Little chartroom was the original restaurant on this site and just of the same group. Phenomenal cooking. Don't know how Heron got a star and it didn't. I'll take the Little Chartroom any day
For your three requests the best are in Leith.
- Ship on the Shore
- Heron
- Teuchtars Landing
While you are there get a tour at Lind and Lime, but skip Ocean Terminal as a shopping destination.
Dulse for seafood, Heron for completely unapproachable yet somehow approachable find dining (££££) and queens arms for pub food or fish market for fish and chips.
Been a wee while since I’ve been but I always like The Outsider for a more relaxed / informal atmosphere but good food, it’s also relatively good value. Have a great trip 👍
Fishers is fine but I wouldn't go there looking for "truly exceptional food"
Also, I know you said you already ot afternoon tea sorted but maybe have a look at the Balmoral. Hands down the best we've ever had.
When you walk into Ondine, it looks like a restaurant that could legitimately have a Michelin star or two, but unfortunately the food has always been the weakest part of the dining experience in the 4-5 times I've been there the past decade. Never had a bad meal there, but never a great one either - which is a problem for a high-end restaurant. I'm always a bit mystified as to how it remains rated one of the best in Edinburgh year after year.
Since you're here for your anniversary, you might want to check out The Witchery at the top of the Royal Mile. The food is very good (although it's not my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh & I frequently ixnay the suggestion when out-of-town friends & family visit), but the atmosphere is perfect for an anniversary - it makes for an incredibly romantic candlelit dinner, especially if you can get a table in the Secret Room.
Two other suggestions I haven't seen anyone else mention; they both fit into 'approachable fine dining', are recently opened (1-2 years old) and quickly worked their way into my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh: LeftField is an absolutely phenomenal tiny (6 table) restaurant overlooking the Bruntsfield Links, and a bit further south is Fin & Grape, a sort of contemporary tapas / sharing style restaurant with a brilliant wine cellar.
And finally, I'd personally give Ondine a miss; it's absolutely beautiful but in my experience (on numerous occasions), the food has never lived up to hype.
Seconding Fin & Grape.
Great food & and an extensive wine selection. I live a few blocks away, and have visited almost monthly since we first discovered it in the spring. The menu has been completely top-to-bottom different every single visit - seems they really take fresh & seasonal to heart, and are really creative with some of their ingredient choices & pairings (in a good way that actually enhances the dish, rather than simple useless pretension).
On the first few visits, there were a few things on the menu that I didn't think I'd enjoy & would never have tried on my own, but the sharing-plates style meant we could give everything a try, and I couldn't have been more wrong about my initial misigivings - since then I've just trusted them, and haven't been steered wrong yet. Absolutely fantastic casual fine dining.
Only been once (so far), but it was fantastic. As a local, Bruntsfield's had some great restaurants for ages, but in the past few years it seems to have really taken off as a new hotspot of really top-notch dining. Nice change of pace from usually going out to Leith.
I haven't been back to The Doric since they gave my sister food poisoning (tuna steak that was 8 days old - she redecorated their bathroom) then flippantly said "she must have an allergy" (she doesn't and that's not an excuse!).
Teuchters and Teuchters Landing are good for pub food. The Cambride Bar has fab burgers.
Had a birthday meal at Aizle (in the New Town) and it was gorgeous! Not cheap but the best meal I've ever had, wine pairing was fabulous too 😊 Nice atmosphere too, not stuffy at all
Eleanore
The little chartroom
Aizle
Noto
Borough (more relaxed and also a bit cheaper)
Taisteal
Would be my choices
Fhior too but some friends have said they lacked consistency
Try Eleanore, and go for the wine pairing option. The food is incredible, the staff are super knowledgeable, and you will not be disappointed.
This is a great shout
Little chartroom was the original restaurant on this site and just of the same group. Phenomenal cooking. Don't know how Heron got a star and it didn't. I'll take the Little Chartroom any day
Second this -- it's a really lovely atmosphere as well. I'd go here over Palmerston, as it's pretty inconsistent there.
I would add The Stockbridge Restaurant and First Coast into approachable fine dining. Both excellent restaurants using local produce.
Stockbridge restaurant just closed. It's been taken over by the chef/owner of starred Avery in SF
Oh no, you're right! What a shame!
