The Best Restaurants In Edinburgh
Edinburgh has had something of a culinary renaissance over the past 10 years, and is now firmly one of the best foodie destinations in Europe, never mind the UK, full of innovative chefs and incredible, sustainable produce. From Michelin-starred tasting menus and Asian-influenced spots to wine bars and bakeries, here are some of the best restaurants in Edinburgh.
The Palmerston
The last of the spots included in the National Restaurant Awards top 100, The Palmerston, placed 97th and is known for its contemporary bistro-vibe and in-house bakery. Housed in a former bank building, the restaurant offers classic European dishes with a focus on seasonal ingredients, largely sourced from local farms and fishermen. Notable offerings include house-baked sourdough, hearty mains like lamb shoulder, and an always delicious selection of starters and desserts.
The Palmerston is one of my favourites, it’s always busy and the food never disappoints – I’d happily play menu roulette here, confident I’d love every dish. Great if you’re interested in a nose-to-tail concept, but without it feeling daunting. And don’t even think about leaving without something from their in-house bakery.
Astrid, Contributing Fashion & Lifestyle Editor
where: 1 Palmerston Pl, Edinburgh EH12 5AF
website: www.thepalmerstonedinburgh.com
Lyla
Talk to any Edinburgh local for their absolute top choice, and chances are they will point you in the direction of Lyla. Sitting on Royal Terrace, head chef Stuart Ralston has one of the city’s most unique foodie experiences. The upstairs bar sets the tone with a champagne trolley and snacks prepared at the island counter, followed by a descent into the dining room below, where white tablecloths, soft lighting and an open kitchen frame courses built around sustainably sourced seafood and immaculate local produce. In the 2025 National Restaurant Awards, Lyla was voted Best Restaurant in Scotland and placed 17th in the top 100 restaurants in the UK overall.
where: 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB
website: www.lylaedinburgh.co.uk
Pomelo
Pomelo, founded in 2021 by chef-patron Jun Au, is a modern Chinese restaurant tucked away in Sciennes, just south of the Meadows. What began as a modest lunch spot has expanded into a 24-cover restaurant with evening service, working with seasonal and local Scottish produce while keeping a firm eye on bold Asian flavour.
Its signature offerings include hand-ripped noodles, crispy chicken sandwiches with gochujang-inflected heat, and inventive fusion dishes like red-curry aubergine parmesan. It also serves natural wine and a dessert menu that is tough to match in Edinburgh.
where:
website: www.pomelocafe.com
The Little Chartroom
The Little Chartroom is a compact but revered modern British restaurant in Leith, run by chef Roberta Hall-McCarron and front-of-house lead Shaun McCarron. Opened in 2018 and later relocated to Bonnington Road, it serves a small but mighty seasonal menu shaped by Scottish produce and refined through French technique, with occasional Nordic influences thrown in for good measure.
In the 2025 National Restaurant Awards, The Little Chartroom placed 79th, the second highest in Edinburgh, and it continues to be recognised as one of Scotland’s most distinctive dining rooms.
where: 14 Bonnington Rd, Edinburgh EH6 5JD
website: www.littlechartroom.co.uk
Heron
Another spot in the foodie hotbed that is Leith, Heron sits on the water, and is run by chef Sam Yorke. Hyper seasonal and local, Heron takes the best of Scottish produce and marries it with truly creative cooking. Think Orkney scallop with caviar and hazelnut, hasselback potatoes in an oyster cream sauce, and venison loin with celeriac and walnuts.
where: 87, 91A Henderson St, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6ED
website: www.heron.scot.com
Eleanore
Eleanore is a modern British bistro and wine bar located at Albert Place, and helmed by the team behind The Little Chartroom and Ardfern. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu that combines Asian-inspired ingredients with local, seasonal additions.
Dishes are designed for sharing, with options like cured sea trout with shiso dressing and charred flatbreads served with mackerel pâté or romesco and ‘nduja spread. Mains include cod wrapped in daikon with prawn mousse and a rich fish broth. Desserts feature inventive creations such as the pistachio tirami-choux, a playful fusion of profiterole, gâteau, tiramisu, and parfait.
where: 30-31 Albert Pl, Edinburgh EH7 5HN
website: www.eleanore.uk
Baba
Looking for a vibrant Levantine-inspired restaurant in Edinburgh? Look no further than Baba, sitting within the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel. Middle Eastern flavours meet Scottish ingredients in a menu that features a variety of mezze, grilled dishes, and feasting options designed for sharing.
Signature dishes include hummus with burnt harissa butter, haggis merguez with Yemenite hot sauce, and slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rose harissa and pomegranate. Desserts like olive oil cake with burnt honey and apricots are a must to top off any meal.
where: 130 George St, Edinburgh EH2 4JZ
website: www.baba.restaurant.com
Condita
Condita seats just twelve guests in its small dining room on the south side of Edinburgh. The independent spot sits guests for a special tasting menu cooked by Scottish chef Tyler King, who sources the best of Scottish fish and meat, with fish coming from both the Hebrides, Orkney, Shetland and the east coast. Meat and game are usually sourced from Fife and the Highlands.
he independent spot sits guests for a special tasting menu cooked by Scottish chef Tyler King, who sources the best of Scottish fish and meat
where: 15 Salisbury Pl, Edinburgh EH9 1SL
website: www.condita.co.uk
Kanpai
If what you want is very high-quality sushi and you’re willing to pay a bit of a premium, then Kanpai is one of the top choices in Edinburgh. It is likely the best for many locals. Their speciality lies in crafting meticulously prepared nigiri, maki, hand rolls, and sushi rolls, showcasing the art of sushi-making at its finest.
Beyond sushi, Kanpai also offers tempura, teppanyaki, and other traditional Japanese dishes, all prepared with the same attention to detail and quality.
where: 8-10 Grindlay St, Edinburgh EH3 9AS
website: www.kanpaisushiedinburgh.com
Ardfern
Ardfern is a more relaxed café, bar, and bottle shop located in Leith, and helmed by Roberta Hall-McCarron, also of The Little Chartroom. The establishment is open daily, serving a variety of dishes that range from brunch options to evening small plates, complemented by a selection of over 100 wines available for both in-house enjoyment and takeaway. In 2025, Ardfern was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand and has become a firm favourite for locals and visitors alike.
where: 10-12 Bonnington Rd, Edinburgh EH6 5JD
website: www.ardfern.co.uk
