Best of Edinburgh
Scottish Restaurants

The average price for every restaurant is for
two courses and half a bottle of wine.

The Dining Room at The Society

The Dining Room at The Society
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, 28 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JX Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 9.5/10) Av Price: £25-34

Here is a fantastic opportunity for non-members to experience the Scotch Malt Whisky Society's restaurant in its city centre venue in Edinburgh. The Dining Room at the Society, 28 Queen Street is an elegant Georgian restaurant boasting a mouth watering pre-theatre menu available between 5pm - 6:30pm, Monday - Saturday. Non-members can also enjoy the fabulous Modern Scottish a la carte menu for lunch or dinner services every Thursday. You don't have to love whisky, just 5-star food and personal, discreet service. With over 24,000 members worldwide and three magnificent UK venues, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society is dedicated to good whisky and good company - a chance not to be missed.

Howies Restaurant - Waterloo Place

Howies Restaurant - Waterloo Place
29 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3BQ Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 9/10) Av Price: £21.50

The concept behind the thriving group of Howies restaurants is "fine food without the faff." Can't go wrong with that, can you? This particular venue occupies a gorgeous 200-year old Georgian building at the East End of Princes Street and reliably serves up the classic Howies mix of a laidback atmosphere and quality, good-value cooking served by very friendly staff in a bright, light surrounding. A three-course lunch will set you back around a tenner, and dinner under £20. Favourite dinner dishes include Scotch steak, and salmon. Snacks and drinks are served from 10am everyday. Who goes here? Mainly business folk, local MSPs and young professionals.

Hewat's Restaurant

Hewat's Restaurant
19 - 21b Causewayside, Edinburgh EH9 1QF Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 9/10) Av Price: £25-34

Once called The Marque, this little Causewayside establishment is now run by a talented young husband and wife team. Both bring close to 20 years' experience in hospitality; Richard as a chef and Margaret front of house. With this, their first joint venture, the pair have created a first-rate dining experience in a homely French bistro ambience. The white in the monochrome chequered flooring of the L-shaped dining room is reflected high-backed chairs in the formally set tables (each decorated with a posy). The menu sails a middle-to-upmarket route through modern national favourites such as pan fried black pudding and haggis and halibut steak with King scallops and lobster potato mash (a la carte). Fixed price lunch menu, and pre-theatre from 6 - 6.45pm. Predominantly New World wine list.

The Gallery Restaurant & Bar

The Gallery Restaurant & Bar
National Gallery, The Mount, Edinburgh EH2 2EL Scotland
Scottish (Diner Rating 9/10) Av Price: £25-34

A more exciting location could not be imagined for The Gallery Restaurant and Bar, housed in the stunning new Weston link joining the National Gallery and the Royal Scottish Academy. The views over leafy Princes Street Gardens and landmarks beyond is breathtaking. The restaurant itself is laid out over three levels with a gathering-place horseshoe-shaped bar on the middle level, as well as outdoor seating. Decor is smart and up to the minute, and so is the modern Scottish menu. Try starter of sunblush tomato risotto with spinach and shaved parmesan, main course of grilled calves liver with buttered mash, pancetta and jus, and pudding of raspberry mousse in bitter chocolate cup. Wine list is very international with loads available by the glass. Kids' menu.

Whighams Wine Cellars

Whighams Wine Cellars
13 Hope St, Edinburgh EH2 4EL Scotland
Scottish/Local Produce (Diner Rating 8.5/10) Av Price: £<24

Right off Charlotte Square, down the narrow stairs you'll find Whigham's, an authentic Georgian wine cellar. You'd expect a blistering wine list with a nice line in champagnes, and her it is, but you wouldn't necessarily expect the fresh, high-quality cooking, emphasis on seafood, that emerges from the refurbished kitchen. Here you'll find starters of heart-stoppingly fresh oysters with raspberry vinaigrette, main course of a justly famous seafood platter, and dessert of renowned sticky toffee pudding. Menu changes daily. The wine cellar ambience is suitably dark, with alcoves, leather and wood, but now there is also a bright and airy eating area. The relaxed atmosphere is smart enough that you could bring your boss and not lose career points. And you'd be hard-pressed to dine so well without blowing the budget this close to Princes Street.

Howies Restaurant - Alva Street

Howies Restaurant - Alva Street
1A Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 8/10) Av Price: £21.50

Named after its address, there's no excuse for not finding this sophisticated stone-floored 'cellar' restaurant. A reception desk leads to a smart lounge area off which is a long room divided into cosy booths. The Gaudiesque space then opens up into a maze of plush purple and chocolate brown-coloured sections and rooms, culminating in a small plant-filled conservatory. Menus change monthly and punch well above their weight in terms of presentation and quality. Superb seasonal dishes such as the bestselling filo basket of spicy haggis, and chargrilled chicken in peppercorn sauce are all the more impressive for their low prices. As much as possible - desserts and warm crusty bread included - is made on the premise. Very popular with West End professionals. Fine food and atmosphere, without the faff.

