When you think about Scottish scran, you’ll no doubt imagine the Burns’ night classic of haggis, neeps and tatties, perhaps a bowl of steaming Cullen skink, or a roll and (square) sausage with an optional tattie scone. And Edinburgh has all of these aplenty, especially in the tourist zones. But at the finer dining end, you also have wild salmon, freshly caught scallops, Highland-reared beef and a host of organic farms producing wonderful indigenous veg.
For too long Scotland’s rich land and sea bounty was exported to some of the world’s best restaurants, bypassing our own. Not anymore. Read on to find out where you can taste the very best Scottish food in Edinburgh restaurants.
Great Scottish Restaurants Edinburgh Has To Offer
Ghillie Dhu
- 2 Rutland Place, EH1 2AD
Located in the West End of Edinburgh, Ghillie Dhu is a striking venue that boasts high ceilings filled with imposing chandeliers and ornate decoration. The gothic-looking space is decked out in dark furnishings and grey brick walls, with a bar running along one side of the room. You'll even find live ceilidh music and dancing on s regular basis.
Their Sunday roasts are to-die-for, and there's plenty more on the menu too. We're talking pan-fried Scottish sea trout, Balmoral chicken burgers and ricotta gnocchi, followed by a deep-fried Mars bar sundae.
Fhior
- 36 Broughton Street, EH1 3SB
Fhior is all about local, artisan ingredients, sourced from all over Scotland. This contemporary restaurant promises seasonal dishes cooked to perfection, using produce that's in its prime. This venue was created by Scott Smith, the former chef patron of hugely successful restaurant Norn - and the name means 'true' in Gaelic.
The space is split between a main dining room and a more casual cafe that's perfect for lunch. The set menu features ingredients from their very own garden, and there's an a la carte option too. Dishes change regularly, but feature the likes of wagyu with cheese rind, citrus crab and beetroot with langoustine heads.
The Scran & Scallie
- 1 Comely Bank Road, EH4 1DT
Boasting two Michelin-starred chefs at the helm, The Scran & Scallie is a high-end gastropub situated in Stockbridge. The cosy spot features rustic wooden furniture, exposed brick walls and a small bar area, as well as fabrics sourced from the Isle of Bute.
Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack are running the kitchen, cooking up a wide variety of hearty Scottish fare. Kick off with Islay oysters and roasted butternut squash, before moving onto the likes of ham, egg and chips, fish pie or Highland wagyu beef burgers.
Number One
- 1 Princes Street, EH2 2EQ
A beloved restaurant on Princes Street, Number One is renowned for serving some of the very best Scottish cuisine in the entire country. Chef Matthew Sherry is running the kitchen, slinging out a rotating menu of traditional flavour combinations, made using high-quality, local produce.
They've been awarded four AA Rosettes over the years, thanks to their brilliant cooking. Devour a seven-course tasting menu for £125 per person, or opt for the three-course set meu at £99 instead. Dishes range from West Coast langoustines to roasted veal sweetbread, with wine pairings available too. As for the venue itself, think comfy booths and deep red walls lined with artwork.
Cardinal
- 14 Eyre Place, EH3 5EP
Cardinal was the third restaurant opened by chef Tomás Gormley in less than three years, after the success of Skua and Heron. You'll find it nestled within the pretty streets of Stockbridge, flaunting sultry, dark interiors, natural furnishings and exposed brick walls lined with contemporary artwork.
Choose between a full or shorter tasting menu and the three-course set menu, with prices starting from £55 per person. Dishes range from smoked lobster with pink fir potatoes to pork ribeye and Isle of Mull cheddar with croutons, with drinks pairings available too.
Wedgwood the Restaurant
- 267 Canongate, EH8 8BQ
Situated on Canongate, Wedgwood the Restaurant is a homely restaurant tucked away beside an old church. The venue features pretty foliage, wooden furniture and huge windows letting in lots of natural light. They've won multiple awards over the years, since opening in 2007, and their passion for both food and wine shines through.
There are a number of different menus to choose from, whether you'd prefer the a la carte option, a set lunch or the Wee Tour of Scotland tasting menu. Think Douglas fir-cured Shetland salmon, beetroot gazpacho with crispy mushroom, scorched wild leeks and more, with plenty of wine to wash it down.
Purslane
- 33A St Stephen Street, EH3 5AH
Run by chef-owner Paul Gunning, Purslane is a casual fine dining restaurant in the Stockbridge area. The rustic, intimate space is perfect for date night, with simple wooden furnishings and low lighting. They serve both set lunch offerings and tasting menus, which come with five or seven courses.
