It's the most wonderful time of the year. From the stuffed turkey and sweet cranberry dressing straight through to steaming hot tatties and juicy pigs in blankets, nothing beats a proper yuletide feast. To help you find the top restaurants serving up the goods for your celebratory meal, we've rustled up this nifty guide to the best places for Christmas dinner in Edinburgh.
Last edited by Jasmine Lee Kennedy
Last updated on 6th November 2024
Grosvenor Casino Edinburgh is a great choice when you're after a sit-down Christmas meal, ranging from turkey roasts to slow-braised brisket and traditional puds. But that's not all, as you can expect themed cocktails like the tiramisu martini and winter spritz too.
Wondering where to have Christmas dinner in Edinburgh? Serving up gorgeous buffet spreads, special set menus and Christmas Day feasts, The Conan Doyle is a cosy and atmospheric pub that's ideal for putting your feet up and having all the hard work done for you.
The Chanter is a fabulous spot for Christmas dinner in Edinburgh's Old Town. Book your group in at this lovely pub for a scrumptious yuletide spread that'll have you waddling home afterwards - we're talkin' festive burgers and pigs in blankets-topped nachos.
Celebrate Christmas in style over at The Devil's Advocate Bar & Kitchen. Whether you fancy a festive lunch or dinner, you can dive into a lip-smacking two or three-course feast, featuring dishes like slow-roasted beef short rib with black pudding potato boulangere.
The Golf Tavern is an iconic institution dating back to 1456. They've got a jam-packed schedule of winter events, from weekly live music and head-scratching quizzes, with plenty of seasonal quaffs to pair. You can also chow down on beaut buffet spreads and three-course feasts.
Looking for the best Christmas Day lunch in Edinburgh? Pairing a traditional pub atmosphere with scrumptious food, The Haymarket really is a fabulous dining destination. In between bites of turkey accompanied by all the trimmings or a tasty nut roast, sip bubbles, beer or cocktails.
For brilliant Christmas lunch deals in Edinburgh, make way for All Bar One on George Street. With three-course meals available from just £31.95, including ribeye steaks, paupiette of turkey and so much more, you're for a fabulous Crimbo feast.
Restaurants open on Christmas Day in Edinburgh? Showing off elegant interiors, including round leather booths and unique light fixtures, Browns Brasserie & Bar is an absolute beaut. This joint is not only slinging out classic roast turkey, but also a moreish vegan tart and stellar starters.
Le Monde is one impressive Christmas party venue in Edinburgh, with eye-catching Art Deco-style interiors. Offering special set menus and mouthwatering buffets throughout the season, this restaurant showcases global flavours that are sure to wow the whole gang.
Get merry among friends at this winning winter venue. The Greyfriars Bobby isn't just a spot to escape the cold; inside you'll find a brilliant belly-warming menu, featuring a stonking roast, bubbly drinks packages and plenty of mince pies to go round.
Brewhemia is decking the halls with fabulously festive decor, making it a supreme space to get stuck into a Christmas lunch. Chow down on quirky but oh-so-delicious bites like slow-braised daube de boeuf or pan-fried turkey schnitzel.
A buzzing taproom and bar, Innis & Gunn is making sure the festive cheer is well and truly flowing with its epic Christmas lunch menu in Edinburgh. Chomp on braised ox cheek with truffle mash or a delicious celeriac schnitzel with roasted roots.
Celebrate with your family, friends or colleagues at The Bon Vivant, which offers the best Christmas lunch in Edinburgh city centre. You'll be treated to two courses for £35 (or three for £42), as dishes include duck beast with sweet potato puree, plus toffeed butternut squash accompanied by cavalo nero, with indulgent desserts to finish.
This beautiful bar is swapping botanics or baubles this season. The Botanist is one show-stopping setting for a festive celebration; expect an indulgent menu, live music and themed tipples. Dance the night away and end the year on a high.
If you're left wondering where to have Christmas dinner in Edinburgh city centre, this stylish hangout is sure to meet all of your festive needs. Expect beautiful decor alongside a mouthwatering menu that showcases juicy turkey, smashed white beans and truffle, and poached smoked haddock.
Have a not-so-traditional (but just as delicious) Christmas dinner at Wahaca. The sharing menu is full of Mexican favourites, and costs just £35 per person. Expect DIY tacos, mouth-watering sides and coconut-covered churros. Don't forget to wash it down with an obligatory margarita... it's what Santa would want.
