People visit Edinburgh for all sorting of reasons , from the rich history and arresting computer architecture , to the possible action of conform to Ronnie Corbett … credibly . Then , of course of study , there ’s the food for thought : this city has some of the most fabulous eating house in all of Scotland , serving everything from attract pork pizza pie to haggis spring roller . Seriously .
The sheer act of selection can be a bit paralyzing , which is why we ’ve veer the faff and delivered a list of the 16 greatest restaurant for every occasion / craving .
Best haggis: Whiski Rooms
You ca n’t have a tilt of space to eat up in the working capital without include this Scottish delicacy . If you ’re not in the mood for the standard haggis , neeps , and tatties ( haggis , turnip , and potatoes ) , Whiski Rooms also has an offering of haggis bounce rolls with plum tree sauce , which is a bang-up introduction to a stunner many are afraid to try . Vegetarians need n’t worry either , as veggie haggis is also uncommitted alongside more than 300 whisky ( which faculty will be well-chosen to suggest to couple with your meal ) .
Best bar food: Treacle
Treacle ’s a bar food harbour – always bustling during luncheon and dinner , and with an splendid cocktail bill of fare to iron heel . From typical bar front-runner like steak Proto-Indo European or nachos , to the slightly less distinctive superfood salad or banh mi , there will be something to please everyone on this eclectic menu . The surroundings are as varied as the intellectual nourishment , from comfortable sofas and queer brick to dinner party tables and a animated cartoon rapscallion , and there ’s usually some form of 80s Graeco-Roman playing on the concealment .
Best Sunday lunch: Kyloe Restaurant & Grill
Kyloe won best Roast in Britain a couple of long time ago , and the beef - lover vibe here are clear-cut ; seats are cowhide , there are cartoon kine all over the walls , and you ca n’t miss the painted moo-cow on the sidewalk . The Sunday dejeuner includes a full beef joint carved at your mesa for 4 - 5 citizenry ( or a beef lemniscus for 2 ) , alongside all the trimmings : Yorkshire puddings , duck’s egg fatness potatoes , root vegetables , cream cabbage and gravy , AND a sharing pudding .
Best steakhouse: Leith Chop House
There are many awful steakhouses in Edinburgh , but Leith Chop House has hard established a repute for itself in the short time it ’s been overt . Being located slightly off the beaten track , in the up and coming region of Leith , means prices are incredibly reasonable for the calibre you ’re getting . Plus , in addition to the normal cuts and weights of steak , there are always different securities industry selection and fabulous sides – seriously , the mac and Malva sylvestris isunreal .
Best vegetarian option: Henderson’s Vegan
placed on one of Edinburgh ’s most vivacious street , Henderson ’s is a strictly gist - free zona . All of the veggie delights on offer are amazing , even by carnivore standards , but salad are a finicky strong point : the Savoy shekels , apple , and raisin ( in yoghurt and mayo bandaging ) is an absolute must - try . Since give the restaurant in the ' 60 ’s , Henderson ’s has swell in popularity and sizing with the add-on of a vegetarian shop upstairs and , most recently , a vegan bistro next door ; all come under the Henderson ’s name , and all are well worth a visit .
Best private dining: Timberyard
This onetime storage warehouse ’s service department room access entering is leisurely to escape , Several spaces are uncommitted , but the private " shed " area with its own woodwind burner is a perfect internal group setting for up to 10 . minor lunches are available , but it ’s in the main a real banquet – 4 or 6 trend lunch or dinner or an 8 form dinner look in the industrial smart space , with the option of paired drinks with each course . Herbs , vegetables , flowers and fruits are grow onsite and used beside topically sourced and foraged product .
Best hot chocolate: Mary’s Milk Bar
Though it ’s beautiful in any atmospheric condition , Edinburgh can get bitterly cold in winter ; fortunately , there ’s the hot chocolate at Mary ’s Milk Bar . A chocolatier by trade , Mary makes these magnificent by melting her own handmade chocolates into hot Milk River – and to top it all off , you’re able to sum a scoop of sweet handmade ice emollient . opine looking up at Edinburgh Castle with a Au , frankincense , and gum myrrh red-hot drinking chocolate in your hand ; now think it ’s top with a dollop of fried banana ice cream . Winter be damned !
Best Mexican: El Cartel
Mexican street food for thought , mezcal , and flavorful frozen margarita – these are really the only words you need to lie with about El Cartel . The small fare ’s a absolutely formed roll of tacos , antojitos ( literally translate as little craving ) , and a few side , with different daily special to keep you coming back . The soft tacos are hand-crafted , and the theatre - blend red-hot sauce will exchange your life / opinion of house - portmanteau word hot sauce . Plus , if Mexican drinks are n’t your matter , you’re able to also BYOB ( with a small corkage fee ) from the shop across the street – sure , it ’s walk - In only at this joint , but do n’t be afraid to wait . It ’s deserving it .
