What’s the vibe at Timberyard?
Timberyard is a very special spot on the Edinburgh restaurant scene – mostly because it nails so many of the things required for an excellent meal out. Firstly, there’s the room itself. Timberyard is, as you might have guessed, a former timber yard. It has been converted beautifully, tastefully, serenely – as though the whole building, and the outside courtyard, were being prepared for a design shoot. Funnily enough, it has already modelled for several.
Vast whitewashed brick walls and exposed wooden beams frame the main dining room. Scandinavian ceramics are dotted artfully around, while bright, but not brashy, red tartan blankets hang over the backs of seats, and natural light beams in through giant windows.
What’s the food like?
The menu, headed up by Bart Stratfold, changes weekly, and has two options, both delightfully small and refined. The lunch menu is three courses for £80, and you get a choice between a few dishes on offer. Snacks (and lobster) come at an extra cost – some are rather fancy, like the Cumbrae oyster and the £65 caviar tin. The full shebang, the summer tasting menu, is £130 for four snacks and four courses including pudding, and it’s something pretty special. Wine pairings is another £110, or pair with softs for £65.
What about the space?
It’s got the cleaned-up, industrial look down perfectly, and even the staff look as though they’ve been carefully art directed – their beards, braces, tattoos, striped aprons and quiffs are all impeccable. If any of that makes Timberyard sound too hipster-by-numbers, don’t worry – it’s not style over substance, it just pays attention to the details. It’s a family-run business, and owner-operators the Radfords – along with their extended team of ‘small, local, artisan growers, breeders, producers, suppliers and foragers’ – have you in very safe hands.
This review was fact-checked and updated in 2025.