Armed with some of the freshest ingredients in the whole of the UK, as well as a passion for absolutely delicious grub, the capital has always been a foodie paradise. Whether you're down for a platter of Thai delights or would rather good ol' Scottish cuisine, we've got the recommendations for you. Check out our list of top Edinburgh restaurants here.
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If you're looking forward casual restaurants in Edinburgh, you can't go wrong with a meal at Le Monde. Cool with a touch of elegance and plates to match, this eatery delivers everything from breakfast through to lunch without ever compromising on style or flavour.
For those mouthwatering BBQ eats, check out Porty Vault on Portobello High Street. Whether you're after an oozy mac 'n' cheese with truffle oil and parmesan or an 8-hour smoked sausage, this venue is set to impress. Feeling thirsty? Quaff down a few craft beers.
Fronting locations in Roxburgh and the city centre, El Cartel is a great restaurant to check out. Enjoy everything from pork carnitas tacos to street corn with mayo and mango chicken wings. To top it off, pair your meal with a frozen margarita.
Exciting, enticing and hunger-inciting, The Alchemist is a cool hideout in the city centre that's ideal for date night dinners. While in sultry surrounds, chow down on East Asian-inspired bites, such as bao buns and gyozas, or opt for a next-level burger. Another top-notch venue? There's also a site on George Street.
Looking for Edinburgh restaurants with a view? Chaophraya is as pretty as they come. Head up to its rooftop space, which boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and a beaut outdoor terrace, for plates of scrumptious Thai cuisine, quirky cocktails and, of course, stunning vistas.
One of the best Italian eateries that our city has to offer, the stylish, minimalist Gusto can be found on George Street. This friendly restaurant cooks up authentic Mediterranean fare, from sourdough pizzas topped with vegan nduja to pan-fried seabass fillets or scallop and prawn ravioli. Topping it all off? They also offer a two-course boozy brunch, complete with six cocktails, for just £37 per person.
Get on down to Lady Libertine in the city centre for cool Art Deco-style interiors, not to mention some seriously mouthwatering munch. Here, you can devour everything from brunches and Sunday roasts to small plates and divine dinner dishes.
One of the best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh, Veeno is a trendy hangout sporting a selection of mouthwatering dishes. From freshly prepared pasta and pizza to cured meats and European cheeses, this foodie paradise will have you leaving well-fed.
Complete with rustic wooden floors and low lighting, the swish Murrayfield Bothy is one of the best hotel restaurants in Edinburgh, fronting everything from 28-day aged steak dinners to brunch and pub classics like cod fillet with potatoes at lunchtime. Our recommendation? The whisky and marmalade sponge for dessert.
Fronting spiced roasted cauliflower, smoked fish platters and slow cooked rare breed pork belly, The Devil's Advocate Bar & Kitchen is one of our favourite restaurants. Perfect for date night, the venue also has delish cocktails and a top-notch whisky menu.
When it comes to delicious brunches and dinners, Edinburgh does 'em best and Black Ivy is no exception. You'll get to enjoy everything from beetroot hummus and Scottish steaks to mango salads and much more.
Whether you fancy a bottomless brunch complete with endless cocktails or a delicious dinner, Laila in New Town and Old Town are coming up trumps in our books. For cool restaurants in Edinburgh, this pink venue is decked out with floral decor and ambient lighting.
While Angels Share is a boutique hotel, it's also home to one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh city centre. Ideal for dinner dates in slinky surrounds or chilled-out afternoons tucking into fish and chips, this joint is up there as a real dining destination.
One thing that BrewDog doesn't do? Ever scrimp on flavour. Taking inspiration from the Deep South, this US-style eatery slings out all kinds of lip-smacking comfort food. Whether you fancy towering burgers or mouthwatering wings, you're sure to get your fill here.
Situated in New Town, Mowgli is one of our favourite restaurants on this list. Not only does it have a whole host of signature cocktails and snacks, but its Indian cooking reigns supreme. We recommend the lamb chops with turmeric chips or sizzling ginger chicken.
Perhaps one of the best Japanese restaurants in Edinburgh, YO! on Princes Street is a must-visit for sushi-lovers. Choose your dishes from the conveyer belt or order direct from the menu to scoff down nigiri, maki, stir-fries and curries in a quirky setting.
Luckenbooths is a top choice of Edinburgh restaurants in Old Town, thanks to its unique look and love of Scottish produce. Expect to find local ingredients across a mix of modern and traditional dishes, from breakfast through to dinner.
Granary is an Edinburgh restaurant that's somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades. Here, you can tuck into everything from brunches with mimosa cocktail trees to burgers and Buddha bowls, all while marvelling at the gorgeous space. They've got a great drinks menu here too, with an enviable selection of gin and tonics to choose from.
