Best Fine Dining in Restalrig

"What: Edinburgh-born Martin Wishart is one of Scotland’s most famous chefs and this Leith flagship (he has another restaurant on the shores of Loch Lomond) has held a Michelin star since 2001. It’s not hard to see why: neutral furnishings and thick carpets look sleek and suave, though everyone is here for the sophisticated French-accented interpretations of Scottish ingredients, best sampled by first timers from a tasting menu that might include Orkney scallop with Jerusalem artichoke and sweet potato. There’s also a great-value lunch menu."

"Martin Wishart opened The Honours to critical acclaim in 2001. Named after the moment in history when Sir Walter Scott uncovered the Scottish Crown Jewels, The Honours combines seasonal, Scottish flavours with brasserie-influenced dishes. The chic gold and black interiors are also unmissable."

"Maverick chef Paul Kitching’s 21212 opened in 2009 and has been winning accolades ever since, including one Michelin star. Situated in an elegant Georgian townhouse in Royal Terrace, the restaurant serves up cooking that’s contemporary French in style, but that description doesn’t begin to do justice to Kitching’s Willy Wonka-style ability to coax the most unlikely flavour combinations. In theory these should create merry mayhem – who would have thought that brandy snaps, black pudding and chicken could be transformed into a sublime dish?"

"Paul Kitching’s 21212 – opened 2009, Michelin star by 2010 – is tucked away on Royal Terrace, a distinguished, cobbled boulevard of 19th-century townhouses on the side of Calton Hill. The cooking is among Scotland’s best. Dinner is structured around a choice of two starters, soup, a choice of two mains, a cheese course and two dessert options."

"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)"

"As previously mentioned this is the newest addition to the list. The 'hidden' restaurant is tucked away between a hairdressers and a post office on Salisbury Place in Newington. Many of their ingredients are sourced from their own walled garden, and these are put together to create a surprise eight-course tasting menu – providing a "sensory exploration of the different regions of Scotland"."

"Condita Restaurant Address: 15 Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SL, Scotland. Condita dining is by reservation only – telephone +44(0)131 667 5777. Reservations request and gift token email: enquiries@condita.co.uk"

"As its name suggests, Edinburgh Food Studio, located on a nondescript road a short cab ride from central Edinburgh, is the city's apex for gastronomes. Although it's a bona fide restaurant, EFS has the hum, chatter, and excitement of a pop-up. James Murray, the chef, and Ben Reade and Sashana Souza Zanella, the young, supremely knowledgable founders, sometimes appear to chat about ingredients and dishes."

"Far from the city centre throng, Edinburgh Food Studio is a tiny unassuming restaurant and ‘food research hub’ dishing up some of the most creative, nerdy and – fear not – delicious cuisine in the capital."

"Opened in 2009 with Head Chef Mattia Camorani at the helm, award-winning restaurant Cucina is the vibrant, bustling soul of Radisson Collection Royal Mile Hotel Edinburgh located on the city’s historic Royal Mile. The restaurant offers fresh and authentic Italian dishes, perfectly matched to the season, all year round. The menus and atmosphere created at Cucina are based on the enjoyment of good food, genuine Italian hospitality and a concept of sharing with friends and family."

"Set in the thick of all the fun on George IV Bridge, Cucina is a firecracker of a restaurant. The hypnotic palette of colours of the fashion-forward furnishings are just as mesmerising as the impeccable menu. Thoughtful, perfectly constructed dishes play host to classic Italian recipes with contemporary flair, resulting in a gastronomic adventure."

"Stockbridge is one of Edinburgh’s prettiest neighbourhoods, and The Stockbridge Restaurant has followed suit in terms of style, with a considered interior and perfectly presented plates. Known for their wine lists as much as their food this Edinburgh hot spot caters for many a party. In fact, thanks to its romantic atmosphere it’s often chosen as a wedding venue."

"This intimate family-run restaurant is an ideal place to settle in for a long romantic lunch. Its basement setting in fashionable St Stephen Street comes with subdued lighting, inky walls and a fireplace brimming with candles. Kick start lunch proceedings with a crisp glass of sparkling wine and mull over the tempting menu."

"The Stockbridge Restaurant has been delighting locals and visitors alike for over a decade. It is a romantic and atmospheric subterranean delight, featuring wonderful, local produce cooked to perfection. The interior is quite beautiful."

