Top Best French Restaurants in The Kyles

"Proudly known as Edinburgh’s very first Michelin star restaurant – awarded in 2001 – Restaurant Martin Wishart is now one of the UK’s most highly acclaimed dining venues located in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith. The interior offers the perfect setting for any celebration with a charming contemporary design featuring rich wooden panelling on the walls, fresh-cut flowers and sleek furnishings. Choose from a selection of innovative and appetizing French style dishes ranging from Orkney scallops to ravioli of snails."

"A luminary in the British Michelin-Star scene, Edinburgh-born chef Martin Wishart cooks up a perfect storm time after time. As a pilgrimage site for food enthusiasts, his flagship eatery Restaurant Martin Wishart never fails to deliver imaginative dishes using finely-tuned French cooking techniques. Each taste, a testament to his complete mastery of craft, is humbled by the quality of the local ingredients."

"This Leith restaurant retains its one star, with the guide commenting on how it has become an Edinburgh institution. Photo: Restaurant Martin Wishart"

"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."

"Between the ever-evolving weekly menu, swanky furnishings and informed wine list, 21212 is one to watch out for. Pinned as Edinburgh’s only Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, Paul Kitching’s masterpiece is housed in a striking Georgian Townhouse. The chameleon menu sports three choices per course and pays tribute to his contemporary French cooking flair."

"The four bedrooms above this Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms are as stylish as the food. The contemporary/baroque look (at times surprising, but always sensual) and unexpectedly leafy views, make this a low-key option with a high-octane experience."

"Since opening in the home of a former clockmaker in 2008, L’Escargot Bleu has fitted in nicely among trendy coffee shops, independent booksellers and award-winning butchers. Step through the bright blue door, and you’re met with vintage posters of Edith Piaf and full-sized French liquor ads. Blackboards adorn the walls, scrawled with the day’s specials, which vary from traditional French classics to more surprising dishes from Berkmiller’s childhood."

"L'Escargot Bleu is a slice of France in the heart of Edinburgh, complete with French staff, French decor, and an oh-so-very French menu. Open since 2009, this smart restaurant has award-winning chef Fred Berkmiller running the show, and he's a stickler for provenance. This means only the finest Scottish, seasonal ingredients, all sourced from a host of top local suppliers, make it into the kitchen and onto the plate."

"Opened last year by husband-wife duo Roberta Hall-McCarron (formerly Castle Terrace and The Kitchin) and Shaun McCarron, The Little Chartroom is a lovely neighbourhood restaurant located in the up-and-coming area of Leith. Interiors are cosy, food is creative and flavoursome, and it’s perfectly located for Fringe events at the top of Edinburgh’s Leith Walk. Heading to Edinburgh for the weekend?"

"This funkily French bistro – the name is Breton for Brittany – is a treat. Dishes are served with real panache, and the salads, featuring all sorts of delicious ingredients, are a feast of colour, texture and..."

"La Garrigue – Creme Brûlée flavored with lavender|© Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr. With rustic, country cooking inspired by owner Jean Michel Gauffre’s home of the Languedoc region in Southern France, this charming restaurant claims the title of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s favorite French bistro and offers views through the windows of Calton Hill."

"A post shared by La Garrigue (@la_garrigue) on Jun 24, 2018 at 11:43am PDT. La Garrigue is located near the famous Royal Mile and a short walk from Waverley Station. The cuisine here is inspired by southern France’s rural Languedoc region."

"La Garrigue – Creme Brûlée flavored with lavender|© Caitriana Nicholson/Flickr. No one does ‘romantic’ better than the French. Take a leaf out of those with the language of love and make way for La Garrigue, a personable little bistro."

"If you hadn’t guessed by the ruddy great Eiffel Tower adorning the wall of the café space, there’s a French influence at large here – though the flaky brekkie croissants and pains au chocolat are as popular as the traditional breakfast fry-up or black pudding butty. All day ‘snacks’ range from the likes of croque monsieur to grilled paninis and salad. It’s the menu du jour though, available at lunch and dinner, that offers the tastiest scran, and best reason to loiter here."

"Cafe Marlayne is a lovely French restaurant in the New Town. There is a large semi-formal dining area to the rear of the premises, and a delightfully relaxed cafe nearer the front with comfy sofas and a plethora of cushions. The restaurant serves a wide array of classic French bistro dishes, such as the wonderful crock monsieur and an array of tempting soups, terrines and roasts."

"This contemporary and cool restaurant incorporates a café and a bistro. At the front of the space is the coffee shop, featuring comfortable seating, and further back is the dining room. Come by for a unique and French-inspired breakfast, lunch, pre-theater dinner, or late dinner, as well as takeaway sandwiches or coffee."

"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."

"Between the ever-evolving weekly menu, swanky furnishings and informed wine list, 21212 is one to watch out for. Pinned as Edinburgh’s only Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, Paul Kitching’s masterpiece is housed in a striking Georgian Townhouse. The chameleon menu sports three choices per course and pays tribute to his contemporary French cooking flair."

"The four bedrooms above this Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms are as stylish as the food. The contemporary/baroque look (at times surprising, but always sensual) and unexpectedly leafy views, make this a low-key option with a high-octane experience."

"The Pompadou offers one of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms|Courtesy of The Pompadour. One of Edinburgh’s prettiest dining rooms, the Pompadour is decked out in the softest sugar-almond shades of blues and greys, with hand-painted birds and flowers adorning the walls. Tables are set with snowy-white linen, weighty crystal glasses and polished silverware, while the food is more than a match for this lavish room, with every dish a serious contender in the looks department."

"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."

"Housed in a converted warehouse and serving a menu that’s about as far removed from stereotypical Scottish cooking as imaginable, Tapa has earned itself a loyal following among in-the-know residents in Leith. Its take on Spanish tapas dishes provides a break from the norm: there are melt-in-your-mouth ribs, and the chef’s mother offers her own recipe for venison stew that’s not to be missed."

"This palace is the royal family's official residence in Scotland but is more famous as the 16th-century home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots. The highlight of the tour is Mary's Bedchamber, home to the unfortunate queen from 1561 to 1567. It was here that her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, restrained the pregnant queen while his henchmen murdered her secretary – and favourite – David Rizzio. A plaque in the neighbouring room marks the spot where Rizzio bled to death."

"If you want to save money when visiting the city’s popular attractions, consider purchasing the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. This is a pre-paid attraction pass which includes FREE entry to royal sites including, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse."

"The Royal Mile ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace is the official residence in Scotland of Queen Elizabeth. She resides here about one week every year. When the Queen is not here, the Palace is open for visit."

"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."