The best restaurants in Edinburgh to book in 2026

What is it? A farm-to-table restaurant serving beautiful plates of food made exclusively with Scottish produce.

Why we love it: Every plate of food looks like a Modernist masterpiece at this Stockbridge spot, with sculptural waffles served on craggy stones and dollops of white carrot puree artfully placed around handsome slices of smoked venison. Usually, dishes topped with edible flowers and extravagant drizzles of jus equate to style over substance, but here, every carefully strewn garnish and blob of sauce only adds to the ethos of Moss, which solely uses Scottish produce, much of which is sourced from the restaurant’s organic farm in Angus – even the drinks are exclusively British. The restaurant is a brilliant exercise in Scottish patriotism, with each dish from head chef Henry Dobson’s kitchen reflecting the Scottish countryside and its folklore through intriguing touches like Douglas fir-flavourings and sauces laced with Scottish-grown sea algae. The caledonian passion extends to the restaurant floor, where the tables are crafted from the farm’s wood and laid with crockery made from its soil. 

Time Out tip: Save room for the complimentary Irn Bru candyfloss – a delicious full stop at the end of each meal. 

Address: 112 Saint Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5AD

Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 11pm​

What is it? A top-tier fine-dining restaurant where the surroundings are as elegant as the dishes. 

Why we love it: It’s hard to know where to start with Lyla, Stuart Ralston’s fourth Edinburgh venture: sometimes, you’re left quite literally speechless at the intricacy of it all. Situated in a towering Royal Terrace townhouse which previously housed the late Paul Kitching’s 21212, ingredients are sourced from all over Scotland with a focus on sustainably caught seafood and foraged goods. You’ll leave feeling indulged, of course, but in a chic way, like you’ve just walked into the city after a night at the opera. It won’t come cheap – the ten course tasting menu checks in at £185 per head – but for the standard of service, food and everything in between, it really doesn’t disappoint. 

Time Out tip: Book yourself into one of the luxury upstairs bedrooms and roll directly from dessert into bed.

Address: 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB, Scotland

Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday 6.30–7.30 pm, Friday-Saturday 12.30-1pm, 6.30–7.30 pm, closed Sunday-Tuesday

What is it? A modern European restaurant located in a former bank with seasonality and sustainability at the forefront. 

Why we love it: There’s a real sense of occasion here, with a few thoughtful touches we really loved, like the Ainsley Harriet drawing on the wall, and the cow statues above the bar. But mostly, we love the food: exceptional, locally-sourced meat, fish and seasonal veg dishes. We tried mackarel with artichokes, pork and prune terrine with cornichons and caramelised brown sugar ice cream. It’s all excellent. 

Time Out tip: Go by the waiter’s recommendations for wine pairings – the chilled red we tried from Sicily was a perfect match. 

Address: 1 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AF, Scotland

Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-2.30pm, 6-9.45pm, Saturday 9am-2.30pm, 6-9.30pm, Sunday 9am-3.30pm. Closed on Mondays

What is it? A tiny neighbourhood restaurant serving Asian-fusion dishes brimming with big flavours. 

Why we love it: Food doesn’t come more instantly mouthwatering than a heaped bowl of Polemo noodles. Scooping glossy ribbons of moreishly chewy, chilli oil-smothered hand-pulled noodles into your mouth, fragrant with braised pork, Sichuan peppercorns, soy and garlic, is deeply comforting – an umami-laden hug for your senses you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry. It’s just one of the dishes that’s got tongues wagging about this tiny Asian fusion restaurant, where head chef and owner Jun Au cooks up ever-changing seasonal menus of creative Asian-inspired dishes with eccentric European twists and packed full of flavour and served on pleasingly chintzy crockery: a watermelon salad zings with fish sauce and a gleaming wedge of fatty pork rib is sprinkled with fresh pomegranate seeds. The heady dishes are only enhanced by the homely atmosphere, which feels extra snug as the windows steam up, neighbouring tables start chatting to each other, and the whole place rings with laughter. 