Howies Restaurant - Victoria Street

Howies Restaurant - Victoria Street
10-14 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2HG Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 8/10) Av Price: £21.50

A stroll from both the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket, Howies is a favourite among Edinburgh families, shoppers, business people and tourists alike. Part of a thriving chain of acclaimed restaurants, this branch is characteristically modern and atmospheric; popular for quick lunches by day, and leisurely candlelit dinners by night. Blood-red walls are hung with Van Gogh-style art, while the floor is filled with slightly rustic tables. It's not dark though; large windows see to that. Howies well deserves its reputation for fine dining on a budget. Fixed price menus mean you never have to pay more than £10 for a delicious Modern Scottish lunch, or £17 for dinner. Menus change monthly and always have a strong selection of seasonal meat, fish and vegetarian dishes. Superb puddings.

First Coast

First Coast
97 - 101 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh EH11 2AB Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 8/10) Av Price: £<24

West Edinburgh wasn't a dining hotspot, but charming, inviting, delicious First Coast is one of the establishments that have been changing that. A comfy toddle from Haymarket station, First Coast is quite an intimate, relaxed shop front restaurant done out the blues and greys of the sea, with rough hewn centre wall and super smart detailing. The frequently-changing modern Scottish menu lists meat and fowl as well as fish. Starters include very tender marinated squid, soy and sesame salad, mains include spicy grilled chicken breast with homemade sweet chilli sauce and coconut rice, and sweets include deep fried jam sandwich with vanilla ice cream- seriously. Short, thoughtful wine list, good vegetarian choices and warm service.

No. 3 Restaurant

No. 3 Restaurant
3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5AB Scotland
Scottish Grill (Diner Rating 8/10) Av Price: £25-34

Set among the elegant townhouses of Calton Hill's northern slopes, No. 3 is a quietly luxurious affair that manages to be both grand, relaxed and friendly. Because of the location among hotels and near The Playhouse, d iners often include visitors to Edinburgh. The airy, narrow dining room blends Indonesian hardwood furnishings and curios with the building's original Georgian features such as ornate cornicing and an open fire place. Your focus, however, is best set on the menu's Scottish credentials – Shetland mussels, haggis, beef, salmon and brie. No 3. is a member of the Scotch Beef Club, so high steak prices are matched by the quality of the meat. Plished preparation and presentation. A long, well priced wine list offers a good of Old and New World wines.

Blue Bar Cafe

Blue Bar Cafe
10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 8/10) Av Price: £20.00

Trendy Edinburgh eaterie popular for everything from business lunches, wedding receptions and film launches to social dinners in the evenings. The atmosphere is casual and relaxed but eminently stylish and service is friendly. The Blue Bar Cafe provides excellent value for money, great cocktails and an eclectic wine list. What's cooking: Lunch time diners might want to choose from lighter dishes such as crab and crayfish noodles; Toasted marinated crottin with onion jam or serrano ham with celeriac remoulade, or go for something more substantial such as pork, apple and sage sausages with pickled onions and mash or sea trout with jersey royals and Thai grass. The dinner menu features similar dishes with a selection of extra items such as calves livers with pancetta and shallot mash or escalope of chicken with mushroom and foie gras cream. Delicious puddings include a mixed nut and butterscotch tart with mascarpone or banana and chocolate souffle.

Amber Restaurant at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Amber Restaurant at the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NE Scotland
Scottish (Diner Rating 7.5/10) Av Price: £35-44

Amber is a paragon of all that's great about Scottish food and drink. Housed between the old stone walls of the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh, it offers seriously sophisticated tribute to Scotland's culinary traditions. Just read these typical dishes: choux pastry with woodland mushrooms and sloe berry jelly, fillet of Buccleuch beef with rich wild mushroom and truffle sauce, honey-roasted courgette filled with Inverloch goats cheese and sun-dried tomatoes... it's glorious stuff. Whisky complements rather than dominates the menu, even though there are 300 single malts, rare aged blends (and a few surprises) to choose from. A comprehensive wine and cocktail list appeases those who aren't attracted by the tasting menu whereby the whisky sommelier recommends a malt for each course, explains the provenance of each, and why he's chosen them.

Howies Restaurant - Bruntsfield Place

Howies Restaurant - Bruntsfield Place
208 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh EH10 4DH Scotland
Modern Scottish (Diner Rating 7/10) Av Price: £21.50

Popular urban village chain Howies is known for its unpretentious, inexpensive Scottish food. So if you're looking for a bargain meal in modern, atmospheric surroundings, head here. What was once a grand Georgian bank is now a very relaxed restaurant serving a down-to-earth mix of families, twenty and thirtysomething locals and business people. Some rather beautiful original features remain in the half-moon space, perhaps most notably the walnut wall paneling, imposing pillars and wooden counter, now the bar. There's lots of light and colour. Fixed price menus change monthly and always have a free-range chicken main dish, two read meats, two fish and two veggie options. Dessert is no contest: go for the house banoffee pie. It rocks.

There are 12 establishments in this category.