Edinburgh’s best fine dining restaurants

Situated on the historic Royal Mile, Wedgwood is a culinary destination that celebrates Scotland’s larder. With a focus on seasonal produce, the dishes are refined and expertly balanced. Knock-out vegetarian dishes (like the BBQ courgette with creme fraîche, potato, paprika and onion) rub shoulders with meatier fare (like Dumfries pigeon breast served alongside an olive and tomato tapenade) and stellar fish dishes, too. The staff are friendly and professional and the plating of all the dishes is gorgeous — a real foodie oasis.

Prepare for a Michelin starred extravaganza at Restaurant Martin Wishart in Leith. Here, French culinary artistry meets Scottish flavours. The tasting menus are an exquisite journey into gourmet dining, with past highlights including girolles, fregola, Vin Jaune velouté and roast duck breast served with duck liver parfait. This is a real celebration spot; with stunning views of the Shore and luxurious tablecloths, candles and service, we can’t recommend this restaurant enough if you have a special event coming up. Make sure that you leave room for dessert, the Valrhona chocolate delice served with pistachio cream and yoghurt sorbet is something to behold.

Seafood enthusiasts rejoice at Fishers, nestled in trendy Leith. This charming spot serves up the freshest catches, and the seafood platter is a tantalising showcase of ocean delights. The team is warm and welcoming, and is more than happy to lend expert advice on all the dishes. The atmosphere is fairly casual, but make no mistake the food here is nothing short of sublime. With a killer drinks menu to boot (featuring an array of interesting and unusual tipples), this one’s hard to beat.

Hidden away in Broughton Street, Fhior is a Scandinavian-inspired culinary oasis that continually reinvents its menu with the seasons. With gorgeous wooden furnishings, ambient lighting and slick service, it’s one of the most calming spots in the city to enjoy a meal. The food is simple (each dish comprising just three main elements) which truly allows the top-notch ingredients to shine. Be sure to explore the innovative dessert creations, which are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. We adored the refined take on rhubarb and custard!

Ondine, located just off the Royal Mile, offers proper seafood with amazing worldwide flavours. Think classic fish soup enhanced with North African spices and Shetland Mussels cooked in an Asian broth of fermented ginger and black bean with freshly shredded coriander. For those of you on a budget but still want to enjoy some fine dining, we recommend stopping in for Oyster Happy Hour for five varieties of oyster to choose from.

Timberyard is a family-run Edinburgh restaurant, just a short stroll from the city centre. With a farm-to-table ethos and delicious food, the family (Ben, Jo, Abi, Lisa and Andrew) are very proud to have achieved their first Michelin star. Ingredients are carefully sourced from local artisan growers, breeders, producers, suppliers and foragers, and feature almost medieval sounding delights such as knot root. With a courtyard, wood burning stove and tartan blankets to wrap up with, this is one fine dining experience in Edinburgh you mustn’t miss.

Dine first burst onto the Edinburgh scene in 2015 and has been going from strength to strength ever since. A contemporary brasserie mixed with champagne and cocktail lounge in the city centre of Edinburgh, Dine is the ideal place for a pre- or post-show meal. People rave about the food here and with Michelin starred chef Stuart Muir behind the menu, is it any wonder?

Dean Banks’ latest fine dining restaurant has landed in Edinburgh. Dean and his team have taken over the historic Pompadour restaurant at Waldorf Astoria, The Caledonian Hotel on Princes Street. The restaurant embraces the same ethos as Haar Restaurant, St Andrews and showcases the best of land and sea. The menu constantly evolves, reflecting the seasons. Dean heroes the Scottish land and seas, producing a menu which showcases the country’s natural resources. This includes the very best local produce from Edinburgh, Fife and beyond. Foraged seasonal produce is preserved to enjoy the fruits of summer year-round. Each guest will enjoy a sensory experience like no other, which will leave a lasting memory.