Time Out tip: Ask for a chef’s selection of the menu to taste smaller portions of a curated line-up of dishes.  

Address: 27 Scinness Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1NX

Opening times: Wednesday and Thursday noon to 10pm, Friday and Saturday noon to 10pm, Sunday 11.30am to 3.30pm

What is it? Relaxed neighbourhood dining and wining at the top of Leith Walk. 

Why we love it: This low-key but irresistible jaunt from chef Roberta Hall – the mind behind sister resto The Little Chartroom – ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. The vibe is spot on: all industrial Scandi-esque neutrals with lots of light and a healthy hum of chatter and clatter. The food is done to a mouth-wateringly high standard with a reasonable enough price tag for what you’re getting (£75 per person for a set dinner menu). This is playful, modern cooking, executed with a natural flair.

Time Out tip: Eleanore goes above and beyond to cater for dietaries, so long as you tell them in advance (the same can’t be said for every tasting menu in this list).

Address: 30-31 Albert Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH7 5HN, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 1-2pm, 6.30-11pm, Friday-Saturday 1-2pm, 6-11pm, closed Sunday

What is it? A sleek New Town small-plates restaurant from chef Stuart Ralston, serving inventive Asian sharing dishes and sharp, well-balanced cocktails.

Why go? Behind an unassuming Thistle Street door, Noto is delivering some of Edinburgh’s most exciting cooking. The menu shifts through delicate sashimi, butter-soft pork belly skewers, standout seafood and flawless snack bites (like the sweet and salty soy-glazed bing bread). The drinks offering – a thoughtful wine list, excellent bespoke cocktails and a few local beers – is just as carefully considered, and service is excellent, so you’re in safe hands with the menu. 

Time Out tip: If you really can’t fit in pudding, go for the rum-laced Jefferson coffee to finish instead. Or, you know, get both. 

Address: 47a Thistle St, EH2 1DY

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12-2pm, 5-10pm, Sunday 12-5pm, closed Monday

🌟 Great for Fringe: We love Leith at all times of year, but come Fringe season, this neighbourhood is a very welcome break from the madness. 

What is it? This all-day cafe, bar and bottle shop is the newest venture from Roberta Hall-McCarron and the team behind The Little Chartroom and Eleanore. 

Why we love it: In a sentence, Ardfern is cool, laid-back and fuss free. The menu is small plates – chilli peanut ribs, burrata, and the formidable baked fish crumpet (complete with smokey hollandaise and a perfectly poached egg) – and they’re all fabulous. Service is fast and friendly, wines are well-priced and they do some fabulous cocktails too. 

Time Out tip: End your meal with a peach sour, featuring peach liqueur and Amarosa – it was our liquid highlight of the night. 

Address: 10-12 Bonnington Road, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5JD, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-late, Sunday 9am-7pm

What is it? Elaborate dishes in an artistic setting, with a sustainable focus that won the restaurant a green Michelin star in 2025. 

Why we love it: Timberyard nails so many of the requirements for an excellent meal out: expect a well-crafted tasting menu, and a smaller, cheaper lunch menu, both featuring their fabulous snacks to start. It’s a family-run business, and owner-operators the Radfords – along with their extended team of local growers, breeders, producers and foragers – have you in very safe hands.

Time Out tip: If you don’t want to go for the whole shebang, Timberyard does a smaller lunch menu for £80. 

Address: 10 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DS, Scotland

Opening hours: Thursday 5-11pm, Friday-Sunday 12-3pm, 5.30-11pm. 

