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

Le Caf St Honor
There is a really romantic feel to this cosy French restaurant tucked away down a central side street. 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 ‘aprs-cinq’ fixed menu, which is served between 1700 and 1845, is good value (12 for two courses and 18 for three). Dishes include baked monkfish with wild mushrooms and parmesan or boeuf bourguignon with mash.

34 North West Thistle Street Lane
Tel: (0131) 226 2211. Fax: (0131) 477 2716.
Website: www.cafesthonore.com
Price: 24.50. Wine: 12.50.

Restaurant Martin Wishart
This acclaimed Leith restaurant is the only one in Edinburgh to have gained a Michelin star. 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 classic French dishes, such as pot-roasted pork cheek. A two course lunch costs 14.50 (or 18 for three courses) and there is a six-course tasting menu for 45.

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: 35. Wine: 28.00.

The Atrium
Situated in the same building as the Traverse Theatre, The Atrium offers sophisticated, contemporary Scottish cuisine with a French flavour, such as roast Perthshire lamb with fennel tatin or pithivier of goat’s cheese with courgettes and aubergine. 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.

10 Cambridge Street
Tel: (0131) 228 8882. Fax: (0131) 228 8808.
Website: www.atriumrestaurant.co.uk
Price: 35 (set dinner 25.00). Wine: 14.00.

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 dine by candlelight on dishes such as rack of lamb or oysters and can choose from an extensive wine list.

Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 5613. Fax: (0131) 220 4392.
E-mail: mail@thewitchery.com
Website: www.thewitchery.com
Price: 30. Wine: 13.75.

Business

Britannia Spice
There is not a bit of flock wallpaper in sight at this clean, modern Indian restaurant in Leith. Instead, 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: sales@britanniaspice.c.uk
Website: www.britanniaspice.co.uk
Price: 17. Wine: 7.45.

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 and a two-course set lunch is available for 7.50.

73 Hanover Street
Tel: (0131) 225 5755.
E-mail: info@nargile.co.uk
Website: www.nargile.co.uk
Price: 14. Wine 9.95.

Rogue
It would be easy for one to miss this restaurant, which is hidden in an un-preposessing street in the West End, on the ground floor of the Scottish Widows building. However, it is worth seeking out for its unusual and interesting dishes, which include braised lamb shank with rosemary and barley broth or desserts like chocolate tart with ivory ice cream. It also has a striking interior with lots of steel, white walls, a gold alcove and a bar inlaid with different woods.

67 Morrison Street
Tel: (0131) 228 2700. Fax: (0131) 228 3299.
E-mail: info@rogues-uk.com
Website: www.rogues-uk.com
Price: 20. Wine: 14.50.

Thai Lemongrass
This new kid on the Edinburgh block has already proved a favourite with those in the know, so booking is advised. As the title suggests, cuisine is Thai and dishes might included monkfish in coconut cream or red snapper in green mango salad. The decor is fairly relaxed with lots of earthy shades, wooden chairs and slate floors. Only open at lunchtime from Fri-Sun, open daily for dinner.
40-41 Bruntsfield Place
Tel: (0131) 229 2225 Fax: (0131) 229 8544.
Price: 22 Wine: 8.95

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 new 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. Popular dishes include seared chicken with basil mash or grilled calf’s liver with smoked bacon and butter mash. A two-course theatre supper, which costs 12, is available between 1600 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: 25-30. Wine: 12.00.

Trendy

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, confit of onion and a gravy.

10 Cambridge Street
Tel: (0131) 221 1222. Fax: (0131) 228 8808.
Website: www.bluebarcafe.com
Price: 25. Wine: 13.50.

Daniel's
With metal chairs and sleek wooden floors, Daniel’s has a contemporary feel, appropriate for its position in the new docklands development in Leith. The food is French (Alsatian, in fact) and features distinctive dishes such as choucroute, knuckle of pork and tartiflette (a calorific meal of sauted potatoes, smoky bacon, cheese and crme frache).

88 Commercial Street, Leith
Tel: (0131) 553 5933. Fax: (0131) 553 3966.
Price: 20. Wine: 10.95.

Est Est Est
Bright, contemporary and lively, this is one of the city’s most popular Italian restaurants. The Edinburgh branch of this popular UK chain has taken off in a big way in the city and caters for everyone from families to trendy twosomes. The pizzas are particularly good. It is advisable to book in advance on Friday and Saturday nights.

