Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in East Calder

"Edinburgh native Martin Wishart has been cooking up a storm at his eponymous restaurant in Leith for the past 20 years and was awarded a Michelin star in 2001 – retaining it ever since. The classic French cuisine, served in a contemporary dining room, is mouth-watering perfection. Go the whole hog and plump for the eight-course tasting menu, which perfectly showcases Wishart’s skills, including exquisite dishes such as Black Angus beef, sliced pig’s trotter, squab pigeon and Calvados ganache."

"This is elegant, decadent dining at its best, with Scottish ingredients laying the foundation for both traditional and modern French cuisine.The menus change with the seasons, but the lunch, à la carte and various tasting menus are always available. Each is a cornucopia of flavours and surprises, from playful amuse bouches through to robust, intricate mains and artful, mouth-watering desserts. The matched wine package is a necessary, if costly delight."

"What: ‘From nature to plate’ is the mantra of chef Tom Kitchin, and it’s a philosophy that you can see everywhere in his restaurant in Leith, The Kitchin. Natural materials such as slate and wood complemented by fabrics in cool blues and greys create a calming atmosphere for cooking that uses seasonal ingredients from regional growers, producers and fishermen. North Sea wild halibut, smoked to order on oak chips and served with parsley purée and horseradish cream potatoes, gives an idea of the level of accomplishment on offer."

"There was only going to be one winner on this list and Tom Kitchin's chic Michelin-starred eatery was the only one of our top restaurants to score higher than 90 per cent. Our premier critic Gaby Soutar reviewed the celebrity chef's eponymous eatery in 2015, waxing lyrical about everything from the decor to the desserts - which she described as "symphonies of tasty bits"."

"Enjoy French fusion worthy of its Michelin star in the sleek dining room of The Kitchin. The philosophy here is “From Nature to Plate,” with Chef Tom Kitchin using only Scottish produce as well as undertaking all the butchering of meat and in-house to ensure diners are consuming the freshest food possible."

"After a morning spent meandering around the vintage shops of Grassmarket, pop into this charming café for a juice, a veggie snack and a dose of green goodness. Find your perch by a pastel-hued table amid jungle-esque decor and sip on a smoothie (the Ass-Aye-Eee with berries, açai, apple and coconut milk is delightfully sweet) and nibble on a slice of toasted sourdough or a warm bowl of veggie curry."

"Located on the West Bow at the foot of Victoria Street just off The Grassmarket you'll find Hula Juicebar. This is a terrific option for anyone seeking a healthy breakfast in Edinburgh. You'll find great big bowls of porridge, bagels, fresh fruit and loads of tempting beverages."

"Fhior epitomises everything that’s exciting about Edinburgh’s food scene – high-quality Scottish ingredients spun into creative dishes. Diners can opt for an element of theatrics by selecting the four- or seven-course tasting menus, with the identity of the dishes and their ingredients only revealed from a sealed envelope at the end of the meal. The wine pairings are equally as creative as the dishes."

"Since opening Fhior in summer 2018, chef Scott Smith has been busy wowing food critics and putting his stamp on restaurant-centric Broughton Street. His previous project, Norn, down in Leith, was good—maybe excellent—but Fhior is even better, slicker, and more focused. Smith has a lightness of touch and just the right amount of everything: inventiveness, wit, and skill."

"At Black Ivy, comfort and relaxation is assured, without the formality that you’d sometimes expect from a high-class hotel. Each of the 21 unique boutique rooms feature Egyptian cotton bed linen on the king-size bed, flavoured teas, and White Company toiletries while, for a thoroughly laidback stay, guests can head for brunch until 5pm or order blueberry pancakes direct to their room. Many rooms enjoy delightful views over Bruntsfield Links Park, while the city centre attractions, Usher Hall, Filmhouse Cinema, and the shopping precinct of Princes Street are only 15 minutes away."

"Best for Neighbourhood vibes In a nutshell Dodge the thrum of tourists in the centre of Edinburgh and escape to this neighbourhood hotel overlooking Bruntsfield Links. Black Ivy has 21 bedrooms, decorated with welcoming splashes of colour. There’s also a conservatory restaurant filled with chandeliers and hanging flowers and a large, lively outdoor terrace with a brunch menu that runs until 5pm."

"To be honest- any restaurant covered in foliage with a bohemian vibe is my kind of place!. Black Ivy is actually a self-described ‘local luxury’ hotel located in Bruntsfield that has a wonderful restaurant for brunch, lunch or dinner. It is especially bonnie at Christmas time when it is covered in Christmas decorations."

"This small, quirky museum located on the Royal Mile is not only fun for the kids but for parents too who’ll enjoy their wee trip down memory lane. There are many toys and books dating back as far as the late 1800s. The ground floor was recently updated and the brand new Gallery One includes many new retro exhibits such as the Fisher Price chatter phone."

"Both adults and children can enjoy a trip down memory lane and discover a range of bygone games and toys of the past at the Museum of Childhood. With interactive exhibitions including a puppet theatre and dress up area, a trip to the museum is one to be enjoyed by all the family. 42 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG"

"The Museum of Edinburgh is dedicated to displaying the local history of Edinburgh. You will see Greyfriars Bobby's collar and feeding bowl and the National Covenant, signed by leaders of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland in 1638. There are also displays of crafts that were important in the lives of past populations, including glassmaking, pottery, wool processing, and cabinetry."

"The Museum of Edinburgh is the single best location to learn about the history of Edinburgh through the ages. At the museum, you can learn about the city and its formation, as well as its people and trade. Witness the National Covenant, original city plans and lots of Edinburgh decorative art."

"Highlights include the bowl and collar worn by Greyfriar’s Bobby!. The Museum of Edinburgh is located in a 16th century building on the Royal Mile. If you want to learn about the history of Edinburgh, this is the place to go!"

"Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DWOpen 10am to 5pm dailyAdult: £8, Students, NHS staff and children under 16: £4.50, unders 5's go free. If you are fascinated by the wonders of the human body, this museum is a must-visit. Owned by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Surgeons' Hall Museums consist of the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and The Dental Collection."

"Housed in a grand Ionic temple designed by William Playfair in 1832, these three fascinating museums were originally established as teaching collections. The History of Surgery Museum provides a look at surgery... Top ChoiceGardens in Stockbridge"