Mentioned by Culture Trip
The Best Restaurants in Edinburgh
"For a tasty ‘create your own’ lunch, try Red-Box Noodle Bar and have your pick of whichever meat, vegetables, noodles, sauce and garnishes you like. Regardless of what you go for, the price per noodle box is always £5.80, and it’s more than enough to fuel you up for the rest of the day. If you’re more peckish in the evening, you can order a meal deal for one, adding any starter and any soft drink to your customised noodle box for a total price of £8.80."
"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."
"Yocoko has a simple frontage, simple dining set up and great food at great prices. Situated just over the bridges in Newington Yocoko noodle bar is a great addition to the range of eastern eateries on offer in this part … Read More. Category:Budget Eats, Foodie, Newington, UpdateTags:Child Friendly, Chinese"
"If you're a big fan of really authentic dim sum dishes you'll find great quality food on offer here at great value prices. This small and unassuming restaurant is to be found just off Leith Walk and you're unlikely to think much of it looking at the outside, but don't be fooled, an irresistible range of Chinese cuisine awaits you within. There are only eight tables and it could be described as cozy, but the food is fresh and impossible to pass up."
"Why: Don’t be alarmed by the blue and purple neon lighting and heavy black velvet curtains at Karen’s Unicorn – the food is as fun and inviting as its name. The subtle Cantonese cooking is evident in house specialities such as salt and spice squid, and steamed seabass in a black bean sauce. Right in the centre of town, it’s also good for lunch when sightseeing or a hearty meal before painting the town red."
"If the name isn’t enough of a lure (it should be), then the food will do the job. Hypnotic and boldly brilliant – just like a unicorn – Karen’s Unicorn successfully stays true to real Cantonese cooking, with the ingredients serving as the star of the show. Perfectly seasoned and meticulously crafted, each dish is authentic and unashamedly traditional."
"You'll find traditional Cantonese cuisine on offer at the extremely popular Karen's Unicorn Chinese Restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh's New Town. It has been so successful that there are actually two restaurants now within a few streets of each other. They offer a huge menu packed with tempting house specialties and a number of set banquets."
"Why: B&D’s Kitchen has been serving up traditional Cantonese food to the hungry people of Edinburgh since 2012, and has since then climbed to the upper tiers of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Limited seating, phone-booking only and its no-corkage BYOB policy mean this is a popular spot. Turning out all the usual suspects from the Cantonese kitchen, dishes such as the Peking duck and lobster with ginger and spring onion should be on your hit-list."
"B&D's Kitchen is a real treat for lovers of Cantonese and Chinese food. Hiding behind an unassuming shop front on Dalry Road, the simple decor and unfussy approach is a refreshing change from the ornate and rather kitsch style adopted by many Chinese restaurants. Bare stone walls are adorned by a few well-chosen pictures and decorations."
"China Red is a buffet restaurant, so slightly different to the other options featured on this list. And you don't have to spend too much time scrolling through reviews before finding one very satisfied customer who described the place as the "best Chinese buffet I've ever been to". They add: "I usually find buffet food all tastes quite bland and samey, but the chicken curry was so tasty and the noodles were amazing."
"Why: Often, Chinese food is associated with buffets, and although buffets are – in our not so humble opinion – one of life’s little wonders, they sometime get a negative (and unfair) reputation. Not at China Red’s two Edinburgh sites, though. The buffets are loved by the locals and we can understand why with a regularly changing menu and neatly presented desserts."
"Always fresh, delicious food with a variety so much bigger than any other Chinese buffet I've been to. Polite staff, funky entrance and good availability of seating space." 30 Grindlay Street, EH3 9AP"
"Why: Operating since 1984, this can almost be considered an old-school Chinese in Edinburgh – we guess the Georgian design details play their part, too. The fare is Scottish Cantonese, using proud local ingredients (largely seafood) with Chinese cooking techniques. The spiced and salted monkfish with chilli is a winner, and so are the scallops with cashew nuts served in a nest."
"Specializing in authentic Cantonese fare, this upscale restaurant is popular among the local business crowd. The soft music playing helps to create a pleasant atmosphere. Evenings provide a wonderful opportunity for adults to enjoy a relaxed meal, as they do not allow children."
