20 Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh for fine dining in the Scottish capital

Do you want to find the finest places to eat in the Scottish capital? I don’t blame you! Luckily, my ultimate guide to Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh is here to help you seek out the very best spots.

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ll know how much I adore Edinburgh. One of the reasons why I love it so much is that the food scene really packs a punch for a relatively small city. So for foodies like me, it’s a dream destination.

I’ve handpicked the very best Michelin-starred and Michelin-recommended Edinburgh restaurants that I think you’ll love. This is the ultimate hot-list!

Options range from a down-to-earth celebrity chef’s gastropub to the fine dining restaurant in Scotland’s most famous hotel. Or discover laid-back eateries in Leith, Stockbridge and other smart Edinburgh suburbs. 

Whether you want to dine while enjoying panoramic city views, opt for a local seafood feast or grab a bite to eat before sampling the Grassmarket’s legendary nightlife, I’ve got you covered.

Read on to find the perfect Edinburgh restaurant for your next date night, informed by my gastronomic experiences in Edinburgh and excellent local recommendations. 

1. Condita

Address: 15 Salisbury Place, Newington, Edinburgh EH9 1SL 

Distinction: One Michelin Star

You’ll have to head just out of the city centre to dine at Condita, a restaurant with one Michelin star in Edinburgh. But trust me when I say that it’s worth the trip!

The converted shop can be found to the southeast of the centre, and west of Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat.

Size-wise it’s small: there are just half a dozen tables here. Dishes are both big on flavour and beautiful to behold, while chef Conor Toomey is normally on hand to chat to diners.

Surprise tasting menus are the sole option here, and you can expect your experience to last for around three hours. As the only restaurant in Edinburgh with a Michelin star, I recommend booking early.

2. Aizle

Address: 38 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4HQ

Distinction: Michelin recommended

You can find Aizle within the Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel in Edinburgh’s elegant Georgian New Town.

The dining room here is delightful, and every single thing you sample here is produced in-house, from the creamy butter to the outstanding kombucha used in some of the cocktails.

Again it’s set menus, which constantly evolve to reflect the availability of local, seasonal ingredients.

A wine flight to complement the food is also offered, which I’d highly recommend. Aizle, incidentally, is a Scottish term referring to a red-hot ember. 

3. Purslane

Address: 33A St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh EH3 5AH

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Purslane is located in Stockbridge, a bohemian Edinburgh neighbourhood by the Water of Leith, immediately north of the New Town.

The smart townhouse contains only nine tables, where diners can feast by candlelight on the finest Scottish seafood and game. I love how wonderfully romantic the atmosphere is here!

Here dishes skilfully combine traditional flavour combinations with cutting-edge techniques.

There are five and seven course tasting menus, plus a lunch menu which I think offers incredible value for money. Matching wines can be added for an additional, reasonable charge.

4. The Little Chartroom

Address: 14 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh EH6 5JD

Distinction: Michelin recommended

The Little Chartroom offers fine dining in Edinburgh close to the water. Situated in Leith, it’s a laid-back eatery showcasing locally produced ingredients.

I’d suggest making time for a drink at the bar before lunch or dinner if you can. Menu options include a fixed-price lunch at weekends, plus an a la carte menu for evening dining.

Typically there are three options offered per course, all featuring well-balanced flavours and a scattering of upmarket and unusual ingredients. 

5. Number One

Address: 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ

Distinction: Michelin recommended 

My favourite luxury Edinburgh hotel, The Balmoral is home to Number One, which is named for the prestigious Princes Street address.

Window shutters, padded banquettes and glossy rich red walls give this restaurant a clubby, almost colonial feel.

The eatery is Michelin-recommended and also boasts four AA rosettes. A seven course tasting menu allows you to tuck into a range of dishes using ingredients like Balmoral honey, hand-dived scallop and black truffle.

These can be accompanied by a selection of tasting or prestige wines. Special Christmas, Hogmanay and other featured menus are also available periodically.

6. Rico’s

Address: 58a North Castle Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3LU

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Named for the Tuscan grandfather of the owner, Rico’s on North Castle Street offers a menu featuring Italian dishes made from local Scottish produce.

If you’re a fresh pasta fan like me, then this is the pick of the fancy restaurants in Edinburgh for you. All the pasta is handmade on the premises – what more could you want?  

Menus at Rico’s are seasonal and are Italian in style, comprising cicchetti, antipasti, primi piatti and secondi courses. Delectable sides and desserts are also available.