Make your way over to the New Town where The Bon Vivant is whipping up mouthwatering fare created using locally sourced produce. Think dishes like bavette steak with caper and anchovy dressing, as well as a red onion, feta and courgette filo tart.
A restaurant that never disappoints is Wahaca. A beautiful venue decked out with vibrant colours and indoor plants, it slings out mouthwatering Mexican morsels of deliciousness. So, pop over to munch on tacos, quesadillas, burritos and salads. To wash it down? Margaritas, of course.
One place that you can always rely on for sleek interiors and enticing eats is Browns Brasserie & Bar. Whether you fancy sumptuous steaks, luxurious lobster or even just a good ol' pie, this beaut is ready to fill your tum and then some.
Based across the road from the iconic McEwan Hall, Ting Thai Caravan gives you a taste of East Asia right here in the city. Fronting rustic-chic decor, including bare-brick walls and wooden benches, this is definitely one of the best Thai restaurants in Edinburgh.
Number One has made its way into the Michelin Guide for over a decade, and for good reason. Based inside the world-famous Balmoral Hotel, the charm, style and incredible flavours of this icon firmly place it at the top of the city's culinary circle.
Up there as one of the very best restaurants in the city, Fhior is well-known for its delectable four to 10-course tasting menus. Each dish is made with either foraged ingredients or those from the country's highly regarded suppliers, resulting in mouthwatering, eye-pleasing creations.
Condita is blowing it out of the water with its culinary offering, which has made it one of the only Michelin star restaurants in Edinburgh. Settle into the cute, cosy surrounds, where you'll receive a surprise multi-course tasting menu from the highly acclaimed chef, Conor Toomey.
The chefs over at The Little Chartroom know what's up in the good grub department, as it cooks up gorgeous dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. From beef rump with haggis pie to cured monkfish accompanied by rhubarb, it makes the most of what Scotland has to offer.
The contemporary Chinese restaurant Tattu is one you won't forget in a hurry after dining there. Boasting elegant, floral decor and dark furnishings, this eatery serves up innovative dishes like Shanghai black cod and Mongolian mock beef, along with creative cocktails and exclusive wines.
After a buffet restaurant in Edinburgh? Dishing out food from around the world, with all-you-can-eat to boot, COSMO is just the place for the indecisive (and hungry). Tuck into the likes of curries, sushi, duck panacakes, pizza and more for a fixed price.
Tuk Tuk shows its guests what casual Indian dining is all about. Whether you're shovelling down fiery sheesh kebabs, enjoying a rogan josh curry or snacking on some moreish pakoras, this is sure to satiate your cravings for cool restaurants in Edinburgh.
Only at The Palmerston would you find crispy pig's head with mustard mayonnaise and pickled celery then fried pumpkin, honey, chilli and Branzi on the menu. This Michelin guide-featured restaurant's ethos surrounds whole animal cooking along with a dedication to showcasing Scottish suppliers, with the result being dishes to die for.
Just a hop, skip and a jump from Waverly Train Station, Elliot's Bar and Restaurant in Apex Waterloo is cooking up delicious food in a very chic setting. Head inside the Georgian building to enjoy classic dishes while listening to live jazz.
Based on the ever-bustling George IV Bridge, The Outsider's suave decor works in tandem with the menu of fresh flavours and traditional recipes to create a feeling of serious sophistication. Charming and relaxed, it's easily one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh Old Town.
Ideal if your date is a big fan of the firewater spirit, Whiski Rooms couples authentic Scottish dishes with traditional drinks; think elevated fish and chips, haggis and neeps, plus so much more. While you tuck in, sip many a dram of the good stuff from international bottles, many of which are rare.
Timberyard in Edinburgh is a gorgeous, family-run restaurant set in a repurposed warehouse. It doesn't get trendier than this, with its rustic bare-brick walls, intimate candle lighting and wooden tables. Pop by for eye-catching plates of British fare amplified using international flavours.
This gorgeous hotspot is dedicated to serving the finest, freshest gifts from the ocean. As The White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar sources its ingredients using local suppliers, there won't be dishes quite like these anywhere else.
Dishoom is a firm local favourite. Modelled after the Iranian cafés of Bombay, the interiors are elegant and old fashioned at heart, with retro signs and wooden furnishings perfectly matching the menu of authentic cuisine. Think gunpowder potatoes, keema pau and matter paneer.
Located on St James Square you'll find the dazzling dining experience that is Duck & Waffle. Not only are they all-day brunch enthusiasts, but also they whip up incredible cocktails and delicious Sunday roasts. Don't miss out on their signature dish featuring crispy leg confit, fried duck egg drizzled in mustard maple syrup.
If you haven't got The Spence on your restaurant hot list, then add it now. The brass-adorned, all-day restaurant is located in Gleneagles Townhouse, equipped with a wowing dome roof. The menu features modern Scottish cuisine using local fish and meats, plus there's a brunch club and afternoon tea, too.
