants I loved while I was there. Many of them are in the Stockbridge side as that was where I stayed - I highly recommend this quieter area as it is easy to get to downtown Edinburgh by bus and you can experience the charm of local life in the city. I hope these help you on your journey - Eat well!
My Favorite
Dishoom ★★★★★ - Lunch or Dinner
This restaurant is the one I still long for and will be one of the first places we go on our next trip! The atmosphere is derived from a story of a Scottish city planner Patrick Geddes (you can read about it here) who lived in Bombay for a several years. His vision was to create a “place which could break down the boundaries between classes and provide common ground, a truly shared space.” And this is exactly how Dishoom feels. From floor to ceiling it has a 1920’s British-Indian-Iranian vibe, and instead of serving super fancy foods (although the place is beautiful) you can have an assortment of traditional small plate or cafe style foods. This one is worth the visit if only to look inside (and make sure to go downstairs to the bathroom!), but then stay for the amazing food.
Edinburgh Dinner Recommendations
Scran and Scallie ★★★★★ (5 Stars) - Dinner
If you are wanting a true Scottish meal, with haggis and all - then this is your spot. Everything here is so fresh and delicious with a “From Nature to Plate” mission. In 2019 they received the Bib Gourmand of the Michelin Guide. The atmosphere is light and airy and super down-to-earth. They take their food seriously but have a great, fun attitude. A nice family-friendly - yet fancy meal in the quieter district of Stockbridge! Reservations recommended.
And if you are wanting to just pop in for a whisky tasting, this is a very fun spot to do so and the bar tenders will walk you through the process!
Chaophraya Thai Rooftop Restaurant ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Dinner
This restaurant was the first one I starred on TripAdvisor as I was researching for my trip. On my first night I knew I wanted a nice meal in the middle of the city and I do love Thai food! So after a VERY long flight with my bags being lost, I decided I would fulfill my mission. I made my way over to Chaophraya and it instantly lifted my spirits (no pun intended). Their drinks and food were delicious and as it is a rooftop restaurant it has a great view of the castle. I was able to walk right in and get a table since I was just one person, but reservations are definitely recommended.
Hector’s ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Pub Grub
Hector’s was the perfect pub location for a dinner in Stockbridge. They are reasonably priced with good burger and beer deals and have a great hipster-hunter cabin atmosphere (that’s the only way I can think to describe it). But the best thing about Hector’s is their STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING!!! I didn’t know about this delicious dessert until I went to Scotland, but as soon as I found it, I had one almost daily!
Ronaq Indian Restaurant ★★★1/2 (3.5 Stars) - Dinner
I try to have Indian food as much as possible and surprisingly (or not surprisingly) you can find a lot of good Indian food in the UK. Ronaq didn’t disappoint, their food was delicious though I think next time I will ask for a bit more spice.
Blue Parrot Cantina - ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Dinner
I felt like I won the lottery with this one. Blue Parrot Cantina is only open on Fridays and Saturdays and I happened to find it on a Saturday. They are located on the basement floor in Stockbridge (with the limited hours and location, you feel like you are going into a speakeasy). I had a drink and a quesadilla which was delicious and the service was very welcoming!
Howie’s on Victoria Street - ★★★★★ (5 Stars) - Dinner
If you are wanting a fancy dinner on one of the coolest streets in Edinburgh - Victoria Street (for Harry Potter nerds, this is where Diagon Alley was inspired), then Howie’s is your spot! It is quite a small restaurant so be sure to make reservations if going for dinner. They serve incredible food, drinks and desserts (highly recommend the banoffee pie). Good for a celebration or welcome dinner!
Edinburgh Lunch Recommendations
Dishoom ★★★★★ (5 Stars) - Lunch or Dinner
Again, this is my favorite. Will definitely be going back here! Based off the old Irani cafes of old Bombay the vibe and atmosphere is so eclectic and welcoming. They also have a great social mission of donating a meal for a meal. As they say on their site, “For Ramadan 2015 (as our ‘zakat’ or act of charity) we supported two wonderful charities – Magic Breakfast in the UK, and The Akshaya Patra Foundation in India. At Diwali the same year, we made this partnership permanent. For every meal we serve, we donate a meal to a child who would otherwise go hungry. A meal for a meal.” They have donated over 7 million meals! So go eat and donate to a child in need!
Larders ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Lunch
Larders is at about the halfway point of the Royal Mile. Therefore it is the perfect lunch spot as you are walking from the Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace or Arthur’s Seat (or vice versa). Everything is so fresh, including their bread which is amazing! Sit-in or takeaway for a meal on top of the Arthur’s Seat. They also have a great social mission of making fresh food more accessible to children and local schools.
Green Mantle ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Pub Grub
If you are out near the University of Edinburgh, then check out the Green Mantle for some pub fare or a pint! Very good food and cozy atmosphere.
Oink ★★★1/2 (3.5 Stars) - Lunch
If you are a vegetarian - do not go here. But if you are a meat eater like me then this place is delicious! You will recognized it by the pig in the window. I had a pork roast sandwich which was the perfect meal after my hike up Arthur’s Seat - right off the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh Breakfast and Brunch Recommendations
Clarinda’s Tea Room ★★★ (3 Stars) - Tea and Scones
This was my first stop when arrived in Edinburgh - right off the Royal Mile. It is what you might expect when you think of a tea room - kind of like stepping into Professor Umbridge’s office, though with a little less pink and fewer cats. There is lots of china and lace for decorations, and DELICIOUS SCONES and clotted cream.
Mimi’s Bakehouse (Leith) ★★★★ (4 Stars) - Brunch
Leith is a bit of a quiet seaside town. But after a morning of exploring, Mimi’s Bakehouse was the perfect place to refuel with brunch. The atmosphere was spacious, light and airy, and the service was wonderful! They also have locations elsewhere in the city.
Cairngorm Coffee ★★★ (3 Stars) - Coffee
Cairngorm Coffee had a super modern and sleek feel. This was a really good place to get coffee and get some work done (if you have to while on vacation). Great coffee and tasty bites.
Coro Chocolate ★★★ (3 Stars) - Sweets
Coro Chocolate is a specialty cafe, serving up LOTS OF CHOCOLATE - chocolate fondue, chocolate waffle sundaes, chocolate pancakes, chocolate crepes…you get the idea! It was a fun place to go to mix things up a bit and have dessert for dinner. Would be a fun place to go with kids.
and finally…Stockbridge Market (Open Sundays)
Although this is not a restaurant, it is a really fun market with great food stalls and local crafts for gifts! I found the most amazing jewelry from Leigh Rogerson Designs at this market. So if you are in the area on Sunday then don’t miss this one!
There you have it. You can save this list on TripAdvisor using the link below. I will be sure to add to this after my next trip!
Feel free to leave a comment if you have any other recommendations.