Edinburgh is well-known for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and thriving cultural scene. What about the food, though? Edinburgh's culinary scene is one of the most exciting in the country, with a wide variety of dining options to suit all tastes and budgets. Edinburgh has something for everyone, from fine dining to budget-friendly options. This article will give visitors information on the best places to eat in Edinburgh. It will cover a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to low-cost options. It will also make suggestions for the best local dishes to try.

Edinburgh's Fine Dining

There are many different high-end restaurants in Edinburgh, perfect for a special occasion or a date night. The Kitchin in Leith is one of the best-rated restaurants in the city. It uses fresh, local ingredients to make its food. The restaurant serves a tasting menu as well as à la carte dishes such as Perthshire wood pigeon and roast quail. Another popular fine dining option is Castle Terrace, a Michelin-starred restaurant in the heart of the city. The restaurant serves modern Scottish cuisine, including dishes like West Coast crab and lamb loin.

The Witchery by the Castle is a really unique place to eat. It is in a 16th-century building just a few steps from Edinburgh Castle. The opulent decor and candlelit tables of the restaurant create a romantic and dramatic atmosphere, and the menu includes classic Scottish dishes such as Cullen skink and haggis.

Try the Best Local Dishes

No trip to Edinburgh is complete without sampling some of the city's traditional dishes. The national dish of Scotland, haggis, is a must-try and can be found on many restaurant menus throughout the city. Try deep-fried haggis at the famous Oink restaurant, or as part of a traditional Scottish breakfast at the Caffeine Drip. Cullen skink, a thick and creamy smoked haddock soup, is another must-try traditional Scottish dish. Fishers in Leith have the best Cullen skink in town.

Caledonian cream, a type of clotted cream that is often served with desserts, and cranachan, a Scottish dessert made with raspberries, cream, oats, and whisky, are two other local dishes to try.

Options for Vegetarians and Vegans

Edinburgh is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly city with plenty of plant-based dining options. Try the Beetroot Sauvage for vegan comfort food, a cafe and yoga studio that serves vegan dishes ranging from burgers to curries. The restaurant also serves vegan afternoon tea, which includes vegan scones and sandwiches. Try the highly-rated David Bann restaurant for vegetarian fine dining, which serves a creative vegetarian and vegan menu with dishes like butternut squash risotto and spiced sweet potato cakes.

Budget-Friendly Restaurants

Travelling on a tight budget? There are numerous budget-friendly dining options in Edinburgh that do not sacrifice quality. Civerinos, which offers pizza by the slice or by the metre, is a great place to get cheap and delicious pizza. For a taste of the city's street food scene, visit the Edinburgh Food Studio, which serves a variety of small plates and sharing dishes starting at £5.

The Mosque Kitchen is another great place to eat on a budget. It serves delicious Indian and Pakistani food at very low prices. The restaurant is run entirely by volunteers, and all profits are donated to charity.

Fresh Catch Seafood Everyday

As a coastal city, Edinburgh is known for its seafood, and there are many great places to eat seafood there. The Ondine is a popular choice because it focuses on seafood that comes from nearby and is good for the environment. The menu changes daily depending on what's in season, but expect dishes like Isle of Skye langoustines and Orkney scallops. The Fishmarket, a seafood bar and kitchen that serves everything from oysters to fish and chips, is a more casual seafood experience.

The Ship on the Shore has a wide range of seafood platters, from smoked salmon to lobster, for a truly unique seafood experience. The restaurant also has a large selection of gin and whisky as well as a wide range of oysters.

Afternoon Tea at Edinburgh

Having a traditional Scottish afternoon tea is a must-do when visiting Edinburgh. The Signet Library's Colonnades offer a luxurious afternoon tea experience, complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries served in an elegant setting. For a more unique experience, try Ghillie Dhu's Scottish-themed afternoon tea, which includes haggis bonbons and whisky-infused cranachan.

Try the Beetroot Sauvage for a vegan afternoon tea, which serves a variety of sweet and savoury vegan treats alongside a selection of teas and plant-based kinds of milk.

Street Food in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's street food scene is lively and varied, with food trucks, pop-up stalls, and outdoor markets serving food from all over the world. The Pitt in Leith is one of the city's most popular street food markets, with a rotating lineup of food vendors serving everything from burgers to dumplings. Try the Bodega at the Edinburgh Food Studio for a taste of Mexican street food, which serves delicious tacos and burritos.

For a more one-of-a-kind street food experience, visit the Canny Man's pub in Morningside, which hosts a weekly haggis supper club where diners can sample haggis cooked in a variety of ways, from haggis nachos to haggis burgers.

Edinburgh's International Cuisine

Edinburgh is a cultural melting pot with a diverse range of international cuisine. Kanpai Sushi serves authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi and sashimi, as well as hot dishes like ramen and katsu curry. Kim's Mini Meals, a tiny restaurant that serves delicious bibimbap and bulgogi, is the place to go for Korean cuisine.

Hanedan, a popular Middle Eastern restaurant, serves a variety of mezze plates, kebabs, and tagines. There is also a large selection of vegetarian and vegan options at the restaurant.

Foodies' Pubs and Bars

In Edinburgh, you can find a lot of traditional Scottish pubs that serve both traditional pub food and new takes on Scottish food. The Bow Bar, located in the city centre, serves a variety of Scottish beers and whiskies, as well as traditional pub fares like haggis and neeps. The Scran and Scallie, which serves gastropub-style dishes like venison haggis and cullen skink croquettes, offers a modern take on Scottish cuisine.

Try the Secret Herb Garden, a botanical gin distillery that also serves delicious food, for a truly unique dining experience. The menu includes botanical-inspired dishes like elderflower and rosemary-baked camembert and lavender and honey roast duck.

Conclusion

Edinburgh's culinary scene is diverse, exciting, and ever-changing. Edinburgh has something for everyone, whether you're looking for fine dining or budget-friendly options, classic Scottish dishes or international cuisine. So, why not take a culinary tour of the city and try some of the restaurants recommended in this guide? In Edinburgh, there's always something new to discover and enjoy, from haggis to seafood, afternoon tea to street food.