"You want your proposal to be special, so forget about following your regular dinner date night routine and choose a more upscale eatery for the event. The Pompadour by Galvin is a Michelin star restaurant that won’t disappoint; it’s got an absolutely gorgeous interior, offers amazing castle views and is equipped with a drool-worthy menu. If you’re down to splurge even more, book a private room to make it a touch more intimate."

"The Pompadou offers one of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms|Courtesy of The Pompadour. The Pompadour by Galvin at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh Caledonian is suited to those with a fancy for the full fine dining experience, white tablecloths and all. This pukka restaurant possesses a palatial Victorian railway hotel feel and sublime Castle views."

"Dubbed Edinburgh's ‘finest French restaurant’, it is located in the grand Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh. Chris and Jeff Galvin are the brothers behind the restaurant that offers a number of sample menus. Enjoy the seasonal menus while you admire the views of the iconic Edinburgh Castle."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is actually two institutions—Modern One and Modern Two—situated within two grand Georgian mansions flanking a sculpture park. Modern One has British artists like Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin; American artists like Andy Warhol; and legends like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Modern Two has a particularly impressive Dada and Surrealism collection; you can arrange a private viewing of the archives, a real treasure trove of those movements."

"From Cubism and Expressionism to 20th-century Russian and French pieces, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is unmissable for art buffs. With two early-19th-century buildings to explore (Modern One and Modern Two) and sweeping green spaces dotted with sculptures (including monumental earthworks by Charles Jencks), it’s well worth leaving the city centre to explore the galleries. Modern Two contains the intact studio of erstwhile Edinburgh sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi."

"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."

"With four levels of exhibits featuring everything from the natural world, world cultures, science & technology to art, design & fashion and Scottish history, a trip to The National Museum of Scotland offers a whole world of discovery for all the family. Start your visit in the beautiful Grand Gallery and marvel at the massive skull of Moby the whale; travel back in time as you explore the Scottish galleries; or why not explore centuries of creativity and innovation in the Fashion and Style gallery – whatever your interests, you’re bound to find something in this awe-inspiring museum to capture your imagination. Free entry, advance online booking required."

"Discover the delights of the natural world, explore world cultures and enthuse at treasures from around the world. Featuring a diverse range of art and design exhibits, interactive displays and games, a visit to the National Museum of Scotland will appeal to all ages. The huge variety of galleries and exhibitions in this grand and visually stunning building means that you could quite easily spend an entire day here."

"The National Museum of Scotland tells the story of the country through interesting exhibitions, from prehistoric times until the present day."

"The food is also said to fantastic, and according to those at the restaurant they "cook with passion and care and use high quality ingredients." They state on their website: "We are not just any high street Chinese takeaway. We offer another level of Chinese and Asian cuisines that is not only authentic but creative and fun too.". One reviewer didn't only have kind words to say about the green pepper and black bean sauce, and sweet and sour chicken dishes – they also took time to praise the "spotless" toilets."

"Why: Located close to Edinburgh Airport, the purple-galore Chinese Manor House is a popular choice with tourists, but the locals love it, too. With a dedicated children’s menu, it’s also an ideal spot for a family meal. It’s the first restaurant to bring the dish of Hong Kong lime duck to Edinburgh, so we recommend you give that a go."

"I've visited here several times with my partner. We always have a great time, the food is presented well and always tastes fantastic! Definitely our favourite Chinese restaurant." 2 Glasgow Road, Corstorphine, EH12 8HL. Photo: Chinese Manor House"

"The Royal Mile, so called because it covers roughly a mile between Edinburgh Castle and reaches down through the city centre towards Holyrood Palace (the Scottish Residence of Elizabeth II). A stroll down this main road, listening to the bagpipes and entering all the small shops which line its two sides is simply one of the best things to do in the Scottish capital."

"All the recommendations so far have been along the Royal Mile, the lovely stretch of interconnecting streets which run from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace. It’s not exactly a mile long, but it’s near enough, and is filled with a variety of attractions, from the above mentioned, through to souvenir shops, restaurants and pubs."

"Visiting Dean Village is like taking a step back into time to old Edinburgh. In recent years, this little neighborhood has become a huge draw to photographers and tourists because of just how Instagrammable it is. For the best shot of the beautiful architecture and river, walk over the stone bridge and down besides the river."

"Also in New Town, Dean Village is a former millers village built on the banks of the Water of Leith River. You can go there on foot from the city centre in about 15-20 minutes. You will see, it’s a very surprising place, contrasting greatly with the rest of Edinburgh."