Dishes such as the Riviera risotto are typical, carefully combining Scottish seafood and Italian techniques with irresistible Asian flavours like coriander and chilli. 

7. Fhior

Address: 36 Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3SB

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Simple, clean cooking is the name of the game at Fhior, a Scandinavian style eatery north of Edinburgh Waverley.

The on-site one acre garden provides the inspiration for much of the menu. The couple who run the restaurant preserve what they can for use during all seasons.

I love that foraged ingredients are also a feature here, and the name comes from a Gaelic word which translates as ‘true’.

Four and seven course lunch menus plus seven and 10 course tasting menus make up the menu. Diners are encouraged to enjoy the experience without viewing the contents beforehand.

8. Rabbit Hole

Address: 11 Roseneath Street, Edinburgh, EH9 1JH

Distinction: Michelin recommended

The vibrant district of Marchmont south of the city centre is home to the Rabbit Hole.

It’s well-hidden, yet firmly on the foodie map. With tables clustered fairly close together, I’d recommend this one for those seeking a relaxed, sociable kind of culinary experience. 

Good value lunch and a la carte menus are available here. Though there’s a relaxed ambience that I love, it’s clear that food is taken very seriously at this fun eatery.

A good selection of fish, meat and vegetable based dishes offers plenty of options for all sorts of people.

9. Eleanore

Address: 30-31 Albert Place, Edinburgh, EH7 5HN

Distinction: Michelin recommended

The Little Chartroom once occupied this building, but has now made way for its younger sister Eleanore.

It’s on the fringes of Leith, and has a coastal feel with lots of fresh white and blue. The name actually comes from the owner’s boat.

I love that Eleanore is part wine bar and part tapas joint (two of my favourite things!), with a menu featuring dishes of various sizes.

Elegant and flavoursome ingredients, such as blackberry leaf, sea buckthorn, damson and seaweed, ensure a coastal and authentically Scottish flavour throughout the pared-down menu.

10. Noto

Address: 47a Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DY

Distinction: Michelin Bib Gourmand

Noto on the delightfully-named Thistle Street has a Michelin Bib Gourmand award to its name for high quality, great value food – and I can see why.

Drinks also play a starring role, and clearly care has been taken when crafting the cocktail list. 

Noto is the brainchild of Stuart Ralston, the owner of Aizle. I’d say this is the place to come for great British dishes with delicious Asian touches.

For me, the desserts, the wine list and the cocktails are particular highlights. 

11. Mono

Address: 85 South Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1HN

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Mono is another one for fans of Italian cooking. This Old Town eatery serves up Italian food fine dining style, in a slick, monochrome setting.

Again Scottish ingredients are key. You can pick between five and seven course set menus, or order from the a la carte selection. 

While the menu features Italian style dishes such as pasta, risotto and tiramisu, the locale is evident enough.

Local inclusions such as crab from the east coast, cauliflower and rib eye or sirloin steaks ensure this is Mediterranean fare with an irresistibly Scottish twist.

12. Timberyard

Address: 10 Lady Lawson Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9DS

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Timberyard is tucked away close to Edinburgh castle and the Grassmarket. So it’s ideal for both sightseers and those who want to discover this locale’s lively clutch of pubs.

I love that the style is contemporary and laid-back, with wood burners, chunky tables and a warehouse feel.

If you want to sample the cuisine of Michelin restaurants in Edinburgh followed by a post-dinner cocktail, I think this place is perfect.

Whether you opt for the lunch, dinner or tasting menu, flavours are bold and foraged ingredients are used to prepare the cocktails. 

Discover the best cocktail bars in Edinburgh in my guide.

13. The Broughton

Address: 46-48A Broughton Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3SA

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Named for the street on which it’s located, The Broughton is just a short walk from the eastern end of Princes Street or the New Town.

Often known as The Broughton Bar, I’m a fan of the casual, inviting atmosphere here.

In fact this Edinburgh dining venue does double up as a local pub, so I think it’s a great place to come if you want to get under the skin of the city. It’s also the only Michelin recommended pub in the capital.

Expect a warm welcome, flawless food and a pleasing neighbourhood vibe.

14. 21212

Address: 3 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH7 5AB

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Close to Calton Hill and just east of Princes Street is 21212. It’s housed in a glorious Georgian townhouse, and has been operating here since 2009. 21212 is run by Michelin-starred chef Paul Kitching.

The concept gave this restaurant its name, as each diner is offered two courses as starters, mains and desserts.

Small soup and cheese courses are slotted in-between, though you can opt for fewer courses if you’d like to for lunch or dinner.

