World City Guide

Restaurants

The selected restaurants have been divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.

Restaurant prices generally include VAT, which currently stands at 17.5%, although, on the whole, do not include a tip or service charge. The prices quoted below are for a three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or equivalent, including VAT.

Gastronomic

The Atrium
Situated in the same building as the Traverse Theatre, The Atrium offers sophisticated, contemporary and distinctive Scottish cuisine with a French flavour, such as honey roasted quail with Stornoway black pudding or Aberdeen Angus beef topped with pig’s trotter in a red wine jus. One of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants, it has flickering candelabras, cream-coloured seats and an intimate atmosphere. The short lunch menu is good value at £13.50 for two courses or £17.50 for three.

10 Cambridge Street
Tel: (0131) 228 8882. Fax: (0131) 228 8808.
E-mail: eat@atriumrestaurant.co.uk
Website: www.atriumrestaurant.co.uk
Price: £40 (set dinner £25.00). Wine: £17.00.

Le Café St Honoré
There is a really romantic feel to this cosy French restaurant tucked away down a central side street, making it often quite hard to find. With crisp linen cloths, heavy mirrors and black and white marble floors, it is almost like being in Paris itself. Food is traditional French and the ‘après-cinq’ fixed menu, which is served between 1700 and 1845, is good value. Dishes include venison wild berries and mushrooms or boeuf bourguignon with mash.

34 North West Thistle Street Lane
Tel: (0131) 226 2211. Fax: (0131) 477 2716.
Price: £25. Wine: £13.50.

Restaurant Martin Wishart
This acclaimed Leith restaurant well deserves its Michelin star, awarded in 2001. The decor is simple and cool with plain, cream walls, although the real star here is the food. Popular with business diners and local celebrities, the restaurant serves mouth-watering epicurean creations such as turbot and langoustine with truffle butter with a firm nod across the sea to France. A three-course lunch costs £20.50 while the best option for dinner is to sample Wishart’s sparklingly creative and critic impressing tasting menus. A real taste extravaganza costs £55 for five courses or £60 for six. Add in a glass of wine to go with each course and two diners are looking at over £200 for a full tasting dinner.

54 The Shore, Leith
Tel: (0131) 553 3557. Fax: (0131) 467 7091.
E-mail: info@martin-wishart.co.uk
Website: www.martin-wishart.co.uk
Price: £40. Wine: £20.

The Witchery by the Castle
This atmospheric restaurant, situated in a medieval building next to the Castle, is the place to come for a special occasion. The dark opulence and magical charm delights the eye, with heavy furnishings, fanlight windows, textures and plush patterns. Guests can dine by candlelight in this gothic space or follow the candles down the old stone stairs to the atrium section, which is much more open but still romantic and cosy. The modern Scottish cooking on show uses fresh ingredients like Aberdeen Angus beef to conjure up a steak tartare, as well as fresh seafood to put together a crustacean seafood platter that comes with a half lobster. The pre and post theatre menus are perhaps the best fine dining bargain in the city at two courses for £12.50, though many diners do end up tempted by the desserts after the quality of the starters and mains. They also have lavish suites upstairs for those looking to stay longer.

Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 5613. Fax: (0131) 220 4392.
E-mail: mail@thewitchery.com
Website: www.thewitchery.com
Price: £40. Wine: £13.75.

Business

Britannia Spice
There is not a bit of flock wallpaper in sight at this clean, modern Indian restaurant in Leith, though the maritime theme is played on a bit too much for some. There is plenty of polished wood and splashes of blue, inspired by the presence of the Royal Yacht Britannia nearby. This restaurant has only been open since 2000 but has already won several awards for its food. The menu features a mix of unusual dishes from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Northern India, such as roast aubergine massala or macch torkari (fish marinated in spices and cooked in a medium-hot sauce).

150 Commercial Street, Britannia Way, Leith
Tel: (0131) 555 2255. Fax: (0131) 555 0800.
E-mail: info@britanniaspice.co.uk
Website: www.britanniaspice.co.uk
Price: £20. Wine: £9.

