Where to eat out in spring in Edinburgh

This independent, family-run restaurant is located in an atmospheric 19th century warehouse in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, with a spacious dining room featuring wooden floorboards, cosy seating and a wood-burning stove. Timberyard’s menu is an artful amalgamation of British and Nordic cuisine, classic French cookery techniques and seasonal Scottish produce. Head Chef James Murray has a culinary style which has been described as ‘hyper-seasonal and ingredient led’, and he creates some truly beautiful dishes featuring ingredients which have been foraged, pickled, and smoked to produce some seriously incredible flavours. The drinks list is equally adventurous, with botanical cocktails, kombucha and an intriguing selection of ales, spirits, and wine. If you’re looking for an exceptional dining experience this spring, Timberyard will not disappoint.

Talking of new starts, how about a trip to Newhaven? This harbourside eatery focuses on simple, well cooked food, with an unpretentious but refined a la carte menu of starters, mains and puds. Dishes are created around availability of produce, with two and three course set prices offered at lunchtime, ideal for those wanting fancier food on a budget. Its exposed whitewashed stone walls, accents of deep blue, stripped floorboards and rustic drift-wood style pillars create a breezy, maritime vibe that matches its waterfront location. The venue, having recently reopened under new management, is proving popular with locals especially. So as it has just 14 covers, do book ahead.

An enterprise from the Dean Banks Group, Dulse is a sustainable seafood restaurant in the West End. It showcases the freshest Scottish catches, because like all other genres of food, the fruits de mer are more prolific at certain times than others. In the UK this means you’ll see more ingredients like scallops, lobster, squid and crab on the menu at this time of year, as well as the “day boat special”. At Dulse, everything is designed to be seasonal and uncomplicated; each dish comprises one hero ingredient, augmented by a small number of additional ones. Not only is this better for the environment, it means the fare is natural, rather than full of pesticides and chemicals. 

If you’re thinking of venturing out to the trendy neighbourhood of Stockbridge on a sunny day in spring, why not dine al fresco at Pepe Nero and enjoy some freshly made Italian food and cocktails at one of the patio tables? Start off with some delightful antipasti such as arancini, calamari, Caprese salad or an Italian antipasti board. For the main course, there’s an extensive selection of pasta and risotto dishes, including Italian classics such as spaghetti carbonara, seafood risotto, lasagne, and spinach and ricotta ravioli. The homemade 12” pizzas are equally delicious, and there’s also a wide selection of fresh meat and fish dishes as well as an incredibly tempting dessert menu. Vegetarian diners have plenty of options at Pepe Nero, and half portions are available on request for children. Seating is limited at this popular eatery, so ensure you book to avoid disappointment!

First Coast, named after a small village in the west of Scotland, is a quality neighbourhood restaurant in the west of Edinburgh, serving top-quality modern Scottish food at reasonable prices in a friendly, relaxed environment. Open for lunch and dinner, you can expect mouthwatering dishes such as crispy cod with yellow rice and broccoli, or duck ragu with pappardelle and parmesan – to name a few.