What is it? You get food halls, and then you get Brown’s. This former industrial yard, right next to Leith’s Shore waterfront, is an all-day dining destination with serious class: tall exposed ceilings, a stainless steel communal table, pumping lo-fi music and open kitchens. Here, you’ll find three well-curated options under the same roof: Shuck Bar, the sister spot to Portobello’s Shrimpwreck, offering bloody mary oysters and crab monsieur on toasted sourdough, oozing with warm béchamel and garlic butter. Next up is Civerinos, the New York-style pizza chain which was named the 19th best in the world by Time Out and is a proper people pleaser (see below for the full rundown). Finally, and perhaps the spot that we are most excited about, you’ll find Haze, a coffee-shop-meets-wine-bar from the team behind Timberyard. Head here for very good drinks with posh snacks like tinned fish, wild boar saucisson and other ‘Stockbridge Yummy Mummy’ essentials. I washed the lot down with a charming glass of Sui Lieviti pét-nat: bright and rustic, with a lovely streak of citrus.  

Why we love it: There’s really nowhere else in Edinburgh that is like Brown’s, and we mean it when we say that this is the most exciting opening the city has seen in a while. We’re beyond intrigued to follow its evolution into the summer months. 

Time Out tip: Despite the late-night date-night atmosphere that the place cultivates from around lunchtime onwards, Brown’s opens at 8am and it’s dog-friendly. Grab a coffee from Haze and have a mooch with your pooch for a seriously chic start to your day. 

Address: 4-6 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6QS

Opening times: Thursday-Sunday 8am-8pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday.

What is it? In Scottish slang, ‘barry’ means ‘great’, or even ‘brilliant’. With that in mind, Barry Fish does exactly what it says on the tin. Joining the buzzy line-up of venues on the cobbled street of The Shore, this is a modestly sized operation serving up expertly executed Scottish seafood with an undeniable warmth. There’s plenty to shout about on the menu here, but I particularly enjoyed the hand-dived scallops – two plump, meaty things, perfectly seared, resting on a bed of parsnip and apple purée – and the smoked fish agnolotti in an indulgent brown butter sauce topped with a generous, bouncy helping of shelled lobster. Chef Barry Bryson was previously a high-profile events chef, so perhaps it is unsurprising that this joint has already earned a place in the Michelin Guide. 

Why we love it: A lot of Edinburgh restaurants bill themselves as ‘seafood specialists,’ and a lot end up doing similar takes on the exact same thing. Fear ye not: Barry Fish is not your run-of-the-mill seafood restaurant, it is a place for thoughtful, careful cooking while leaving pretence at the door.

Time Out tip: Bypass the classics and opt for one of their ‘favourites of the moment’ cocktails. It was nearing Christmas time when I visited and the spiced apple old fashioned, made with Leith Table whisky, could not have gone down better.

Address: 62 Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6RA

Opening times: Tuesday-Wednesday 4.30pm-10pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-10pm.

🌟 Great for Fringe: This very fun spot is perfect for dinner and drinks before a late late Fringe show. 

What is it? Exciting fine-dining with a late-night mood – and none of the chin-stroking you’d expect from an 11-course taster menu.

Why we love it: Cardinal is the latest venture from chef Tomás Gormley: one of the minds behind Leith’s Michelin-starred Heron. Here, the staff are super laid-back, Honey Dijon and Jamie XX soundtrack the background, and the drinks pairing, which seemed to have an emphasis on female producers and biodynamic numbers, is gorgeously curated. All of this makes the rather extensive 11 courses feel accessible, or at least less wanky. Boldly thought out and innovative, the food itself is, for the most part, divine. If you’re after a meal which doubles as a night out, this is the place for you.

Time Out tip: They also offer a three-course menu available for lunch and early dinner. 

Address: 14 Eyre Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5EP

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5-8.30pm, Friday-Saturday 12-8.30pm, closed Sunday

What is it? Vinette is the chic new opening from Stuart Ralston, the chef behind Noto, Tipo, Lyla and previously Aizle. 

