Best Fine Dining in Water of Leith

"Edinburgh-born Martin Wishart is lauded as one of the most respected Chefs in the UK, and upon a visit to his celebrated restaurant, it’s easy to see why. His Michelin-star restaurant found in the Port of Leith sees a dining experience that’s equally classic French as it is proudly Scottish, with dishes like Emmental Soufflé and Peterhead Mackerel holding equal weight on the menu."

"One of the finest British chefs cooking today, Martin Wishart, opened his eponymous restaurant in 1999. This Michelin starred Leith dining venue offers high quality French cuisine. You'll find elegant surroundings, extremely high quality, attentive service and the freshest Scottish produce."

"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."

"Since 2009, this unique restaurant has commandeered the stomachs of foodies across Edinburgh. The only Michelin Star restaurant in Edinburgh with rooms, this fine eatery is part of a boutique hotel in a Georgian Townhouse. 21212 has an ever-changing innovative and fresh contemporary menu that never fails to whet the appetite."

"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."

"This is an intimate hidden contemporary-styled gem and recently awarded a Michelin Star, tucked away where the Old Town meets Southside. During the day, light pours into the airy whitewashed room from the large skylight. Condita has six tables and food is prepared for the number of diners booked in (no walk-ins allowed)."

"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."

"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."

"Often referred to as Holyrood Palace, this is the official residence of the Queen of England when she comes to visit Scotland. The ruins of the Holyrood Abbey are connected to the Palace on one corner. Despite its city-center location, the Palace of Holyroodhouse – set in beautiful parkland and overlooking Arthur’s Seat – feels a million miles away from Edinburgh’s hustle and bustle."

"One of Scotland's great country houses, Traquair House has a power­ful, ethereal beauty, and exploring it is like time travel. Odd, sloping floors and a musty odour bestow a genuine feel, and parts of the building are believed to have been constructed long before the first official record of its existence in 1107. The massive tower house was gradually expanded but has remained virtually unchanged since the 17th century. Traquair is about 6 miles southeast of Peebles."

"We’re always on a mission to find Edinburgh’s best burgers and we’ve eaten far too many in the name of research. To be fair, I was eating a lot of burgers before we set up EdinBraw, I’m not sure I can keep using it as an excuse for my addiction. Whilst I couldn’t tell you how many burgers I’ve eaten in Edinburgh, I can tell you where I’ve eaten the most – The Roseleaf in Leith."

"This unusual pub is off the beaten track just beyond The Shore in Leith. It's a little bit quirky, offering an imaginative range of food and booze which extends to some great breakfast options. It's very friendly, the furniture is mismatched and you can get cocktails served in teapots for your very own Madhatter's Tea Party."

"I skipped this since I’m a veg and went with the Roseleafer, which consists of vegetarian haggis, beans, tomatoes, mushroom, egg, spinach, and toast. Talk about major deliciousness!"

"If you fancy something a little different, The Bongo Club is a nightclub, live venue, and all round artistic hub at Cowgate. Owned by local arts charity Out Of The Blue, this place is known for its creativity and uniqueness. Bongo’s has a regular ‘I Love Hip Hop’ night every Tuesday, which is really popular amongst students who love to boogie."

"This late-night venue is owned by a local arts charity, and has a widespread cult following. It lays on serious club nights featuring dub, dancehall, techno, bass, jungle, funk, hip-hop, house, electronica… you get the idea. Starting times vary according to what’s happening, but if the sign is lit, they’re open and will keep going until 3am."

"Another real Edinburgh institution on Cowgate, The Bongo Club, has a variety of club nights - from African funk to house - availbale to book on their website. Evidence of a negative Covid test must be show before entry."

"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."

"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."

"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."