Our city’s beautiful streets are lined with eateries to suit all occasions, so it only makes sense that it’s also home to some high-end spots that have been awarded either a Michelin Star or a Bib Gourmand, or top-notch locations that have made it into the Michelin Guide. From romantic dining rooms serving sophisticated tasting menus to friendly gastropubs cooking up great quality dishes for a reasonable price, take a look at this guide to the top Michelin Star restaurants in Edinburgh to plan your next classy meal out.
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The Kitchin
Found in Leith's historic port, The Kitchin is a contemporary Scottish restaurant that uses the finest seasonal ingredients all year round under Chef Tom Kitchin’s philosophy of cooking 'from nature to plate' - particularly exciting during grouse season. Head to this waterfront destination for the likes of Newhaven lobster, roasted venison loin and Highland wagyu beef tartare, or opt for the surprise tasting menu where the chefs will whip you up a mystery eight-course meal for £155 per person - with a separate vegetarian menu too. Pair your dishes with wine selected by the expert sommelier, or sample some of the premium whiskies on offer too. The interiors here are equally impressive, featuring sultry dark decor and an open kitchen which allows you to watch as the magic happens.
Tom Kitchin is taking over the city's fine dining scene with his Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh.
Martin Wishart
Martin Wishart's eponymous restaurant in Leith has been welcoming customers for over 20 years, winning him the Scottish Chef of the Year award three times in the 2000s and earning its Michelin star for high-quality cooking along the way. Step into the contemporary dining room with its simple wooden interiors and abundance of natural light, where you can feast on a six-course tasting menu for £135 per person, with both meat and vegetarian options available. Indulge in Jerusalem artichoke risotto, smoked eel, crispy pig's trotter and so much more, with the option to add on wine pairings for an extra £80. If you're looking for something a little lighter though, they also offer three or four-course lunch menus as well.
A six course Scottish feast? Sign us up.
Tipo
Named after a fine Italian flour used in making pasta, Tipo is celebrated for its excellent quality of food, which is pretty affordable too. Known as one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh according to the Michelin Guide in 2024, earning itself a Bib Gourmand, their small but incredible menu features homemade Mediterranean dishes from artisan Scottish produce, like truffle cacio e pepe, duck liver parfait and ricotta gnudi with a shellfish bisque, with almost every plate coming in at under £20. They also offer a £45 set menu for groups of seven or more, with private dining options available too, making this a top choice for birthdays and other celebrations. The light and airy venue is decorated with simple wooden tables and tiled walls, letting the quality of the food speak for itself.
The dishes at Tipo are just our type-o.
Noto
Run by the same group as Tipo, Noto is another city centre restaurant which has held its Bib Gourmand since 2021. This independent eatery is run by chef Stuart Ralston, who was inspired to create this venture by his time living and working in New York - naming the venue after his roommate there, Bob Noto. They offer a refined choice of international dishes for £25 or less - we're talking confit duck bao buns, beef tartare with black garlic and chocolate miso desserts, as well as a set menu for larger groups that comes in at £45 per person. The white walls here act as a canvas for branches growing around the room, with polished dark tables and lots of greenery dotted around as well. You can enjoy your meal either in the dining room or at a bar stool, where you'll find some pretty excellent cocktails available too.
The interiors are just as gorgeous as the food at Noto Edinburgh.
Timberyard
Known for its rustic, warehouse-inspired decor and a dreamy selection of small plates, Timberyard is one of the top Michelin Star restaurants in Edinburgh city centre. Open from Thursday to Sunday, if you're lucky enough to secure yourself a table at this spot then expect to dine on five sumptuous courses, including razor clams in gooseberry sauce, roasted guinea fowl and blood orange tart, coming in at £95 per person. There is a £120 tasting menu on offer too if you can't decide which dishes you want to try, and you can pair both of these options with complementary wines from all over the world, with a particular focus on fine French bottles. Their private room, The Shed, is also a great choice for intimate celebrations, as it seats up to 10 guests in a cosy space.
It's all about stunning small plates at Timberyard Edinburgh.
Condita
Perhaps the most intimate venue on our list of Michelin Star Edinburgh restaurants, independent restaurant Condita seats just six tables at a time in their homely dining room. While we'd love to tell you what's on the menu, you'll have to go and see for yourself as the draw of this place is that each dish is a secret - but its Michelin star suggests that you're going to be in for a treat. Dinner here costs £160 per person, with vegetarian and pescetarian options available too, and the only hint you'll be given as to what you're about to eat is a hand-drawn bookmark showing off just a few of the ingredients to come. If you really want to make a night of it, then why not try their £80 wine pairings too?
Fine dining doesn't get much more intimate than at Condita.