135 George Street
Tel: (0131) 225 2555. Fax: (0131) 226 6103.
E-mail: estestest@ccruk.com
Website: www.estestest.co.uk
Price: 18. Wine: 10.95.

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.

1 The Shore, Leith
Tel: (0131) 554 5666.
Price: 23. Wine: 9.75.

Harvey Nichols Forth Floor
The restaurant, bar and brasserie on the fourth floor of Edinburgh’s slick new Harvey Nichols store, is one of the smartest new places to eat in the city. The restaurant has a clean, minimalist interior and boasts great views over to the castle and across the 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 Szechuan peppered tuna with wok-fried vegetables. In the restaurant, the favourites include pecorino and herb risotto with roasted vegetables. 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: 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 Cajun chicken to blackened swordfish. This sleek, retro bar/restaurant is also the place to come for James Bond-style pre-dinner cocktails.

55A Frederick Street
Tel: (0131) 622 7800. Fax: (0131) 622 7801.
E-mail: info@ricksedinburgh.co.uk
Website: www.ricksedinburgh.co.uk
Price: 20. Wine: 12.25.

The Apartment
Close to the King’s Theatre, this crisp, clean restaurant is one of the trendiest places to eat in the city. 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: 16. Wine: 9.90.

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: 18. Wine: 10.95.

Caf Hub
In the heart of the Old Town, Caf Hub is housed in the headquarters of Edinburgh’s International Festival. This lively caf 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: 20. Wine: 10.50.

Le Sept
Tucked away in the medieval Old Town, just off the Royal Mile, Le Sept is one of the city’s favourite restaurants. The atmosphere is comfortable and laid-back (a good place for one to visit with friends) and the decor is very simple, with wooden floors, small wooden tables and black and white French photos on the wall. Fish is a speciality in this French restaurant, the filled crpes are good and there is an extensive wine list.

7 Old Fishmarket Close
Tel: (0131) 225 5428.
Website: www.eloc.demon.co.uk/index.html
Price: 20. Wine: 12.50.

Personal Recommendations

Black Bo’s
Hidden away down a side street off the Royal Mile, Black Bo’s is a small but very popular vegetarian restaurant. The dusky interior with old wooden tables gives the venue a bohemian atmosphere. Attracting a wide range of people from students to business types, the food is adventurous and a world away from the ‘lentils and brown rice’ school of vegetarian cookery. Mains include peanut and blue cheese strudels with a port, plum and honey sauce, while desserts include a rich Belgian chocolate ice cream.

57-61 Blackfriars Street
Tel: (0131) 557 6136.
Price: 20. Wine: 12.50.

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.

2-3 St Patrick’s Square
Tel: (0131) 667 9890.
Price: 14. Wine: 9.50.

La P’tite Folie
Plain wooden floors and chairs and cheery plastic tablecloths give this restaurant a relaxed atmosphere. The food is French and the menu changes daily. Dishes might include roast breast of duck or chargrilled steak with a pepper sauce.

61 Frederick Street
Tel: (0131) 225 7983.
E-mail: laptitefolie_uk@yahoo.com
Website: www.geocities.com/laptitefolie_uk
Price: 20. Wine: 9.10.

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. Main courses range from best end of lamb to organic salmon with sorrel sauce, while desserts include dark chocolate tart with white chocolate hazelnut ice cream or poached pear in blackcurrant with poire william mousseline. 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. Desserts are indulgent and delicious.

2 North Bridge
Tel: (0131) 557 5000.
E-mail: numberone@thebalmoralhotel.com
Price: 35.00. Wine: 16.

Songkran
Tucked away in the pretty Stockbridge area of the city, this Thai restaurant is decorated with statues of Buddha, polished wood and dark green tablecloths. It offers good value and authentic-tasting food. There is a good vegetarian selection, unusual Thai salads and a large range of curries, such as gang keow wan (a hot green curry with coconut milk).

8 Gloucester Street, Stockbridge
Tel: (0131) 225 4804.
Price: 17.95. Wine: 10.50

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 chorizo sausage, mozzarella and herbs served with samphire or sauted 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: 12.95.