Best Restaurants, Must Try Places in Newbattle

"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."

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

"Run by Scotland’s youngest Michelin-star chef, Tom Kitchin (a man whose name was made for a career in the hospitality industry), this eponymous restaurant is the place to go to push the boat out. Splash out on the £140 “prestige” tasting menu to fully appreciate Kitchin’s sheer brilliance and culinary philosophy, as espoused in his book From Nature to Plate. This entails sourcing the finest local ingredients and cooking using the classical French technique honed under his mentor Pierre Koffman."

"Never one to miss a culinary beat, The Kitchin redefines the nature to plate trend, rendering it less of a fad and more of a mentality. Tom Kitchin’s deep respect for seasonal produce when paired with his honed French cooking style, results in a desirable Michelin-starred menu overflowing with flavour. The garnish, of course, is the knock-out ambience and attention to detail."

"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."

"Nowadays with so many food trends in eating healthy, sometimes it can be hard to arrange a BFF date if one of you is healthy conscious or has allergies. Hulla Juice Bar is great, as there are plenty of healthy alternatives and a such a great lively vibe!. This place is ideal with its cute trendy furniture and seating arrangements, meaning the hardest choice during this date will be picking which smoothie you’d like from the vast choices on the menu."

"We didn’t know much about Scottish cuisine, except for Haggis and whisky we couldn’t actually think of anything specific. Imagine our surprise when we discovered the plethora of vegetarian and vegan dining options Edinburgh has to offer!. It must be one of the most vegetarian/vegan friendly cities we’ve come across during our travels so far."

"Hula do an aaaamazing range of juices which as a juice bar you would probably expect. Although not totally vegan, still worth a shoutout on this list though as they did have some delicious and healthy vegan food on offer!. Think smoothie bowls, avocado and toast and sandwiches."

"Beautifully located in a leafy crescent in the exclusive West End, within walking distance of Princes Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, and Calton Hill, The Bonham is an elegant hotel that’s perfect for a luxurious stay in the capital. The interiors are styled to capture the history of the Victorian townhouse, with oak panelling and grand fireplaces in public areas, while bedrooms and suites – all with pleasant views – fuse traditional designs with modern convenience. Room service is available 24 hours a day, while the in-house restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as afternoon tea, drawing on traditional cuisine with a European twist."

"Best for Sophisticated art loversIn a nutshell Even West End locals often don’t know about the existence of this art-stuffed bolt hole in easy walking distance to the city centre. It’s a sanctuary from Princes Street, hunkered in a sprawling townhouse with the sort of elegant fixtures and fittings you’re scared to touch. There’s a nasturtium-shade Tiffany lamp, Viennese chandelier, and wall-to-wall oil portraits, while the wood-panelled rooms are equally swanky.Don’t miss Dinner at in-house restaurant No.35 — go on, order the haggis fritters with black truffle."

"Well, if you’re in need of sustenance to quell your rumbling tummy, then check out Hotel du Vin and Bistro. They serve a fabulous Sunday Brunch between 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm, where you can partake in some amazing soup, as well as a saliva-inducing, fresh market table where you can help yourself to an assortment of delectable brunch items (if you’re not here on a Sunday, they serve lunch between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. I ordered the French style pizza with roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Yum)."

"Enjoying a prime location one minute from Princes Street and with unobscured views of Edinburgh Castle, the Waldorf Astoria is, from the neoclassical façade to the luxurious bathrooms, a distinctively extravagant visitor experience. Built over a century ago as part of the city’s central railway station, the hotel oozes opulence, with spacious rooms equipped with the latest accessories and the UK’s only Guerlain Spa offering specialist treatments, a steam room, and Jacuzzi. The swimming pool and gym are perfect for those guests wishing to indulge in some cardio alongside exploring Edinburgh, while the array of dining options, including the award-winning restaurant, Grazing by Mark Greenaway, promises unforgettable culinary delights."

"The Waldorf Astoria's adoption has been good for the beloved Caley, Edinburgh's most famous railway hotel. The hallmarks of the brand—the Guerlain Spa, Peacock Alley bar and lounge (created here from the station concourse)—add reliable luxury, while its bones (the sandstone exterior, the marble lobby) have been exquisitely restored. Rooms are updated in sleek and smoky blues and grays, and many—rooms and suites alike—come with castle views."

"Village Hotel Edinburgh is located just 8 miles and 15 minutes drive time from Edinburgh Airport. It is just 2 miles from Edinburgh city centre and Haymarket railway and 3 miles from Edinburgh Waverley train station. Nearby attractions include Edinburgh Castle - Royal Yacht Britannia and Princes Street - a shopaholics dream location."

"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"

"In an old railway shed near Holyrood Park, this gin and whisky distillery offers a peek behind the scenes with guided tours and tastings. Holyrood Distillery’s state-of-the-art visitor’s centre is kitted out like a science museum, with a dedicated nosing room, the tallest copper stills in Scotland and a lab-like gin experience room. Hit the outdoor courtyard bar where you can sample your favourite spirits in a heady cocktail mix."

"The first single malt whisky distillery in the city centre in almost a century, Holyrood Distilleryopened in 2019. Situated next to Holyrood Park, the 180-year-old railway goods building has been thoughtfully renovated as both a whisky and gin distillery. As such, they have a number of tours to choose from, covering all interests and tastes."

"Chop Chop near Haymarket Station prides itself in its authentic approach to Chinese cuisine, with the tagline "How can one billion people be wrong?". If you find the range of unfamiliar dishes overwhelming try their banquet option, which includes a wide selection of dishes delivered to your table to share. Head chef Jian Wang travels back to China every year to seek out new mouthwatering food to add to her expansive menu, however arguably she is most well known for her dumplings, which the restaurant claims are some of the best in the country."

"When it comes to Chop Chop, you can’t get the food in your mouth fast enough. The brainchild of Jian Wang following her arrival in Edinburgh from Changchun (a region in North Eastern China renowned for its dumplings), Chop Chop came about after the success of her dumpling factory, which supplied dumplings all over the UK and then to cruises around the world. The no-fuss food is fresh, healthy and utterly delicious."

"Why: Fronting its tagline of ‘Can a billion people be wrong?. ’ on both its restaurant window and menus, Chop Chop prides itself on being dubbed Edinburgh’s best Chinese restaurant. This combined with lots of praise being received in the national press means Chop Chop has grown in popularity, and we can see why."

"This popular tex-mex restaurant does serve meat (sorry) but they’re also famed for their vegan pulled jackfruit burrito, made with slow-roasted, barbequed jackfruit: a sort of tropical fruit that takes on the consistency of pulled pork when cooked. The burrito also comes with spicy salsa, either black beans or pinto beans, and vegan cheese. If you don’t fancy jackfruit you can opt for a true taste of Scotland instead and try a veggie haggis burrito!"

"The Tex-Mex fast food trend was slow to arrive in Edinburgh but there are now two excellent rivals – Illegal Jack's in the south of the city and Los Cardos in the north. Illegal Jack's is a slick branded operation with the product to match. While the menu carries fajitas, nachos and tacos, it's really all about the burritos."

"Tasty Mexican food, quick helpful service and good value is not illegal any more. The only thing you will find illegal about this place are the flavours, they serve good Mexican food USA style which is great, big portions too."