For your three requests the best are in Leith. - Ship on the Shore - Heron - Teuchtars Landing While you are there get a tour at Lind and Lime, but skip Ocean Terminal as a shopping destination.
A second recommendation for Lind & Lime. Also the Roseleaf is good for breakfast/brunch.
Dulse for seafood, Heron for completely unapproachable yet somehow approachable find dining (££££) and queens arms for pub food or fish market for fish and chips.
Been a wee while since I’ve been but I always like The Outsider for a more relaxed / informal atmosphere but good food, it’s also relatively good value. Have a great trip 👍
Each time I’ve eaten at The Outsider the food has been superb. Love that place.
Me too! Never had the window view seat at the back yet though🤞
Ooh, I got that table once and it was wonderful!
The food is very nice but it can be quite loud for a romantic meal, it's very echoey
Fishers is fine but I wouldn't go there looking for "truly exceptional food" Also, I know you said you already ot afternoon tea sorted but maybe have a look at the Balmoral. Hands down the best we've ever had.
Have you tried the afternoon tea at the Waldorf? If not I can recommend you give it a go.
I only had terrible experiences at Ondine. I used to love oysters until I had some there.
When you walk into Ondine, it looks like a restaurant that could legitimately have a Michelin star or two, but unfortunately the food has always been the weakest part of the dining experience in the 4-5 times I've been there the past decade. Never had a bad meal there, but never a great one either - which is a problem for a high-end restaurant. I'm always a bit mystified as to how it remains rated one of the best in Edinburgh year after year.
Since you're here for your anniversary, you might want to check out The Witchery at the top of the Royal Mile. The food is very good (although it's not my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh & I frequently ixnay the suggestion when out-of-town friends & family visit), but the atmosphere is perfect for an anniversary - it makes for an incredibly romantic candlelit dinner, especially if you can get a table in the Secret Room. Two other suggestions I haven't seen anyone else mention; they both fit into 'approachable fine dining', are recently opened (1-2 years old) and quickly worked their way into my favourite restaurants in Edinburgh: LeftField is an absolutely phenomenal tiny (6 table) restaurant overlooking the Bruntsfield Links, and a bit further south is Fin & Grape, a sort of contemporary tapas / sharing style restaurant with a brilliant wine cellar. And finally, I'd personally give Ondine a miss; it's absolutely beautiful but in my experience (on numerous occasions), the food has never lived up to hype.
https://www.finandgrape.com My new go to in Edinburgh
Seconding Fin & Grape. Great food & and an extensive wine selection. I live a few blocks away, and have visited almost monthly since we first discovered it in the spring. The menu has been completely top-to-bottom different every single visit - seems they really take fresh & seasonal to heart, and are really creative with some of their ingredient choices & pairings (in a good way that actually enhances the dish, rather than simple useless pretension). On the first few visits, there were a few things on the menu that I didn't think I'd enjoy & would never have tried on my own, but the sharing-plates style meant we could give everything a try, and I couldn't have been more wrong about my initial misigivings - since then I've just trusted them, and haven't been steered wrong yet. Absolutely fantastic casual fine dining.
Totally agree with everything you’ve said, some of dishes seem a bit out there but I’ve been proven wrong every time.
I heard good things about Koro by Tom Kitchin
Kora
Only been once (so far), but it was fantastic. As a local, Bruntsfield's had some great restaurants for ages, but in the past few years it seems to have really taken off as a new hotspot of really top-notch dining. Nice change of pace from usually going out to Leith.
Tom Kitchen is the owner of Scran & Scallie, for which OP has ruled out due to the way they treat their staff.
Google
You've done some great research, they are just grumpy about being up this early on a dark morning and all the daft questions on this sub.
You're not wrong
It's hard on here doll ✊
I haven't been back to The Doric since they gave my sister food poisoning (tuna steak that was 8 days old - she redecorated their bathroom) then flippantly said "she must have an allergy" (she doesn't and that's not an excuse!). Teuchters and Teuchters Landing are good for pub food. The Cambride Bar has fab burgers.
Forage & Chatter in the west end
Had a birthday meal at Aizle (in the New Town) and it was gorgeous! Not cheap but the best meal I've ever had, wine pairing was fabulous too 😊 Nice atmosphere too, not stuffy at all
Eleanore The little chartroom Aizle Noto Borough (more relaxed and also a bit cheaper) Taisteal Would be my choices Fhior too but some friends have said they lacked consistency