"Calton Hill provides a panoramic view of the city, with Princes Street, the castle, and the Old Town silhouetted against Arthur's Seat. To the east and north you can see the Firth of Forth and the docks at Leith. At the foot of the hill stands the 13th-century Royal High School, where Sir Walter Scott was once a pupil."
"As early as 1816, the Highland Society of Scotland called for the construction of a national monument to commemorate the fallen in the Napoleonic wars. In January 1822, a proposal was put forward to ‘erect a facsimile of the Parthenon’."
"Perhaps the most interesting of the Border abbeys, red-sandstone Melrose was repeatedly destroyed by the English in the 14th century. The remaining broken shell is pure Gothic and the ruins are famous for their decorative stonework – look out for the pig gargoyle playing the bagpipes. Though Melrose had a monastery way back in the 7th century, this abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for Cistercian monks, and later rebuilt by Robert the Bruce, whose heart is buried here."
"This is the most beautiful and complete of the Border abbeys, partly because the neighbouring town of Dryburgh no longer exists (another victim of the wars) and partly because of its lovely site by the Tweed in a sheltered birdsong-filled valley. Dating from about 1150, the abbey belonged to the Premonstratensians, a religious order founded in France, and evokes 12th-century monastic life more successfully than its nearby counterparts. The pink-hued stone ruins are the burial place of Sir Walter Scott."
"Recently nominated for the Spirited Awards, the most prestigious competition in the global drinks industry calendar, The Bon Vivant (Thistle St) is the FIRST Scottish restaurant bar to ever be nominated for an award in the competition's seven year history. With an ever-changing cocktail list, a broad and accessible champagne list, a comprehensive wine list and a gantry stocked full of classic and rare spirits, it's easy to see why. The Bon Vivant takes a unique approach to its wine list by offering all 44 wines by the 175ml glass, 500ml carafe or by the bottle."
"Bon Vivant lives up to its name: From the drinks menu to the atmosphere, everything is a bit indulgent – in the best possible way. Stylish and smart, the bar has a laid-back vibe thanks to Parisian flea-market lamps, dark walls, tabletop candles, and deep leather armchairs and booths. The sea of wine glasses is particularly noticeable in this beer- and whiskey-happy city – the bar’s selection has a reputation for being excellent."
"Candlelight reflected in the warm glow of polished wood makes for an intimate atmosphere in this New Town favourite. The food is superb value for this part of town, offering a range of tapas-style 'bites' as well..."
"The Three Sisters is a must for summer cocktails in the sun. Whether you're sharing a martini tree, sipping spritzes craving a bite to eat or feel like delving into their selection of wood fired pizza, this bar has a charming garden for all of your alfresco needs."
"A lively central bar with a large outdoor courtyard with a 200" TV screen, perfect for watching your favourite sports. The venue also has 21 screens indoors and three separate Sky packages, so we can cater to your needs if you want to watch another game…"
"This Cowgate institution in the heart of the Old Town has a number of benches set up with table and app service for drinks order. Booking is essential."
"Best for Exploring Leith and its food scene In a nutshell Leith is Edinburgh’s most exciting neighbourhood, having transformed in the last decade from a rough-round-the-edges port district to a buzzing going out destination. Malmaison Edinburgh (not to be confused with the newly opened, Malmaison Edinburgh City in St Andrew’s Square) is in a converted Seaman’s mission dating back to 1883. Perched right on the docks this was in fact the chain’s first hotel and set the tone for its glamorous cool vibe.Don’t miss Malmaison Edinburgh is perfectly located to discover Leith’s food and drink scene."
"Sitting on the banks of the Firth of Forth in the fashionable district of Leith, Malmaison Edinburgh is a chic boutique hotel which boasts a modern gym, spacious rooms, and bar. There is free parking for guests and, with the city centre easily reachable by bus, there’s little need to rely on the car during a stay. Rooms are comfortable, with stylish soft furnishings; all have complimentary WiFi and satellite television, and many enjoy pleasant views of the port."
"Property Location With a stay at Malmaison Edinburgh in Edinburgh (Leith), you'll be convenient to Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre. This 4-star hotel is close to Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat. Rooms Make yourself at home in one of the 100 air-conditioned rooms featuring minibars and flat-screen televisions."