10 of the best restaurants in Edinburgh

There's no need to settle for generic, touristy restaurants in Edinburgh. Food

blogger Jonathan Jones's favourites are an eclectic mix but all have fine food to shout
about
As featured in our Edinburgh city guide

Jonathan Jones
Wednesday 12 October 2011 10.30 BST

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The Ship on the Shore

Many tourists head to Leith to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia but many neglect
to stop at The Shore. That's a shame as this area by the water is home to some of
Edinburgh's most welcoming and best quality restaurants. The Ship on the Shore
focuses on seafood, with the catch of the day joined by a host of regulars,
including a mean seafood chowder. If the sight of water isn't enough to perk up
the seafarer inside you then surely the nautical maps along the wall will. Try a

bowl of steamed Shetland mussels they'll provide you with an enduring

memory of this fine City.
24-26 Shore, Leith, 0131-555 0409, theshipontheshore.co.uk. Open 7 days
noon-10pm (ship's breakfast served 9am-11am), average main 18

Castle Terrace

This is the sister restaurant to Edinburgh's Michelin-starred The Kitchin. Enjoy

a drink in the bar or, even better, wait to be invited down to the chef's table,
which overlooks Dominic Jack's kitchen although seeing the preparation of the
beautiful food makes choosing a dish even harder. Perhaps put your faith in the
Surprise Tasting Menu (60), from which the pistachio souffle lingers long in
the memory. Inside the dining room patches of purple puncture calming neutral
tones this is a place where whole evenings pass with ease.
33/35 Castle Terrace, 0131-229 1222, castleterracerestaurant.com. Tues-Sat
noon-2pm, 6.30pm-10pm, average main 24

Ondine

Ondine has been a breath of fresh air for Edinburgh's seafood scene. After
opening in late 2009, it soon picked up a host of awards for the near-perfect
manner in which the locally sourced seafood is prepared. Work your way
through the oysters, feast on the sea bream curry or push the boat out and try
the roast shellfish platter. Huge glass windows provide views of Edinburgh's old
town, while the silver-topped horseshoe bar provides an impressive internal
focal point. Post meal, go for a nightcap in the stylish bar of the Missoni
Hotel next door.
2 George IV Bridge, 0131-226 1888, ondinerestaurant.co.uk. Open 7 days
noon-3pm, 5.30pm-10pm, average main 22

La Favorita

Photograph: theedinb
urghblog.co.uk on Flickr/ Some rights reserved

La Favorita is a modern pizzeria, with black-topped tables and whitewashed

walls. In recent years, owner Tony Crolla has expanded his brand to include a
takeaway fleet of Mini Coopers and a mobile van, complete with a log-fired pizza
oven. Yet it is the original restaurant on Leith Walk that continues to offer what
is surely Edinburgh's best pizza, with their thin crispy bases and superb quality
ingredients. That said, overlooking La Favorita's pasta and regularly changing
specials would be unfair; their saltimbocca is superb.
325-331 Leith Walk, 0131-554 2430 (restaurant), 0131 555 5564
(takeaway),la-favorita.com. Restaurant and takeaway open noon-11pm every
day, pizza from 10

Wedgwood

Photograph: Mike
Wilkinson
When this restaurant opened four years ago it sent out a clear message that on
Edinburgh's touristy Royal Mile you could still find seriously good restaurants
with seriously interesting menus. Many a business in this historic location would
be tempted to bask in their success; maybe put their feet up and watch the
tourist money roll in. Not Wedgwood; its pigeon served with haggis, neeps and
tatties is as unusual as it is delicious. Try to avoid being seated downstairs, as the
natural light of the street-level dining room is where you will enjoy this inventive
and innovative experience the most.
267 Canongate, 0131-558 8737, wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk. Mon-Sat
noon-3pm, dinner from 6pm, Sun 12.30pm-3pm, dinner from 6pm, average
main 20

Kweilin

While its decor is traditional paintings of China adorn the walls and paper
lanterns hang from the ceiling Kweilin's food is spectacular. The wafer paper
prawns are the best I've ever eaten and the eight treasures duck a breast of
braised duck buried deep in various fish and meats is an all-time favourite.
Monkfish, halibut and lobster all make appearances on the seafood-heavy menu.
The prices might be a little higher than your average Chinese restaurant but then
so is the quality of food.
19/21 Dundas St, 0131-557 1875, kweilin.net. Tues-Sun noon-2pm, 5pm-11pm,
Fri and Sat until 11.30pm, Sun 5pm-11pm, average main 15

The Grain Store

When eating out in Edinburgh it's not unreasonable to expect the very best
Scottish meat and fish. The Grain Store consistently delivers, with its venison,
beef and lamb never failing to impress. The upstairs setting sums up all that is

great about Edinburgh: an intimate dining room, moody lighting, bare-brick

walls and views of picture-perfect Victoria Street. The three-course lunch for 15
has been running for a long time and offers superb value.
30 Victoria Street, 0131-225 7635, grainstore-restaurant.co.uk. Mon-Fri
noon-2pm, 6pm-10pm, Sat noon-3pm, 6pm-11pm, Sun 6pm-10pm (closed on
Sundays in October), average main 24

The Honours

Martin Wishart's in Leith is probably Edinburgh's best outright restaurant (with

a correspondingly expensive menu and long waiting list to match). So there was
much anticipation before the Michelin-starred chef opened this classic brasserie.
The interior is lined with marble, huge mirrors and grand lampshades bathing
the interior in a golden hue. The menu has depth, appeal and grabs your interest
in a way many newcomers cannot: there are surely few restaurants where you
can start with a pressed pigs head terrine and end with an ice-cream sundae. The
Honours has 70 covers and there will be few nights when all are not taken.
58a North Castle Street, 0131-220 2513, thehonours.co.uk. Tues-Sat noon2.30pm, 6pm-10pm, average main 16

Dusit

Photograph: FotoFlin
g Scotland on Flickr
Dusit is a Thai restaurant a notch or two above the norm. Situated on quirky
Thistle St, it rubs shoulders with champagne bars and designer boutiques. It
simply doesn't do disappointing dishes but you'll be most mesmerised if you
order anything with scallops, king prawns or monkfish. For meat lovers, some
dishes can be ordered with venison, providing a Scottish twist to classic Thai
recipes.
49a Thistle Street, 0131-220 6846, dusit.co.uk. Mon-Sat noon-3pm, 6pm11pm, Sun noon-11pm, average main 15

Sushiya

Photograph: milchpu
der on Flickr/ Some rights reserved
This small restaurant has been satisfying sushi cravings for as long as I can
remember but as its popularity has risen so has the competition for seats.

Through the huge front window you'll see diners perched on stools; food
competing for space on cramped tables and a sushi chef working his magic at the
rear. No wonder Sushiya has a buzz similar restaurants lack. Enjoy a selection of
the excellent salmon and tuna sushi, then follow with the delicious soupbasedudon (noodles).
19 Dalry Road, 0131-313 3222, sushiya.co/. Tues-Sun noon-10.30pm, sushi
and noodles 15
Jonathan Jones writes for The Edinburgh Blog