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This family-run burger joint has gained a nationwide reputation for its unusual toppings such as beef brisket, pastrami, kimchi, and gochujang mayo. Take a seat inside the chic, reclaimed-wood interior and choose from a menu packed with amped-up burgers as well as chicken, veggie, and halal options.
92 Lothian Rd., Edinburgh, EH3 9BE, Scotland
Known For
- The signature Wolf Burger
- Delicious garlic and Parmesan fries
- Smart and modern interior
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The name refers to one of the most delightful quirks of Edinburgh's Old Town—the cannonball embedded in the wall outside, said to have been fired at the castle while Bonnie Prince Charlie was in residence (not true, but a good story). The atmosphere in this three-story restaurant and whisky bar is casual and relaxed, despite the gorgeous art deco dining room with views of the castle esplanade. Victor and Carina Contini, whose unique brand of Italian-Scottish cuisine has been drawing crowds for more than a decade, preside over all. The inventive menus change seasonally, but perennial favorites include the bread-crumbed haggis "cannonballs" and the lobster thermidor macaroni and cheese.
356 Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NF, Scotland
Known For
- Scrumptious Italian-Scottish cuisine
- Great views of the castle
- Bread-crumbed haggis cannonballs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
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Amid an ordinary row of shops, the facade of this vegan and vegetarian Indian restaurant may be unremarkable, but the food is exceptional and great value, too. You'll find south- and west-Indian specialties, including dum aloo kashmiri (a medium-spicy potato dish with a sauce made from honey, ginger, and almonds) and baingan achari (red-hot marinated eggplants). Consider the affordable lunchtime buffet for £8.99.
2–3 St. Patrick Sq., Edinburgh, EH8 9EZ, Scotland
Known For
- Authentic veggie Indian fare
- Lively interior with exotic mosaics
- Great lunchtime buffet
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A bakery-café with an inordinately sweet tooth, Lovecrumbs joyously, deliciously, and unashamedly focuses on what really matters in life: cake. It serves delectable confections of all kinds, from sumptuous Victoria sponges to heavenly peanut-butter brownies to mouthwatering lemon tarts. You'll find an occasional savory baked good on the menu, but don't count on it. Eat inside with a cup a coffee among the quirky knickknacks, or get your cake to go. The opening times are advertised with the caveat "roughly," but you will know the place by the appreciative crowds at busy times.
155 W. Port, Edinburgh, EH3 9DP, Scotland
Known For
- Extraordinary cakes galore
- Junk shop-esque decor
- Large crowds despite unpredictable opening times
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
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Despite its large interior with acres of seating, this bakery-café still regularly has lines out the door. The reason is simple: it bakes the best cakes in Edinburgh, using everything from Oreos to Reese's Pieces to strawberries and cream. It also serves great breakfasts, all-day brunches (with dishes like black pudding eggs Benedict and five bean chili), and an excellent afternoon tea. From the exceptional food to the fun decor, the friendly service to the reasonable prices, this is a must-try dining experience.
63 The Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6RA, Scotland
Known For
- Delicious and creative cakes
- Delicious French toast and breakfast rolls
- Fun and cheeky decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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For a quick, cheap bite while wandering the Royal Mile, you can't beat Oink—possibly the best hog roast (pulled pork) in Edinburgh. Located on Canongate (there are two other outlets, but this one is the best), it was founded by two farmers in 2008, and their high-quality, hand-reared pork has proved a huge hit ever since. The idea is simple: choose your bread, choose your stuffing (try the haggis), and choose your sauce, then watch it all being combined with delicious pulled pork and—on request—salty crackling. There are three sizes available: piglet (80 grams, about 3 ounces), oink (160 grams), and grunter (250 grams).
82 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BZ, Scotland
Known For
- Unbelievable pulled pork
- Great-value lunch
- No options for vegetarians
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Leith's premier dining experience, this high-end restaurant combines imaginative cuisine, luxuriously understated decor, and a lovely waterfront location. Renowned Michelin-starred chef Martin Wishart woos diners with his inspired menu of artistically presented, French-influenced dishes. To get a flavor of everything the restaurant has to offer, choose the ever-changing, multicourse tasting menu (£110); there's also a mouthwatering vegetarian tasting menu, and you can mix and match to tailor your perfect meal. To experience Martin Wishart's creations on more of a budget, visit for lunch from Wednesday to Friday, when the set menu is £42.50. Reservations are advised midweek and essential on weekends.
54 The Shore, Edinburgh, EH6 6RA, Scotland
Known For
- Impeccable cuisine
- Beautiful location and setting
- Exceptional vegetarian options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.–Tues.
