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
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.
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.
