The best restaurants in Edinburgh to book in 2025

What is it? A top-tier fine-dining restaurant where the surroundings are as elegant as the dishes. 

Why we love it: It’s hard to know where to start with Lyla, Stuart Ralston’s fourth Edinburgh venture: sometimes, you’re left quite literally speechless at the intricacy of it all. Situated in a towering Royal Terrace townhouse which previously housed the late Paul Kitching’s 21212, ingredients are sourced from all over Scotland with a focus on sustainably caught seafood and foraged goods. You’ll leave feeling indulged, of course, but in a chic way, like you’ve just walked into the city after a night at the opera. It won’t come cheap – the ten course tasting menu checks in at £165 per head – but for the standard of service, food and everything in between, it really doesn’t disappoint. 

Time Out tip: Book yourself into one of the luxury upstairs bedrooms and roll directly from dessert into bed.

Address: 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB, Scotland

Opening hours: Wednesday-Thursday 7-8pm, Friday-Saturday 12.30-1.30pm, 7-8pm, closed Sunday-Tuesday

What is it? A modern European restaurant located in a former bank with seasonality and sustainability at the forefront. 

Why we love it: There’s a real sense of occasion here, with a few thoughtful touches we really loved, like the Ainsley Harriet drawing on the wall, and the cow statues above the bar. But mostly, we love the food: exceptional, locally-sourced meat, fish and seasonal veg dishes. We tried mackarel with artichokes, pork and prune terrine with cornichons and caramelised brown sugar ice cream. It’s all excellent. 

Time Out tip: Go by the waiter’s recommendations for wine pairings – the chilled red we tried from Sicily was a perfect match. 

Address: 1 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AF, Scotland

Opening hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-2.30pm, 6-9.45pm, Saturday 9am-2.30pm, 6-9.30pm, Sunday 9am-3.30pm. Closed on Mondays

What is it? Relaxed neighbourhood dining and wining at the top of Leith Walk. 

Why we love it: This low-key but irresistible jaunt from chef Roberta Hall – the mind behind sister resto The Little Chartroom – ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. The vibe is spot on: all industrial Scandi-esque neutrals with lots of light and a healthy hum of chatter and clatter. The food is done to a mouth-wateringly high standard with a pretty reasonable price tag for what you’re getting (£70 per person for a set dinner menu with £45 for paired wines). This is playful, modern cooking, executed with a natural flair.

Time Out tip: Eleanore goes above and beyond to cater for dietaries, so long as you tell them in advance (the same can’t be said for every tasting menu in this list).

Address: 30-31 Albert Place, Leith Walk, Edinburgh EH7 5HN, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Thursday 1-2pm, 6.30-11pm, Friday-Saturday 1-2pm, 6-11pm, closed Sunday

What is it? This all-day cafe, bar and bottle shop is the newest venture from Roberta Hall-McCarron and the team behind The Little Chartroom and Eleanore. 

Why we love it: In a sentence, Ardfern is cool, laid-back and fuss free. The menu is small plates – chilli peanut ribs, burrata, and the formidable baked fish crumpet (complete with smokey hollandaise and a perfectly poached egg) – and they’re all fabulous. Service is fast and friendly, wines are well-priced and they do some fabulous cocktails too. 

Time Out tip: End your meal with a peach sour, featuring peach liqueur and Amarosa – it was our liquid highlight of the night. 

Address: 10-12 Bonnington Road, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 5JD, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-late, Sunday 9am-7pm

What is it? Exciting fine-dining with a late-night mood – and none of the chin-stroking you’d expect from a 16-course taster menu. 

Why we love it: Cardinal is the latest venture from chef Tomás Gormley: one of the minds behind Leith’s Michelin-starred Heron. Here, the staff are super laid-back, Honey Dijon and Jamie XX soundtrack the background, and the drinks pairing, which seemed to have an emphasis on female producers and biodynamic numbers, is gorgeously curated. All of this makes the extensive (to say at the least) 16 courses feel accessible, or at least less wanky. Boldly thought out and innovative, the food itself is, for the most part, divine. If you’re after a meal which doubles as a night out, this is the place for you.