15. Ondine

Address: 2 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1AD

Distinction: Michelin recommended

An iconic Old Town location and a smart monochrome interior with comfortable seating help to make Ondine stand out among Edinburgh restaurants.

It’s all clustered around a horseshoe-shaped oyster bar, and I’d really recommend this one for seafood lovers.

Seafood is the star of the show at Ondine, and dishes are unfussy, allowing the natural flavours to shine through.

From a starter of dressed crab, Asian-style mussels or local cured salmon to lobster Thermidor, masala monkfish or lemon sole in brown butter, Ondine is heaven for lovers of ocean produce.

16. Gardener’s Cottage

Address: 1 Royal Terrace Gardens, Edinburgh, EH7 5DX

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Tucked away in London Road gardens northeast of Princes Street is Gardener’s Cottage, and in fact the cute stone cottage formerly the home of a Royal gardener.

In modern times, the produce of the kitchen garden here still supplies much of the menu, which I think is a lovely touch.

It’s all about seasonal and communal eating at Gardener’s Cottage. Set menus offer six courses for lunch or seven for dinner, and there is the option of a wine flight to accompany your meal.

Innovative ingredients like sea aster, burnt celeriac and lovage keep things interesting, and the salmon is smoked right here on site.

17. Spry

Address: 1 Haddington Place, Edinburgh, EH7 4AE 

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Spry was actually a wine store first and foremost, but has since evolved into one of Edinburgh’s most outstanding restaurants.

This eatery and wine merchant close to Leith Walk offers an impressive evening menu, and of course the selection of wines is superb.

I love that the menu descriptions are refreshingly down-to-earth here. Pick a selection of dishes to suit your preferences, or choose the five course set menu to sample a balanced range.

European and Middle Eastern ingredients, such as pistachios, labneh, saffron and sauerkraut, ensure even simple dishes stand out.

18. Palmerston

Address: 1 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5AF

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Palmerston in Edinburgh’s Haymarket area has a traditional feel, and in fact the building was once a local bank.

Soaring ceilings with ornate plasterwork, monochrome floor tiling and slightly scuffed wooden furniture give this eatery something of an old school feel. 

Local beers, helpful service and home baked pies help to ensure there’s nothing stuffy about this Edinburgh eatery.

I have no doubt that you’ll have a hearty feast here, whether you opt for a hogget faggot with hispi cabbage, slow roasted Shetland lamb or fish stew.

19. The Scran & Scallie

Address: 1 Comely Bank Road, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1DT

Distinction: Michelin Bib Gourmand

For foodies like me, this laid-back Stockbridge joint will barely need any introduction. The Scran & Scallie is overseen by Tom Kitchin, one of Scotland’s most famous celebrity chefs.

The drinks list is placed on an equal footing with the food here, with a huge range of whiskies and bottled or draught brews to sample.

The ‘scran’ at Edinbrugh’s top gastropub is based on a farm to fork principle. This place prides itself on offering a warm welcome to locals, visitors and children. Young ‘scallies’ have their very own kids’ menu.

There’s plenty of choice when it comes to all courses. From ‘Yer starters’ to ‘Oor puddins’ plus ‘bits and bobs’, there’s nothing remotely snobbish about The Scran. I think it’s brilliant.

20. The Lookout by Gardener’s Cottage

Address: Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AA

Distinction: Michelin recommended

Lookout by name and lookout by nature – some of Edinburgh’s finest views are yours to savour when taking a seat at The Lookout.

The restaurant is positioned atop Calton Hill, and I love that the full length windows ensure every diner can make the most of the unparalleled panoramas.

Food served here is local, seasonal and the menus evolve to reflect the calendar. Unlike other fine dining establishments in the city you can also enjoy breakfast here which I think is a real bonus.

What a way to start the day with freshly baked pastries or a Continental tray, all washed down with nasturtium juice.

For lunch and dinner, it’s seven or eight course tasting menus respectively.

Discover more of the best restaurants with a view in Edinburgh.

Do let me know any of your favourite Edinburgh restaurants in the comments, or get in touch on social media!

Planning a trip to the Scottish capital? Browse more of my Edinburgh articles:

• 15 cosy cafes in Edinburgh
• 16 tasty Edinburgh brunch spots
• 15 fun things to do in Edinburgh
• 16 magical Harry Potter things to do in Edinburgh
• 18 top luxury hotels in Edinburgh
• 10 wonderful cocktail bars in Edinburgh

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