Edinburgh's centre of gastronomic gravity has been shifting gradually north for several years and the historic port of Leith is now home to two of the city's five Michelin stars. Leith also has many good non-Michelin-starred restaurants, clustered around the Shore area and the Scottish Government building. Fans of fish and seafood, in particular, would be well advised to make the pilgrimage down Leith Walk. Of course there are still many good restaurants in the city centre and the New Town, as well as neighbourhood bistros in more out-of-the-way corners.
The Edinburgh restaurants below have been classed into different price ranges:
Expensive (over £30)
Moderate (£20 to £30)
Cheap (£15)
This is for a meal per person, including half a bottle of wine and tax. A minimum of 10% tip is expected and is often added to the bill for larger groups.
Expensive
21212
Cuisine: Modern FrenchPaul Kitching's Michelin-starred Edinburgh restaurant occupies a ravishing Georgian townhouse in Royal Terrace. The innovative menu is constantly evolving, and it's fun to watch the chefs beavering away in the open kitchen while you eat. The affordable weekday lunch menu offers a great opportunity to try Michelin star-level food on a budget.
Address: , 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5ABTelephone: +44 (0)131 523 1030
Website: http://www.21212restaurant.co.uk
The Honours
Cuisine: Scottish, FrenchFollowing the success of his Michelin-starred Leith Shore eatery, chef Martin Wishart opened a second Edinburgh restaurant in the New Town during 2011. The menu blends traditional, seasonal Scottish flavours with French-inspired cuisine, including a mouth-watering selection of seafood and steak, complimented by a good choice of wines from an extensive list.
Address: , 58A North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LUTelephone: +44 (0)131 220 2513
Website: http://www.thehonours.co.uk
Moderate
Contini
Cuisine: ItalianImpeccably presented Italian food is served in the beautiful surroundings of a converted New Town house at Contini. The menu includes classic Italian meat and fish dishes, a variety of interesting pasta sauces, excellent pizzas, and homemade ice cream. The owners source fresh produce directly from Scottish and Italian farmers.
Address: , 103 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3ESTelephone: +44 (0)131 225 1550
Website: http://www.contini.com
David Bann
Cuisine: VegetarianDon't be put off if you're a meat eater - this classy vegetarian restaurant does food good enough to convert even the most confirmed carnivore. The menu trots the globe from the Mediterranean to the Pacific, taking in India and Thailand en-route. The service is consistently excellent too.
Address: , 56-58 Saint Mary's Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SXTelephone: +44 (0)131 556 5888
Website: http://www.davidbann.com
Stac Polly
Cuisine: Modern ScottishThis small local chain has three branches, all offering modern Scottish dishes in attractive surroundings with tasteful tartan touches. The food is beautifully prepared and presented, while the staff are friendly and helpful. In season, the menu features Scottish game, such as venison and pheasant.
Address: , 29-33 Dublin Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6NLTelephone: +44 (0)131 556 2231
Website: http://www.stacpolly.com
Cheap
Bell's Diner
Cuisine: AmericanThis small and popular Stockbridge restaurant has been satisfying Edinburgh's yearnings for burgers for over 40 years. Steaks and veggie-burgers are also available, but it is the chargrilled beef-burgers, with their various savoury butters, which are the real highlights in this unpretentious, simply furnished diner. Tuck into piles of pancakes and ice cream for dessert.
Address: , 7 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, EH3 5ANTelephone: +44 (0)131 225 8116
Website: http://www.bellsdineredinburgh.co.uk
Kalpna
Cuisine: IndianKalpna is one of Edinburgh's longest-established and best-known Indian restaurants. It is small, simply decorated and unpretentious inside, but the food (all of which is vegetarian) is delicious and inspired. Specialities include huge South Indian dosas, thali set meals and vegetable-stuffed potatoes. The Kalpna lunchtime buffet is very good value and, correspondingly, popular.
Address: , 2-3 St Patrick's Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9EZTelephone: +44 (0)131 667 9890
Website: http://www.kalpnarestaurant.com
Urban Angel
Cuisine: Organic and FairtradeThe two city centre branches of Urban Angel serve a mean brunch, plus healthy, light lunches and inexpensive dinners using sustainable, organic ingredients where possible. You can expect porridge or Arbroath smokies for breakfast, Mediterranean salads or falafel sandwiches at noon, and tapas dishes or haggis for supper.
Address: , 121 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1DJTelephone: +44 (0)131 225 6215
Website: http://www.urban-angel.co.uk
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