Why we love it: On chic Broughton Street, the calm and cool Vinette feels a million miles away from the bustling city centre a block or two away. Welcoming too are the prices, which offer a choice between a very reasonable à la carte and an incredibly good value lunch set menu. Tuck into dishes like smoked salmon trout rilette, bistro-style steak frites, cod schnitzel and a really brillant burger – my favourite in Edinburgh right now.

Time Out tip: Order the housemade potato chips with cream cheese and smoked trout roe to start, paired with a glass of sparkling, and you’re off to a winning start. 

Address: 36 Broughton St, EH1 3SB

Opening hours: Wednesday 5.30-9pm, Thursday 5.30-9pm, Friday-Sunday 12-2.30pm, 5.30-9pm, closed Monday-Tuesday

What is it? With a focus on local, foraged ingredients (the chefs are ex-Wedgwood; see below), this snug yet slick restaurant offers quality dining without the stuffiness.

Why we love it: This new couple-owned bistro opened in August 2024, and immediately made noise amongst Edinburgh foodies. As a calmly stripped-back dining room in the student-heavy area of Marchmont, the set dinner menu changes daily – and you really can feel the care that goes into every dish you eat. I tried scallops, jerusalem artichoke and the star of the show: a melt-in-your-mouth cheddar beignet with mountains of fluffy cheese shavings. They do variety here, and they do it damn well. Flavours are rich, dishes are interesting, and the whole thing is served up with a friendly, local vibe. Very nice.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a treat without breaking the bank, they offer a very reasonable three-course lunch menu for £35 a head, or two courses for £30. 

Address: 15 Roseneath Street, Marchmont, Edinburgh EH9 1JH, Scotland

Opening hours: Thursday 6-9.15pm; Friday 5.30-9.15pm; Saturday–Sunday lunch 12-2pm, dinner 5.30-9.15pm. Closed Monday–Wednesday

What is it? Neon-lit Japanese-inspired food joint on Broughton Street, which also does banging cocktails. 

Why we love it: If you’ve got a craving for gyoza, bao buns, or that specific umami kick that only soy or miso can satisfy, then this is the place for you. Created by the team behind Bodega and with the kitchen headed up by ex-Gardener’s Cottage chef Duncan Adamson, Lucky Yu offers specialty dumplings, yakitori, natual wines and much more, all served up in sleek, understated surroundings. Oh, and did we mention how frustratingly cool the clientelle are? Yeah, that too. 

Address: 53-55 Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3RJ, Scotland

Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 5-10pm, Saturday 12-10pm. Closed Sunday-Monday.

🌟 Great for Fringe: Head here for a post-Fringe bite (with castle views) – George IV Bridge and Bristo square are just around the corner. 

What is it? This locals’ favourite delivers well-priced lunches and a casual vibe.

Why we love it: After about 20 years in business, this bustling bistro is still packing them in. Maybe it’s the hand-written menus, or the witty and carefully selected wine list. The Outsider’s well-priced lunch menu must play its part (with well-priced wines too, starting at £6 a glass). The food covers modern bistro classics, service is swift and usually cheerful. 

Time Out tip: Bag the table with a view of the castle if it’s available.

Address: 15-16 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EE, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday, Sunday 12-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12-11pm

What is it? Buzzy fine dining restaurant with soothing views over the Water of Leith. 

Why we love it: Heron has made some serious moves since opening in 2021. It won a Michelin star in 2023 and spotlights farm to table dining, meaning everything on the menu is inconceivably fresh. A-la-carte and two tasting menus are on offer, always changing to reflect the best of the seasons. Think: hand-dived Orkney scallops with blood orange, mackerel with fig leaf and hazelnut, Gubbeen cheese with heather honey.