Nargile
This Turkish restaurant right in the city centre has rapidly gained a reputation for great food. It has a cool contemporary interior and is particularly well known for its delicious, set meze dinners, such as the ziyafet sofrasi, which includes chicken, shish and kofte kebabs, and the sultan sofrasi with grilled swordfish and firinda karides (king prawns). Dishes are served with roasted Mediterranean vegetables and rice. Nargile is a good place for a relaxed business lunch.

73 Hanover Street
Tel: (0131) 225 5755.
E-mail: info@nargile.co.uk
Website: www.nargile.co.uk
Price: £15. Wine £10.95.

Stac Polly
Of the two branches, the one on Dublin Street is warmer and more rustic, while Grindlay Street is decked out in more formal tartan. Both are strong on venison and pheasant, though it is the famous starter, filo pastry parcels of haggis with plum sauce, that brings in many devotees. The focus is on Modern Scottish food served up with a minimum of fuss in surrounds that are homely rather than trying to impress too much. The set lunch menus are decent value at £14.95 for two courses and £17.95 for three.

29-33 Dublin Street
Tel: (0131) 556 2231.

8-10 Grindlay Street
Tel: (0131) 229 5405. Fax: (0131) 228 3299.

E-mail: bookings@stacpolly.com
Website: www.stacpolly.com
Price: £35. Wine: £14.95.

Thai Lemongrass
This award winner is a favourite with those in the know, so booking is advised. As the title suggests, cuisine is Thai and dishes might include monkfish in coconut cream or sea bass in coriander and lemongrass. The decor is fairly relaxed with lots of earthy shades, wooden chairs and slate floors.

40-41 Bruntsfield Place
Tel: (0131) 229 2225. Fax: (0131) 229 8544.
Price: £25. Wine: BYOB

Tower Restaurant
With wonderful views over the city and an open-air terrace for rare sunny days, the Tower is the sort of restaurant that people want to stay in all afternoon. Situated on top of the Museum of Scotland, the restaurant offers contemporary Scottish cuisine in a strikingly modern and stylishly opulent interior, with furnishings incorporating aluminium, velvet, tweed, oak and leather. Oysters are a speciality, while on the main menu sturdy dishes like rolled suckling pig sit alongside lighter touches like sea bream in olive tapenade. A two-course theatre supper, which costs £12.50, is available between 1700 and 1830.

Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street
Tel: (0131) 225 3003. Fax: (0131) 247 4220.
E-mail: mail@tower-restaurant.com
Website: www.tower-restaurant.com
Price: £35. Wine: £13.75.

Trendy

The Apartment
Close to the King’s Theatre, this crisp, clean restaurant is still one of the trendiest places to eat in the city despite being open for a few years now. Decor is Ikea inspired and the staff are young, although they are not as organised as they could be. The food is excellent, however, with choices such as North African spicy lamb balls or roasted monkfish. Guests should book well in advance if they want a chance of eating here. There is also now a sister restaurant, The Outsider, 15-16 George IV Bridge (tel: (0131) 226 3131).

7-13 Barclay Place
Tel: (0131) 228 6456. Fax: (0131) 228 4456.
Price: £20. Wine: £10.50.

Blue
As the name suggests, the dominant colour in this trendy bar and bistro is a cool blue. Situated above the Traverse Theatre, it attracts a wide range of people, drawn by a menu that offers light dishes such as goat’s cheese tart, as well as a vegetarian choice and meaty main courses such as ribeye steak with mushrooms or salmon with chorizo.

10 Cambridge Street
Tel: (0131) 221 1222. Fax: (0131) 228 8808.
E-mail: eat@bluebarcafe.com
Website: www.bluebarcafe.com
Price: £25. Wine: £13.50.

Centotre
On opening in 2004, Centotre instantly became the best place to eat in George Street and indeed one of the best places to eat in the city. The reasons are simple with fresh authentic ingredients flown in from Milan, an emphasis on no nonsense Italian cooking and a grand old Georgian building whose columns and sandstone make the perfect setting for a swish and stylish restaurant. Add in friendly waiting staff, a switched on restaurant manager and an open kitchen, and it is a pretty compelling mix. Highlights are the range of pasta dishes and simple, full flavour salads.

