Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Best Restaurants in Edinburgh
"This noodle bar invites you to tailor your order based on a selection of ho fun, ramen, udon, egg or rice noodles, then add duck, vegetables, tofu, pork, chicken or beef. Throw in three bits of colour and roughage, customise things with options of chilli, spring onion or coriander, and finally pick from one of ten sauces. One of these paper Chinese takeaway boxes filled to the brim will set you back an overdraft-friendly £5.60."
"Close to the University of Edinburgh is budget Chinese fast food restaurant Red Box. Here, you can grab a noodle or rice box with your choice of meat, 3 vegetables and sauce for just £6.90. For an extra 50p you can choose to have a mixed meat box if you just can't decide which to go for."
"Build-your-own meal is the order of the day at this popular noodle bar. You choose everything from the kind of noodle (egg, rice, ramen etc) to the meat, vegetables and sauce in the mix – which, even if you’re picky, makes it rather hard to go wrong!"
"Dusit provides a modern take on traditional Thai cuisine using local produce combined with exotic spices imported from Thailand. Many dishes have been given whimsical nicknames, such as "run-away fish" for the Thai staple Tod Mun Pla (fishcake) and "lovely lady" for teriyaki prawns, but there is no doubt that the chefs take their jobs very seriously, as they consistently serve food of the highest quality. The decor is minimalist with crisp white linen complimenting black wooden tables and some beautifully understated Thai art, including a wonderfully serene Buddha."
"A Thai restaurant that’s a cut above the rest, Dusit can be found on offbeat Thistle Street. There’s a wealth of great dishes to choose from here, but anything with monkfish, scallops or king prawns comes especially recommended. This slightly hidden gem is a small space with tables to match, so it is often pretty busy."
"Very different from Ting Thai Caravan, Dusit is a more formal Thai restaurant. They serve dishes with beautifully crafted vegetable flowers and have a more fine dining style of service. The food is absolutely fantastic, with a very diverse menu of delights."
"Located on Slateford Road, Taste Good is one of Edinburgh's best Chinese restaurant and takeaways according to readers. Their menu includes pork, duck, sweet & sour, chicken and beef dishes."
"Wee Budda is a laid back bar and restaurant serving delicious tapas style Asian dishes. The entrance hall is home to a large smiling Budda. Moving downstairs there is a single cosy room furnished with reclaimed wood tables and chairs and minimally decorated with a few small art works inspired by Asian culture."
"If you’re looking for a good classic then Scotts is the venue for you. From burgers to mac ‘n’ cheese, they serve up tasty traditional fare at a reasonable price point. There’s a terrace looking over the gorgeous old town for drinks, and the interiors are clean and modern for a neutral backdrop to your event."
"Green tile, brown leather and arched Georgian windows lend an elegant feel to this modern cafe, which combines fine Scottish produce with great value. Fill up on a breakfast (served till 11.45am) of eggs... Top ChoiceCafe in Old Town"
"Since opening Fhior in summer 2018, chef Scott Smith has been busy wowing food critics and putting his stamp on restaurant-centric Broughton Street. His previous project, Norn, down in Leith, was good—maybe excellent—but Fhior is even better, slicker, and more focused. Smith has a lightness of touch and just the right amount of everything: inventiveness, wit, and skill."
"Scott Smith fans were left saddened by the closure of his debut restaurant, Norn – but luckily they didn’t have to wait long to taste his cooking again. His second venture, Fhior, opened its doors on Broughton Street last summer, with a focus on honesty (‘Fhior’ translates as true in Gaelic): really good quality modern Scottish cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere."
"Fhior is the Gaelic word for ‘true’ and chef Scott Smith’s restaurant stays true to its ethos with a seasonal menu based on Scottish ingredients, some of them foraged. Expect small plates at lunch and an evening tasting menu."
"Split between two buildings on either side of Belford Road, Modern One and Modern Two, the gallery houses the nation's collection of modern and contemporary art. Modern Two, previously the Dean Gallery, was built as an orphanage. An austere structure, it's home to a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and a collection of the works of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi."
"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings..."
"You can explore Leith and visit the Trinity House Maritime Museum, stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway or see the latest exhibits on display at the National Gallery of Modern Art."
"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."
"Twelve Picardy Place Hotel features individually designed bedrooms and suites. Each has a feature wall art of iconic Scottish landscapes , castles or coastal scenes, as well state of the art entertainment systems and luxury bathrooms with either a rainforest shower or over-sized tub. Mood lighting gives you the flexibility to create your own ambience, views from the bedrooms offer a variety of vistas towards the city, historical buildings or the Fife coast."
"Not strictly a restaurant, but, we felt we just had to include the John Lewis Cafe as it has stunning views of the north of Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, and over to Fife. Having recently undergone a refurbishment, “The Place to Eat’ has moved to the fifth floor after previously being located on the fourth floor. Now you can enjoy incredible views across the capital city through a window that spans 40 metres!"