An absolute corker of a pub to pop a bottle of fizz or two in, The Mitre has a fantastic selection of grub on the menu this year. Throughout the festive season, including on the 25th of December, it's whipping up hand-carved turkey, grilled seabass and a delish nut roast.
The Kenilworth has gained quite the reputation as one of the best places for Christmas dinner in Edinburgh. Home to leather booth seating, enchanting window detailing and a bustling atmosphere, it's a great choice for delving into traditional dishes.
With sites in St James Quarter and George Street, The Alchemist is one of the top spots for an Edinburgh Christmas lunch. Fill your boots with three enticing courses, where you can snap up buttermilk turkey with fries and an aromatic jus, as well as a next level chocolate brownie, amplified using miso caramel.
Feeling festive this season? Check out Black Ivy and get stuck into three delicious courses for £40. You'll get to chow down on the likes of lip-smacking nut roasts and smoked salmon to sirloin steak and much more.
For fabulous Christmas dining, snap up a table at Lady Libertine. This swish space is whipping up a stellar menu of seasonal eats for you to enjoy in cool Art Deco surrounds. And if that wasn't enough, this joint flaunts a mega drinks list.
Trendy boozer Hector's is inviting you to join it for dinner this Christmas. Over at the stylish watering hole in Stockbridge, you can chow down on a three-course feast or opt for a snazzy buffet spread, which is ideal if you're hosting a big bash.
If you're looking for a Christmas dinner with a twist, Chaophraya is the restaurant for you. The stunning rooftop will have you lapping up sky-high views of the city while chowing down on Thai delicacies, with three stunning set menus to choose from.
A fabulous, much-loved local in Edinburgh city centre, Amber Rose is coming in hot with its Christmas dinner offering. Whether you fancy a winter wellington or a classic turkey roast dinner, just make sure to keep room for the lineup of lush desserts.
If you can't be bothered to toil around the oven this year, you're in luck - Rose Street Brewery will be pulling out all of the festive stops this winter, including on Christmas Day. Get ready to tantalise your tastebuds with grilled seabass, steak or a beautifully prepared nut roast.
Nestled in a charming Grade I-listed building on Hanover Street, Mowgli Edinburgh is a delightful Indian restaurant whose décor features whimsical swings and twinkling fairy lights, creating an inviting atmosphere perfect for gatherings with family and friends.
This Christmas, Mowgli invites you to indulge in their special festive menu, showcasing a selection of delectable street food and refreshing cocktails. For just £35 per person, guests can kick off their meal with a welcome drink, followed by a variety of mouth-watering dishes such as fenugreek kissed fries, gunpowder chicken, and the irresistibly rich Himalayan cheese toasties. And don't forget to save room for dessert - the restaurant's signature brownie is a must-try.
For those of you sick of roast dinners, BrewDog on Lothian Road is cooking up enticing finger food spreads. So, while you get stuck into the enviable beer selection, nibble on pigs in blankets, and crispy mac and cheese bites, or check out the festive-themed burgers.
Slug and Lettuce is always a crowd-pleaser with its pink furnishings, neon-lit signs and fun tunes. Christmas time is no different, as this joint is satiating your cravings with delights such as turkey accompanied by stuffing, pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gravy.
Oozing with charm, The Deacon Brodies Tavern is a beaut spot to tuck into a festive feast. As it whips up three-course meals, you can gobble down turkey and a fantastic cheeseboard on Chrirstmas Day.
Giving you rustic gastropub vibes with its Scandi-chic decor, The Scran & Scallie is one jolly place for a festive meal. Head on over to scoff down elevated Crimbo classics, with plenty of tasty pints, wine or bubbles to wash it all down.
Cosy and relaxed, The Last Drop is a splendid choice for a Christmas dinner booking in Edinburgh Old Town. Get merry with your mates as you tuck into a delicious menu of festive delights, including plates piled high with juicy turkey, crispy spuds and plenty of veggies.
Cold Town House will have you chomping away on a stunning three-course dinner from £31.95 per person, including pork belly with black pudding mash and a traditional turkey roast. That's not all though, as this place usually pairs its feasts with live music and gorgeous views of the castle.
Spice up your seasonal celebrations by snapping up a table at Las Iguanas. The South American-inspired restaurant is slinging out beaut dishes, from chipotle chicken tacos to squash and beans quesadillas, with vibrant cocktails to wash it all down.
