10 of the best restaurants in edinburgh

8/10/2019 10 of the Best Restaurants in Edinburgh

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10 of the best restaurants in EdinburghThere's no need to settle for generic, touristy restaurants in Edinburgh. Food

blogger Jonathan Jones'sfavourites are an eclectic mix but all have fine food to shoutabout

As featured in our Edinburgh city guide

Jonathan Jones

Wednesday 12 October 2011 10.30 BST

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The Ship on the Shore

Many tourists head to Leith to visit theRoyal Yacht Britanniabut many neglect

to stop at The Shore. That's a shame as this area by the water is home to some of

Edinburgh's most welcoming and best quality restaurants. The Ship on the Shore

focuses on seafood, with the catch of the day joined by a host of regulars,

including a mean seafood chowder. If the sight of water isn't enough to perk up

the seafarer inside you then surely the nautical maps along the wall will. Try a
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2/8

bowl of steamed Shetland mussels they'll provide you with an enduring

memory of this fine City.

24-26 Shore, Leith, 0131-555 0409,theshipontheshore.co.uk.Open 7 days

noon-10pm (ship's breakfast served 9am-11am), average main 18

Castle Terrace

This is the sister restaurant to Edinburgh's Michelin-starredThe Kitchin.Enjoy

a drink in the bar or, even better, wait to be invited down to the chef's table,which overlooks Dominic Jack's kitchen although seeing the preparation of the

beautiful food makes choosing a dish even harder. Perhaps put your faith in the

Surprise Tasting Menu (60), from which the pistachio souffle lingers long in

the memory. Inside the dining room patches of purple puncture calming neutral

tones this is a place where whole evenings pass with ease.

33/35 Castle Terrace, 0131-229 1222,castleterracerestaurant.com.Tues-Sat

noon-2pm, 6.30pm-10pm, average main 24

Ondine
http://www.theshipontheshore.co.uk/http://www.theshipontheshore.co.uk/http://www.theshipontheshore.co.uk/http://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/homehttp://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/homehttp://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/homehttp://www.castleterracerestaurant.com/http://www.castleterracerestaurant.com/http://www.castleterracerestaurant.com/http://www.castleterracerestaurant.com/http://www.thekitchin.com/kitchin/homehttp://www.theshipontheshore.co.uk/


3/8

Ondine has been a breath of fresh air for Edinburgh's seafood scene. After

opening in late 2009, it soon picked up a host of awards for the near-perfect

manner in which the locally sourced seafood is prepared. Work your way

through the oysters, feast on the sea bream curry or push the boat out and try

the roast shellfish platter. Huge glass windows provide views of Edinburgh's old

town, while the silver-topped horseshoe bar provides an impressive internal

focal point. Post meal, go for a nightcap in the stylish bar of theMissoni

Hotelnext door.

2 George IV Bridge, 0131-226 1888,ondinerestaurant.co.uk.Open 7 daysnoon-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm, average main 22

La Favorita

Photograph:theedinb

urghblog.co.uk on Flickr/Some rights reserved
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4/8

La Favorita is a modern pizzeria, with black-topped tables and whitewashed

walls. In recent years, owner Tony Crolla has expanded his brand to include a

takeaway fleet of Mini Coopers and a mobile van, complete with a log-fired pizza

oven. Yet it is the original restaurant on Leith Walk that continues to offer what

is surely Edinburgh's best pizza, with their thin crispy bases and superb quality

ingredients. That said, overlooking La Favorita's pasta and regularly changing

specials would be unfair; their saltimbocca is superb.

325-331 Leith Walk, 0131-554 2430 (restaurant), 0131 555 5564

(takeaway),la-favorita.com.Restaurant and takeaway open noon-11pm every

day, pizza from 10

Wedgwood

Photograph: Mike

Wilkinson

When this restaurant opened four years ago it sent out a clear message that on

Edinburgh's touristy Royal Mile you could still find seriously good restaurants

with seriously interesting menus. Many a business in this historic location wouldbe tempted to bask in their success; maybe put their feet up and watch the

tourist money roll in. Not Wedgwood; its pigeon served with haggis, neeps and

tatties is as unusual as it is delicious. Try to avoid being seated downstairs, as the

natural light of the street-level dining room is where you will enjoy this inventive

and innovative experience the most.