Best coffee shop with a secret: Cairngorm Coffee Co.
Edinburgh is a city with plenty to do during the day , so you ’ll emphatically need a caffeine fixture to keep you belong when night falls – but that ’s not why you ’re REALLY amount here . More than its fine reach of coffees , the true hotshot of the show is Cairngorm ’s grilled cheese sandwich : it ’s a three - cheese blend with chili press diffuse on fresh sourdough , and it ’s one of the best worst - kept secrets in the urban center .
Best pizza: Civerinos
locate just off The Royal Mile ( a mil - long cobbled street from the rook to Holyrood Palace ) Civerinos dishes out slices and pies ‘ til 1 am – and even later during the Edinburgh Festival . Sure , there ’s other Italian - style eats on the menu , but pizza pie is where Civ ’s shines brightest : the pulled pork and orchard apple tree pie is a repeated favorite , although there are also vegan , milk sugar - detached , and gluten - gratis pizzas uncommitted that really taste like the real thing .
Best seafood: Mussel Inn
As the name suggests , fresh mussels are the pride and pleasure of this informal restaurant . You ’ll find it just one street back from Princes Street , consummate for a touch of lunch between all that shopping , and there ’s even some away seating for the nicer days . As well as the mussels ( which you could have either as a one-half or full kilo ) , this place also serves a variety of other seafood , meat , and vegetarian dishes – the tiger shrimp on egg noodles are a personal favorite .
Best brunch spot: Roseleaf
Quirky cafe by twenty-four hours and full of life Browning automatic rifle by night , this blank space has been part of the neighborhood since 2007 , and pleases locals and holidaymaker alike by offering a little chip of everything . Treat yourself to some " Pot - Tails " ( cocktail served in teapots ! ) whilst enjoying the " Pearrific " : garden pea , pea plant shoots , goat cheese , and poach eggs on toast . Also , brunch is served ' til 5 pm , so there ’s no want for an early start .
Best date night: Aizle
Aizle is one of the coolheaded conception we ’ve do across … provided you ’re a picayune open - tending . alternatively of a fare , there ’s simply a list of seasonal ingredients ( like lapin , cucumber , and Amontillado sherry ): once you inform your server of any allergies or special dietetical requirements , the kitchen will combine all these elements and make you a meal . advertize as 5 line for £ 45 , it can palpate like even more as you ’ll often get an amuse bouche or other add-on – plus , paired drinks can also be tacked on for another £ 30 .
Best Asian food: Ting Thai Caravan
This cozy office first open up as a pour down - up eating house during the Edinburgh Festival a few year ago , and ( gratefully ) it has n’t go anywhere since . The workbench seating means you ’ll be sitting closer to your fellow diners than you might like , but it also mean you’re able to check out their food before you order . The menu ’s split into rice / noodles , small boxes , curry , soups , and side , all of which you could determine being made fresh in the open kitchen . Whichever delectation you go for , check that to get a side of odoriferous potato crispies .
Best meal with a view: Tower Restaurant
The Tower Restaurant offers excellent views overlooking the arresting Edinburgh Castle and the rooftops of Old Town , and if you ’re voguish ( which you are ) , you ’ll time your reservation to cooccur with the breathtaking sunset . The menu ’s no slouch either , packed with seasonal , Scottish component and dishes – like pork rillette and Isle of Mull lobster thermidor – that make deciding between prix fixe and a la carte a hard proposition .
Best Scottish tapas: The Bon Vivant
Another award - gain speculation , this position won " Best Restaurant Bar in the World " at last class ’s Tales of The Cocktail . The candle - lit bar has a bill of fare that alter on a casual basis , and while you’re able to have your choice of " middle " ( chorizo in cyder with bread ) or " mains " ( sea reared trout ) , the " bites " segment is where you ’ll get the unspoiled of Bon V. Favorites include haggis bon bons , deeply - fried brie , and mini venison burger , and at £ 2 each , you’re able to try them all and still yield a glass of wine on the side .
Sign up herefor our daily Thrillist email , and get your fix of the best in food / drinking / merriment .
Civerinos Italian Street Food & Pizza
Whiski Rooms
Treacle
Flickr/Katherine
Abi Radford/Courtesy of Timberyard
Courtesy of Mary’s Milk Bar
Tim Edgeler Photography
Civerinos Italian Street Food & Pizza
The Roseleaf
Aizle Edinburgh
Courtesy of The Tower Restaurant
The Bon Vivant