Address: 87-91a Henderson Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6ED, Scotland

Opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 5.30-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-2pm, 5.30-9pm. Closed Monday-Tuesday

What is it? Expectations were suitably high for Montrose, which opened in early 2024 as Timberyard’s answer to a more relaxed, neighbourhood-style dining concept – while not forgoing the team’s brazen, ingredient-led approach to cooking. Housed in a former coaching house at Abbeyhill, the upstairs functions as a more traditional dining room, while downstairs is more laissez-faire in approach. We opted for the three-course lunch menu, the highlight being the cripsy-topped pork belly in a peppery sauce with baby coco beans and miniature kale florets: rich, earthy and happily balanced. Meanwhile, the wine list – with a focus on European makers and organic grapes – was, testament to Timberyard’s reputation, spot-on.

Why we love it: With its more daring use of ingredients, the kitchen at Montrose champions an admirably non-conformist approach to cooking – you really feel the seasons on the plate here, but in a way that’s genuinely joyous rather than worthy.

Time Out tip: The set lunch menu offers three courses for £35, with an extra charge for snacks like oysters, house bread and anchovy gildas. Don’t you dare skimp on the pickles plate. 

Address: 1-7 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5DJ

Opening times: Thursday 5pm-12am, Friday-Sunday 12-12am, Closed Monday-Wednesday

🌟 Great for Fringe: It’s pizza by the slice until 11pm. Need we say more?

What is it? An easy-going pizza joint serving up slices which are meals in themselves.

Why we love it: There are now five Civerinos locations in the Burgh: their flagship restaurant on Hunter Square just off the Royal Mile, as well as Portobello beach, Forrest road, the new(ish) Stockbridge branch and the recently opened spot at the aforementioned Brown’s of Leith. They all serve up delicious New York style offerings, with most variations available to buy as a single slice or full pie (perfect for when you can’t make your mind up). Toppings wise, it’s a bit of a dream come true: choose everything from buttermilk fried chicken and sugo to beefy aubergine and vegan mozz. Delish.

What is it? Probably the best Japanese food you’ll eat in Edinburgh. Expect A5 Wagyu beef, tempura, fresh sushi and some seriously good sake. 

Why we love it: Owner Max Wang – who is originally from Taiwan and trained at the Sushi Chef Institute in California – is an expert in nigri and sashimi, so it should go without saying that the sushi is *chef’s kiss*. But if you’re not into fish, not all is lost. You’d be a fool not to try the wagyu, while the veg tempura and miso aubergine is unami heaven. Vibe wise, Yamato is compact and friendly – a perfect spot to start your night in town. 

Time out tip: Don’t skip the sake: the menu is seriously extensive. Ask your waiter for reccs to find one that suits your taste. 

Address: 11 Lochrin Terrace, Edinburgh EH3 9QJ, Scotland

Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday 5-10.30pm, Friday 12-2.30pm and 5-11pm, Saturday 12-3pm and 5-11pm, Sunday 12-2.30pm and 5-10pm. Closed Monday

What is it? A neighbourhood bistro serving up local, seasonal dishes. 

Why we love it: Named for the owners’ passion for sailing, The Little Chartroom is a much talked-about addition to Edinburgh’s dining scene and one that actually lives up to the hype. Dishes are modern but pay homage to traditional Scottish flavours and cooking. The Little Chartroom’s new premises are at 14 Bonnington Road (formerly Martin Wishart’s cook school).

Time Out tip: Check out the team’s second venture, Eleanore, if you’re looking for something more upmarket, but very special. 

Address: 14 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5JD, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday 6-8pm, closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Thursday 6-8pm, Friday-Saturday 1-2pm, 6-8.30pm, Sunday 1-2pm, 6-8pm

What is it? An authentic Southern Italian restaurant offering seafood, pasta and pizza.

Why we love it: Less than five minutes’ walk from Haymarket Station, Locanda De Gusti enjoys an enviable reputation for its food and service. Chef Rosario Sartore is from Naples, so the cooking has a pronounced southern Italian style, with lots of excellent seafood, while the décor puts diners in mind of a bright, polite farmhouse kitchen.

Time Out tip: The three-course lunch menu at £28 is an absolute steal.

