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June 14, 2017updated Dec 20, 2023

The 5 Best Restaurants in Edinburgh

By Lauren Jade Hill

By Lauren Jade Hill

Bringing together the great culinary traditions and outstanding produce Scotland takes pride in, with the city’s international influence and internationally renowned chefs, Edinburgh is home to a number of exceptional fine dining restaurants. Here’s our pick of the five best restaurants in Edinburgh.

Number One

Proving its excellence, Number One has retained a Michelin star for well over a decade. Widely considered to be one of Edinburgh’s top restaurants, the fine dining favorite is tucked into the grand surroundings of The Balmoral Hotel, right in the heart of the city. Modern Scottish cuisine is the focus here; executive chef Jeff Bland comes up with creative dishes encompassing Scottish produce, which can be tried in a seven or ten-course tasting menu with wine pairing. Having been refurbished in 2015, the dining room is warm and inviting with contemporary décor that’s in keeping with its elegant surroundings.

roccofortehotels.com

21212

Since opening in 2009—closely followed by a Michelin star in 2010—this gourmet restaurant by Paul Kitching has continually garnered rave reviews. The menu here changes weekly to showcase the ingredients brought in my local suppliers throughout the seasons, with five-course meals comprising mouth-watering plates with witty names. The restaurant also has its own private dining areas: the 10-person space ATE, and The Pod which accommodates six people.

21212restaurant.co.uk

Restaurant Martin Wishart

Offering Michelin starred cuisine in the historic port of Leith, Restaurant Martin Wishart stands out for its menu of imaginative dishes combining French culinary techniques with seasonal Scottish ingredients, and for being headed up by lauded chef Martin Wishart who trained under Michel Roux Jr and Marco Pierre White. The tasting menu incorporates dishes such as Orkney scallops with Vadouvan spice and roast breast of Goosnargh duck with Burmese pepper sauce.

restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk

Kitchin

Established by husband and wife, Tom and Michaela Kitchin, it wasn’t long before this restaurant went on to earn a Michelin star. The dining space lies within a chic converted whisky warehouse on Edinburgh’s Leith waterfront, where following the philosophy From Nature to Plate, celebrated chef Tom Kitchin creates seasonal dishes fusing modern British cuisine with French cooking techniques. A series of tasting menus include the Chef’s Celebration of the Season menu.

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thekitchin.com

The Pompadour by Galvin

Set up by the accomplished Galvin brothers and located within Edinburgh’s grand Waldorf Astoria hotel – The Caledonian, this is one of the city’s most revered restaurants. Here, French haute cuisine is given a Scottish twist in seasonal menus of refined plates such as roast Loch Etive sea trout with herb gnocchi, sea beet and mussels, and salmon tartar with lemon puree and oyster and dill emulsion. A private dining room is available for up to 20 people.

thepompadourbygalvin.com

For more inspiration on where to eat on your travels, take a look at the world’s Top 100 Restaurants.

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