If you’re among the thousands and thousands of folk heading to Edinburgh for its world-famous Fringe Festival over the coming weeks, take it from us – all that laughing and traipsing around the city is going to work up a healthy appetite.
While can’t guarantee that every Fringe show you stumble upon will be any good (except these ones – they’re great), we can promise that there are countless cafes and restaurants that will keep you extremely well-fed in between. We’ve updated our list of Edinburgh’s best restaurants for Fringe season 2025, featuring plenty of firm favourites and several newcomers that you simply must know about.
Taking place at top of the list is Stuart Ralston’s Michelin star diner Lyla. In her five-star review of the Royal Terrace spot, Edinburgh local Chiara Wilkinson wrote: ‘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.
‘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.’
Everyone’s Lyla experience begins on its upper floor with apéritifs, Champagne and snacks, before you’re taken downstairs for the main event. Once on the ground floor, you can expect elegant, artfully presented dishes such as smoked trout chawanmushi (a Japanese savoury custard), crisp-covered Scottish langoustine or cured kingfish, with apple cucumber and caviar. If you’re on more of a budget, the restaurant also offers five or seven course lunches for £65 or £95.
Our second best restaurant in Edinburgh for 2025 is a new addition – modern European bistro The Palmerston. Time Out contributor Olivia Simpson visited the restaurant in the city’s West End last month and, in her five-star review, said: ‘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 mackerel with artichokes, pork and prune terrine with cornichons and caramelised brown sugar ice cream. It’s all excellent.’
Starters at The Palmerston sit at around £8-14 while mains range from £19 for the vegetarian dishes up to £45 for a half roast chicken with chips and mustard sauce, designed to be shared between two.
Eleanore on Leith Walk took third place and in at number four was another newcomer (also from the Eleanore team) Ardfern. Local critic Hayley Scott called it ‘cool, laid-back and fuss free’, giving an enthusiastic shoutout to its chilli peanut ribs, burrata, and ‘the formidable baked fish crumpet’.
For more wining and dining in the Scottish capital, check out our lists of its best cheap eats, best brunches, best cocktail bars and best pubs.
The best restaurants in Edinburgh in 2025, according to Time Out.
ICYMI: The Edinburgh bar with the ‘best cocktail menu in the world’.
Plus: Dave’s Joke of the Fringe has officially been cancelled.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out UK newsletter for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.