Where to eat out in Edinburgh this summer

Can’t make it abroad this year? Take the short trip to Six by Nico on Hanover Street instead, where you can experience a unique concept menu. The six course tasting menu by Scotland-based Chef Nico Simeone offers a creative culinary journey, changing every six weeks. Previous themes have been destinations and one of our favourites – A World of Imagination. Courses for this included Heads Or Tails (pork jowl, sweet and sour gherkin and jalapeno, oxtail, cep mushroom and wild garlic); An Apple A Day (liver parfait, burnt granny smith apple, sherry and shallot); and What Came First, The Chicken Or The Egg (breast of chicken, egg yolk cacio é pepe, crispy leg, pickled celeriac and roast chicken cafe au lait). 

You’ve seen him on your telly box, now sample cuisine exclusively curated by the celebrity chef. Located in the Hilton Edinburgh Carlton on North Bridge, this glamorous, yet relaxed restaurant by Marco Pierre White has a brand new menu for summer. Dishes are light and fresh, with ingredients reminiscent of beach holidays at home and abroad. Try the Morecambe Bay brown shrimps with egg mayonnaise or chilled Andalusian tomato soup with fresh basil to start. Follow this with a main dish such as young Burrata cheese with a Panzanella salad or new season lamb skewers with fresh mint pesto. And complete your meal with a tasty dessert, like sparkling wine-poached English strawberries with sweet vanilla cream or Marco’s own summer pudding. The Steakhouse Bar & Grill is open from Monday to Sunday, 5pm to 10pm.

Who needs to go on a cruise, when you can board the good ship Fingal in Leith docks? Those not staying the night can still soak up the atmosphere, by booking a table for dinner and drinks. The outside terrace allows you to take in the stunning views of the harbour up close and watch boats coming and going, as well as the pedestrian activity on the Shore. Tuck into fresh local seafood, steak and salads. And if the weather starts to look iffy, you can always retreat to the elegant indoor dining area. Fingal was once a lighthouse ship (hence the name of the eatery), making it one of the most unique places to hang out in town.

Another great shout for those who like to be on the water, Harbour Bistro is around the headland from The Lighthouse, in Newhaven. This is the fishing village of the city, with a proliferation of seafood restaurants. And it’s just a short stroll from the sands of Wardie Bay; so if you’re up for some wild swimming, you can take a dip, then warm up with some Cullen Skink soup with Arbroath smokies at Harbour Bistro. The restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, ensuring that the dishes are fresh and flavourful and its interior carries a nautical theme that reflects the seaside location. Book in for lunch or dinner from Thursday to Sunday.

Ever tried, and failed, to get an al fresco table at one of Edinburgh’s city centre restaurants with outdoor space? It’s often a tough mission, which is why going suburban might be the answer. Charwood is found in Buckstone, just a short bus hop from Morningside, and has a large outdoor seating area with a pretty water feature. On a sunny day, it has a fantastic, family-friendly beer-garden vibe, with great value grilled food and fresh from the wood-fired oven pizzas. Pooches are most welcome, too. This is a super choice for a sundowner and a casual meal that won’t break the bank.