If you’re looking for a special experience, Edinburgh is home to some of the finest restaurants in Scotland, including several with Michelin stars and other awards.
Here is our selection of six of the best fine dining restaurants in Edinburgh, with exceptional food and service.
1. The Kitchin
78 Commercial Street, Edinburgh EH6 6LX
One of Edinburgh’s Michelin-starred restaurants, The Kitchin is in Leith, in The Shore area, near the mouth of the Water of Leith. A must if you love fine dining.
The restaurant, designed with wood and stone, is comfortable yet elegant, and you can watch what’s happening in the kitchen through a glass screen.
You’ll enjoy Scottish dishes with a modern twist, and a map shows where each ingredient comes from, so you can learn about Scotland’s geography and producers as you eat. Choose from the set lunch menu, à la carte or a tasting menu, and book well in advance. Without doubt, one of the best restaurants in Edinburgh.
2. LYLA
3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB
LYLA is the place for a truly special meal in Edinburgh. Stuart Ralston’s restaurant is on Royal Terrace, next to Calton Hill, and offers an experience built around a tasting menu.
The cooking puts Scottish fish and seafood centre stage, alongside other seasonal ingredients. Moving through its different rooms is part of the experience.
Book in advance and mention any dietary requirements: not all adaptations are possible, including vegetarian and vegan diets.
3. Restaurant Martin Wishart
54 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA
On The Shore in Leith, Restaurant Martin Wishart is one of the great names for fine dining in Edinburgh. Combine your visit with a walk along the mouth of the Water of Leith.
Its cooking combines French techniques with Scottish produce in an elegant dining room, a great choice for a celebration or a dining experience to savour slowly.
Check the menus available on your date and book in advance.
4. Purslane
33A St Stephen Street, Edinburgh EH3 5AH
In the heart of artsy Stockbridge, Purslane offers something different: what they call “casual fine dining”, and it is recommended in the Michelin Guide.
It’s a small, cosy and welcoming restaurant with great attention to detail, where produce is only served at its best, in tasting menus with optional wine pairings. One of the restaurants in Edinburgh that best captures the latest trends.
5. Dulse West End
17 Queensferry Street, Edinburgh EH2 4QW
Dulse is a great choice to enjoy Scottish fish and seafood in the West End, a few steps from the west end of Princes Street.
It combines Scottish-inspired dishes with contemporary presentation. Downstairs there’s a wine bar with sharing plates, while upstairs is the dining room.
A good option for a special meal in a more relaxed setting. Check which menu applies to the area you book.
6. Wedgwood the Restaurant
267 Canongate (Royal Mile), Edinburgh EH8 8BQ
Wedgwood is on the Canongate, at the lower end of the Royal Mile, a central choice for contemporary cooking during a visit to the Old Town.
Its cooking is based on seasonal ingredients and careful preparation. If you want a special dining experience without leaving the historic centre, it’s well worth considering.
Check the lunch and dinner options and book ahead, as menus change throughout the year. For more affordable options, see our guide to set lunch menus in Edinburgh.