Prices start from as little as £29.95 per person, or £54.90 with wine pairings. Tuck into the likes of Goan chicken thigh, ratatouille with mozzarella or roasted pork loin with garlic mash potato, prepared fresh on-site.
Angels With Bagpipes
- 343 High Street, Royal Mile Edinburgh, EH1 1PW
Situated on Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile, Angels with Bagpipes is as Scottish as it gets, from the name down to the menu. The stylish space is filled with natural, simplistic furnishings, perfect for a laid-back but sophisticated meal with friends.
Their menu is split into smaller and larger plates, designed to share. We're talking haggis bon bons, Scottish crab and lemon on a crumpet, barbecued root vegetables and so much more. Topping it all off? A huge selection of wines and cocktails.
NADAIR
- 15 Roseneath Street, Marchmont, EH9 1JH
An independent, neighbourhood restaurant in the Marchmont area, NADAIR is a stylish spot for lunch or dinner. They use the very best of local, Scottish produce across their menu, much of which is sourced from foraging. The venue itself features simple, minimalistic interiors, with wooden tables and chalkboards along the walls.
They offer set menus throughout the day, starting from £30 for two courses. Sample plates include cured trout in cultured cream, duck rillette and wild garlic pork, with wine pairings available for dinner.
The Kitchin
- 78 Commercial Quay, Leith, EH6 6LX
Located along the waterfront in Leith, The Kitchin is a high-end Scottish restaurant run by Tom Kitchin, the youngest Scottish chef to be awarded a Michelin star. The venue reflects his philosophy of 'from nature to plate', using the very best quality ingredients from the earth to create his dishes.
The produce arrives daily from a selected range of suppliers, with almost all of it coming from Scotland. The butchering and filleting is all done in-house, and there are multiple different set menus to choose from. Dishes include crispy potato skins with seaweed, Highland wagyu brisket, barbecued brown trout and more - or opt for a surprise tasting menu instead.
Scottish Malt Whisky Society — The Vaults
- 87 Giles Street, Leith EH6 6BZ
The internationally-famous whisky club is housed in an 18th century building, one of Scotland’s oldest commercial premises, with a former life as a wine warehouse. Roaring fires and leather sofas create a cosy ambience, complemented by hearty meals.
Think The Vaults’ classic Scotch beef burger with St. Andrews cheddar, whisky ketchup and smoked garlic mayo; cured loch Duart salmon with roasted nori seaweed, sesame seed and soya slaw; Findlay’s of Portobello haggis; and the I.J. Mellis cheese platter, which includes a Wee Comrie. Pair your meal with a Scottish beer, or of course, a dram from the Society’s impressive collection.
The Doric
- 15-16 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Dating back to the 17th century, The Doric is a historic bistro and gastropub all in one. The ground floor is a traditional bar with comfortable seating and a large selection of drinks, including more than 50 different single malt whiskies.
The first floor dining area promises a more refined but relaxed dining environment, with an old-school vibe to the decor. Expect a wide variety of traditional Scottish dishes, made using local produce, as well as an array of wines. Tuck into homemade shepherd's pie, tiger prawn and chorizo linguine or a vegetable curry, while Sundays promise sumptuous roasts.
Howies
- 29 Waterloo Place, EH1 3BQ
It’s been around for three decades and remains beloved by residents, particularly for its super-value two and three course set meals. Howies’ flagship restaurant is found in a building erected to celebrate the Battle Of Waterloo in 1815 and places an emphasis on Scottish and seasonal cooking.
Order the award-winning meaty or veggie haggis, a portion of Glen Lyon venison haunch or some Belhaven Smokehouse smoked salmon, followed by a bowl of Mackie’s ice cream. Howies can also look after your event or group booking, so it’s a top choice for a work do, a big knees-up, or a family gathering.
Teuchters Landing
- 1c Dock Pl, Leith EH6 6LU
With a traditional highland atmosphere, this cosy pub is named after the slightly disparaging word to describe a highlander or country person from the north. This gives a clue to what you can expect from the very extensive menu: many classics.
There are mugs of Cullen skink (a creamy smoked haddock soup with bread and butter), the Scottish invention of kedgeree (a curry spiced smoked haddock risotto with a soft-boiled organic egg), Single Anderson’s of Leith steak pie, Loch Creran oysters, Macsweens veggie haggis, neeps and tatties with red onion jam (vegan) or whisky and Arran mustard cream, and let’s not forget pud — cranachan ice cream sundae crafted with toasted oats, whisky and honey. The building is a former waiting room for the Leith to Aberdeen steamboat ferry and has an outdoor terrace set over water on a pontoon.