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A charming concoction of sandstone walls, raftered roofs, and roaring fireplaces, as well as a lovely garden area, this upmarket inn is the ideal spot for a pub lunch. Owned by star Edinburgh chef Tom Kitchin, the menu at first appears to be fairly by-the-numbers British pub fare—think fish-and-chips, steak pie, and sausage and mash—but with superior local produce and a dash of culinary imagination, classic dishes are transformed into something special. If you're feeling energized after your meal, there's a free pool table in a side room, as well as Gullane golf course just down the road; if you're feeling lazy, there are beautifully appointed bedrooms upstairs.
Main St., Gullane, East Lothian, EH31 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Pigs' ears as a pre-meal snack
- Delicious desserts
- Beautiful garden
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$$$ | New Town |
Run by Edinburgh restaurant grandee Martin Wishart, the Honours is a more relaxed (though almost as pricey) alternative to his eponymous flagship in Leith. Inside its gorgeous black-and-white, art deco interior, diners can enjoy a range of excellent Scottish seafood dishes; but those in the know order the meat, with extraordinary rare-breed sirloin and fillet beef steaks as well as delicious game like roe deer, guinea fowl, and rabbit. Desserts are rich and indulgent, and service is impeccable.
58a North Castle St., Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH2 3LU, Scotland
Known For
- Mouthwatering meat dishes
- Beautiful art deco decor
- Impeccable service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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For fine dining with a touch of theater, it's hard to beat this superb open-kitchen restaurant, where you can sit at the bar and watch the skilled chefs prepare and assemble each course. The à la carte menu is small—there's a choice of just three starters, three mains, and three desserts—but it's filled with innovative and exciting dishes, such as dressed crab with curry and smoked almonds or spatchcock partridge with haggis and celeriac. A three-course meal with set you back around £50 without drinks.
14 Bonnington Rd., Edinburgh, EH6 5JD, Scotland
Known For
- Cozy kitchenside seating
- Small but varied menu
- Unique creations like sweetcorn custard
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs. and Fri., Reservations essential
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North Berwick's most consistently popular dining option isn't a traditional restaurant, or even a restaurant at all—it's a shack. That's testament to the sheer quality of the seafood served at this take-out stand, where freshly caught lobster, crab, haddock, and mussels are cooked before your eyes and served in boxes with double-dipped chips, ready to eat in a fold-up chair, on a harbor wall, or while strolling along the beach. The food is in such high demand there's a pop-up Lobster Shack in Edinburgh during the Festival Fringe.
North Berwick Harbour, North Berwick, East Lothian, EH41 4JL, Scotland
Known For
- Amazing lobster and chips
- Beautiful harborside location
- Good value
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Oct.–Mar.
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$$$$ | New Town |
Sophisticated surroundings, spectacular views, and sumptuous cuisine make this restaurant, originally opened in 1925, one of Edinburgh's best spots for fine dining. Head chef Dan Ashmore uses his expertise in great Scottish produce, from venison to sea trout, to serve up a stunning, "mystery" seven-course tasting menu (it comes in a sealed envelope; it's up to you when, or if, you want to take a peek). The paired wines compliment each course perfectly. For lesser appetites, there's also a £55 three-course menu available for dinner or a £35 three-course Sunday lunch.
Princes St., Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB, Scotland
Known For
- Beautiful pastel-floral dining room
- Subtly sumptuous flavors
- Gorgeous presentation
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Reservations essential
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There are few restaurants that feel so wonderfully, well, Edinburgh as this one. The freshest seasonal ingredients, mostly sourced from small local producers, go into creating delicious, inventive fare. The menu is constantly changing, but with pairings like scallop with unripe gooseberry and fig leaf ice cream, you can be sure of some surprises. The dining room, a former Victorian warehouse that's enjoyed a stripped-back, hipster refurbishment, is hugely atmospheric, and the young professional crowds are always lively.
10 Lady Lawson St., Edinburgh, EH3 9DS, Scotland
Known For
- Exciting dishes
- Hip interior
- Pricey multicourse menus
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch Thurs., Reservations essential
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Rejecting the idea that fine dining should be a stuffy affair, owners Paul Wedgwood and Lisa Channon are in charge at this Royal Mile gem. Local produce and some unusual foraged fronds enliven the taste buds on menus that radically change with the seasons; expect deliciously quirky pairings like scallops in a cauliflower korma or roe deer with buttermilk. The dining space is smart but informal, and the professional staff have mastered the tricky task of giving guests space to relax while always remaining attentive. Consider the three-course lunch deal for £25; that's less than most mains in the evening.
267 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BQ, Scotland
Known For
- Unfussy fine dining
- Delicious sticky toffee pudding
- Great value lunch deals