Time Out tip: They also offer a more concise tasting menu available on select days for lunch and dinner.  

What is it? The second restaurant from Aizle’s Stuart Ralston is a New York-inspired affair.

Why go? For a taste of NY in Edinburgh’s New Town, Noto is the place to go. But don’t expect standard American diner-style food. Instead, Noto focuses on Asian cuisine with an American flavour that’s served up on sharing plates in a minimalist setting. The menu features dishes like cured trout with radish, wasabi and apple ponzu and aubergine tonkatsu with kimchi and pickled ginger.

Time Out tip: If you’re visiting in a big group (seven or more), you can arrange for a set menu at £50 per head – email in advance to arrange it. 

Address: 47a Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DY, Scotland

Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 12-2.30pm, 5.30-9pm

What is it? Buzzy fine dining restaurant with soothing views over the Water of Leith. 

Why we love it: Heron has made some serious moves since opening in 2021. It won a Michelin star in 2023, – chefs Sam Yorke and Tomás Gormley were the youngest in Scotland to receive the recognition – and spotlights farm to table dining, meaning everything on the menu is inconceivably fresh. A-la-carte and two tasting menus are on offer, always changing to reflect the best of the seasons. Think: hand-dived Orkney scallops with blood orange, mackerel with fig leaf and hazelnut, Gubbeen cheese with heather honey.

Address: 87-91a Henderson Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6ED, Scotland

Opening hours: Wednesday-Friday 5.30-9pm, Saturday-Sunday 12-2pm, 5.30-9pm. Closed Monday-Tuesday

What is it? Elaborate dishes in an artistic setting.

Why we love it: Timberyard nails so many of the requirements for an excellent meal out: expect a well-crafted tasting menu, and a smaller, cheaper lunch menu, both featuring their fabulous snacks to start. It’s a family-run business, and owner-operators the Radfords – along with their extended team of local growers, breeders, producers and foragers – have you in very safe hands.

Time Out tip: If you don’t want to go for the whole shebang, Timberyard does a smaller lunch menu for £80. 

Address: 10 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh EH3 9DS, Scotland

Opening hours: Thursday 5-11pm, Friday-Sunday 12-3pm, 5.30-11pm. Closed Monday-Wednesday

What is it? An easy-going pizza joint serving up slices which are meals in themselves.

Why we love it: There are now four Civerinos locations in the Burgh: their flagship restaurant just off the Royal Mile, as well as Portobello beach and Forrest road and the new Stockbridge branch. They all serve up delicious New York style offerings, with most variations available to buy as a single slice or full pie (perfect for when you can’t make your mind up). Toppings wise, it’s a bit of a dream come true: choose everything from buttermilk fried chicken and sugo to beefy aubergine and vegan mozz. Delish.

What is it? With a focus on local, foraged ingredients (the chefs are ex-Wedgwood; see below), this snug yet slick restaurant offers quality dining without the stuffiness.

Why we love it: This new couple-owned bistro opened in August 2024, and immediately made noise amongst Edinburgh foodies. As a calmly stripped-back dining room in the student-heavy area of Marchmont, the set dinner menu changes daily – and you really can feel the care that goes into every dish you eat. I tried scallops, jerusalem artichoke and the star of the show: a melt-in-your-mouth cheddar beignet with mountains of fluffy cheese shavings. They do variety here, and they do it damn well. Flavours are rich, dishes are interesting, and the whole thing is served up with a friendly, local vibe. Very nice.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a treat without breaking the bank, they offer a very reasonable three-course lunch menu for £35 a head, or two courses for £30. 

Address: 15 Roseneath Street, Marchmont, Edinburgh EH9 1JH, Scotland

Opening hours: Thursday 6-9.15pm; Friday 5.30-9.15pm; Saturday–Sunday lunch 12-2pm, dinner 5.30-9.15pm. Closed Monday–Wednesday