Address: 102 Dalry Road, Edinburgh, EH11 2DW, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 5.30-10pm, Friday 12:30–3:30 pm, 5:30–10 pm, Saturday 12.30-10pm

What is it? A small restaurant specialising in giant sandwiches, now at two locations.

Why we love it: You might be thinking, what’s so special about a sandwich shop? But the way Alby’s Natasha Ferguson and Matt Belcher do sandwiches takes comfort food to another level. The pair constantly experiment with flavours to pack into their ‘big, hot’ focaccia sandwiches, with their ever-changing menu including options like fried chicken caesar kiev, panko prawns and spiced cauliflower. 

Time Out tip: The team also regularly host special events, such as Galentines nights and ‘evenings at Alby’s’ where the booze is flowing.

Address: 8 Portland Place, Edinburgh EH6 6LA, Scotland; 94 Buccleuch St, Edinburgh EH8 9NH, Scotland

Opening hours: 
Leith: Tuesday-Wednesday 12-5pm, Thursday-Sunday 12-9pm. 
Southside: Tuesday-Sunday 11am-4pm, closed Monday.

What is it? A neighbourhood cafe overlooking the Meadows serving natural wine and charming small plates.

Why we love it: We challenge you to find a prettier spot to eat a meal than Margot, the sister restaurant of nearby Leftfield, which has been sitting on lists of Edinburgh’s best restaurants for years. Margot is a smaller, more relaxed affair where guests can drop by for anything from a quick cup of coffee to a glass of wine and snacks, or a dinner menu of small plates. But, while the ethos is casual, the space is anything but with dramatic windows that lookout over the leafy surroundings of Bruntsfield Links and bathe the bare-bricked high ceilinged dining room in natural light, and cleverly placed tables that fit cosily into hallways and window nooks surrounded by plants and modern art. The food is just as pleasant to look at. Sardines sharp with capers, olive oil and tomatoes is piled on toast and covered in a messy halo of grated parmesan, a hot smoked trout salad is covered in jewel-bright orange segments and a thick chalky slice of basque cheese cake comes with a glistening wad of rhubarb compote. It’s a menu full of temptingly charming dishes that are the perfect accompaniment to anything from a quick lunch catch-up with friends to an occasion dinner. Eating at Margot is like wafting about in a sun-dappled day dream – you won’t want to leave. 

Time Out tip: Bag one of the tables in the huge windows overlooking the green for a gorgeous view with your meal. 

Address: 7-8 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 4HP 

Opening times: Wednesday 8.30am to 4pm, Thursday to Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 9am to 4pm

What is it? An enduring bistro that hasn’t lost its charm and a rigid observer of the SlowFood movement. 

Why we love it: Café St Honoré has been around for donkeys, but still, quite rightly, comes up in conversation as one of the nicest spots for a smart bistro meal in the centre of Edinburgh. The French angle got sidelined long ago in favour of locally sourced Scottish produce, cooked expertly, and dogged adherence to Slow Food principles.

Time Out tip: Counting the pennies? Try the reasonably pitched Café Classics menu (three courses of their favourite dishes for £38, or two for £30). 

Address: 34 North West Thistle Street Lane, Edinburgh EH2 1EA, Scotland

Opening hours: Thursday-Monday 12-2pm, 5-9pm. Closed Tuesday-Wednesday

What is it? A wee neighbourhood bistro slightly off the tourist track, but well worth seeking out.

Why we love it: Carved from the ground floor of a traditional tenement, picture windows and bench seating offer views over Bruntsfield Links where locals gather to play a spot of golf on sunny summer evenings. LeftField’s short, regularly changing menu offers a handful of choices per course – all well thought-out, and featuring local ingredients and creative combinations. Super-friendly service, too.

Address: 12 Barclay Terrace, Edinburgh EH10 4HP, Scotland

Opening hours: Opening hours: Thursday 5.30-9pm, Friday-Sunday 12-2pm, 5.30-9pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday

What is it? A welcoming bistro that serves up French cuisine crafted from Scottish produce. 

