Top places to eat out this autumn in Edinburgh

Located in the heart of Leith, The Walnut is an intimate restaurant serving high quality, home-style British plates. The interior is compact and minimalistic, and while it might not be the kind of space that makes you immediately think of cosy autumn afternoons, friendly staff contribute to the pleasant atmosphere that allows you to unwind and focus on enjoying the food. Speaking of which, the venue prides itself on utilising seasonal ingredients to create dishes that reflect each time of the year. If you’re a foodie looking to celebrate the new season by trying new flavours, you won’t be disappointed. The menu currently consists of dishes such as roast chicken, curried cauliflower and potato pie, alongside crispy beef shin and haggis croquette.

Autumn is the perfect opportunity to take a stroll around the city as tourists are long gone and Christmas is still a few weeks away; you can admire the view from Edinburgh Castle and then walk along Victoria Street, one of the most stunning areas of Edinburgh. To recharge your batteries, stop by Howies, a relaxed Scottish restaurant serving seasonal offerings. On the menu, you’ll find dishes such as pea and leek risotto, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Thanks to a stylish but relaxed interior, it’s the perfect place for a date or meeting with your friends; as autumn is about embracing the present don’t postpone making plans with people who are special to you.

Autumn is arguably the most beautiful season of the year. In the beginning, the weather isn’t freezing cold yet and trees turn orange and yellow, which makes it the perfect time to take more walks in nature. Mix it up with good food and you’ll have a recipe for a refreshing afternoon. Due to the proximity to the Water of Leith, we recommend you visit The Tollhouse, a restaurant serving locally sourced food. The menu is updated every month to reflect seasonal changes but you can currently order British and European dishes such as pork belly with apple and cinnamon, rosemary crushed potato and balsamic glaze reduction. The venue has a terrace where you can admire the colourful landscape and spot wildlife if you’re lucky enough.

In daylight, The King’s Wark might look like unassuming, but when the sun sets and the candles are lit the rustic setting looks exceptionally cosy, which makes it a must-visit during the autumn season. The food is prepared using local produce and presented in a modern style. You can warm yourself up with a soup of the day, then go for one of the filling mains; we recommend trying the seafood bowl (a tomato broth with garlic bread). Scottish seafood and shellfish are what the restaurant is most passionate about promoting and it shows in the quality of dishes. 

Old Town is the most photographed area in Edinburgh and it looks even more stunning in autumn. Whether the weather is warm and sunny or chilly and dark, it’s worth taking a stroll through the city and then rewarding yourself with good food. Scott’s Kitchen boasts a great location as it has a terrace overlooking Victoria Street where you can enjoy a hot meal and a coffee. Or you can choose to sit inside the stylish restaurant and stay a little longer with a glass of wine. The menu is a mix of locally sourced international and Scottish dishes. For example, small plates include string fries with aioli dip and mains include classics such as Caeser salad or homemade macaroni cheese.