The Scran and Scallie
Part of the Tom Kitchin Group, The Scran and Scallie is a laidback gastropub situated in Stockbridge which has also earned itself some attention since being awarded a Bib Gourmand. The dishes here come directly from Scotland's land and sea, with fresh deliveries of seasonal produce arriving on a daily basis and all the butchering and filleting done in-house. Expect cosy leather seating and the feel of a traditional boozer, with a menu that includes everything from Islay oysters to Highland wagyu beef burgers or roasted cauliflower and sweet potato curry. Make sure to leave room for dessert though, as you won't want to miss out on the rhubarb Bakewell tart with crème fraîche ice cream.
Expect some scran-tastic plates at this friendly gastropub.
Heron
A welcoming neighbourhood restaurant by The Shore in Leith, Heron may be a high-class eatery but it definitely doesn't come across as stuffy. You can dine here from Wednesday to Sunday, with added lunch service on the weekends, and no matter what time of year it is you can always expect the finest seasonal Scottish produce on your plate. They've got menus to suit every dietary requirement here, served in the form of a twelve-course tasting experience which starts from £95 per person. You can dine a la carte too, with dishes such as Orkney scallops, white asparagus cooked in wild garlic and veal sweetbread up for grabs while relaxing among their bright and colourful interiors.
Expect some seriously Intsagram-worthy dishes at Heron.
The Bonnie Badger
Another successful venture from Edinburgh’s culinary titans Tom and Michaela Kitchin, The Bonnie Badger also follows their established philosophy of serving food that’s straight from ’nature to plate’, earning this spot a Bib Gourmand. This spacious venue has got three bespoke dining areas to choose from – the rustic Stables which incorporate barn-style décor, the stylish, welcoming Broc Bar and the sunny, laidback Garden Room. You can even dine alfresco too in the beautiful, plant-filled terrace, providing cosy blankets for all-year-round eating. You’ll find slightly different menus in each section, but all of them boast dishes made using the freshest Scottish ingredients. Choices range from blue cheese gnocchi or Orkney scallops to pork gyozas and club sandwiches, so whatever you’re in the mood for, it can be found here.
This classy restaurant is spread across four gorgeous spaces.
LYLA
LYLA has made it into the guide as one of the best Edinburgh Michelin restaurants thanks to its enticing, modern dishes and talented chefs. This luxurious spot can be found within a row of Georgian townhouses on Royal Terrace, doubling as a hotel, with tasting menus available for lunch or dinner. Nab a five-course afternoon meal on Fridays or Saturdays for £65 per person - featuring refined Scottish plates of seafood like langoustines or halibut - or enjoy ten courses in the evening for £165. Before your feast, be sure to take advantage of their Champagne trolley as well, featuring Krug and a range of bottled from smaller producers.
Enjoy premium Scottish seafood at Lyla.
Purslane
The passion for high quality food is evident at Michelin Guide venue Purslane, with head chef Paul Gunning creating a wide variety of freshly prepared dishes inspired by his travels across Britain, France and Australia. This intimate basement space has just nine tables, creating a cosy environment to enjoy beautifully presented five or seven-course tasting menus starting from £75 per person. Expect dishes like pork cheek bourguignon with pancetta, roast loin of lamb and wild garlic polenta with asparagus. There are optional wine pairings on offer here as well, with a range of prices depending on the drinks.
If it's multi-course feasting you're after, head to Purslane.
The Lookout
The Lookout by Gardener's Cottage can be found at the top of Calton Hill, promising stunning views of the city from their floor-to-ceiling windows. This gorgeous dining room has earned itself a place in the Michelin Guide thanks to its ever-rotating menu of seasonal dishes - made using top quality, earthy ingredients. Expect dishes such as hand-dived Orkney scallops, Dunbar crab tart or artichoke and truffle velouté on their £65 tasting menu, with a separate vegetarian selection available too. You can enjoy a selection of petit fours for just £6 afterwards, or nab lunch for just £35.
On The Lookout for a great restaurant? We may have just found one.
The Spence
Housed in the former Royal Bank of Scotland, The Spence is a pretty sophisticated spot for dinner, so it's no surprise that it's earnt itself a place in the Michelin Guide. Expect decadent interiors full of grand pillars, gilded ceilings and a golden bar in the centre of the restaurant. Expect beautifully presented plates at this Michelin Guide destination, whether you're in the mood for Scottish seafood, fresh salads or grilled chicken. They also offer an elegant afternoon tea for £60 per person, featuring everything from smoked salmon croissants to spinach and feta spring tart, with the chance to add on Champagne for an extra £15 each.
The Spence is serving fine food from breakfast right through to dinner.
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