103 George Street
Tel: (0131) 225 1550. Fax: (0131) 225 2578.
E-mail: info@centotre.com
Website: www.centotre.com
Price: £25. Wine: £13.50.

Fishers
There is a nautical feel to this popular bistro in Leith. Seafood is a speciality and the menu might include dishes such as Dover sole with a raspberry and tarragon butter or baked Finnan haddock with a sun-dried tomato dressing. The restaurant only seats 40 so booking is advised. They have a sister restaurant in central Edinburgh, called Fishers in the City (tel: (0131) 225 5109).

1 The Shore, Leith
Tel: (0131) 554 5666.
E-mail: ask@fishersbistros.co.uk
Website: www.fishersbistros.co.uk
Price: £25. Wine: £10.50.

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
The restaurant, bar and brasserie on the fourth floor of Edinburgh’s slick Harvey Nichols store, is one of the smartest places to eat in the city. The restaurant has a clean, minimalist interior and boasts great views over to the castle and across the Firth of Forth (hence the name). The menus feature fresh seasonal produce and the restaurant and brasserie are open even when the store is closed. Here diners can sample dishes such as seared Szechwan peppered tuna with wok-fried vegetables. In the restaurant, the favourites include assiette of Scottish beef and game. The venue is popular and booking is recommended.

11-13 South St Andrew Street
Tel: (0131) 524 8350. Fax: (0131) 524 8351.
E-mail: forthfloor.reservations@harveynichols.com
Website: www.harveynichols.com
Price: £60 (restaurant), £25 (brasserie). Wine: £14.

Orocco Pier
This new restaurant/bar/hotel by the water’s edge in South Queensferry offers unbeatable views of both the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge. The old inn was totally refurbished in 2003 and now boasts sweeping windows, an outdoor terrace and plenty of stylish hard wood. Waiting staff are friendly and attentive and the menu covers everything from traditional Scottish through to Mexican. In summer 2005 a new outdoor terrace opened, really opening up those stunning views of the bridges and the Firth of Forth.

17 High Street, South Queensferry
Tel: (0131) 331 1298. Fax: (0131) 331 4731.
E-mail: info@oroccopier.co.uk
Website: www.oroccopier.co.uk
Price: £22. Wine: £13.50.

rick's
One of the most fashionable places in the city, rick’s offers everything from breakfast (served until noon), sandwiches and light lunches, to more substantial dinners. The menu is broad and includes everything from duck breast with Dauphinoise potatoes and pink peppercorn sauce to crispy salmon fillet with Asian fried rice and chilli jam. This sleek, retro bar/restaurant is also the place to come for James Bond-style pre-dinner cocktails. They have rooms too for those who have overindulged.

55A Frederick Street
Tel: (0131) 622 7800. Fax: (0131) 622 7801.
E-mail: info@ricksedinburgh.co.uk
Website: www.ricksedinburgh.co.uk
Price: £25. Wine: £13.50.

Budget

Bar Roma
In the West End of Edinburgh, Bar Roma is one of the city’s most reliable restaurants, not only for its tasty Italian food but also for its lively atmosphere. It always seems to be busy here and the food is fresh and of good quality – pizzas, pasta dishes with rich tomato and cheese sauces and a great tomato, mozzarella and avocado salad. The interior is light and bright with large windows, polished wood and chrome fittings. It does get busy at weekends and diners should book if they want to visit on a Friday or Saturday night.

39A Queensferry Street
Tel: (0131) 226 2977.
Price: £20. Wine: £11.50.

Bell's Diner
Small and popular Stockbridge restaurant where yearnings for burgers and steaks are easily satisfied. The burgers are the real highlights in a buzzy place that is not ideal for cosy couples but is great for no nonsense affordable food that fills people up before another round of sightseeing.