Why go? Since opening in a former clockmaker’s in 2008, L’Escargot Bleu has slotted in nicely among trendy coffee shops, independent booksellers and award-winning butchers. Floor-to-ceiling windows and cosy tables at the front of the restaurant create ample occasion for an intimate tête-à-tête, while the bustle of the open kitchen to the rear adds further to the bohemian Frenchness.

Address: 56-56A Broughton Street, Edinburgh EH1 3SA, Scotland

Opening hours: Wednesday 5.30-8.30pm, Friday-Saturday 12-2pm, 5.30-8.30pm, closed Sunday-Tuesday

What is it? The newest venture from chef Tomás Gormley – one of the original minds behind the seriously hyped Michelin-starred Heron – this small basement restaurant in Stockbridge offers a selection of regularly-changing small plates.

Why we love it: With its midnight black interiors and candle-lit tables, Skua is effortlessly romantic and oozes cool. But the real reason you’ll want to go here is for the delicious, artful morsels on the menu. With an emphasis on seasonal Scottish ingredients, everything is delicately crafted and expertly cooked; each plate looks like it should be on display at the Tate Modern. The drinks are winners, too: expect rare and natty wines, cocktails, beer and spirits to whet your palette. 

Time Out tip: While the kitchen closes at 10-ish, Skua is also open as a bar until 12am on Fridays and Saturdays: take advantage of the lip-smacking mixology.

Address: 49 St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AH, Scotland

Opening hours: Tuesday 5-10pm, Wednesday-Thursday 5-10.30pm, Friday-Saturday 5pm-12am, closed Sunday and Monday

What is it? Innovative vegetarian cuisine.

Why we love it: Hendersons is the UK’s longest running vegetarian restaurant headed up by the founder’s grandson Barrie since 2020. Since then, the new Hendersons on Barclay Place has been an undeniable hit with original dishes that use locally sourced whole food and organic ingredients, plus new and exciting additions to the menu.

Address: 7-13 Barclay Place, Edinburgh EH10 4HW, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 12-10pm

What is it? A glamorous enoteco and trattoria serving refined Italian classics and a plethora of fine wine.

Why we love it: This slick enoteca and trattoria in Stockbridge is a heavenly spot. The marble table tops, creamy-hued walls and dark wood panelling ooze low-key glamour, and open shelves lined with rows of colourful wine bottles give the feeling of an old school wine bar you’d stumble across in the backstreets of Napoli. Created by sommelier James Clark, it’s no surprise Sotto has an extensive wine list, with fun, quaffable cuvees available by the glass and an exciting cellar list to explore that will spark the interest of serious oenophiles. The food is equally compelling. Head chef Francesco Ascrizzi heads up the kitchen serving refined takes of traditional Italian dishes: pleasingly crisp fried courgette flowers, glossy strips of prosciutto layered over pillowly deep-fried parcels, delicate cuts of seafood, perfectly formed plates of gleaming pasta you itch to dive your fork into and sunshine yellow,  tongue-purkingly sharp slice of lemon meringue pie. It’s impossible to order badly here. 

Time Out tip: There’s a lot of wine to choose from here, so ask the staff for their recommendations. 

Address: 28-32 Deanhaugh Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1LY

Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday: noon to 9.30pm, Sunday noon to 8.30pm

What is it? Indian cuisine in tapas sizes makes this a handy spot for groups.

Why we love it: Mother India began as a café in Glasgow in the ’90s, and the Edinburgh outpost has been around since 2008, serving Indian food in tapas-size portions. There are some 50 dishes on offer, some putting a fresh twist on Indian restaurant staples – the chicken tikka, for instance, comes in two variations, with nuts or with peppers, mushrooms and tomatoes.

Address: 3-5 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 12-9.30pm