Mentioned by Culture Trip
10 Best Restaurants In Edinburgh, Scotland
"The four bedrooms above this Michelin-starred restaurant are no afterthought; there is a confident hand at work in rooms that are as striking as the food, displaying a sometimes surprising but always sensual contemporary/Baroque style and unexpectedly leafy views. A low-key location for a high-octane operation. Chef Paul Kitching is a maverick; think silky pink trout served with artichokes, pasta, almonds, chickpeas, kidney beans, oriental mushrooms, warm coleslaw and feta cheese."
"Chef Paul Kitching and manager Katie O’Brien came up to Edinburgh with a big success under the belt in the form of Manchester’s Juniper restaurant, and they soon set to work on another award-winning formula. 21212’s name reflects its unusual dining structure. It gives customers a choice of two starters, followed by an interim course, then two main course choices, another interim choice then a pick of two desserts."
"Paul Kitching’s 21212 opened in May 2009 and was awarded a Michelin star in 2010. Located in a Georgian townhouse, lunch time is the best to visit as a two-course weekday lunch starts at just £20 per person – and the menu changes every week. If you fancy staying, they also have four luxury bedrooms to rest your head in."
"Recently awarded a Mitchelin Star, Condita boasts an intimate dining experience featuring a surprise tasting menu which is £80 and lasts around two and a half to three hours. Located just southof the city centre on Sailsbury Place, every aspect of Condita moves with seasons, food, wine and decor offering a unique experience for diners. 15 Sailisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SL (Tel: 0131 667 5777)"
"New to the Edinburgh dining scene Condita is a very intimate dining experience with just six tables which offers a five or eight course surprise tasting menu. The restaurant uses produce from a 19th century walled kitchen garden in the Scottish Borders alongside the best meat and fish that is available in Scotland. The kitchen also uses a forager for wild ingredients."
"Purslane eschews the stuffiness often associated with fine dining|Courtesy of Purslane Restaurant. Situated in a bijou basement in ever-fashionable Stockbridge, Purslane is that apparent oxymoron: a casual fine-dining restaurant. But Purslane, headed up by chef-patron Paul Gunning has successfully pulled it off, serving up ambitious modern cuisine without the stuffy formality often associated with fine dining."
"At first glance Purslane appears to be a contradiction, offering casual and rustic fine dining. Yet scores of happy customers and a rapidly growing reputation confirm that this commitment to excellent cuisine without the stuffy formality sometimes associated with fine dining is very popular. This delightful Stockbridge restaurant has a laid back and welcoming ambience and no dress code."
"Rhubarb Restaurant is set in a 17th-century manor house|© Neil Setchfield / Alamy Stock Photo. A restaurant with a story, Rhubarb operates out of the esteemed 17th-century manor hotel Prestonfield House. This romantic pick comes with all the bells and whistles, from the dramatic decor to the ultra-gourmet dishes."
"Rhubarb is the decadent and romantic restaurant of the Prestonfield House Hotel. Nestling in the shadow of Arthur's seat, Prestonfield House is a beautiful seventeenth-century building. The restaurant is formed from two opulent oval rooms in the heart of the house, decorated with plush rich fabrics."
"Set in the splendid 17th-century Prestonfield hotel, Rhubarb is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. The over-the-top decor of rich reds set off with black and gold and the sensuous surfaces that make..."
"This modern bistro, which has chef Darren Murray at the helm, places a focus on sustainable and environmentally responsible food. This, coupled with Borough’s chilled-out atmosphere and expertly sourced local produce, makes the four-course set menu all the more special. Expect dishes like cured Borders lamb and roast North Sea hake, plus a fantastic selection of wines."
"Edinburgh's 18th-century City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley have survived almost unchanged amid the foundations for 250 years. Now open to the public, this spooky, subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh. Costumed characters lead tours through a 16th-century town house and the plague-stricken home of a 17th-century gravedigger. Advance booking recommended."
"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."
"Transport yourself to the Outlander set at Callendar Park & House. Callendar Park & House was used for one of the most well-known Outlander scenes as the Duke of Sandringham’s home."
"Transport yourself to the Outlander set at Callendar Park & House. Callendar Park & House was used for one of the most well-known Outlander scenes as the Duke of Sandringham’s home."
"Housed in the historic Cannongate Tolbooth, the People's Story Museum tells the story of the people of Edinburgh from the late 18th century to the present day. The three galleries explore life in an Edinburgh tenement during the eighteenth century and recount the stories of Edinburgh citizens during the twentieth century using waxworks, recorded oral histories and written sources. The museum also houses an impressive number of early reform flags and banners in support of political reform, trade unions and the anti-apartheid movement."
"The People's Story details the history of the residents of Edinburgh from the 18th century to the modern day. The museum is housed in the historic Canongate Tollbooth, an impressive Edinburgh landmark built in 1591, in the heart of the Royal Mile. The exhibition includes fascinating displays such as a recreation of the jail which was once housed in the building, an 18th century book binder's workshop and a wartime kitchen."
"Canongate Tolbooth, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8BNOpen Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am - 5pm; Sunday 12pm - 5pmFree to enter, donations welcome. The People's Story museum is located in the Canongate Tolbooth, which is a historic landmark in itself built in 1591. It provides visitors with a realistic and fascinating look at what life was like for Edinburgh citizens in days gone by."
"It was established during the seventeenth century and was the main parish church in Edinburgh from 1648 until 1952. It was named “Tron Church” because the temple was located beside a weighing beam (tron in Scots), which was normally used in the town's marketplaces, one of which was on the Royal Mile. In 1824 a great fire destroyed the bell tower, but it was reconstructed so well that visitors will hardly notice that it was built two hundred years later."
"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."
"Address: Canongate, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8BN, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 226 5138 The Canongate Kirk is situated within the Old Town area of Edinburgh and is a particularly attractive building, being located just across from the Museum of Edinburgh and close to the university campus. This church serves as the place of worship for the Royal family when they are staying in the area and is steeped in history. Built in 1688, attractions include stunning architecture, classical music concerts and choir recitals."
"The modest Canongate Kirk was built in 1688 and completed three years later. It was founded for the residents of Canongate that had previously worshipped in the Abbey Church, until King James II converted the Church into a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. Since the church is very bare, with practically no statues or paintings, the most eye-catching aspect of the temple is its blue benches on a maroon coloured carpet."
"In 1688 King James VII of Scotland (also King James II of England) ordered the construction of the Kirk of the Canongate and it was completed in 1691. Residents nearby had been using the Abbey Church but the King wanted to us that as a Chapel for the Order of the Thistle. The Kirk is architecturally unusual for Scotland with a Dutch-style end gable and a cruciform layout inside."