267 Canongate, 0131-558 8737,wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk.Mon-Sat

noon-3pm, dinner from 6pm, Sun 12.30pm-3pm, dinner from 6pm, average

main 20

Kweilin
http://www.la-favorita.com/http://www.la-favorita.com/http://www.la-favorita.com/http://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/http://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/http://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/http://www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk/http://www.la-favorita.com/


5/8

While its decor is traditional paintings of China adorn the walls and paper

lanterns hang from the ceiling Kweilin's food is spectacular. The wafer paper

prawns are the best I've ever eaten and the eight treasures duck a breast of

braised duck buried deep in various fish and meats is an all-time favourite.

Monkfish, halibut and lobster all make appearances on the seafood-heavy menu.

The prices might be a little higher than your average Chinese restaurant but then

so is the quality of food.

19/21 Dundas St, 0131-557 1875,kweilin.net.Tues-Sun noon-2pm, 5pm-11pm,

Fri and Sat until 11.30pm, Sun 5pm-11pm, average main 15

The Grain Store

When eating out in Edinburgh it's not unreasonable to expect the very best

Scottish meat and fish. The Grain Store consistently delivers, with its venison,

beef and lamb never failing to impress. The upstairs setting sums up all that is
http://www.kweilin.net/http://www.kweilin.net/http://www.kweilin.net/http://www.kweilin.net/


6/8

great about Edinburgh: an intimate dining room, moody lighting, bare-brick

walls and views of picture-perfect Victoria Street. The three-course lunch for 15

has been running for a long time and offers superb value.

30 Victoria Street, 0131-225 7635,grainstore-restaurant.co.uk.Mon-Fri

noon-2pm, 6pm-10pm, Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm, Sun 6pm-10pm (closed on

Sundays in October), average main 24

The Honours

Martin Wishart'sin Leith is probably Edinburgh's best outright restaurant (with

a correspondingly expensive menu and long waiting list to match). So there was

much anticipation before the Michelin-starred chef opened this classic brasserie.

The interior is lined with marble, huge mirrors and grand lampshades bathing

the interior in a golden hue. The menu has depth, appeal and grabs your interest

in a way many newcomers cannot: there are surely few restaurants where you

can start with a pressed pigs head terrine and end with an ice-cream sundae. The

Honours has 70 covers and there will be few nights when all are not taken.

58a North Castle Street, 0131-220 2513,thehonours.co.uk.Tues-Sat noon-

2.30pm, 6pm-10pm, average main 16

Dusit
http://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk/http://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk/http://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk/http://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/home.aspxhttp://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/home.aspxhttp://www.thehonours.co.uk/http://www.thehonours.co.uk/http://www.thehonours.co.uk/http://www.thehonours.co.uk/http://www.martin-wishart.co.uk/home.aspxhttp://www.grainstore-restaurant.co.uk/


7/8

Photograph:FotoFlin

g Scotland on Flickr

Dusit is a Thai restaurant a notch or two above the norm. Situated on quirky

Thistle St, it rubs shoulders with champagne bars and designer boutiques. It

simply doesn't dodisappointing dishes but you'll be most mesmerised if you

order anything with scallops, king prawns or monkfish. For meat lovers, some

dishes can be ordered with venison, providing a Scottish twist to classic Thai

recipes.

49a Thistle Street, 0131-220 6846,dusit.co.uk.Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-

11pm, Sun noon-11pm, average main 15

Sushiya

Photograph:milchpu

der on Flickr/Some rights reserved

This small restaurant has been satisfying sushi cravings for as long as I can

remember but as its popularity has risen so has the competition for seats.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/http://www.dusit.co.uk/http://www.dusit.co.uk/http://www.dusit.co.uk/http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkpowder/4675720031/http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkpowder/4675720031/http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkpowder/4675720031/http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en_GBhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en_GBhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en_GBhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en_GBhttp://www.flickr.com/photos/milkpowder/4675720031/http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkpowder/4675720031/http://www.dusit.co.uk/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotos_by_findlay/2274909081/


8/8

Through the huge front window you'll see diners perched on stools; food

competing for space on cramped tables and a sushi chef working his magic at the

rear. No wonder Sushiya has a buzz similar restaurants lack. Enjoy a selection of

the excellent salmon and tuna sushi, then follow with the delicious soup-

basedudon(noodles).

19 Dalry Road, 0131-313 3222,sushiya.co/.Tues-Sun noon-10.30pm, sushi

and noodles 15

Jonathan Jones writes forThe Edinburgh Blog
http://www.sushiya.co/http://www.sushiya.co/http://www.sushiya.co/http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/http://www.theedinburghblog.co.uk/http://www.sushiya.co/

10 of the best restaurants in edinburgh

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