Castle Terrace (CLOSED)

That it took Castle Terrace just 15months to bag a Michelin star hints at the shiny gold standard you can expect from it. Sure, if you’re after a weekend table you’ll have to book a few months in advance, but your efforts will be rewarded by a top-notch culinary experience.

Inspired by some of the team behind fellow Michelin star-player and sister restaurant The Kitchin (located on the Leith waterfront), Castle Terrace has found a safe pair of hands in chef patron Dominic Jack, who presents modern British food with French flair. Inspiring seasonal dishes, including the intricate Surprise Tasting Menu, showcase Edinburgh-born Jack’s foodie pedigree; his stints at a clutch of Europe’s top Michelin star kitchens (l’Arpège, Les Elysées and Taillevent in Paris) mean that the fresh Scottish produce is prepared with classic French technique. The à la carte menu is split into starters and seasonal mains – From the Sea and From the Land – with the likes of crab coming from the nearby Newhaven harbour and venison from the Winton Estate, just outside Edinburgh. There’s also the rather lovely addition of a Celebration of the Season Menu, comprising half a dozen or so extra-fresh dishes.

The food is excellent, and the matched wine package, although pricey, is a worthwhile addition. The staff are slick, attentive and hugely knowledgeable – and yet Castle Terrace still manages to pull off a surprisingly relaxed vibe for a Michelin- starred gaff, the dark, stylish decor completing the atmosphere. The clientele is mixed – from dolled-up couples, friends and families out for a treat to regulars dressed down in jeans, and tourists in search of something special. A truly exceptional dining experience.