7 Saint Stephen St
Tel: (0131) 225 8116.
Price: £16. Wine: £11.50.

Café Hub
In the heart of the Old Town, Café Hub is housed in the headquarters of Edinburgh’s International Festival. This lively café is modern and arty, with lots of bright yellow and blue hues, as well as modern artworks on the wall. While it serves coffee, sandwiches and snacks throughout the day, it also offers more substantial dishes at night. The food is good quality and the menu features dishes such as saffron risotto and the freshest of salads. The atmosphere is generally relaxed – except during the Festival, of course.

Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 473 2067. Fax: (0131) 473 2016.
E-mail: thehub@eif.co.uk
Website: www.eif.co.uk/thehub
Price: £22. Wine: £10.50.

Personal Recommendations

The Boat House
You could not be any closer to the water than at the Boat House, a great little seafood restaurant tucked on the water’s edge in the historic suburb of South Queensferry. The owner Paul Steward is as friendly and unpretentious as the rest of the staff, helping make all diners feel welcome as well as helping them explore a menu that features both domestic seafood and some more exotic options. Call ahead for a coveted window table.

19b High Street, South Queensferry
Tel/Fax: (0131) 331 5429.
Price: £25. Wine: £11.50.

Hadrian's
This light and bright brasserie is the Balmoral’s other restaurant option. It may not have a Michelin star like its famous sibling, but it does offer a variety of well chosen modern classics as well as Scottish favourite like haggis, neeps and tatties laced with whisky and cream sauce. For a relaxed business lunch or an informal evening meal, Hadrian’s hits the spot. The revamped NB’s Bar next door is now directly linked to Hadrian’s with a tempting cocktail list for pre-dinner drinks.

2 North Bridge
Tel: (0131) 557 5000. Fax: (0131) 557 3747.
E-mail: hadrians@thebalmoralhotel.com
Website: www.thebalmoralhotel.com
Price: £25. Wine: £17.

Kalpna
Situated in the area of Edinburgh dominated by the university, Kalpna is an Indian restaurant that even has Indians queuing to get in. It is small, simply decorated and unpretentious inside, but the food (all of which is vegetarian) is delicious and inspired. Specialities include spicy Kashmiri dishes and lots of pistachios, and the kulfi (Indian ice cream) is especially creamy. Good value set lunches at £4.50.

2-3 St Patrick’s Square
Tel: (0131) 667 9890.
Price: £15. Wine: £10.

Number One
Dining at Number One is widely acknowledged to be a sumptuous experience, with excellent service in classic surroundings. The restaurant is actually part of The Balmoral hotel but is also popular with the locals partly because it now boasts a well-deserved Michelin star. Main courses range from sea bream with ratte potatoes and asparagus through to assiette of Peelham Farm Tamworth pig, morel and pea risotto with truffle jus. For those who like to taste a bit of everything, there is a chef’s tasting menu, featuring six small courses picked from the main menu at £60 or £90 with accompanying wines for each course. Desserts are indulgent and delicious.

2 North Bridge
Tel: (0131) 557 6727. Fax: (0131) 557 3747.
Website: www.thebalmoralhotel.com
E-mail: numberone@thebalmoralhotel.com
Price: £40. Wine: £16.50.

The Shore Bar and Restaurant
There is a relaxed feeling to eating at The Shore, because the restaurant, with its plain wooden floors and paper tablecloths, is right next to the bar. Located in the heart of Leith’s trendy dockside area, it is popular with locals and visitors alike. Modern European food is usually on the menu, which includes dishes like spicy grilled sardines or sautéed scallops with cabbage mash and basil and almond pesto. Fish is a house speciality and the menu changes daily.

3-4 The Shore, Leith
Tel/Fax: (0131) 553 5080.
Price: £25. Wine: £13.50.

Suruchi
Opposite the Festival Theatre, Suruchi serves exceptionally good northern Indian vegetarian cuisine but also features mouth-watering dishes from across the Indian subcontinent. The menu is bilingual: it gives the Indian name of the dish and a description in Scots, the language that many Scottish people speak, a language which is recognised as more than a dialect but does not feature on many menus around town.

14-A Nicolson Street
Tel: (0131) 556 6583. Fax: (0131) 622 7227.
Website: www.suruchirestaurant.co.uk
Price: £22. Wine: £10.